Aeroplanes

Tender description

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) — part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) — delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Through its extensive logistic capability and experience, BAS facilitates access for the international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure, help sustain a world-leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. BAS is currently carrying out a major programme of Antarctic infrastructure and logistics modernisation. This is placing increasing demand on the existing intercontinental supply chain. To build resilience and redundancy into the supply chain, BAS is seeking to augment its existing fleet with an additional passenger aircraft. The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) — part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) — delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Through its extensive logistic capability and experience, BAS facilitates access for the international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure, help sustain a world-leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. BAS is currently carrying out a major programme of Antarctic infrastructure and logistics modernisation. This is placing increasing demand on the existing intercontinental supply chain. To build resilience and redundancy into the supply chain, BAS is seeking to augment its existing fleet with an additional passenger aircraft. This aircraft will work alongside the de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Series 110 (Dash 7) aircraft on the intercontinental airbridge operation between Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula and Punta Arenas, Chile. The aircraft will be capable of transporting passengers. BAS has a maximum budget of 5 500 000 GBP (excluding VAT) to purchase an aircraft. This will cover the cost of an aircraft plus any necessary modifications required to meet the specification. Bids will be accepted from either the following options: Option 1: suppliers who can provide an aircraft complete with any necessary modifications to meet the specification and mission statements. This could include the supplier subcontracting modification works. Bidders are to provide: — comprehensive details on the modifications needed to meet the specification and mission statements, — full and firm breakdown of pricing; or Option 2: suppliers who wish to provide an aircraft but, cannot undertake the required modifications. Bidders are still required to provide: — comprehensive details on the modifications needed to meet the specification and mission statements, — accurate and comprehensive breakdown of indicative pricing and suggested suppliers. In such an event, BAS would seek to appoint another party to undertake the modification works.