While panel arrangements have become increasingly popular, many companies fear that they will miss a panel opportunity and find themselves being locked out for up to five years from providing a particular service. While in some circumstance this is true, other panels are set up to allow opportunities for refresh, for adding new categories, or for adding additional service providers.
This week we look at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Panel for Search and Rescue (SAR) Aircraft. This is the third approach to market to provide the opportunity for additional companies to join the panel. AMSA is an Australian Government regulatory safety authority with the primary role of delivering services in relation to maritime safety, aviation and marine SAR and protection of the Australian marine environment. As such, to fulfil its role, AMSA is seeking aviation operators that can provide a high standard of capability in the delivery of Opportunity Services. The panel is made up of fixed wing and helicopter operators that are able to provide services of the three broad types described below:
(a) rescue capable helicopters
(b) helicopters capable of performing search functions; and
(c) fixed wing aircraft capable of performing search functions
Mandatory requirements apply, and tenderers must be able to show compliance against a set of ‘Essential’ requirements, for the tender to be considered. As with all panels, there is no guarantee of any volume of goods and services required under the contract, and the opportunity to negotiate any terms of the Deed are very limited. Note that if you are an operator with aircraft that is already on the panel you do not need to reapply. This panel will be a five year Contract from execution and is intended to commence 1 Aug 19. The Request For Tender closes 4 Jul 19.
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