Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Natural Resources Wales
Welsh Government Offices Cathays Park , King Edward VII Avenue
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Contact
Naomi Hammond
naomi.hammond@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 3000653574
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKL - Wales
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0110
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
NRW Helicopter Support Services Framework Agreement 2025-2029
Reference number
project_57490 / itt_113588
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 60424120 - Hire of helicopters with crew
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NRW is responsible for the management of the Welsh Government Woodland Estate (WGWE) and land in our care including National Nature Reserves.
This is an all-Wales multi-supplier NRW Framework Agreement for the provision of Helicopter Support Services to help enable the Welsh Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) manage fires on our land, or neighbouring land where conditions pose a threat to our land, that have become well established and/or are out of control.
Services provided under this Framework Agreement may be required anywhere in Wales or land manged by NRW in England. Historically, however, the majority of firefighting work has been located in south Wales.
The number and extent of fires each year will determine the support NRW and FRS will require. Due to this unpredictability, NRW does not guarantee any work or level of expenditure under this Framework Agreement.
The proposed duration of the Framework Agreement is 24 months with the option of extending for a further 2 x 12 months thereafter subject to satisfactory performance and annual price review
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £1,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 35612300 - Support helicopters
- 34711500 - Helicopters
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL - Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The full description of requirements is provided in the tender documentation published on https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml.
Requirements include the provision of:
1. A helicopter suitably equipped for the aerial application of water using underslung bucket
2. Qualified and competent air crew rated for aerial application work and if required experienced ground support crew
3. Minimum 910 litre “Bambi” bucket or equivalent that can be operated at full capacity and the availability of at least 1 spare bucket.
4. If required, refuelling equipment (and fuel) including a minimum of 2000 litre bowser, suitable 4x4 towing vehicle and pollution control spill kits
5. Service Provider(s) must provide a means of effective real time communications between the pilot and the IC, usually in the form of Air band transceivers
6. All machinery and equipment to be supplied, remain serviceable and be serviced throughout the duration of the Framework Agreement by the Service Provider(s)
7. Liaison with FRS Incident Commander (IC) for briefings, including discussion on deployment.
8. Assessment of local onsite conditions by Service Provider(s) and the accurate application of water along the leading edge of the fire (fire front) unless directed otherwise by FRS.
Service Provider(s) are required to abide by the UK Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 Part SPO (Specialised Operations) or equivalent and must maintain throughout the framework all necessary certificates and qualifications required by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Service Provider(s) must have necessary insurance cover and will be required to observe first aid standards, and other such precautions, such as health and safety, and procedures on access to land and water sources. Service Provider(s) are required to report any notifiable incident, such as pollution, and report on its carbon emissions.
Service Provider(s) are not permitted to assign their obligations under this framework to sub-contractors; sub-contracting is not permitted under this FWA.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 60
Price - Weighting: 40
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2025/S 000-000839
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
113588
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
29 May 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 4
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 4
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 4
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Airbourne Solutions Ltd
Five Acres, Heath Road, Gamlingay
Sandy
SG193LH
Telephone
+44 1767651799
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
S.J. CONTRACTING SERVICES LIMITED
Cedar House, Woodperry Road, Beckley
Oxford
OX39SZ
Telephone
+44 7815046489
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Skyhook Helicopters
Unit 1, Osprey Road
Glenrothes
Ky62SZ
Telephone
+44 7818002134
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £1,000,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £1,000,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The number and extent of fires each year will determine the support NRW and FRS will require. Due to this unpredictability, NRW does not guarantee any work or level of expenditure under this framework
(WA Ref:152001)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 2079477501
Country
United Kingdom