Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a suitable service provider(s) to render comprehensive helicopter aeromedical services for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Mpumalanga Province. The services include rotary-wing daylight operations, patient transportation, search and rescue, disaster response, and interfacility transfers, with the aim of providing rapid, advanced life support to improve emergency response times and patient outcomes over a period of three years.

Scope

The scope of work encompasses:

• Provision of aero-medical services at an advanced life support level, operating from Mbombela.
• Transport of patients within and outside the province, including interfacility transfers.
• Participation in outreach programs as required.
• Deployment of experienced pilots and primary crew members (registered as Emergency Care Practitioners).
• Access to emergency medicine-trained medical practitioners.
• Provision and funding of crew training compliant with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) standards.
• Assistance in regional patient transportation, including admissions and discharges.
• Technical support for landing zone development and compliance with SACAA regulations.
• Full responsibility for aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, and operational management, including insurance and liability coverage.
• Provision of medical equipment, consumables, and medical gases as per national standards and clinical guidelines.
• Aircraft branding and markings in accordance with Department of Health requirements.
• Availability of aircraft 24/7, including contingency plans for maintenance and aircraft unavailability.
• Management of patient transfer costs, billing, and reimbursement processes.

Technical Requirements

The technical specifications for the aircraft and services include:

• Aircraft capable of operating at maximum all-up weight in hot and high conditions, with air-conditioned patient compartments.
• Secure mounting of all medical and flight equipment, with configurations accommodating one pilot, one patient, and up to three sitting occupants.
• Compliance with Part 138 of SACAA regulations, including minimum equipment standards, safety, and operational procedures.
• Provision of suitable medical interiors, storage facilities, and medical gases, with proper handling and disposal of medical waste.
• Aircraft must have valid licenses and certifications (e.g., Civil Aviation Authority approvals, Class III G7 license).
• Provision of qualified pilots and crew with relevant licenses and HPCSA registration.
• Insurance coverage including hull, third-party liability, and personnel liability.
• Operational readiness, including a 24-hour flight desk, communication systems, and contingency planning for aircraft downtime.

Skills and Qualification Requirements

The successful bidder must demonstrate:

• Experience in providing aero-medical or rescue services, with a track record of current and previous contracts, preferably in multiple provinces.
• Qualified pilots with valid licenses and experience in rotor-wing aircraft operations.
• Medical personnel, including doctors and emergency care practitioners, with relevant emergency medicine experience.
• Technical staff capable of aircraft maintenance, compliance with aviation safety standards, and medical equipment management.
• Training capacity to ensure crew and staff are compliant with Civil Aviation Authority standards and clinical guidelines.
• Ability to develop and implement operational procedures, landing zone protocols, and safety management systems.
• Financial capacity to sustain operations, including insurance, maintenance, and contingency planning.