Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to procure aeromedical (helicopter) services for three helicopters and one fixed wing air ambulance on an adhoc basis, for the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH) EMS over a period of 36 months. The services aim to provide emergency medical response, patient evacuation, inter-facility transfers, disaster rescue, and outreach services across specified regions, ensuring rapid and high-quality aeromedical care and transport for patients and healthcare professionals.

Scope

The scope includes:

• Provision of three (3) SACAA-licensed helicopters configured for aeromedical services, available daily, 365 days a year, during daylight hours, with dedicated pilots and medical crew.
• Provision of one fixed wing air ambulance on an adhoc basis for bed-to-bed patient transfers within and outside the province.
• Operational coverage in three specific areas: Gqeberha, KuGompo, and Mthatha, with the possibility of awarding separate service providers per area.
• Ensuring aircraft meet specified technical and safety standards, including insurance, maintenance, and communication requirements.
• Management and coordination through a service level agreement and an Aero Medical Management Committee.

Technical Requirements

The technical specifications for the services include:

• Aircraft must be registered with SACAA, with valid licenses (Part 127 and Part 138 with G7 endorsement), and configured for emergency medical response.
• Helicopters should be no older than 20 years from first registration, with minimum 1000 flying hours for pilots, and equipped with appropriate medical interior configurations, including patient access, longline rescue capability, and communication systems.
• Fixed wing aircraft must be pressurized, capable of accommodating two medical personnel, a stretcher patient, and an escort, with valid Part 135 or Part 138 licensing.
• Provision of comprehensive third-party insurance covering crew, passengers, and patients.
• Response time from notification to take-off must be within 10 minutes for helicopters and 1 hour for fixed wing aircraft.
• Aircraft must have scheduled maintenance, contingency plans, and be equipped with communication equipment compliant with SACAA standards.
• Provision of qualified medical crew, including doctors with ACLS/ATLS/PALS and current HPCSA registration, and paramedics as specified.

Skills and Skills Requirements

The tender requires bidders to demonstrate:

• Experience in providing aeromedical services, with references to similar contracts.
• Qualified pilots with a minimum of 1000 flight hours and relevant EMS operational experience.
• Medical personnel with current HPCSA registration and appropriate pre-hospital emergency qualifications.
• Capability to maintain aircraft according to SACAA regulations and to provide ongoing training for EMS staff related to aircraft operations.
• Operational management capacity, including an organizational structure and nearest office location to service areas.
• Financial stability, evidenced by financial statements or bank support, to sustain service delivery over the contract period.