Department of Transport amends tender requirements for Search and Rescue

The Department of Transport has announced that it will notify the market of an amendment to a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), which was published by the Department on 20 December 2021. The PQQ relates to the procurement process for a new Coast Guard aviation service, which commenced last year following a Government Decision published in July 2021.

The PQQ will be amended to specify the number and location of Search and Rescue (SAR) bases to reflect the existing configuration, namely four bases at Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford.

The amendment will ensure the delivery of wider Government policies concerning balanced and even distribution of State services and investment, particularly the needs of island and rural communities. It will also support and protect other public policy priorities, such as the State’s response to emerging trade patterns post-Brexit, and priorities under the Climate Action Plan. The continuation of the current base configuration will reinforce the Coast Guard’s capability to meet its obligations in the National SAR Plan, the National Oil/ HNS Contingency Plan, and its capacity to support other State agencies, in particular inland SAR support to An Garda Síochána and provision of Air Ambulance services to HSE including day and night support to the island communities.

All details relating to this procurement are available on www.etenders.gov.ie and our dedicated Irish Coast Guard: Search and Rescue (SAR) Aviation Project The amendment will be reflected in a revised PQQ which will be posted on eTenders shortly.