---
title: "NRW Helicopter Support Services Framework Agreement 2025-2029"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-047ce1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-047ce1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-047ce1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-047ce1.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATURAL RESOURCES WALES"
published: "2025-06-09"
---

# NRW Helicopter Support Services Framework Agreement 2025-2029

Buyer: NATURAL RESOURCES WALES  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-047ce1

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## Summary

Natural Resources Wales (NRW), responsible for managing the Welsh Government Woodland Estate and other lands, has established the Helicopter Support Services Framework Agreement for 2025-2029. This procurement falls under the services category, specifically the hire of helicopters with crew, and is particularly focused on fire management assistance across Wales, including potential service areas in England. The procurement has reached the award stage, with contracts signed on 29 May 2025, for a framework with an initial two-year period, extendable by two additional 12-month terms. The procurement followed an open procedure, ensuring a transparent and competitive process for engaging suppliers.

This framework presents significant opportunities for businesses in the aviation services industry, particularly those equipped to provide specialized helicopter support for firefighting and related operations. It is a prime chance for small and medium-sized enterprises, as demonstrated by the awarded contracts to companies like Airbourne Solutions Ltd, S.J. Contracting Services Limited, and Skyhook Helicopters, all SMEs. Companies with capabilities in aerial water application, experienced air and ground crews, and necessary equipment could position themselves to capture opportunities, contributing to both regional safety and enhancing their portfolios by engaging in government contracts. The open nature of the procurement process also underscores a level playing field for interested parties, promoting wider business growth and involvement in public sector initiatives.

## Notice

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

### Lot Information

Lot 1

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030795-2025 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 9 Jun 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Feb 2025 |
| Future notice date | 13 Oct 2024 |
| Award date | 28 May 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,000,000 |
| Lots value | £1,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £1,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATURAL RESOURCES WALES |
| Locality | CARDIFF |
| Post town | Cardiff |
| Postcode | CF24 0TP |
| Country | Wales |
| ITL 1 | TLL Wales |
| ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales |
| ITL 3 | TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan |
| Local authority | Cardiff |
| Electoral ward | Cathays |
| Westminster constituency | Cardiff South and Penarth |
| Delivery location | TLL Wales |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 3 |
| Supplier names | AIRBOURNE SOLUTIONS; S.J. CONTRACTING SERVICES; SKYHOOK HELICOPTERS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment
- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 34711500 - Helicopters
- 35612300 - Support helicopters
- 60424120 - Hire of helicopters with crew

## Release History

- 9 Jun 2025 at 08:31 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030795-2025
- 10 Jan 2025 at 12:22 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000839-2025
- 12 Jul 2024 at 09:34 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021363-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
- https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/home.html
- https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml
- https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0110

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-047ce1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-047ce1.json.