Tri-GLA Aviation Services Project

The General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the United Kingdom and Ireland – Northern Lighthouse Board, Trinity House and Irish Lights – have announced the requirement for an aviation service to support their vital safety service for mariners.

Known as the Tri-GLA Aviation Services Project (ASP), the contract to provide a dedicated aviation service is for a ten-year period from 1 December 2027, with the option to extend for up to a further two years.

An effective aviation service is a vital element of the GLAs’ service to the mariner. For many aids to navigation, due to their location and the nature of the work to be carried out, air travel is the only means of access. Not having an aviation service, even for a short period of time, has the potential to make a serious impact upon the critical statutory services delivered by the GLAs around the UK and Ireland.

Most flights involve carrying both passengers (GLA staff, subcontractors and approved third parties) and cargo to coastal and offshore lighthouses. This may require take off and landing from vessels at sea. Tasks will also include underslung loads that represent between 15% and 32% of the operational flying tasks per year, noting that such tasks will be separate from passenger transfers. Experience is therefore essential in Helicopter External Sling Load Operations (HESLO).

The GLAs are not seeking tenders at this time but will be carrying out Market Engagement to seek supplier views to help inform the procurement process. Any response to this Market Engagement by a supplier does not constitute a formal tender to the ASP procurement process, which the GLAs intend to commence in the Autumn of 2024.

Tri-GLA ASP Market Engagement Event
The GLAs held a virtual market engagement event on 5 April 2024, where they presented an overview of the ASP Procurement and took questions. You can view a recording of the event here https://vimeo.com/931039772/f39faa62f0?share=copy

You can also view all the questions and answers from the session  Event Q&A

Any questions on the procurement process should go through Delta eSourcing https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/respondToList.html?accessCode=43Z2KCT58M