ACT Thermal Assisted Aerial Control

Overview The City and Environment Directorate (ACT) is seeking an experienced and qualified supplier to provide thermally assisted aerial control of vertebrate pest animals across ACT Parks and Conservation managed lands and participating private properties, to assist its Innovative Vertebrate Pest Management Program. Scope The scope includes: Undertaking Thermally Assisted Aerial Control (TAAC) operations of vertebrate pests across the ACT parks and reserve system Supplying appropriate aircraft, pilot, thermal camera operator, shooter and equipment to undertake the services Providing comprehensive data for all operations, including flight logs and detailed information on all animals detected and controlled (including spatial location and species), in the format, file types, data structure and reporting standards specified by Parks and Conservation Service (PCS), which may be varied by PCS during the term of the Agreement Ensuring all data is complete, accurate, compatible with PCS systems and capable of being integrated into PCS databases and spatial information systems Providing, in conjunction with PCS staff, the highest level of safety and effective real time communications of operations to PCS personnel and the ACT public Undertaking TAAC or visual shooting (where requested outside of ideal thermal conditions) of vertebrate pests across any park, reserve, or non-urban area in the ACT Undertaking an annual TAAC Program, inclusive of a Spring and/or Autumn session, for each year of the Agreement, with the exact number and length of sessions dependent on local conditions and agreed with the Supplier in each issued Work Order Providing a suitable helicopter type (for example an AS350 B2 or B2 variant) Providing a thermal imager meeting minimum specifications, including minimum resolution of 1024x768, minimum frame rate of 30Hz (frames per second), minimum field of view of 32 degrees horizontally and 25 degrees vertically, and manual gain, level, brightness and contrast control Providing a thermal video feed monitor and visual video camera Providing a laser pointer powerful enough for daytime operation Providing a thermal weapon scope (TWS) Providing appropriate calibre firearm ammunition Providing real time operational reporting capability (IT applications) Contractor Requirements Provide the services under direction from PCS and comply with all current legislation, including but not limited to the Firearms Act 1996, Nature Conservation Act 2014, Animal Welfare Act 1992, Biosecurity Act 2023, Prohibited Weapons Act 1996, and Environment Protection Act 1997 Personnel requirements Appoint the following key Specified Personnel as a minimum: Helicopter Pilot, Thermal Camera Operator, and Shooter Helicopter Pilot must hold a current Standard CASA licence, an endorsement or certificate in low level flying operations and harness in lieu of seatbelt, and the helicopter company must hold an Air Operations Certificate Thermal Camera Operator must have extensive experience with thermal cameras for aerial shooting operations and crew resource management during low level shooting operations Enquiries Contact: Tenders ACT Team Phone: +61 (02) 62079000 Email: tendersact@act.gov.au