Request for Tender – Air Traffic Control Services

Job Description

Overview

Program background

DT Global supports the implementation of PROSIVU on behalf of the Australian Government.

PROSIVU is the next phase of Australia’s governance support to Timor-Leste. The program will extend Australia’s longstanding partnership with Timor-Leste in support of good governance and economic policy development. It is Australia’s primary program for providing support to Timor-Leste’s central government agencies and economic line-ministries.

The goal of Australia’s Timor-Leste development program is to support the Government of Timor-Leste to achieve the social and development outcomes from its Strategic Development Plan. PROSIVU will contribute to this goal through three end of facility outcomes:

• stronger, more inclusive economic growth;
• sustainable public finances; and
• better public administration.

These three outcomes constitute the basis of PROSIVU’s three workstreams.

The aim of support for stronger, more inclusive economic growth is that central agencies and line ministries invest in evidenced based and inclusive economic development policies and projects that have high economic and social returns, improve outcomes for the poor and improve equality and social inclusion.

The aim of support for sustainable public finances is central agencies, led by the Ministry of Finance and Prime Minister’s Office, improve the performance and inclusivity of public expenditure, and diversify and increase domestic revenue collection.

The aim of support for better public administration is for central agencies, led by the Civil Service Commission and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, to develop and invest in policies, systems and capacity to ensure public administration is inclusive, effective, performance-driven, and responsive to the needs of citizens, the private sector and civil society.

Institutional Background

The civil aviation sector in Timor-Leste is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Timor-Leste (AACTL). AACTL is mandated to provide aviation regulatory oversight on air transport systems in Timor-Leste, to advise the Government of Timor-Leste on civil aviation policy development and to supervise its implementation. AACTL operates under the administrative supervision of the minister responsible for transport and civil aviation (Minister of Transport and Communications). It is managed by a Board of Directors and has financial autonomy. AACTL is in the process of preparing for an ICAO audit, anticipated to occur in 2023. PROSIVU is providing technical assistance in preparation for the audit.

Air Navigation Services are the responsibility of Air Navigation Administration of Timor-Leste (ANATL). However, some of these services are currently provided through arrangements with partner authorities in the region. ANATL provides Air Traffic Services (ATS) (Aerodrome Control Services and Approach and Area Control Services) to a limited area of controlled airspace around Dili Airport. Within the relevant Flight Information Region (FIR), ANATL monitors air traffic under FL 245. Management of flights above FL 245 (routes that overfly Timor-Leste) are delegated to a partner government.

The Air Navigation Services (ANS) Directorate of AACTL is required to provide safety oversight of air traffic control services, based on applicable laws, Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and applicable guidance documents. ANATL, as the Air Navigation Service Provider in Timor-Leste, should be certified by AACTL, as specified in TL CASR Part 11 – ANS. Further, even where Timor-Leste establishes arrangements with foreign Authorities for some tasks, AACTL must establish and implement a safety oversight system for ensuring the effective implementation of safety-related policies and procedures in all ANS fields, including regulatory surveillance of the providers of:

• Air Traffic Management (ATM) including Communications, Navigation and Surveillance systems (CNS), meteorological services for air navigation (MET), search and rescue (SAR) and aeronautical information services (AIS).
• Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Aircraft Operations (PANS OPS) - rules for designing instrument approach and departure procedures.
• Missed Approach Procedures (MAP)

Consultancy Background

The Australian government has been providing support to strengthen air navigation service capacity through the predecessor program to PROSIVU. Significant progress has been made, particularly with AACTL, but there are outstanding issues that need to be addressed to improve air navigation services safety, and for Timor-Leste to receive a favourable rating in the upcoming ICAO audit. Further, Australia’s advisory support has identified significant deficiencies in relation to current Air Traffic Control (ATC) capacity and practices. While attempts have been made to provide some basic capacity building to the team of around 15 air traffic controllers, it has become clear that intensive support to undertake both formal and on-the-job training and licensing of the air traffic controllers is required to assure the safety of the management of the controlled airspace around Dili Airport.

Activity Description

Objective of the Consultancy

The successful organisation will ensure that Timor-Leste’s air traffic controllers meet the required standards in terms of knowledge and performance to undertake their roles managing the controlled airspace in Timor-Leste and assuring the safety of air traffic management.

Terms of Reference

The successful organisation will be required to provide formal and on-the-job training for Timor-Leste’s air traffic controllers and implement a process of license accreditation to ensure that only those who meet the required standards are licensed to work as air traffic controllers.

Specifically, the contracted organisation will:

• Build the understanding of ANATL of the requirements for and critical importance of air traffic control capacity, performance, and licensing, and of the current deficits within the team
• Provide formal training to air traffic controllers to bring them up to standard of modern airspace management
• Provide on-the-job training as required to build air traffic controller capacity
• Where deemed appropriate, provide back-up support in the control tower to assure the safety of air navigation pending formal accreditation of ANATL’s air traffic controllers
• Work with AACTL to undertaking formal licensing of air traffic controllers. Where controllers do not meet the required standard, implement a remedial program within an agreed period and re-assess, with the removal of licenses for anyone who does not meet the required standards within the agreed time period
• Ensure that AACTL fully understand their responsibilities as the regulator of Air Navigation Services, and provide additional capacity building where necessary to enable them to fully execute this responsibility
• Engage with the Minister, President of AACTL, President of ANATL and other key stakeholders to build their understanding of the importance of, and commitment to, air navigation services guidelines, manuals, and regulatory processes
• Advise the Embassy on issues of key strategic interest in relation to airspace management and air navigation safety
• Prepare reports for PROSIVU as required, and participate in PROSIVU activities, such as briefings and planning sessions, adviser meetings and program reviews from time to time
• Comply with Australian Government and DT Global policies, including gender, inclusion, child protection, disability, workplace health and safety, environment, anti-bribery and anti-fraud
• Perform other duties as required.

To deliver these services, it is expected that the successful organisation will be able to demonstrate:

• Timorese CASR Part 65 – approved training organisation status.
• Thorough understanding of CASR Part 172 and how it applies in the context of Timor-Leste.
• Cultural competency in delivering training within Timor-Leste and in an environment where English is not a first language.
• Experience delivering training in an environment with very limited modern training resources.
• Ability for employees to obtain and hold a Timorese Aviation Security Identification Card.
• Instructors who have held Air Traffic Controls Licenses in an ICAO member state with a minimum of 15 years in-tower experience.
• Experience in delivering training in night time air traffic control operations.

Reporting Structure

The contracted organisation will work under the technical direction of the Head of Air Navigation Services, AACTL, in close cooperation with the AACTL technical and legal teams, ANATL staff, and with other PROSIVU advisers. The organisation will work closely with relevant staff within the Australian Embassy in Dili.

The organisation will report to the PROSIVU Economic Growth Lead on contractual, performance management and administrative matters.

Outputs

The contracted organisation will deliver:

• A workplan for the program of work, including anticipated time spent in Timor-Leste, process for engagement with AACTL and ANATL, schedule of inputs and outputs (to be provided within 2 weeks of commencement).
• Ongoing activity and progress reports as mentioned below.
• Evidence of a cohort of air traffic controllers who meet the knowledge and performance requirements for licensing. Information on air traffic controllers who do not meet the required standards and who are therefore no longer licensed to work as air traffic controllers.
• Evidence of understanding of and ownership by AACTL and ANATL staff of the processes for and importance of regulation of air traffic control.
• End of assignment completion report.

Project Planning, Management and Reporting

The contracted organisation will:

• Provide monthly activity reports in a format to be advised by PROSIVU, which outline key activities, achievements, challenges and recommendations, and planned activities for the coming month, with updated workplan when required
• Participate in regular face-to-face or teleconference discussions with PROSIVU and the Embassy in relation to the progress of work
• Provide formal reports against deliverables as advised by PROSIVU as input into the Program’s monitoring and evaluation processes, in a format to be advised by PROSIVU.

Application and Selection

Weighting Method

PROSIVU will evaluate tenders on the basis of technical and management expertise, methodology and demonstrated value for money. This will be based on the selection criteria outlined below.

PROSIVU’s weighting of the Tender’s Technical Score will account for 70% of the overall score, and the weighting of the Financial Proposals will account for 30% of the overall score

Technical Proposal

To submit a conforming technical proposal, companies must provide:

1. A narrative of no greater than 10 pages, that responds to the selection criteria as outlined in Part 5 of this Request for Tender. This narrative should also include the available date of your nominated personnel to begin work;
2. Financial Proposal as per Part 5; and
3. A signed Tenderer’s Declaration as per Part 5.

Selection Criteria

In reviewing all applications, PROSIVU will assess technical and financial proposals based on the following selection criteria:

• Experience (30%)
• Approach and methodology (20%)
• Support services (10%)
• Key personnel (40%)

Financial Proposal

Tenderers need to submit a financial proposal as per the format of the financial proposal set out in Part 5 of the TOR.

Tender Submission Process

Tenders will close at 5pm Dili time, on 27 October 2022.

For electronic submissions, companies must provide one PDF file.

PROSIVU will not consider tenders received after the above specified date and time. Tenders will be valid for a period of at least 90 days after the closing time. Currency of the tender is the Australian Dollar.

Language of the tender must be in English.

By submitting a tender, companies agree to all conditions of this Request for Tender.

Details Relating to Applications

AVI will treat all tenders as confidential, including any additional information tenderers provide. The following is the approximate timetable for tenders:

Activity

Date

Release of Documentation

28 September 2022

Proposals Received

27 October 2022

Review of tenders

28-31 October 2022

Interviews (if required)

1-3 November 2022

Due diligence and contracting of selected firm

By 20 November 2022

Tentative intended commencement date of Project

On or before week commencing 23 November 2022

PROSIVU reserves the right to alter any of these dates. Direct all enquiries relating to this Request for Tenders to:

Project Contract Person: Zak Levick

Email: Procurement@prosivu.tl

An email addressing any enquiries raised by tenderers will need to be sent to ALL tenderers to ensure fairness and transparency.

Please copy and paste the following link to access the full terms of reference detailing responsibilities and selection criteria: https://bit.ly/3RjSEVy

Additional Information

Security

Tenderers need to be aware that in the region security issues could require particular attention. Contractors will be responsible for the security of their personnel and for taking out and maintaining appropriate insurance cover for their personnel.

Insurance

All Organisations must have appropriate insurance cover as a condition of submitting a response.

Duration

The Project will be tendered on a 12-month contract basis and has the possibility for an extension of an additional 12 months with prior approval.

Project Name

PROSIVU

Closing time

5pm Dili time, 27 October 2022

Mode of submission

Electronically via: procurement@prosivu.tl

Contact

Procurement@prosivu.tl

About the Organization

About DT Global

DT Global is an international development managing contractor, working across a wide range of sectors and technical areas in over 90 countries around the world. We are a part of the DT Global Family, a network including a for-profit company, a separate non-profit entity, and a charitable trust, all behind one mission: to improve as many lives as possible. DT Global launched in 2019, bringing together AECOM International Development’s Services Sector and Development Transformations along with their legacy companies. The DT Global family has since expanded further with the acquisition of IMC Worldwide in March 2022 and Cardno International Development in July 2022. Together, we bring with us over 60 years of experience, relationships, and technical excellence to better transform lives around the world on behalf of partners, clients and stakeholders.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com