Invitation to participate in procurement of three hovercraft

The Finnish Border Guard (later also Contracting Authority or FBG) expects your Request to Participate in negotiated procedure in accordance with this Invitation to Participate and its annexes. Subject-matter of the contract is the procurement of three (3) new hovercraft as detailed in this Invitation to Participate and its annexes.

Hovercraft operations in FBG: Hovercraft are stationed at maritime border stations along the Finnish coastline. They are used in a wide range of operations in archipelagos and rocky coastal areas, operating in environmental conditions ranging from -30°C to +30°C. The primary use of hovercraft occurs in arctic, icy winter conditions, enabling operations over ice-covered seas. Hovercraft is also used during open water seasons for search and rescue operations. In such operational environments, hovercraft must have excellent navigational capabilities and sufficient hover height to overcome obstacles such as rocks, ice floes, and ice ridges when crossing waterways. Legally mandated tasks performed by hovercrafts are: - Border surveillance - Maritime rescue - Environmental damage prevention - Official assistance tasks for other authorities The crew of the hovercraft in normal conditions consists of three (3) persons, but it is possible to operate also with (2) persons. Total payload capacity is 13 persons or 1500 - 2000kg. During medical transport, the patient is lifted into the passenger cabin and placed on a spine board stretcher along with the necessary medical personnel for the duration of the transport. The hovercraft are stored in heated halls, where they have their own lifting equipment for maintenance and drying. Basic maintenance and minor repairs are carried out by station personnel, while major maintenance is performed at an authorized repair facility. The hovercraft are operated approximately 200 - 300 hours per year.