Firefighting Forwarder Services

Description

FCNSW is seeking contractors to operate a specialised firefighting capability in the Tumut Management Area based on a Komatsu forwarder.

Project goals

Forestry Corporation of NSW is seeking contractors to operate a specialised firefighting capability in the Tumut Management Area: an eight-wheel-drive Komatsu log forwarder fitted as a 19,000-litre fire tanker, supported by two 32,000-litre bulk water trailers.

The sixteen-month base contract, commencing February 2026, will assess whether heavy forestry machinery can be effectively deployed for plantation fire suppression—the rationale being that off-road capability and water volume justify the logistical complexity of moving oversized equipment to firegrounds.

Contractors must supply qualified operators, garage the state-owned machinery, and maintain readiness levels that scale with fire danger ratings.

The arrangement is essentially a crewing and management contract: FCNSW provides the equipment; bidders provide the personnel and operational systems.

FCNSW objectives for this solicitation are:

· Source a competent provider who can deliver the required services in accordance with the specifications and within the required timeframe;

· To undertake the procurement in a fair and equitable manner, consistent with the principles of transparency and accountability; and

· To deliver value for money.

Scope

The Contractor is to develop, document and maintain a system and method of control for the delivery of firefighting forwarder services (FFFS) operating the FFF and BWT.

The Contractor will:

· Operate the FFF and BWT as FCNSW furnished equipment to support fire suppression activities in NSW State Forests and other locations as tasked.

· Supply competent, trained, and licensed operators and support personnel with experience in operating forestry forwarders and firefighting operations. The FFF and BWT Operators and support personnel must have appropriate fire qualifications and comply with FCNSW fire line safety requirements.

· Provide and operate a suitably equipped four-wheel drive support vehicle to accompany the FFF for refuelling, and logistical support for FFFS.

· Garage the FFF and BWT.

· Perform daily operator checks, refuelling, greasing, cleaning, and other minor servicing tasks on the FFF and BWT as per manufacturer and FCNSW guidelines.

· Maintain FFF and BWT logbooks and maintenance records in accordance with FCNSW requirements.

· Provide daily operational reports and communicate effectively with FCNSW supervisors regarding deployment status, mechanical issues, and fire response effectiveness.

· Mobilise and demobilise the FFF, BWT and support vehicle to locations as tasked by FCNSW.

Related files

• RFP FC2606_Released 18 Dec 25.pdf (1404 KB)

Requirements

Opportunity requirements

1.

Complete and submit all the required forms and documents

Contracts can only be awarded to appropriate legal entities that have the financial resources, and capacity, to deliver the goods or complete the services or works under the contract.

Contractors need to provide evidence that they have:

· Financial Capability to carry out the work

· Operational ability to carry out the work

· Willing and able to acquire all mandatory equipment with fully trained staff.

· Completed all forms.

Response type

File upload (Multiple)

Response templates

• RFP FC2606_Attachment 4_Schedules_18 Dec 25 copy.docx (71 KB)

• RFP FC2606_Attachment 4_Response Form 3C_Price_Schedule_18 Dec 25 copy.xlsx (13 KB)

Evaluation

Terms and conditions