NZ builder already has runs on the board with other emergency services
By Rob McKay | August 9, 2011
The South Australia Country Fire Service (CFS) has moved to hose down any lingering controversy over a fire truck deal with a New Zealand firm, insisting it was nothing out of the ordinary.
The CFS recently awarded a contract to Fraser Fire and Rescue of Wellington New Zealand to construct 23 of 33 rural fire tanker bodies with CFS providing the cab chassis and pumps used in their construction.
Frasers has done work for the SA Metropolitan Fire Service, the ACT Emergency Services Authority and has ongoing contracts with the NZ Fire Service, the CFS says.
Items considered when evaluating the body build tender responses included compliance with specifications, innovation, total cost, value for money and the delivery schedule.
“No consideration was given to where the appliances were to be constructed as only companies from Australia and New Zealand currently tender for the work and federally-mandated free trade and other like agreements that exist between the two countries prohibit the use of inter-state and trans-Tasman preference schemes and other forms of discrimination,” CFS Infrastructure and Logistics Manager Arthur Tindall says
“In considering the tender responses received, the evaluation team ensured that the actual cost of doing business with interstate and NZ-based companies was considered and factored in.
“In this instance, even with these costs included, Frasers were the clear winners with their tendered price being fixed in Australian dollars and including all transportation costs.
“Fraser’s ability to manufacture many of the required components, such as roller shutters and hose reels in house combined with the strength of the Australian dollar, were contributing factors to the awarding of this contract.”
The first completed appliances are due for delivery to CFS later this year.
The Fraser contract was one of several awarded, with others going to Moore Engineering in Murray Bridge and Bell Environmental in Melbourne, the CFS says.
The trucks will be built around the Isuzu FTS 800 and the pump is an Australian-made GAAM Mk 450 coupled to a Deutz motor.