Standby Rope Access for Flag Changes at APH

The Department requires specialised rope access personnel to safely have their incumbent team operate on this structure.

Scope:

Trade-qualified employees of the Department utilise a custom built two-person access lift which ascends the main structure via the South-East structural column. Prior to beginning this, extensive safety briefings, site checks, system checks, and Safe Work Method Statements are discussed with all involved- this takes approximately one hour.

The lift access to the upper platform takes approximately twenty minutes, after which the two technicians, attached to the structure, traverse to the platform. Providing weather is suitable, the flag is then lowered via a ground crew hoist team and directed into a spare bag. A new, checked flag is connected to the turnbuckles of the flag rope system, and it is again hoisted into position. This process takes approximately ten minutes, weather permitting.

The team then descends via the main lift, returning to the roof structure and exiting the vehicle/ area. This takes approximately 30 minutes.

The Department has been utilising Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) level 2 and 3 qualified rope access technicians on standby (one on the roof structure, one ascending to the flagpole with staff/contractor) to, if required, setup up a rope egress system should an incident occur on the platform which cannot be rectified by descent in the lift. It is this team that the Department is looking to seek tenders for in this team.

Response Criteria

The Department is seeking responses from Suppliers that can meet the following criteria:

• The Supplier is to provide a team of two (IRATA) qualified (one level two and one level three technician) to provide rope access/egress support in conjunction with either the Department employee of external contractors to fulfill the role of both flag changes and, if required, rope egress from the structure.

• The successful Supplier will be required to have their IRATA level three technician ascend the flag with another trade-qualified person to assist in changing the flag, as described in the above workflow process. These incumbent staff are currently undertaking IRATA level 1 qualifications to gain experience and confidence in this type of work. These qualifications are considered supplemental to their role, and do not replace the expertise of the required team.

• The IRATA level two technician will remain on the roof structure, as per the developed egress plan

• The successful tenderer is to supply the egress plan in alignment with the above process.

Other Instructions:

Please refer to ATM documentation

Mandatory Site Inspection 10.00am 24/02/2026

Closing time for Site Inspection Registrations 4.00pm, 19 February 2026

Question Closing Date and Time 4:00 pm 13 March 2026, ACT local time.

Conditions for Participation:

Please refer to ATM documentation

Timeframe for Delivery:

April 2026

Address for Lodgement:

https://www.tenders.gov.au/