Seabreeze,
About 10 years ago when the contract was out for tender CHC or LLoyds at that time won the tender for the whole of NSW, the NGO's all got together as one(first time ever they all agreed on an issue) and fought the Govt's decision, with a very bitter anti Lloyd campain. Lloyds to their credit did not respond to any of the smear campain, and basicly stood back and allowed the NGO's to get the decision reversed. Lloyd were given the Canberra contract through South Care. The contract in NSW was a performance based contract, which the govt renewed on one or two occasions.
The reason it is actually being tendered again now may be an indication of how satisfied the Govt is with the present NGO services.
I guess that we will all find out in the near future if the Govt is serious about improving the services to NSW. Having just said that we must remember that NSW are due for elections early next year, and it would surprise no one if the decision was delayed until after the election, and leave the diry job of anouncing a re think to the incoming Govt!!!
If the NGO's get up they can expect to be treated more like a commercial entity, with the same restrictions for things like maintenance down time. At present they enjoy the 6 24 hour periods per month, (without providing backup)which can be pooled to allow them up to 18 days straight down time without penalty.
fatty