10 Jul 14. Canada Engaging Industry to develop Surface Combatant Bid. The Canadian MoD has invited industries to participate in bid evaluation support services for the proposed Canadian Surface Combatant programme.
The Request for Information (RFI) related to Bid Evaluation Support was issued on 2 July for the project that aims to recapitalise the Navy’s surface combatant fleet by replacing and updating the capabilities found in both the Iroquois-class destroyers and the Halifax-class frigates.
Currently, Canada is seeking Industry input on the services and software products which are available to support the development of evaluation criteria and the execution of an evaluation process, based on a proven methodology and supported by software.
According to the solicitation notice, the objectives of the RFI are to:
1. Provide an opportunity for those interested to make available information they feel Canada should be aware of when planning for the acquisition of proven expertise and professional advice in supporting complex, high-value defence procurements enabled by commercial software for structuring, managing and executing bid evaluations.
2. Enable Canada to develop bid solicitation documents for this work.
The Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) project is considered to be the largest and most complex of all upcoming Navy programmes. Up to 15 vessels will be constructed to provide Area Air Defence and C2 capability. Industrial consultations will carry on in the run-up to the actual procurement contest which is expected to start in the next two years. Deadline: 21 July 2014. Reference Number: W847S-150029/A. Issuing Authority: The Department of Public Works and Government Services. (Source: MPI – Hawk Information)
11 Jul 14. Army aviation launches basic trainer tender. The Chilean Army Aviation Brigade (Brigada de Aviación del Ejército – BAVE) opened a tender to procure an unspecified number of basic training aircraft on 26 June and closed the tender on 1 July, but a winner has yet to be announced. The new aircraft is meant to replace the Cessna R172K Hawk XP II basic trainers at the Army Aviation School (Escuela de Aviación del Ejercito – ESCAVE) in Rancagua, which were retired from service in June 2013. The BAVE originally procured 18 Hawk XP IIs in 1977 and used them for training and liaison.
MPI Comment – According to Defensa.com, a potential option for the procurement could be the Cirrus R-22, which was recently acquired by the Chilean Air Force. It appears that Chile is an important market for trainer aircraft as the Air Force has yet to select a lead-in trainer.
The Chilean Air Force had shown interest in Alenia’s M-346, BAE’s Hawk and Korea Aerospace Industry’s (KAI’s) T-50, before it postponed the decision until after the outcome of the US T-X programme. (Source: MPI – Hawk Information/IHS Janes)
03 Jul 14. Finnish Air Force launches RFI for passive radar system. The Finnish Defence Force is surveying the market for potential suppliers of a Passive Radar System and related services for ground-based air surveillance. According to current plans, the Finnish Air Force is looking for a prime contractor to supply, commission and install the required system. The estimated value of the contract is EUR10m. Interested suppliers should respond with information about the passive sensor system and identify their ability and willingness in participating in this project if a tender happens to be formalised. The RFI is classified and can be made available to interested suppliers once Facility Security Clearance (FSC) is submitted. Details can be requested via email from . The e-mail must be titled “RFI
No. CK 5055”. Reference Number: 188323-2014. Deadline: 29 September 2014
Issuing Authority: Finnish Air Force Materiel Command (FINAFMC). (Source: MPI – Hawk Information)
30 Jun 14. The US Army is seeking electro-optics companies able to develop small long-range multispectral senso