Canada plans to post a final solicitation of interest and qualification at the end of this month for its 17-aircraft, C$4.9 billion ($4.4 billion) tactical transport programme to replace its ageing Lockheed Martin C-130Hs, with the C-130J considered the leading candidate. The solicitation will include revisions reflecting feedback from suppliers that responded to a 5 July draft solicitation for the programme, which is part of a wider recapitalisation of Ottawa's airlift capabilities.
Canada has meanwhile rejected challenges to its plan to award Boeing uncompeted contracts for four C-17 strategic airlifters and 16 CH-47 Chinook heavylift helicopters. The challenges were prompted by Ottawa's advanced contract award notices (ACAN), but the government has ruled the rival bidders could not meet its requirements. Issued on 5 July, the ACANs closed on 4 August. Ottawa says it received two challenges for the strategic airlifter programme and one for the heavylift helicopter, in the form of "statements of capabilities". Charter provider Skylink Aviation offered leased Antonov An-124s, and it is believed Airbus Military proposed the A400M as a C-17 alternative.
"The statements did not demonstrate that the challengers could meet the mandatory requirements published in the ACANs," says the government. As a result, Ottawa is proceeding with plans to award a C$3.4 billion contract by March next year for the C-17 and by July for the C$4.7 billion Chinook deal.
■ Boeing was expected on 18 August to begin shutting down its C-17 line in Long Beach, California, in the absence of a US Air Force commitment to purchase more aircraft. Canada's four C-17s and a fifth for the UK Royal Air Force are among 12 aircraft Boeing will continue to protect by spending company money with long-lead suppliers, but the company planned to cut off funds for a further 10, meaning deliveries will end in 2008.
Source: Flight International
