GATINEAU, QUEBEC–( EMWNews – April 7, 2008) – The Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced that in March 2008, the Government issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the Boeing Company to acquire 16 medium-to-heavy lift helicopters (MHLH) for the Department of National Defence (DND). The RFP includes a requirement for 20 years of associated in-service support (ISS), with an extension option for the life expectancy of the aircraft.

This procurement is not being undertaken to meet the government’s short-term requirements in Afghanistan – this is being done through a separate process – but rather to re-equip the Canadian Forces over the longer-term with its requirements for medium-to-heavy lift helicopters. It was announced by the government in July 2006.

The release of this RFP is the result of an open, fair and transparent procurement process. It follows an Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) posted on MERX, the government’s electronic tendering service, in July 2006. The ACAN process confirmed that Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook was the only aircraft able to meet DND’s high-level mandatory requirements for the medium-to-heavy lift helicopter.

“The government is committed to buying this much-needed equipment at the best possible value for Canadian taxpayers,” Mr. Fortier said. “We will work closely with Boeing to negotiate the earliest possible delivery of these helicopters given our urgent requirements.”

“Today’s milestone brings this government a significant step closer to the long-term solution to the medium-to heavy-lift helicopter needs of the Canadian Forces,” said the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “This aircraft will give Canada’s military the ability to operate independently in remote and isolated locations and increase their capacity to respond to disasters at home or abroad in some of the most challenging global environments.”

The new fleet of medium-to-heavy lift helicopters will take on the role of tactical insertion of platoon strength armed troops and equipment into hostile situations. Domestically, they will allow the Canadian Forces to support first responders in disaster situations by facilitating the movement of people and supplies when transportation networks are disrupted or access to airfields by fixed-wing aircraft is not possible.

As part of the RFP, Boeing will be required to provide Industrial Benefits equal to 100% of the total value of the contract.

The Government expects to award a contract for the medium-to-heavy lift helicopter in fall 2008.

Boeing will be required to provide an aircraft that meets the high-level mandatory requirements of the ACAN and the required Canadian configuration for flight test at 36 months after contract award. Upon successful test and evaluation of this aircraft, the delivery of an operational medium-to-heavy lift helicopter will begin with the final aircraft delivered no later than 60 months after a contract is awarded.

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