Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 3

Written Answers. - Air Corps Equipment.

Richard Bruton

Question:

81 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the craft maintenance operation at Dublin Airport has been guaranteed a considerable amount of work by one of the companies tendering to supply helicopters to the Air Corps; if this factor will be taken into account by him in selecting the shortlist of suitable tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22646/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The

tender competition for the acquisition of medium lift helicopters for the Air Corps is progressing well. This major investment programme involves the acquisition of two medium lift helicopters, with an option of a third, for search and rescue purposes as well as an option for two medium lift helicopters for general purpose military transport.

Tenders were invited on 5 March 2001 and the closing date was 19 April 2001. Four tenders were received. The four companies involved are Sikorsky from the USA, EH Industries Limited from England, Eurocopter from France and CHC

Scotia from Scotland.

The tenders received are being subjected to a comprehensive evaluation process which included visits to each of the four companies involved. This evaluation is being undertaken by a project team comprising officials from my Department and Air Corps personnel assisted by an outside consult ant. The team's report will be examined by my Department to ensure policy and procedural compliance, after which negotiations will be entered into with a selected contractor.

The tender competition for the supply of the helicopters is being carried out under EU contracts procedures. The award of contract criteria set out in the tender documentation state that the contract will be awarded on the basis of the most strategically and economically advantageous tender applying the following award criteria, not necessarily on order of priority: (1) functional characteristics; (2) technical merit; (3) all maintenance and on-line technical support; (4) after sales service and warranty terms on offer; (5) cost and ready availability of spare parts; (6) tender prices; (7) life cycle costs over a nominal 20 year period.

I am aware of reports that a company based at Dublin Airport has been guaranteed substantial work should the contract for the supply of the helicopters be awarded to a particular company. However, I am advised that this factor cannot be taken into account as part of the evaluation process.