Retitled: Close Air Support Aircraft Acquisition Project

[dr demented]

http://www.janes.com/article/64358/philippines-set-to-re-launch-bid-to-acquire-close-air-support-aircraft

Philippines set to re-launch bid to acquire close-air support aircraft
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
05 October 2016

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is preparing to launch its fourth bid in two years to procure close-air support (CAS) aircraft, IHS Jane's understands.

A source confirmed on 4 October that the PAF is scheduled to issue another request for proposals (RFP) in the coming months and that the programme is expected to be competed for by two aircraft: the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, a US version of the Swiss Pilatus PC-9 Advanced Turbo Trainer.

IHS Jane's understands from PAF officials that the Super Tucano is the preferred platform.

Previously published tender documents show that the programme features the acquisition of six CAS aircraft and an accompanying logistics support package for PHP4.9 billion (USD101 million).

The project was launched in 2014 but has repeatedly failed at the bidding stage due partly to specifications that have disqualified potential candidates. For instance, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KT-1C, an armed version of the KT-1 Woong-Bee trainer, did not meet payload requirements.

It is believed that other candidates have failed due to the requirements of the Philippine defence procurement process. A particular stumbling block has been the stipulation, outlined in tender documents, for the successful supplier to already have exported its product to the armed forces in the country of origin or used by the armed forces of at least two foreign countries.

This requirement is one of the main reasons why the Super Tucano is considered in Manila as the favoured option. As well as meeting technical requirements, the aircraft is operated by the Brazilian Air Force as well as several foreign air forces, including those in Indonesia, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador.

A source told IHS Jane's that the RFP is expected to be issued "very soon". Recent delays in the programme, he said, were due to changes in administration in the Philippines.

[LionFlyer]

Close Air Support (CAS) Aircraft Invitation to Bid documents (ITB) has been released (again) under DND's SBAC website.

Pre-Bid Conference: 11 Jan 2017
Bid Opening: 27 Jan 2017

*suggest to rename the title of this thread to "PAF Close Air Support (CAS) Aircraft programme"

[adroth]

C/o Oscar Charlie in the FB extension

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rpdefense/permalink/1177654892320356/

[LionFlyer]

If my memory serves me right, the previous bid was not awarded because the proponent (Embraer) was unable to meet the delivery schedules.

This new bid did not change the total duration of 730 days (2 years) from NTP, but it appears that they had removed the requirement to deliver 3 planes by 530 days.

[adroth]

DND allocates PHP4.9-B for acquisition of 6 CASA
=========================================
MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- With its Rockwell OV-10 "Bronco" attack aircraft now past its prime, the Department of National Defense (DND) has allocated the sum of PHP4,968,000,000 for the acquisition of six brand-new close-air support planes for the Philippine Air Force.
Funds will be sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act Trust Fund.

Interested bidders must be able to deliver the aircraft with the corresponding initial logistics support package.

"These aircraft shall be capable of performing close-air support air operations during day and night. The guiding principles for this project shall be based on affordability and sustainability while conforming to the requirements of the Philippine Air Force in furtherance of accomplishing its mission," the DND said in its bid bulletin.

Pre-bid conference is scheduled on Jan. 11, 10 a.m. at the DND Bids and Awards Committee Conference Room, Right Wing, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Close-air support aircraft are used to help troops in heavy contact with enemy forces.
It is done by providing covering rocket fire to the engaged units or bombing positions of hostile units.
Currently, these missions are being conducted by the OV-10s and sometimes by specially converted SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 trainer planes. (PNA)

BNB/PFN
Source:
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=952362

[LionFlyer]

The bid documents have been removed from the DND - SBAC website.

[sirius]

According to the document, the bidding should have happened today, but there doesn't seem to be any articles written about it quite yet. I'm interested in knowing who the bidders are this time around.

[40niner]

^ Yesterday was a Pre-bid Conference, where interested bidders/suppliers can ask official questions regarding the ITB from the BAC. Questions and answers are usually published in written form to official become part of the documentation process.

Opening / Submission of sealed bids is scheduled for Jan 27 -- unless again pushed to another date.

Close Air Support (CAS) Aircraft Invitation to Bid documents (ITB) has been released (again) under DND's SBAC website.

Pre-Bid Conference: 11 Jan 2017
Bid Opening: 27 Jan 2017

----
Notables who are among those who had requested / bought official bid docs included, but not limited to :
- Beechcraft Defense
- Embraer S.A.
- Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)
- Lockheed Martin Global, Inc.
- Airbus Defense and Space

[El_Filibusterismo1978]

pardon my ignorance, but what does Airbus CASA bring to the table.. 

[miggye]

pardon my ignorance, but what does Airbus CASA bring to the table..

SOCATA is a subsidiary of Airbus which makes turbo-prop aircraft. their current trainer/light attack product is the TB30 Epsilon.

[sirius]

^ Yesterday was a Pre-bid Conference, where interested bidders/suppliers can ask official questions regarding the ITB from the BAC. Questions and answers are usually published in written form to official become part of the documentation process.

Opening / Submission of sealed bids is scheduled for Jan 27 -- unless again pushed to another date.

Close Air Support (CAS) Aircraft Invitation to Bid documents (ITB) has been released (again) under DND's SBAC website.

Pre-Bid Conference: 11 Jan 2017
Bid Opening: 27 Jan 2017

----
Notables who are among those who had requested / bought official bid docs included, but not limited to :
- Beechcraft Defense
- Embraer S.A.
- Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)
- Lockheed Martin Global, Inc.
- Airbus Defense and Space

Thanks sir for the clarification. I hope Pilatus chooses to enter the PC-21.

[El_Filibusterismo1978]

Socata TB-30 Epsilon Military Trainer Aircraft, France


http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/socata-tb-30-epsilon-military-trainer-aircraft/socata-tb-30-epsilon-military-trainer-aircraft3.html

[LionFlyer]

http://www.dnd.gov.ph/transparency/procurement/DND_SBAC/2017/SBB/SBB%20NR%20DND-AFP-CASA-17-02-002.pdf

The bid opening has been postponed, indefinitely. The circus continues.

[Kylyne]

I simply hope that the postponement is not because someone or some group believes that we no longer need these planes because the FA-50s have already shown its teeth. 

[SG99n1]

I do hope its not because someone has been ordered to look for CAS in Russia or China..