BAE withdraws from Canadian future aircrew training competition

BAE Systems has decided not to participate in Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, the country’s government disclosed on 29 April.

BAE Systems provides the Hawk jets used by the RCAF and was expected to compete for Canada's FAcT future pilot training programme. It informed the country’s government on 2 April that it will not proceed with its bid for unstated reasons. (RCAF)

The UK company was one of six vendors vying to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with future pilot and aircrew training services when the FAcT programme was launched in December 2018, but according to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), it informed the government on 2 April of its decision not to proceed.

The Canadian government did not provide a reason, and BAE Systems had not commented at the time of writing.

With BAE Systems no longer in the running, the five remaining bidders for the 20-year deal comprise Airbus Defence and Space, Babcock Canada, Leonardo Canada, Lockheed Martin Canada, and SkyAlyne Canada.

As noted by PSPC, the government is currently refining and finalising a request for proposals (RFP) to be released to the remaining bidders in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.

“Proposals will be rigorously assessed on elements of cost, technical requirements, and economic benefits. The evaluation may also include an assessment of bidders’ effect on Canada’s economic interests. The new assessment, as well as guidelines for its application as an ongoing procurement tool for major projects, is being developed through separate consultations. All suppliers will be subject to the same evaluation criteria,” the government said.