Support for the General Electric J85 CAN-40 Propulsion Group Systems

Introduction

HKA Global (Canada), Inc. was engaged as a fairness monitor on March 13, 2017 to observe the competitive procurement process for the Department of National Defence (DND) Support for the General Electric J85 CAN-40 Propulsion Group Systems project. This competitive procurement process is being undertaken by Public Works and Government Services Canada through request for proposal (RFP) solicitation number W8485-22SA02/C.

HKA Global (Canada), Inc. is an independent third party with respect to this activity.

We hereby submit our final report which records the fact that no bids were received in response to the RFP.

Attestation of assurance

The fairness monitor hereby provides the following unqualified assurance statement concerning the Support for the General Electric J85 CAN-40 Propulsion Group Systems project procurement process.

It is our professional opinion that the procurement process that we observed or monitored was carried out in a fair, open and transparent manner.

Original signed by:

Project requirement

DND has a requirement for airworthy, cost-effective, and performance-based, support for the General Electric J85 CAN-40 Propulsion Group systems of the Royal Canadian Air Force CT114 Tutor fleet. This is a long-term requirement to the end of life of the aircraft fleet.

It is Canada’s intention to have the contract with the successful bidder signed by spring 2022. The contract will be awarded initially for 4 years and, with successful performance by the contractor, has the potential to be extended by up to an additional four 12-month periods.

The intent is for the contract to allow DND to work with the contractor and maintain the systems effectively and efficiently. The volume of work in the proposed contract will be dependent upon the operational requirements of the aircraft fleet.

Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, including the value proposition will apply to the project.

Fairness Monitor specific activities and findings

On March 24, 2017, we reviewed the draft Letter of Interest (LOI) number W8485-17BA03/A. On April 20, 2017, we reviewed a revised version of the draft LOI and on May 1, 2017 we reviewed the LOI as posted on buyandsell.gc.ca. On May 5, 2017 we reviewed Amendment 1 to the LOI which had already been posted on buyandsell.gc.ca, and which amended the goods and services identification number for the project. No fairness-related deficiencies were identified.

On May 18, 2017, we reviewed a summary of the responses to the LOI and no fairness-related deficiencies were identified.

On November 22, 2017, we reviewed draft LOI number W8485-17BA03/B and provided fairness-related comments to the contracting authority. Appropriate action was taken.

On January 30, 2018, we reviewed the slide deck for “Industry Day”. On February 5, 2018, we observed “Industry Day” and a one-on-one meeting with a supplier. On February 6, 2018, we observed one-on-one meetings with suppliers. No fairness-related deficiencies were identified.

On October 21, 2021, we reviewed a draft RFP and no fairness-related deficiencies were identified.

On November 16, 2021, we reviewed questions received from bidders on LOI/Request for Information (RFI) number W8485-22SA02/A and proposed answers. No fairness-related deficiencies were identified.

It is noted that we had not been provided with a copy of this LOI/RFI before or after it was posted on October 29, 2021 on buyandsell.gc.ca. It was not identified as an LOI/RFI and contained only a draft of the RFP which we had reviewed on October 21, 2021.

On November 25, 2021, we reviewed draft LOI/RFI number W8485-22SA02/B which advised potential bidders that they could request a one-on-one meeting to provide feedback on the draft RFP that was included in LOI/RFI number W8485-22SA02/A, and on other relevant information provided by Canada. Fairness-related comments were provided to the contracting authority and appropriate action was taken.

On December 1, 2 and 3, 2021, we monitored one-on-one meetings with each of the three potential bidders. No fairness-related deficiencies were identified.

On December 17, 2021, we reviewed the final draft RFP which was published the same day on buyandsell.gc.ca. No fairness-related deficiencies were identified.

On December 21, 2021, we reviewed amendment 1 to the RFP as published on buyandsell.gc.ca which added a missing file to the RFP. No fairness-related issues were identified.

On January 24, 2022, we provided fairness-related comments to the contracting authority concerning a potential bid evaluation issue. On January 25, 2022, we reviewed the draft of proposed amendment 2 to the RFP concerning the issue, and on January 28, 2022, we reviewed amendment 2 to the RFP as published on buyandsell.gc.ca which appropriately addressed the potential fairness-related issue.

On January 26, 2022, we reviewed the draft RFP Evaluation Plan and Non-Disclosure Agreement. No fairness-related deficiencies were identified.

The RFP closed on January 31, 2022 and no bids were received.

Reference documents

Project documents are available on buyandsell.gc.ca or from the Support for the General Electric J85 CAN-40 Propulsion Group Systems project office.