AgustaWestland, Eurocopter Shortlisted For SAR Competition

Norway shortlisted two bidders for SAR procurement contest and have invited them to further negotiations for the replacement of the current Sea King fleet.

The two bidders selected are AgustaWestland and Eurocopter.

Norway intends to procure up to 16 new SAR helicopters with an option for additional 6. The project target is that the contract will be awarded by the end of 2013 and the last Sea King phased out by end 2020.

The process for the acquisition of new SAR helicopters commenced on 21st October 2011 by an invitation to a pre-qualification process formally announced on the public Doffin/TED system. The Invitation to Tender (ITT) was released on 12 July 2012 and the offers received from the four bidders on 18th December 2012.

After evaluation and negotiations during spring 2013 the Ministry has, based on offers received on 7. June 2013, selected the two bidders with the highest overall results for further negotiations.

The other bidders, who are on hold, may only be called to re-enter the competition if, for some reason, one of the remaining participants withdraws, or any other reason necessitates to call on a rejected bidder to sustain a competitive environment.