3D,
I don't think the MCA have had much to do with this contract tender and bid process. It seems to me that the DfT and the MOD want to evaluate a different contractor and two different aircraft. I hope to goodness that CHC are not blamed for a drop in service (I am thinking about the capability or otherwise of the 139 here) leading to the MOD (RAF) shutting the door on harmonisation and civillian SAR.