I really can't see the contract going back to anyone but Pearl. As the story said Pearl had done an excellent job within the parameters of the contract. The NT Govt had set those parameters in the first place - they stipulated that the old aircraft were to stay to avoid increased costs, unfortunately that has backfired. If and when the contract is canceled then Pearl are in for a substantial payout and I would think a fleet upgrade could easily be afforded and accomplished in time to re-tender for the new contract. Nick Paspaley has a lot of political pull in the NT and I can't imagine that this contract will disappear to another contender from outside the NT so easily. I am fairly certain that the process that is going on at the moment has been well planned and that the final outcome has already been decided.