The JMR program management probably made up their mind on who would be awarded the flight demonstration contracts many months ago. Basically, the two flight demonstration contracts were Bell's and Sikorsky's to lose. But to be fair AVX and Karem were given a fighting chance to displace Bell or Sikorsky if the results of study work done under the previous contract showed substantial progress. Unfortunately for AVX and Karem, it does not appear they were able to convince the program management that their concepts had enough potential to outweigh the risk of awarding a contract of this scope to a small company.