You dont need the headache of 2 operators, particularly 1 with a goverance issue has not been cleared up yet. Although they have been allowed bid. Most likely to keep the other 2 bidders honest.

Bremen, mark my words, the CHC issue will NEVER be resolved and will be kicked into the long grass forever. Too embarrassing for the government.

Much more exciting is to watch how the 'competitors' align themselves with eachother to get the job done. Now who is going to jump into bed with CHC at this stage of not knowing what might happen to them.

Looks like your drum will have to roll a while longer:). So, no word today:confused: all quiet from the usual suspects:oh:

Anyone heard anything yet? A mate tells me that the applications by potential bidders to play in the big competition had to be in yesterday. Wonder who has applied?:oh:

MAIN 2015-2026

-Ministerial Statement
Search and rescue helicopters - News - Department for Transport

-Online publication of process
UK Search & Rescue Helicopter Service - Publications - Department for Transport

-Contract Notice
Service contract - 377518-2011 - TED Tenders Electronic Daily

-Events
Tuesday 10 Jan 2012: "Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate".

BBC News - Key date for search and rescue helicopter bidders

"Date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates": not nominated in the notice. Just less than a month later for the Gap contract, so perhaps expect mid to late February. Perhaps the bidders will be known before that date but perhaps not.



GAP 2013-2017

-Ministerial Statement
Search and Rescue Interim Contract - News - Department for Transport

-Contract Notice
Service contract - 225062-2011 - TED Tenders Electronic Daily

-Type of Process
"Accelerated negotiated procedure" resulting form an "Emergency need". The
MCA believed to be still making it up as they go along.

-Events
A contract award is expected to occur this month: January 2012. An announcement is expected through the usual channels of a ministerial statement and a DfT news release. February wouldn't surprise me though.

-Problems
Well, time obviously, since this is an emergency procedure. There are also clues in some quarters that the key techical requirements are similar to the current 2007 contract. (If you have any plans to break your leg, in the extreme north or on the south coast, then try to do it during daylight hours.)

BBC News - Search and rescue contractors face night goggle issue



REGS

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP999.pdf

http://easa.europa.eu/certification/.../JAR-OPS-3.pdf

2012-01-16 " ... an announcement in the coming weeks"

decision made for gap SAR..official declaration beginning of feb.:(

and the winner(s) is(are).........?

...an in-house bid from the current RAF SARF Cdr! :D

...using super-annuated Pumas, presumably?:eek:

Bristow have got the Northern flights and CHC have kept the southern ones. Recently announced.

Information from ex-colleagues at the coal face as they say

Wiretensioner

CHC will keep their AW139's for their southern contract but anyone know if Bristow bid S-92's or 225's for Scotland?

So to put it simply:

England - CHC?
Scotland - Bristows?

I hope CHC go down the pan. To the guys/girls in the SAR Scotland if it wasn't for you and your can do attitude the contract would have failed long ago. Good luck with the future and possible tx to Bristows.

92's

Wiretensioner

Any news on the colour scheme's? They staying the same or changing?

As for Bristows, good shout on their part, with the Scatsta operation fully S92, then an additional base at Sumburgh will prove to come in handy!

"additional base at Sumburgh will prove to come in handy!"
Eoin had better get the old hangar unlocked.:D
Or are Bristow going to take on the CHC hangar. Yes, I know it's a bit early for that sort of decision but....?
3D

Didn't the Coastguard pay for the refurb and "upgrades"? I though that was the plan originally................... ah........ I see my mistake...... originally.

NVM :P

Si

So the "English" bases had nothing to do with it? I thought Coastguard SAR was British, or has Alex Salmond sneaked something past the Scottish electorate already?

Glad to see engineering and pilots mentioned here holding it all together.

All SAR crewmen go home as you seem to be surplus to requirement :ugh:

Stinking (sorry normal) attitude :ok: