The evaluation commission of the Argentine Air Force (FAA) issued its recommendation to incorporate the Saab 340B offered by C&L AEROSPACE LLC into the Air Force, rejecting the option presented by GANTT AVIATION Inc.
As we reported in early October, the aeronautical attaché of the Argentine Air Force (FAA) based in Washington DC. (USA) opened the envelopes corresponding to the bids received for the public tender for the purchase of a Saab 340 to reinforce LADE’s operations in Patagonia.
This acquisition had been anticipated by Agustín Rossi, former Argentine Minister of Defense, during a ceremony held at the IX Air Brigade facilities in July of this year.
«The re-equipment of the Armed Forces is one of our unrenounceable objectives,» said Agustín Rossi during the ceremony.
The FAA evaluation committee found that GANTT AVIATION Inc.’s proposal did not conform to the requested bid specifications, particularly with respect to the company’s inability to clearly demonstrate ownership and lack of encumbrances on the offered aircraft. There was also no exclusivity agreement between the bidder and the owner of the aircraft, which invalidated the bid. In short, the chain of ownership of the aircraft could not be reliably demonstrated by the bidder.
For these reasons, the two aircraft could not be technically compared. However, it is reported that the aircraft presented by C&L AEROSPACE LLC was technically in accordance with the request.
Regarding the economic offer, once again C&L AEROSPACE was the winner, adjusting to the budget of US$ 2,100,000.00 assigned to the purchase program.
On balance, C&L AEROSPACE’s bid for a Saab 340B met all the specifications and conditions required by the FAA in the RFP process. While GANTT AVIATION’s proposal seemed to be a bit «loose».
From now on, the only thing left to do is to transfer the funds and sign the purchase contract, so that LADE and the Argentine Air Force will have a much needed reinforcement in the south of the country.
