Cal Fire to move forward with Black Hawk helicopter purchase.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) will be moving forward with plans to acquire 12 new Sikorsky S-70i helicopters following an unsuccessful contract protest by Leonardo Helicopters.
Leonardo filed its protest with California’s Department of General Services (DGS) in August, after the agency announced its intention to award a contract to AMUR (Air Methods/United Rotorcraft) for up to a dozen S-70i Black Hawks at approximately $20 million each. Leonardo, the other final bidder, had submitted its new AW189 helicopter for the contract.
The matter went before the state Office of Administrative Hearings, prompting a re-scoring of the bids. In the end, Air Methods/United Rotorcraft prevailed, despite having submitted a more expensive proposal.
According to a DGS spokesperson, bids were evaluated using a best value approach, in which technical and administrative aspects were evaluated before cost data.
The Black Hawks will replace Cal Fire’s aging fleet of Bell UH-1H “Super Huey” helicopters, which have become increasingly difficult to support, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Janet Upton.
Cal Fire anticipates acquiring 12 aircraft over a five-year period; however, as actual purchase rates may vary, the contract will include an option to extend for up to three additional one-year periods.
Delivery of the first aircraft is expected within 365 days of receipt of the purchase order.
Source: Vertical Magazine, December 2017.
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