CHC Ireland has filed a High Court challenge to Ireland’s recent designation of a Bristow Group subsidiary as the “preferred bidder” for a $715 million, 10-year search-and-rescue (SAR) contract for the Irish Coast Guard. The “preferred bidder” designation is typically the de facto designation of a contract award by the Irish government, with only the finer points of the agreement to be further negotiated. Those negotiations are ongoing and expected to be concluded later this summer.
The Irish government announced that Bristow Ireland Limited was its preferred bidder on May 30. Following the announcement, Bristow's COO of government services Alan Corbett said, "We will continue working closely with the Irish Department of Transport to finalize contracts and look forward to integrating our significant global experience and capabilities into this critical public service."
The contract provides for the 24/7 operation of four helicopter bases in Sligo, Shannon, Waterford, and Dublin and also contains a fixed-wing aircraft element. Terms provide for the helicopter service to run for 10 years and the fixed-wing service for five. Options could extend both services out to 13 years.
CHC holds the contract to conduct aviation SAR for the Irish Coast Guard that is due to conclude next year, but its performance came under public scrutiny following the 2017 fatal crash of one of its Sikorsky S-92A helicopters assigned to the mission. A related report from Ireland’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau was highly critical of CHC.
Bristow holds a variety of government services contracts worldwide including the contract for UK SAR.
In its challenge, CHC attacks “the validity of the tender process” for the contract and “flaws” in the conduct of the competition. In a related statement, the company said, "CHC Ireland has submitted a tender which it believes is innovative and represents the best value to the taxpayer and the best outcome for the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Search and Rescue Service. Foremost in our thoughts are the staff who provide the service and the people who rely on it.”