CHC to challenge loss of Irish SAR contract

CHC, the current incumbent provider of the service, will argue that the Irish government conducted a flawed tender.

It follows an announcement by the Irish Department of Transport last month that it had selected Bristow Ireland as the preferred bidder for the new 10-year, €670 million contract – meaning that CHC would be replaced as operator of the service.

The challenge – contained within a 40-page document – has now been submitted to the Irish High Court, with the intention of overturning the decision.

No specific details of the challenge have been released; however, CHC has stated that it is ‘concerned there are flaws in the conduct of the competition’.

Rob Tatten, CHC’s Director of Operations and Accountable Manager for Ireland, said that the company believes ‘the tender we submitted represents the best outcome for the Irish Coast Guard, the staff who provide the service, and the people who rely on it’.

The Irish government has previously said that the tendering process was ‘comprehensive’, and that it included an ‘initial market engagement process, a prequalifying process, an initial request for tender, a negotiation process, and a final evaluation of a best and final offer tender from the shortlisted bidder’.

The Irish Department of Transport has been approached for comment on the challenge.