Sunday Times suggests SAR contract win for Bristow
In an article published on 17 March, the Sunday Times newspaper announced that Bristow Helicopters is ‘set to win a £3bn contract to take over Britain’s search and rescue service’. On 18 March, the Financial Times repeated the claim that Bristow had won out, but valued the contract at £3.1 billion.
In an article published on 17 March, the Sunday Times newspaper announced that Bristow Helicopters is ‘set to win a £3bn contract to take over Britain’s search and rescue service’. On 18 March, the Financial Times repeated the claim that Bristow had won out, but valued the contract at £3.1 billion.
First announced in November 2011, the process is aimed at replacing the UK’s current mix of military and contract civilian search and rescue (SAR) helicopter cover with either one or two civilian providers. Bidders were invited to bid for Lot 1, covering northern bases, Lot 2, covering southern bases, or Lot 3, covering all bases. The field has narrowed progressively throughout the bidding process, leaving just Bristow Helicopters and Bond Offshore Helicopters in the running; most recently, CHC left the process in January.
Sunday Times journalist Karl West, who broke the news, would not reveal the source of the information, and also declined to comment on whether the ‘win’ referred to Lot 1, 2 or 3. However, the Department for Transport has previously valued Lot 3 at between £2 and £3 billion, which matches the figure quoted by West.
A spokesperson for Bristow Helicopters was not able to confirm or deny the suggestion. Neither was Bond able to comment.
The Department for Transport’s timescale to announce the winner has been officially stated as ‘spring 2013’. Asked whether a winner had been chosen, a spokesperson said: “All information surrounding this procurement is commercially confidential. An announcement will be made in due course.”
Image: A UK Royal Air Force Sea King rescue helicopter / SAC Dave Rose / RAF / Crown Copyright