I'll believe it when I see it.
which to me tells me we are sending units that really are not ready to go over sea's are represent our nation. We shouldn't have really good units and really bad ones, thats a leadership failure, and a big one if units aren't ready are being sent instead of being given extra training.I think that impression of us changes depending on which unit is rotating in. A few of the Strathcona's I work with said the same thing about the Italian contingent...
"Nice uniforms. Nice looking kit. But had no idea what they were doing, and nearly got themselves killed just with some basic range safety stuff..."
The GOC publicly announced an RFI process in Feb 2022 that detailed the requirements for a replacement aircraft in great detail including some HLMRs (high level mandatory requirements). I assure you, none of those HLMRs are “made up” so the P-8 was selected.
If no other interested parties submitted a response to the RFI that met the HLMRs, having a bid process would be nothing more than a waste of time; time the fleet can’t really afford to piss away.
Here’s a link to the RFI, look to Sect 5 for timelines and the Annexes for HLMR.
I’d also draw your attention to Annex C; MOTS was not the only option being considered during the OA phase.
View attachment 81877
RFI is simply a request for information that is one item that can be used in the early stages of the process to help determine if sole sourcing is the best option. IAW with the PAMs "The Request for Information and Letter of interest documents must clearly indicate that the request is not a solicitation and that there are no commitments with respect to future purchases or contracts."
Vendors don't even have to respond to an RFI to enter a bid when it goes out for solicitation. Purchasers still need to do their homework to show that another vendor couldn't and wouldn't fill the contract needs when it goes out for bids. McDonald's may not respond to an RFI for burgers but they can certainly produce a hundred burgers with ketchup mustard and onions if it went out to bid so still has to be considered. Sole sourcing to Wendy's simply based on RFI alone wouldn't stand the test.
Basically it is a "we are thinking of maybe purchasing something along this line and am wondering if you have something in mind that you might submit if we actually put out a bid process. Oh and feel free to give any advice on what we are considering, changes that we may want and how we should actually do this"
Directly from the RFI:
"Participation in this RFI is encouraged, but is not mandatory. Respondents should note that this RFI is not a pre-selection process and that there will be no short-listing of potential suppliers for the purposes of undertaking any future work as a result of this RFI."
I am sure the GOC is concerned about not pissing time away on a bid process. Oh wait, that is one of the supposed reasons the initial contract for 35's was cancelled, it was sole sourced instead of put out for bid. Maybe that will happen again after the next election or even before if enough pressure is used and appears the way to save much needed votes in Ontario and Quebec.
I hope that all these purchases do go through if they actually are what the military needs. I am not even trying to determine what is needed as I have no knowledge of that and will trust others with the knowledge. I simply don't trust the government, regardless of who it is, when it comes to the military until things are actually delivered and in our hands.
add something else coming, Christmas is coming to the CAF
Parliamentary Secretary Marie-France Lalonde to announce a major investment in the Canadian Army - Canada.ca
Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, will announce a major investment in the Canadian Army on behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence.www.canada.ca
Says it will happen from general dynamics. New gender neutral washrooms?Forge caps for all ranks (again)? New service dress? Removal of approval for beards in army units?
Or maybe, just maybe, different people have different impressions of different groups they work with based on their deployment and the jobs they were doing at the time and individual anecdotes should be taken with healthy grains of salt. Unless it’s about the Spanish who are junk.which to me tells me we are sending units that really are not ready to go over sea's are represent our nation. We shouldn't have really good units and really bad ones, thats a leadership failure, and a big one if units aren't ready are being sent instead of being given extra training.
General Dynamics Mission Systems CanadaSays it will happen from general dynamics. New gender neutral washrooms?
what vehicles on order need updated displays or perhaps they are using the facility as a backstop and ordering anti-air systems? One can hope.General Dynamics Mission Systems Canada
view-all-products-programs-and-services
I'm assuming it is something GDLS that is being done at GSMSC due to location.what vehicles on order need updated displays or perhaps they are using the facility as a backstop and ordering anti-air systems? One can hope.
Unless it's a spur of the moment contract, GBAD UOR isn't going to contract till next yearI'm assuming it is something GDLS that is being done at GSMSC due to location.
I'm hoping that GDLS London is going to be building these... Stryker M-Shorad
"The guys in the other ship have no idea what they're doing!"Or maybe, just maybe, different people have different impressions of different groups they work with based on their deployment and the jobs they were doing at the time and individual anecdotes should be taken with healthy grains of salt. Unless it’s about the Spanish who are junk.
YMMV; we did a market survey, did an RFI, and then spoke directly with vendors on multiple RFPs and used that to shape the RFP. It is an interesting poker game, and all gets vetted to make sure you aren't unfairly weighing something specifically for one bidder.RFIs are poorly thought out fishing expeditions where you don't catch anything worthwhile, usually.
If you want to receive some worthwhile responses you need to prove that you've already done your homework related to what you need, backed up by a competitive amount of cash, or you'll get what you pay for: not much.
B2C2WG enters the chat yellingUS military enters the chat
SHORADI'm assuming it is something GDLS that is being done at GSMSC due to location.
I'm hoping that GDLS London is going to be building these... Stryker M-Shorad
Given that GDMS deals with the tech side, a lot, this isn't likely a vehicle announcementSHORAD
120Mortar
ATGM
what else are we missing that we can mount on a LAV