By Team ADU
New Delhi . 25 January 2017

The wait is over and speculation put to rest. Indian navy has issued a Request for Information for procurement of 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF) for aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy (IN).
The MRCBF are intended as day and night capable, all weather multi-role deck based combat aircraft which can be used for Air Defence (AD), Air to Surface Operations, Buddy Refuelling, Reconnaissance, EW missions etc from IN aircraft carriers.

The chosen OEM would be supplying including customs duties, spares, installation, commissioning, training, documentation, Comprehensive Annual Maintenance for the life cycle of the aircraft (post warranty) and depot level repair facility.

The RFI also states that vendor should specify Critical Technologies required and comment on its ability to absorb the aircraft manufacturing technology at the levels of sub vendor/ supply chain elements in India through ToT from OEM and its partners. The details and guidelines onToT aspects are as given in DPP 2016.
The vendors are required to indicate whether the aircraft has been supplied by them to the country of origin or any other country.

They will also have to indicate Feasibility/ Willingness to conduct FET in India. If Field EvaluationTrials (FET) cannot be undertaken in India , the reason has to be given.
RFI also aks for stating willingness to offer offsets to be indicated by vendors and says that vendors may consider RFI as advance information to obtain requisite government clearances.
The deliveries of the aircraft would need to commence within three years post conclusion of contract, and be completed within further period of three years.

The vendors are required to indicate their willingness to the terms of payment as per DPP-2016.3.

The document also asks for disclosure of strategic partnership with any government/ private aircraft manufacturer/ designer if any. Is the company willing to setup production centres in India as part of offset obligations also needs to be answered. Level of indigenisation in content and design, in percentage, is to be clearly indicated for all components of the core and associated equipment that is being quoted by the Vendors.
Vendors would also be required to provide training to the Buyer in operations and maintenance of the aircraft.
The solicitation of offers will be as per “Single Stage-Two Bid System‟. It would imply that a “Request for Proposal” would be issued soliciting the technical and commercial offers together, but in twoseparate sealed envelopes. The validity of commercial offers would be at least 18 months from the date of submitting of offers.
The technical offers would be evaluated by a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) to check its compliance with RFP.
The equipment of all TEC cleared vendors would be put through a trial evaluation in India on a “No Cost No Commitment” basis. A staff evaluation would be carried out by SHQ to analyse the result of field evaluation and shortlist the aircraft for introduction into service.

Amongst the vendors cleared by GS evaluation, a Contract Negotiations Committee would decide the lowest cost bidder (L1) and conclude the appropriate contract.

Vendor would be bound to provide product support for time period specified in the RFP, which includes spares and maintenance tools/jigs/
The vendor has to undertake offset contracts amounting to 30 % of the value of commercial proposals .
An integrity pact along with appropriate IPBG is a mandatory requirement and a Performance-cum-Warranty Bonsigning of contract.

Government of India is desirous of license production of the aircraft after acquiring transfer of technology.

These are exciting times for the Boeings, Lockheed Martins, SAABs and UACs of the world.