MOD invites 33 countries to submit their bids in response to Slovak Tracked and Wheeled Armoured Capability Programmes Request for Government Proposal
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- Date: 30.09.2021
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The Ministry of Defence is moving ahead with the procurement of new armoured vehicles for the Slovak Armed Forces. After the SVK Government's approval for the multiple armoured vehicle procurement programmes via a Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement and a summarisation of requirements for the new platforms, the MOD has today invited 33 selected countries to submit their bids in response to the Slovak Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) Programmes Request for Government Proposal (RfGP).
Meeting with representatives of the countries at the MOD, Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer said: “I have submitted the documents which contain the RfGP, a timescale for the acquisition process, the technical specifications, and a list of key criteria to representatives of 22 countries. The other countries will receive them via the diplomatic mail service.” For the MOD and the involved countries, this procurement process is quite ambitious timewise, yet still manageable, Mr Majer said. The deadlines for the submission of final offers for the 8x8 Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicle Programme and for the Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle Programme are 31 December 2021 and 31 January 2022, respectively.
The bids will be assessed against the scoring criteria using the percentage (%) difference method. Out of 100% of the total score, the total Agreement price will represent 35%, the technical specifications 30%, logistics support across all stages of the vehicle's life cycle 10%, and the SVK defence industry's role in the programme 25%. “It still applies that the SVK defence industry's involvement should account for 40% of the total Agreement price, which is very important for us. For this reason, the Ministry of Economy will also take part in the tender evaluation process. Ultimately, our aim is to deliver realistic and long-term assistance to SVK industry and companies,” emphasised Mr Majer.
Based on the overall ranking of bidders, three best bidders will be selected in each programme and their vehicles will undergo trials in the SVK Armed Forces environment. The MOD's ambition is to present the SVK Government with a recommendation for the procurement of the 8x8 AFVs by the end of March 2022 and the tracked IFVs by the end of June 2022. Ideally, the first vehicles are due to be delivered into service with the SVK Armed Forces at the beginning of 2024.
On both projects, Deputy Defence Minister Majer praised the MOD's full engagement with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance and its continual cooperation with the Value for Money Unit. Just as with the acquisition of the radar systems for the SVK Armed Forces, in this case, too, particular emphasis is being placed on the transparency of the entire process. That's why, all answers to the clarification questions in the consultations phase will be forwarded to all the other participating nations.
According to National Armaments Director and Director General of the MOD's Modernisation Department Jozef Zekucia, this procurement programme will be implemented via Government-to-Government (G2G) arrangements. “This procurement method allows a G2G Agreement to be concluded for delivery of vehicles and services with a guaranteed price of products during the Agreement period. Among other advantages of a G2G acquisition are an enhanced guarantee of equipment delivery, closer military ties, and a strategic partnership with an Allied country. An economic advantage and an economical use of public funds are other important aspects of such arrangements.”
Commander of the SVK Army Maj Gen Ivan Pach pointed out that our in-service armoured vehicle capability has reached a point of functional and technical obsolescence and has been affected by maintenance difficulties. “By the time new armoured vehicles are supplied, some of the infantry fighting vehicles will have celebrated 50 years of service. The physical age is not the only problem. For armoured fighting vehicles, there are three other important parameters – firepower, ballistic protection and mobility. We only meet the mobility requirements. However, when it comes to firepower, use of advanced munitions, and desired target engagement, we no longer meet NATO standards,” explained Maj Gen Pach, appreciating the acquisition of the new armoured capability for five SVK Army battalions.
The total Agreement price for the tracked IFVs is estimated at €1.739bn VAT included and for the wheeled AFVs at €332m VAT included. Nevertheless, the final total Agreement price will come out of the international tender.
Meeting with representatives of the countries at the MOD, Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer said: “I have submitted the documents which contain the RfGP, a timescale for the acquisition process, the technical specifications, and a list of key criteria to representatives of 22 countries. The other countries will receive them via the diplomatic mail service.” For the MOD and the involved countries, this procurement process is quite ambitious timewise, yet still manageable, Mr Majer said. The deadlines for the submission of final offers for the 8x8 Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicle Programme and for the Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle Programme are 31 December 2021 and 31 January 2022, respectively.
The bids will be assessed against the scoring criteria using the percentage (%) difference method. Out of 100% of the total score, the total Agreement price will represent 35%, the technical specifications 30%, logistics support across all stages of the vehicle's life cycle 10%, and the SVK defence industry's role in the programme 25%. “It still applies that the SVK defence industry's involvement should account for 40% of the total Agreement price, which is very important for us. For this reason, the Ministry of Economy will also take part in the tender evaluation process. Ultimately, our aim is to deliver realistic and long-term assistance to SVK industry and companies,” emphasised Mr Majer.
Based on the overall ranking of bidders, three best bidders will be selected in each programme and their vehicles will undergo trials in the SVK Armed Forces environment. The MOD's ambition is to present the SVK Government with a recommendation for the procurement of the 8x8 AFVs by the end of March 2022 and the tracked IFVs by the end of June 2022. Ideally, the first vehicles are due to be delivered into service with the SVK Armed Forces at the beginning of 2024.
On both projects, Deputy Defence Minister Majer praised the MOD's full engagement with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance and its continual cooperation with the Value for Money Unit. Just as with the acquisition of the radar systems for the SVK Armed Forces, in this case, too, particular emphasis is being placed on the transparency of the entire process. That's why, all answers to the clarification questions in the consultations phase will be forwarded to all the other participating nations.
According to National Armaments Director and Director General of the MOD's Modernisation Department Jozef Zekucia, this procurement programme will be implemented via Government-to-Government (G2G) arrangements. “This procurement method allows a G2G Agreement to be concluded for delivery of vehicles and services with a guaranteed price of products during the Agreement period. Among other advantages of a G2G acquisition are an enhanced guarantee of equipment delivery, closer military ties, and a strategic partnership with an Allied country. An economic advantage and an economical use of public funds are other important aspects of such arrangements.”
Commander of the SVK Army Maj Gen Ivan Pach pointed out that our in-service armoured vehicle capability has reached a point of functional and technical obsolescence and has been affected by maintenance difficulties. “By the time new armoured vehicles are supplied, some of the infantry fighting vehicles will have celebrated 50 years of service. The physical age is not the only problem. For armoured fighting vehicles, there are three other important parameters – firepower, ballistic protection and mobility. We only meet the mobility requirements. However, when it comes to firepower, use of advanced munitions, and desired target engagement, we no longer meet NATO standards,” explained Maj Gen Pach, appreciating the acquisition of the new armoured capability for five SVK Army battalions.
The total Agreement price for the tracked IFVs is estimated at €1.739bn VAT included and for the wheeled AFVs at €332m VAT included. Nevertheless, the final total Agreement price will come out of the international tender.
