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Sikorsky may be sole bidder for VXX Presidential helicopter program

By Vertical Mag | July 29, 2013

Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 22 seconds.

In June, Sikorsky Military Systems president Samir Mehta told Vertical that losing the last United States Presidential helicopter competition to AgustaWestland “dealt an emotional blow” to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., which has flown every U.S. President since Eisenhower. So Sikorsky naturally jumped at the chance to re-bid the contract, following the 2009 cancellation of the AgustaWestland/Lockheed Martin VH-71 program due to cost overruns.
When the U.S. Navy issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the VXX Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program on May 3 of this year, the contest was widely seen as a two-horse race between Sikorsky, now partnered with Lockheed Martin, and AgustaWestland, teamed with Northrop Grumman. But with proposals due this week, AgustaWestland and other manufacturers are declining to bid — leaving Sikorsky as a possible sole competitor.
“After a comprehensive analysis of the final RFP, we determined we were unable to compete effectively given the current requirements and the evaluation methodology defined in the RFP,” AgustaWestland said in a written statement. “There are fundamental proposal evaluation issues that inhibit our ability to submit a competitive offering, and that provide a significant advantage to our likely competitor.”
AgustaWestland had planned to submit a proposal based on its AW101 helicopter, the same airframe that had won the earlier VH-71 contract “against even tougher requirements,” according to AgustaWestland North America CEO R. Scott Rettig. Earlier this year, Rettig described the AW101 as “a combat-proven aircraft with the inherent safety features and design that are ideal for the Marine One mission.”
However, the U.S. Navy’s decision to hold development costs for the VXX program “to an absolute minimum” may have given the advantage to Sikorsky, which is submitting a platform based on the smaller, commercially certified S-92 helicopter. Sikorsky claims that its VH-92 “meets every requirement outlined by the Navy” while also “reducing operating and maintenance costs.”
AgustaWestland said the decision to withdraw from the competition was “most difficult,” adding, “Fair and meaningful competition for major U.S. government programs is absolutely essential to providing the most capable products for an affordable price.” AgustaWestland’s remarks echo criticism of a recent RFP for 112 combat rescue helicopters for the U.S. Air Force — a program for which Sikorsky is also reportedly the only bidder.
Yet Sikorsky defended its position, stating with respect to the VXX program, “We have prepared our proposal anticipating a full and open competition against other industry teams. We firmly believe we have the ideal team to deliver the best aircraft, on time and within budget.”
For previous coverage of the VXX program, click here.

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