CAE has cleared the first hurdle in its fight with the Canadian government over the award last month of a C$270 million ($200 million) contract to a Bombardier-led group to provide flight simulators and training for Boeing CF-18 aircraft (Flight International, 27 April--3 May).
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has agreed to launch an inquiry into CAE's complaint against the Department of Public Works and Government Services, which awarded the contract on behalf of the Department of National Defence.
CAE alleges the two federal departments "failed to ensure that the tendering procedures gave equal access to the procurement and were applied in a non-discriminatory manner, in violation of the applicable trade agreements". The Bombardier-led consortium will use simulators supplied by L-3 Communications of the USA.
CAE is teamed with Boeing and argues it should have won the contract for reasons of national security and because its bid was C$44 million cheaper. CAE also alleges the bidding process was stacked against it, a claim refuted by Canada's defence minister David Pratt.
The CITT has also agreed to launch an inquiry into another complaint filed by CAE against public works related to a defence department contract to provide integrated logistics support for a submarine command team training project.
BRIAN DUNN / MONTREAL
Source: Flight International
