WASHINGTON — The U.S. Government Accountability Office has denied a protest filed by Sierra Nevada over the Army’s decision not to choose any offering presented during its fixed-wing utility aircraft replacement competition.
Sierra Nevada submitted its protest of the Army’s decision on Sept. 7. The GAO denied the protest on Dec. 5, but the decision is filed under a protective order. A redacted version is to follow, according to the GAO website.
The Army has been trying to replace its fleet of C-12 and C-26 transport aircraft for many years. Even three years ago, about 77 percent of the fleet was considered beyond useful life, which would require either replacement or recapitalization through a service life extension.
The basic requirement is to procure a nondevelopmental fixed-wing aircraft that is capable of performing operational-support airlift missions, moving personnel and equipment flexibly around the battlefield. The Army has been looking for improved passenger and payload capability along with greater refueling range.
The service first released a request for information in 2012 looking for potential commercial off-the-shelf replacements with the plan to procure and field the aircraft from fiscal 2014 and 2018.
Fast forward to 2017, the Army has not changed its plans to procure a fixed-wing utility aircraft but canceled its solicitation because no bidder met the requirements, Brig. Gen. Thomas Todd, the program executive officer for Army aviation, told Defense News in an October interview.
Sierra Nevada subsequently filed a protest following the canceled solicitation.
The Army conducted industry days and posted requests for information in advance of the request for proposals, he said. “We felt like our requirements were valid, we felt like industry could meet it. We were a little bit surprised as well that industry struggled to meet it, so we will re-engage.”
Todd said the Army would not reconsider its requirements. “The requirements are what they are,” he said.
Todd said he couldn’t discuss how many responses there were or who responded to the original RFP.
While Todd said there’s no specific date where the Army absolutely has to replace the current fleet, “it’s just when do we want to stop dealing with old parts, repairing old parts, paying to repair parts that are no longer in production, keep them going. We expect to again move out smartly once the protest is resolved and re-engage industry immediately and go after another solicitation.”
The fleet “is becoming obsolete and we need to get after it,” he said.
In response to the GAO decision, an Army spokesman wrote in a statement to Defense News: “The Fixed Wing Utility Aircraft remains a valid Army requirement. The Fixed Wing Project Office is working with the Army stakeholders to determine the best path forward and subsequent schedule.”
Jen Judson is an award-winning journalist covering land warfare for Defense News. She has also worked for Politico and Inside Defense. She holds a Master of Science degree in journalism from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College.
