American Eurocopter has lodged a protest concerning the Maryland State Police’s (MSP) request for proposal (RFP) to replace its fleet of 11 aging AS 365Ns. Eurocopter asserts that the RFP was designed to favor the AgustaWestland AW139. Eurocopter had proposed refurbishment, rather than replacement, of the Maryland fleet along the lines of what it has done for the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet of HH-65s. In its protest, American Eurocopter maintained the RFP “systematically eliminates all competitors except for one aircraft and therefore has the effect of creating a sole-source procurement.”
The Maryland Legislature has already authorized $50 million for the MSP to acquire two new helicopters next year. Replacing the entire fleet could cost more than $250 million, including spares, training and support. While the state police aviation unit enjoys broad bipartisan support in the legislature, word that the MSP was looking at the AW139 also drew criticism from both sides of the aisle.
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