Future Aircrew Training Program

Existing contracts

Training services are currently provided through 2 separate contracts:

• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Flying Training in Canada is provided by CAE Military Aviation Training through a contract that expires in 2023
  • The contract includes an additional option year, which could extend the services to 2024
• Contracted flying training and support is provided by Allied Wings
  • The contract will expire in 2027

Locations

The training services take place at the following locations:

• 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
• Southport (formerly known as Canadian Forces Base Portage la Prairie), Manitoba
• 17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba

New training services

Following a review, the Government of Canada determined the new training services will continue to be provided at the existing locations.

Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy applies to this procurement, requiring the winning suppliers to place investments in Canada equal to the value of the contract. This procurement will leverage the strength of Canadian industry in areas related to training, simulation, and in-service support. This will ensure the Canadian aerospace and defence industries are well positioned to participate, grow and compete in the global marketplace.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is involved in this process to ensure the Canadian aerospace and defence industries are well positioned to participate.

Qualified suppliers will be asked to submit an Indigenous Benefits Plan as part of their bids. The winning supplier will commit to supporting Indigenous Benefits in Canada. Public Services and Procurement Canada continues to engage with Indigenous groups on this procurement.

Engagement with the qualified suppliers is ongoing.

Through this engagement, Canada has defined its requirements, and industry representatives have had the opportunity to provide feedback on items such as procurement approach, schedule, solicitation documents and economic benefits to Canada.

2013 and 2016

• 2013: Preliminary consultations began
• 2016: Industry was advised of the new scope of this procurement through a Letter of Interest

2018 to 2020

• May 2, 2018: The government held a FAcT Industry Engagement Session in Ottawa
• November 15, 2018: Canada launched an Invitation to Qualify to establish a list of qualified suppliers
• December 10, 2018: The Government of Canada published a list of qualified suppliers that demonstrated their ability to meet Canada’s needs, as defined in an Invitation to Qualify. The companies currently engaging as qualified suppliers are:
  • SkyAlyne Canada Limited Partnership
  • Babcock Canada
  • Leonardo Canada
• December 16, 2020: The Government of Canada provided the draft RFP to qualified suppliers

Only these suppliers can participate in the next phases of engagement and submit proposals in the competition. Both suppliers will be subject to the same evaluation criteria. Proposals will be assessed on cost, technical requirements and economic benefits.

BAE Systems, Airbus Defence and Space, and Lockheed Martin Canada were originally on the list of qualified suppliers for the program. BAE Systems, Airbus Defence and Space, and Lockheed Martin Canada informed the Government of Canada of their decisions to withdraw from the competition on April 2, 2019, September 13, 2019, and December 14, 2020, respectively. These companies can no longer submit proposals for this procurement. In August 2021 Babcock Canada and Leonardo Canada, both qualified suppliers under the FAcT Invitation to Qualify, advised Canada that they had formed a joint venture in support of FAcT.

2022 and beyond

• February 11, 2022: The RFP was provided to qualified suppliers
  • Formal engagement with industry and qualified suppliers continues
• 2023: The contract award is anticipated