AT-29 Super Tucano

The US Air Force (USAF) has released the final amended request for proposal (RFP) reflecting minor changes in the light air support (LAS) programme for Afghanistan.

The USAF said the amended competition rules include revisions "designed to streamline proposal preparation and subsequent evaluation."

The air force has subsequently appointed a new, higher-level source selection team, which will not have access to any of the previous materials or the talks between the companies government procurement teams.

Air Force spokeswoman Jennifer Cassidy said that the source selection decision would allow the first aircraft delivery in the third quarter of 2014 to Afghan Air Force.

The changes call for companies to submit fixed-price proposals for potential future planes beyond the 20 in the initial order, and removes the requirement for a demonstration flight.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The rules also put off a ‘first article test’ of the new planes until after the award is granted and dropped a requirement for testing of associated ground training devices.

The USAF had previously awarded a $355m contract to Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and Embraer’s team in December 2011 for the supply of 20 AT-29 Super Tucano aircraft as well as ground training devices and support services to the Afghan Air Force by the end of April 2014.

An internal air force investigation, however, found that the Sierra Nevada contract had been granted without following the appropriate decision-making processes. The amended rules retain the same requirements for the planes, but include several revisions designed to streamline proposal preparation and subsequent evaluation.

The Air Force is expected to receive the new proposals by 4 June 2012.


Image: Brazilian Air Force first Super Tucano launched in 2003. The initial Super Tucano contract was reviewed by the USAF. Photo: courtesy of Antonio Milena.