Indian Air Force wants Expendable Aerial Targets

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Sept 17, 2011

The ministry of defense says it intends to procure High Speed Expendable Aerial Targets for training.

A Request for Information sent out on Sept 13 is in two parts. The first part incorporates operational characterstics and features that should be met with the equipment. It also mentions a few important technical parameters of the proposed equipment. The second part of the RFI states the methodology of seeking response of vendors. Submission of incomplete response format will render the vendor liable for rejection, says the RFI.

The High Speed Expendable Aerial Targets (HEAT) would be employed for Air to Air training by the Indian Air Force. Technical parameters include a Max Speed Not less than 400 kmph Speed Envelope.

It should have an endurance of over 30 minutes with a maneuverability sustained turn of 2g or more ‘G’ Envelope, radius of operation LOS ranges(At multiples of kilometer). The details of the type of fuel has to be provided by the vendor. As is the  mode of recovery. Technical information on detection ranges and RCS of target with and without RCS augmentation system is also being sought.

Technical information on Ground Control Station (GCS), Multi target handling capable Data link, capability to store, playback and analyse, In-built Simulator for training, operating conditions, Launch Mechanism and safety features and redundancies to cater for failures, is being sought.

The RFI says the vendor should confirm the  following conditions are acceptable:-

* The solicitation of offers will be as per ‘Single Stage-Two Bid System’ it would imply that a ‘Request for Proposal’ would be issued soliciting the technical and commercial offers together, but in two separate sealed envelopes. The validity of commercial offers would be at least 18 months from the submitting of offers.

*  The technical offer would be evaluated by a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) to check its compliance with RFP.

* The equipment of the TEC cleared vendors would be put through a field evaluation on a ‘No Cost No Commitment’ basis. A staff evaluation would be carried out by Air HQ to analyse the result of field evaluation and shortlist the equipment for introduction into service.

* Amongst the vendors cleared by user trails/Staff evaluation, a Contract Negotiations Committee would decide the lowest cost bidder (L1) and conclude the appropriate contract.

* Vendor would be bound to provide product support for time period specified in the RFP, which includes spares and maintenance tools/jigs/fixtures for field and component level repairs.

* The vendor would be required to accept the general conditions of contract given in the Standard Contract Document at Chapter V of DPP 2011 placed on www.mod.nic.in.

* Offsets. The vendor has to undertake offset contracts amounting to 30 % of the value of commercial proposals (refer Appx D to Chapter I of DPP 2011).

* Integrity Pact. An integrity pact along with appropriate EMD is a mandatory requirement in the instant case (refer Annx I to Appx H of Schedule I of Chapter I of DPP-2011).

* Performance cum Warranty Bond. Performance Bond-cum-Warranty Bond both equal to 5% value of the contract is required to be submitted after signing of contract as per provisions of DPP 2011.