WE ARE STILL IN THE EVALUATION PHASE.

documents from both 2015 and 2016, and they clearly state the contract is to be awarded by December, 2016. In addition, the National Defence acquisition guide states the contract would be awarded by the end of 2016.

Earlier this year, Public Services spokesman PierreAlain Bujold released the following statement about CATS: “The evaluation, which includes aircraft inspection, is expected to take up to five months. The contract is expected to be awarded by the end of 2016.”

It is unclear why the department now claims that is not the case.

Discovery Air Defence of Montreal has been providing such services for the military since 2005. It has also expanded operations internationally and was recently hired to do the same thing for Germany’s armed forces.

But the Canadian government wanted to open the competition to other firms.

Two firms have publicly acknowledged they submitted bids; Discovery Air, and CAE, also from Quebec, which has allied itself with Draken, a U.S. firm.

Garry Venman, vicepresident at Discovery Air Defence, said the company looks forward to the announcement of the winning bid and working with the Canadian government in the future. He said the firm pioneered the concept in Canada of such airborne services and is now considered a leader in the industry worldwide.

Chris Stellwag, spokesman of CAE, said that firm is also eyeing potential international business for such services. “We have a bid in and we await the Canadian government’s decision,” he said.

CATS will provide aircraft to the Canadian Forces to simulate hostile threats for ground and naval forces as well as fighter pilots. The winning firm also provides aircraft to tow targets and carry electronic warfare systems for various training scenarios, according to the information supplied by Public Services and Procurement Canada to industry.

CATS will run over an initial 10-year period, with the option to continue for five more years.

The winning bidder is required not only to provide planes and pilots, but also maintenance crews and engineering support. The government estimates aircraft operated by the winning bidder will have to fly between 2,500 and 3,500 hours a year.

The majority of services will be provided in Victoria; Cold Lake, Alta.; Bagotville, Que.; and Halifax. Other training flights could take place outside Canada, including in the U.S. and Mexico.