GATINEAU, Quebec, May 24 (UPI) -- The Canadian government has issued two questionnaires to industry for information on the price of aircraft to replace its CF-18 fighters.
The questionnaires, issued by the National Fighter Procurement Secretariat, aim to help the government evaluate how procurement of available aircraft could benefit Canadian industry.
"The five companies with available aircraft are invited to complete the questionnaire seeking rough order-of-magnitude cost estimates by early July," said the announcement by Public Works and Government Services Canada. "The Secretariat is also issuing a draft questionnaire to obtain information on potential industrial benefits to Canada.
"After feedback from the companies is reviewed and incorporated, a final questionnaire will be sent to the companies for completion at a later date, as was done with other questionnaires."
The identities of the companies receiving the documents weren't disclosed.
Public Works and Government Services Canada said the questionnaires are part of a seven-point plan on possible replacement of the Canadian air force's CF-18 fleet, but no date for making such a decision has been set.
"Engaging with industry is consistent with the secretariat's commitment to transparency and openness and integral to an evaluation of options process," it said.
"These questionnaires have benefitted from the oversight and guidance of the Independent Review Panel, which ensures that all of the work supporting the evaluation of options is both rigorous and impartial and that the results to be made public are comprehensive and understandable."
