Seeking Minimum 40% Local Content by Value

The Slovak MoD has confirmed that it received bids from five nations for the country’s 8×8 armoured fighting vehicle programme.

Details of the bidding companies, platforms and technologies were not disclosed, but it is possible that the MoD will have more than five platforms to choose from. In a media release confirming the receipt of bids, the ministry noted that “some countries offer[ed] several technical solutions.”

The five nations to have submitted bids were named as the Czech Republic, Finland, Romania, Spain and the USA. “Due to the sensitivity of information and in the interests of objectivity, the MoD will provide additional information on the bids only to a limited extent until the official evaluation process has been concluded,” the Ministry stated.

The bids will be evaluated by a 70-member project team, which will be assessing the amount of work each will offer to Slovak industry. Tests and trials of various vehicles will follow. Bid assessment will be conducted on a scoring basis, with 35% awarded based on total price, 30% on technical specifications, 10% on through-life logistics support, and 25% on the role of Slovak industry in the programme. The process will result in a procurement recommendation which is due by the end of March.

“We are a step closer to getting the new vehicles for our soldiers to meet their needs of the 21st century,” stated Defence Minister, Jaroslav Nad. “It applies that the level of Slovak industry content is an important criterion and must account for at least 40% of the total acquisition price – and we insist on this. For this reason, the bids are in the hands of not only experts from across defence, but also those from the Ministry of Economy.”