Canada Upgrades LAV III Armored Vehicles

Canada Upgrades LAV III Armored Vehicles

(NSI News Source Info) GATINEAU - November 27, 2008: The Minister of Public Works and Government Services, the Honourable Christian Paradis, and the Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, today announced that the Government of Canada awarded a contract to EODC Engineering, Developing and Licencing Inc. of Ottawa for Add-on-Armour kits, modules and spares for its LAV III vehicles. LAV III vehicles are state-of-the-art combat vehicles that are used to transport infantry on the battlefield while providing defensive protection and firepower.

“The Government of Canada is committed to the Canadian Forces,” said Minister Paradis. “Our government is proud to use Canadian companies to procure the finest tools for our Canadian Forces.”

“Our Government's policy is to provide the best possible equipment for the men and women of the Canadian Forces," said Minister MacKay. "The added armour on the LAV III will allow our Forces to conduct their duties in a safer vehicle."

The contract, with an estimated value of approximately $68 million, includes kits, modules, and spares for the supplemental armour for the LAV III vehicles, as well as the repair and overhaul of their current modules and kits.

An additional contract an estimated value of $13.5 million was also awarded to EODC to provide an Improvised Explosive Device Protection Kit for the protection of the LAV III Vehicles. EODC is the only Canadian company that could provide this kit, as it owns the intellectual property rights.

BACKGROUNDER

The Government of Canada awarded a two-year contract with two one-year options to EODC Engineering, Developing and Licencing Inc. of Ottawa for Add-on-Armour kits, modules and spares for its LAV III vehicles.

LAV III vehicles are state-of-the-art combat vehicles that are used to transport infantry on the battlefield while providing defensive protection and firepower.

DND has a requirement for supplemental armour kits and modules for its LAV III vehicles to improve protection for soldiers. These kits and modules will improve operational survivability. As there were only two qualified suppliers in Canada, a Request for Proposal was directed in May 2008 to both these companies.

After thoroughly evaluating the two industry proposals, PWGSC determined that EODC, which had the lower bid, would also provide best value for Canadian taxpayers. The EODC contract is valued at approximately $68 million and includes supplemental armour kits, modules and spares for its LAV III vehicles, as well as the repair and overhaul of its current modules and kits.

An additional sole-source contract with an estimated value of $13.5 million was also awarded to EODC for an Improvised Explosive Device Protection kit (IEDPK) for the LAV IIIs. The supplemental armour and the IEDPK will help to protect the men and women of the Canadian Forces for their missions.