The Conservative government’s program to buy new trucks for the army, originally announced in 2006 but stalled ever since, is being rebooted but federal officials are at a loss to say when such vehicles may be delivered.Public Works asked truck companies Friday to meet in Ottawa in mid-January so they can have consultations over how to best move ahead on the multi-million dollar purchase.
But those meetings, which will help restart the lengthy purchase process once again, are a step backwards, say defence industry officials. They had been expecting the government to request new proposals so the trucks could be delivered within the next three years.
One industry official estimated that the new trucks won’t be in the army’s hands until at least until 2018, making the project a decade behind schedule.
Another said the standard military pattern (SMP) truck project should be renamed “FUBAR” a popular military acronym to identify something that is screwed up beyond recognition.
The trucks were originally supposed to be delivered in 2008. The project was considered a priority because the vehicles they are to replace have become a safety hazard, with faulty brakes and excessive rust.
Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose said in a statement issued Friday that “engaging industry is part of our smart procurement approach and the new way forward.”
“In working closely with industry, our government will ensure the best value for Canadian taxpayers, while providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment and capability they need to do their jobs,” she added.
Public Works noted in an email that it will analyze information from the consultations and intends to issue a request for proposals from industry after that. It did not answer the Citizen’s questions on when a contract might be awarded or when new trucks might be delivered.
The truck program has been derailed a number of times over the last several years. In the summer the Conservative government stopped the procurement process after the Defence Department tried to spend more than $300 million without permission.
The Defence Department had received government approval to move forward with the $430 million purchase of the 1,500 off-the-shelf medium-sized trucks. But in subsequent years department and military officials began adding more capabilities to what they wanted in the vehicles, bumping the estimated cost to between $730 million and $800 million.
And in an unprecedented move, DND officials continued on with the acquisition without going back to Treasury Board for approval to cover the extra $300 million to $370 million in costs, according to industry, military and government representatives.
When Treasury Board and Conservative government officials discovered what was happening they intervened, shutting down the project in July, just minutes before bidding was to close.
Liberal defence critic John McKay says the ongoing problems with the truck project raise more questions about the government’s ability to purchase military equipment.
“I can’t for the life of me fathom why buying a standard military pattern truck is taking so long,” McKay said. “I can understand why it takes a while to buy tanks and fighter jets but years to buy a truck?”
Industry representatives have also raised questions about why the government’s procurement system can’t handle a relatively straightforward purchase of army trucks. According to the government, however, the SMP project is a complex acquisition, which includes in-service support as well.
The Citizen earlier reported that in 2008 and 2009, infighting between army and DND officials over the requirements for the trucks led to further delays. At the time, the Defence Department issued an email statement: “The project is not in trouble.”
The project to replace rusting 1980s-era military transport trucks was originally announced in 2006 by then defence minister Gordon O’Connor. “This government is committed to strengthening the Canadian Forces by ensuring that they finally have the equipment they need to get the job done,” O’Connor stated in a news release at the time.
In 2004 the Defence Department warned in an internal report that its existing truck fleet could be hit by a “catastrophic” failure at any time because of poor brakes and steering systems. Catastrophic failure is used to signify accidents that could involve serious injuries or death.
Army officers have said they will continue to use those older trucks, but will be keeping an eye on them in case safety issues arise. The army will also use commercial trucks, modified for military use, that were delivered several years ago by a U.S. firm.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: DAVID PUGLIESE
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