Norway – Aerial and related services – Pilot training helicopter

In accordance with the public procurement regulations (FOA) § 13-4 letter b alternative 2 announced awarded contract for the procurement of helicopter pilot education to two employees, without a prior competition notice. The background for the procurement is the need to qualify two system operators for the Police Helicopter Service for helicopter pilots. The education must be implemented parallel to the candidates maintaining their connection to the service. The training place is therefore required to be within day-commuting distance from the Oslo area. After reviewing the Civil Aviation Authority's overview of certified educational institutions in Norway, as well as an equivalent overview from Swedish aviation authorities, we have concluded that there is only one actor who meets the requirements for both education content and geographical location: European Helicopter Center AS (EHC) in Sandefjord. We therefore assess that there is a real sole supplier situation and that there are no reasonable alternatives. Any relocation of the candidates abroad will result in considerable additional costs and practical challenges and is not considered a real alternative. The contracting authority therefore intends to enter into a contract directly with European Helicopter Center AS.