Congressman Boyle Applauds Air Force Decision on Fair and Open Competition

Statement

Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-13) made the following statement on the Air Force's release of the final Request for Proposal (RPF) that provides for a fair and open competition to replace the aging UH-1N fleet of helicopters rather than sole-sourcing the contract without a competitive bid:

"With today's release of the final Request for Proposal, we can finally begin the process of replacing the UH-1N aircraft through fair and open competition. I commend and fully support the Air Force moving forward with replacing its fleet of UH-1N aircraft that help ensure the security of our land-based nuclear forces. Replacing these assets are long overdue and I look forward to working with the Air Force on this priority.

Congress has repeatedly supported and directed a fair and open competition for the replacement of the UH-1N. Language contained in H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2018, threatens to upend this fair, competitive and open process by pushing a sole-source contract at the taxpayer's expense. While I did file an amendment on this matter, I have since withdrawn the amendment given that the Air Force has moved swiftly to replace the UH-1N fleet through an open and competitive process with the recent launch of the RFP.

In 2016, I along with eleven other Members of Congress signed a letter in support of a UH-1N replacement competition, which was instrumental in moving the Air Force toward its current strategy. We must allow the Air Force to continue its competition to replace the UH-1N aircraft and accelerate its ability to field new aircraft without further delay. Taking any other path would further jeopardize this critical program."

The UH-1N replacement program is a priority for the Air Force and for many members of this Congress, House and Senate. The Air Force UH-1N Huey was accepted into service from 1968 to 1969. It primarily accomplish two vital national security missions: nuclear missile security and Continuity of Government. The fleet also supports five homeland security missions. Over a decade has passed since our Air Force identified the need to replace the aging UH-1N Huey fleet. On September 25, 2014, then Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James reported to Congress that "the ability of the UH--1N to accomplish these missions was evaluated in 2006, and the aircraft was found to be "not effective.'"

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