Replacing the Subs

[Czech_pivo]

I don't think so. That date marks the closing of the RFI. The project office will presumably take all that data and come up with recommendations that will form the basis of the RFP, unless they come up with a recommendation to sole source. All this will take many months in any case.
I don't know any other published dates than contract award in 2028 (which I personally think is too late). I don't see anything in the short term that would require an active session of parliament - the bureaucrats should be able to handle it all.

Will there likely be any sort of press release on 28 Feb or 1 Mar regarding the closing of the RFI and who's submitted a bid?
Given our current political situation, is it safe to say that NO sole source recommendation will be given?

 

[suffolkowner]

Will there likely be any sort of press release on 28 Feb or 1 Mar regarding the closing of the RFI and who's submitted a bid?
Given our current political situation, is it safe to say that NO sole source recommendation will be given?

Who can meet the requirements? Technical and availability?

 

[calculus]

Will there likely be any sort of press release on 28 Feb or 1 Mar regarding the closing of the RFI and who's submitted a bid?
Given our current political situation, is it safe to say that NO sole source recommendation will be given?

I doubt it. There may be some kind of release stating the RFI is closed, but since no decision will have been made yet, I don't see any kind of big press release on March 1st. Even if there is a decision to sole source it will take some time to paper that up. Trying to predict what DND will do is kind of like a crap shoot though, so I could be 100% wrong....

 

[calculus]

Forcing existing ships to sub in as inefficient and poorly suited dive ships is incredibly Canadian, but I'd much rather them purchase or build say a pair of converted/purpose built vessels for the task.

Seems to me VARD has a number of designs that could be fitted for task. Bonus being they are a Canadian design firm (mostly).

Vessels - Vard Marine

Vard Marine’s extensive design portfolio ranges from offshore construction, supply and patrol ships, to icebreakers, research vessels and ferries. In every design you’ll see the stamp of our tailored approach. Through experience, innovation and collaboration, we deliver practical designs you can...

vardmarine.com

This one looks promising: VARD 9 610 - Vard Marine

 

[Underway]

No, for two reasons:

(1) We have not committed to building 12 submarines yet; and,

(2) the internal modifications to AOPS that would be required to turn them into proper Deepsea diving support/submarine rescue ships are extensive and I just don't want to give ISL another $500M just for redesigning an existing design, when it would be cheaper to design/build from scratch based on the requirements of a proper DSDS ship.

Yep, sounds like a job for a non-combatant yard!

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Agreed. It's a Seaspan job as far as I am concerned. besides, the type of mini-submarines, AUV's etc. that would be required are mostly built and developed (and exported all over the world) on the West Coast.