Johannesburg, 23 Feb 2009
SIA Solutions, the aviation technology company, has won a five-year renewal of its maintenance contract with the South African Air Force.
The deal covers SAAF's ground-based navigation (GBN) and safe landing and approach systems, operating at airfields around the country.
“Winning the bid again is an indication of the confidence in SIA Solutions' capacity and technical capabilities,” says Ntsane Kolisang, SIA's Marketing Director. “It confirms our standing as a credible BEE player with the depth and breadth of skills to supply and maintain mission-critical aviation systems.”
The solution
The tender, issued by Armscor (the procurement agency for SA's armed forces), called for the maintenance of SAAF's Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air Navigation (VOR TACAN) GBN systems, its instrument landing systems (ILS), and its distance measuring equipment (DME).
SIA will discharge its duties under the service level agreement by monitoring, diagnosing and resolving maintenance issues remotely, and deploying field technicians where necessary.
Historic connection
The equipment in question was originally supplied by SIA's co-owner Tellumat when it had the agency for equipment manufactured by Thompson (which later became known as Thales). Tellumat subsequently ended its contract with Thales, to sign with Selex Systemi Integrati.
A competitor then took over the Thales agency for South Africa, bidding against SIA for the current maintenance deal. SIA's bid, we feel, won on the strength of its extensive systems experience and technical skills, says Kolisang.
SIA has over 20 years of experience in GBN, ILS and DME systems. Its extensive SA client list includes Airports Company of South Africa, SAAF, Air Traffic and Navigation Services and various airports. Most recently the company won a tender for the turnkey supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of navigation aid systems at two Botswana airports, extending the company's reputation further afield.
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