Three accept invitation to second stage of zl.1.3 billion armored vehicle tender

Huta Stalowa Wola (HTS) steelworks and the Bumar-Labedy machine works are the favorites to win the tender for the supply of 300 armored vehicles to the Polish army, Puls Biznesu reports. The Defense Ministry has invited five companies to take part in the second stage of bidding for the estimated zl.1.3 billion contract. The daily reports, however, that only three companies have so far responded. Apart from HTS and Bumar-Labedy, the other bidder is WZM, which is based in Siemianowice Slaskie. According to Artur Weber from the Defense Ministry press office, "The approximate date for settling the tender is November next year. Until the day the winner is selected we are not going to disclose any details in relation to progress in the tender." Although the Ministry is tight lipped on the subject, in the provisional program for the technical reconstruction and upgrading of the Polish army, the purchase of 120 armored vehicles and 180 technical back-up transporters is envisaged by the year 2006. (Puls Biznesu, pp.1, 7) M.T.