I was talking to a BE inspector last weekend and he said that the initial process is merely a prequalification programme hence the lack of specs etc on the tender notice.  He reckoned that they will then only forward the detailed tender document to prequalified suppliers and prices will then be submitted.  He said it would be surprising if an order was placed this side of Christmas (if at all).  Basically he reckoned the whole idea is to get a firm costing for the listed vehciles and then apply to government for funding form the Decmeber budget, with all that's going on re 7bn Euro of budget cuts he said he didn't hold much hope of an order following through.

That said lets be positive and hope an order goes through and sense prevails.  It'd be interesting tofind out even what suppliers/combinations actually qualify to submit prices and who are eliminated at this stage.