The contention that MLX made was that NST and TAM colluded in...

The contention that MLX made was that NST and TAM colluded in the NST offer. There is no evidence of that but us lay people wouldn't know. What I do know is that there are plenty of people in TAM and NST with the experience to ensure that the process is correct. This is exactly the response I expected from MLX, the next step will be to back down to be followed with a statement that they have reached some sort of agreement with TAM. Interesting point made by Mark about the implied financial threat, cant disagree.

This higher bid incident is not uncommon and is catered for by the wording < subject to there being no superior proposals> Common wording in all such processes . The door being left open for better proposals. Exactly what has happened. Put your toys back in the cot MLX.