They are not purchasing six planes on just speculation of winning a contract...
A vendor would do the following:
1) See a request for bid and review the requirements that are detailed in the specifications
2) Locate a source for the equipment that you don't have that is needed to satisfy the bid requirements-(Locate but not purchase YET)
3) submit your bid
4)If your awarded the job, this is where you purchase the equipment you sourced in line 2 of this process...
So with that being said, they didn't just go out and buy 6 planes just for $heets and giggles... IMHO, there is plenty more to come in this story....