Mr. Chair, I'll try to give a high-level explanation in response to the member's question.
National Defence has conducted a number of options analyses related to the next-generation fighter jet project and the decision as to whether to go ahead with the joint strike fighter. They assessed the jet against four other options early in the process, back around 2005. They assessed the F-35 and two other options around the time they were coming to make the decision in 2008, I believe. They used high-level mandatory capabilities to assess jets around the second options analysis, which was around 2008. They then set about establishing the statement of operational requirements, which should have been the basis upon which the final decision was made.
So yes, National Defence did consider other options. Yes, there was a basis for how they considered those other options.