The Boeing-led team proclaims itself “a powerful combination,” with Marinette Marine Corporation, “a worldwide leader in ship design and construction,” and Boeing, “a pioneer in advanced rotorcraft technology and systems integration.”
The team is strengthened by adding Oceaneering International, which is performing the LCAC SLEP, and Griffon Hoverwork, “a pioneer in the development of hovercraft technology.”
This team is prepared “to replace the current LCAC with a lower-cost, higher-availability, next-generation platform,” it said.
Marines assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) board a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) assigned to assault craft unit (ACU) 5 aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac
The production capabilities and records of the rival teams are likely to be key factors in who wins the contract because the requirements for SSC provide limited opportunity for significant technical innovation, while meeting cost, performance, and schedule are high priorities.
“Affordability will rival capability,” and keeping the program on schedule is essential to maintain the critical capabilities LCACs provide without further expensive life-extension efforts, the Navy has said.
The RFP also stresses weight management as a key requirement, because, like an aircraft, weight affects performance and fuel efficiency.
The competing teams also must be confident in their ability to execute their proposals, because the RFP said the contract will be a “Fixed Priced Incentive, Firm Fixed Price and Cost Plus Fixed Fee” agreement, which would require the winning contractor to bear much of the pain of cost overruns. But the RFP also offers cash awards for superior performance, including multimillion-dollar bonuses for completing software development and defect removal prior to acceptance trials and for early delivery of the test and training craft.
The contract will be awarded on the basis of the rivals’ detailed plans to meet the SSC’s technical and performance requirements, to produce the craft, and to meet both a standard and an accelerated delivery schedule.
“Selection will not be based on a full-scale prototype of the craft,” the program office said.
Although NAVSEA had planned to award the contract in the current fiscal year, the delay in releasing the RFP likely means a decision early in FY 12.
The initial contract apparently will cover a test and training SSC and three operational craft.
This article first appeared in Marine Corps Outlook: 2011-2012 Edition.