U.S. Coast Guard’s Deepwater Acquisition Plan In Deep Water?

USCG Boutwell in OIF

The Coast Guard has been asserting that its deepwater legacy assets are “failing at an unsustainable rate.” In 2002, the Coast Guard began a multi-year acquisition program to replace or modernize its deepwater assets that is currently estimated to cost $19 to $25 billion. More recently, it began studying options for replacing or modernizing the assets more rapidly in an effort to avoid some of the costs that might be involved in keeping aging assets running for longer periods.

Budgetary battles, funding shortfalls, and a dearth of adequate information from Congress’ point of view are all recapped in GAO report #GAO-05-757, which also looks at the Coast Guard’s overall handling of the program, program risks, and recommendations for improvement.

Britain Studies Ways to Reduce CVF Future Carrier Program Costs

CVF Alliance Concept

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that its Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) program provides opportunities to save substantial sums of money over the life of the ships.

To help realize the project’s whole-life savings potential, the MOD called for an independent, objective analysis of new technologies and alternative manufacturing options. The RAND Corporation was asked to perform that analysis and, in particular, to identify and evaluate options for reducing support costs, other whole-life costs, and manpower. DefenceTalk.com has the coverage, and RAND has made the report highlights available in HTML and PDF format.

USMC Puts Up $61.3M for 52 Backscatter X-Ray Systems

Z-Backscatter
Container Scan

American Science and Engineering, Inc. in Billerica, MA received a $61.3 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum ordering quantity of 52 Z-Backscatter X-Ray Systems and associated manuals, spares and field support. DID’s Aug. 4th article offers extensive coverage of the Z-Backscatter system, which offers significant improvements in detecting hidden people, explosives, and even radiation sources quickly and unobtrusively.

The initial delivery order of $38.7 million is for 32 of the 52 Backscatter Systems available on the contract. Work will be performed in Billerica, MA, and is expected to be complete by August 2006. This contract is a sole source award to American Science and Engineering, Inc., the sole manufacturer of the Z-Backscatter X-Ray System. The Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA issued the contract (M67854-05-D-5168).

CyTerra Delivers more Mine Detection Sets

AN/PSS-14 at work

CyTerra Corp. in Waltham, MA received, a $13.6 million increment as part of a $38 million firm-fixed-price contract for AN/PSS-14 (formerly HSTAMIDS) Mine Detection Sets. The AN/PSS-14 employs a state-of-the-art metal detector and ground penetrating radar (GPR), coupled with an advanced microprocessor array and software in order to achieve a high probability of detection (in excess of 95%) for both large and small metallic and even nonmetallic antitank and antipersonnel mines. It also significantly reduces the number of false targets or alarms. The AN/PSS-14 weighs approximately eight pounds, uses standard batteries and can be operated by a single Soldier. See this U.S. Army page re: all countermine equipment in current use.

Work will be performed in Orlando, FL and is expected to be complete by March 30, 2006. This was a sole source contract initiated on June 27, 2005 by the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command in Alexandria, VA (DAAB15-03-C-0025).

$18.2M to Help PROPHET Decree Electronic Doom

Repent or Fry

General Dynamics C4 Systems in Scottsdale, AZ received an $18.2 modification to a cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the Prophet block II electronic attack capability. DID covered and explained the Prophet SIGINT system here.

Work will be performed in Scottsdale, AZ and is expected to be complete by May 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on July 13, 2005 buy the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command in Fort Monmouth, NJ (DAAB07-03-C-L426).

$13M for USMC Unit Operations Center Modifications

A UOC

General Dynamics Decision Systems in Scottsdale, AZ received a $13 million modification to a previously awarded contract (M67854-02-C-2052) for the Unit Operations Center (UOC) Program. This modification includes recurring engineering change costs for 27 UOCs.

UOCs are portable, modular command and control centers designed to support Marines wherever they are deployed…

44 Receive Stations for U.S. Global Broadcast System

GBS Concept & Elements

Raytheon Systems Co. in Reston, VA received a $5.1 million cost-plus award-fee contract modification for the Global Broadcast Service (GBS) program, DoD’s satellite-based system for distributing video, imagery, and other large data files to users around the world. The contract action directs Raytheon to build 44 Enhanced 88XR Receive Suites (RS).