The Independence-variant USS Manchester (LCS-14) littoral combat ship completing acceptance trials in Dec. 2017. (Photo: U.S. Navy courtesy of Austal USA).
By Rich Abott |
@ReaderRabott
5 years ago |
05/22/2019

Austal USA filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) this week against a recent Navy $932 million award to

Huntington Ingalls Industries [HII] for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) planning yard services.

The USS Manchester (LCS-14) while completing acceptance trials in Dec. 2017. (Photo: U.S. Navy courtesy of Austal USA).

In late April the Navy awarded HII the contract to support modernization work that covers technical, planning, ship configuration, data, and logistics lifetime support required for the in-service LCSs (Defense Daily, May 1).

Upon award on May 1, HII elaborated that the contract provides the LCS program with post-delivery life-cycle support including fleet modernization program planning, design engineering and modeling, logistics support, long-lead-time material support, and preventative and planned maintenance system item development and scheduling.

While the initial award was under the department’s $7 million threshold for daily announcements, it includes options over a six-year period that could increase the total value to $932 million.

General Dynamics [GD] Bath Iron Works was the contract incumbent and the Navy said it received three offers. All three companies declined to comment

According to the GAO protest docket, the case was filed on May 20 and is due to be decided by Aug. 28.