RAMON LOPEZ / WASHINGTON DC
Three teams are vying for the USCG's $20 billion re-equipment programme
Competitors for the US Coast Guard's $20 billion, 40-year Deepwater procurement programme are to submit their final bids later this month. A five-year, $2.3 billion initial contract is due to be awarded to a system integrator next April.
Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Science Applications International (SAIC)-led teams are bidding to replace/refurbish over 200 aircraft - including Dassault HU-25 Falcons, Eurocopter HH-65A Dolphins, Lockheed Martin HC-130H Hercules and Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawks - and around 100 ships.
Boeing has replaced Litton Avondale Industries, the Northrop Grumman subsidiary, as a team leader. It will be responsible for integration, information and communications systems and logistics. New team additions are EADS, Casa and Eurocopter businesses, and John J McMullen Associates (JJMA).
EADS Casa would handle the USCG's fixed-wing aircraft requirements, having earlier this year demonstrated a C295 Persuader in the USA. JJMA would be responsible for naval architecture and marine engineering, while Litton would be the shipbuilder. Raytheon may have a future role, but Kaman has been dropped from the team.
Avondale's sister company, Northrop Grumman Ingalls Shipbuilding, and Bell Helicopter Textron are teamed with Lockheed Martin. The latter and Ingalls recently formed a joint venture - Integrated Coast Guard Systems - for Deepwater.
SAIC's team includes Marinette Marine (MMC)and Sikorsky. MMC is a shipyard specialising in medium-sized vessels that claims to be the USCG's largest marine supplier. Sikorsky's S-92 is being targeted at search and rescue (SAR) and other applications that require long-range, large-cabin machines.
The Bush Administration's fiscal year 2002 budget request includes a $338 million Deepwater downpayment. It will fund some integration of aircraft, ships and technologies needed to carry out deepwater missions, which include SAR, fisheries enforcement and drug interdiction.
A recently-released US General Accounting Office report, however, warns that the programme could run into budget trouble. "The Deepwater acquisition strategy is unique and untried for a project of this magnitude, and it carries many risks which could potentially cause significant schedule delays and cost increases," says the GAO.
Source: Flight International
