GRAHAM WARWICK /WASHINGTON DC
Lockheed Martin has emerged as the only compliant bidder for the US Coast Guard's 20-year, $10 billion Deepwater re-equipment programme. Boeing and Science Applications International (SAIC) have been informed their bids were not competitive, sources say.
Lockheed Martin, teamed with Northrop Grumman's Ingalls Shipbuilding, confirms it has been informed by the USCG that its bid is "in the competitive range". Boeing and SAIC refuse to comment, while the Coast Guard says it has completed its competitive range determination but declines to identify compliant bidders.
The Integrated Deepwater System is the largest procurement in the USCG's history and will replace an ageing fleet of 91 ships and 206 aircraft used for search and rescue and other missions 90km (50nm) or more from the shore.
In addition to new cutters, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned air vehicles, Deepwater includes a new command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance architecture. The US Department of Transportation has $320 million in the 2002 budget to begin procurement and has requested $500 million in fiscal year 2003.
Lockheed Martin confirms it has entered the next phase of discussions with the USCG, while the agency says a contract award is still scheduled for June. "Bidders remaining in the competitive range must meet the specified requirements before final contract award," the Coast Guard says. At least one of the rival bids was deemed too expensive, sources say.
The Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman Ingalls joint-venture team includes EADS Casa providing fixed-wing aircraft, including the C295, and Bell Helicopter and Eurocopter. Lockheed Martin expects to run a competition between the two helicopter companies, with the Bell/Agusta HV-609 tiltrotor under consideration.
Boeing is teamed with Northrop Grumman's Avondale shipyard, as well as EADS Casa and Eurocopter. SAIC is teamed with General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works shipyard and Sikorsky.
Source: Flight International
