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DD(X) Dispute: BIW Files Protest As might be expected when losing the most sig- nificant navy newbuilding project for a genera- tion, Bath Iron Works (BIW) filed a protest with the General Accounting Office (GAO) challeng- ing the fairness of the Navy's DD(X) evaluation process. The Northrop Grumman-led Gold team in a mild surprise was awarded $2.9 billion initial design contract in late April. Bath Iron Works was the leader of the BLUE Team in that competition; a team that included Lockheed Martin Corp., United Defense Industries, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, L-3 Corp. and others. Allan Cameron, president of Bath Iron Works. Cameron, in a statement cited three main issues: Test-Bed Hull Advantage The use of a Spruance-class DD 963 hull for at- sea testing of the radar was cited by the Navy as one reason the GOLD Team had "significant" strength in its Radar Engineering Development Model. Yet, on January 16, 2002, in response to the BLUE Team's specific request to use a DD 963 hull for its engineering development models, the Naval Sea Systems Command formally said, "No." In an email on that date, NAVSEA wrote: "The NAVSEA position is that we will not enter- tain a leasing or other agreement at this time to lease, loan, grant, sell, etc., a DD 963 Class ship in furtherance of the BLUE team effort ..." Firewall Failure Firewalled information was used as a discrimi- nator in rating the GOLD Team radar solution. One of the GOLD Team members, Raytheon, had developed the SPY-3 radar under a separate and pre-existing contract. The Navy established a fire- wall to screen SPY-3 radar engineering develop- ment model data from both teams. However, the same Navy personnel were involved in reviews both inside and outside the firewall and in evalu- ating the GOLD Team's proposal. In fact, the Navy has conceded: "Source selection technical evaluators' knowledge of Phase II data concerning the radar suite integration approach, provided by the firewalled Raytheon personnel, provided con- fidence that the integration approach proposed by the GOLD Team was achievable..." This indi- cates that the Navy used "behind the firewall" information as a significant factor in its evaluation of the GOLD team proposal. By conducting an evaluation that effectively reached over the fire- wall. the Navy undid the protections that the BLUE Team had relied upon for two years. The firewall built by the Navy to prevent an unfair advantage to the GOLD Team failed its essential purpose. Double-Counting The RFP required that ship performance evalua- tion be separate from evaluation of engineering development models. But in its evaluation, the Navy counted ship performance features not only toward ship performance, but also toward the grade given for engineering development models. This double-counting was pivotal in the award to the GOLD Team. PFA-95 FIRE FIGHTING A-FFF FOAM APPLICATOR US NAVY & ABS APPROVED (LOA) CANADIAN COAST GUARD & U.K. COAST GUARD, (MCA) IMSSCO Corporation SOLE SOURCE MANUFACTURER SEEKS Exclusive Representation In each country By Well established commercial/consulting firms, Apply to: IMSSCO Corporation 2040 Harbor Island Drive, 201 San Diego Calf. USA 92101-1018 Tel 619 260 0728 Fax 6537 IMSSCO@att.net Circle 266 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com Hagglunds hydraulic direct drives are ideally suited for applications such as propulsion units, cranes and winches; for example RoRo-ramp winches with high demands for precise tension control. Our reliable heavy-duty motors are designed for tough marine environments. In our product program you can find complete drive systems including motors, brakes, valve blocks, power units and controls. Hagglunds is a world-wide supplier of complete drive solutions. We build our business on reliability in long term relationships and our customised hydraulic drive systems. Our long experience means that we speak the same language as our customers and we have a reputation for high quality products and services. A company in the Arcorus Group. Hagglunds Drives AB, SE-890 42 Mellansel, Sweden. Tel: +46 660-870 00 E-mail, Business Area Manager: ingemar.borg@se.hagglunds.com Our Drive is your Performance. 09 is CO • o July, 2002 Circle 218 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com 25
