Description
Organization: NAVSEA, GSA
Team Name: Navy Critical Life Support System Acquisition Team
Related Acquisition Topic(s): Acquisition Practices Streamlining, Commercial Practices, Direct Vendor Delivery (DVD), Partnering
Description:
The Navy and GSA worked together to change the Congressional mandate on Maximum Order Limitation (MOL), and maximum length of GSA schedule contracts to enable Navy to significantly expand its use of the "Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Method" under GSA contracts. The "BPA Method" is more efficient, simpler, cheaper, and less manpower intensive for both Government and Industry. The "BPA Method" eliminates the enormous recurring administrative costs on subsequent acquisitions of the system.
Average procurement lead time for full best value competitive acquisition is usually twelve to twenty-four months. If the award is protested an additional four months is added. By utilizing the BPA process under GSA schedule contracts, once the MOL was removed and the length of GSA contracts extended to five years with a five year option. The first Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) BPA was signed within a six week period. The SCBA was selected to replace the existing Oxygen Breathing Apparatus used by Navy firefighters since the 1940s. Orders can be placed under the BPAs immediately using either credit cards or electronic ordering. Acquisition under the BPA resulted in a reliable SCBA with a fifteen year warranty on the regulator, an eight year "bumper to bumper" warranty on the total system, 60% off the commercial list price, rapid refill capability in less than 30 seconds and state-of-the-art audible and vibratory low air alarms. The product acquired provides improved performance in support of firefighters, improved reliability, and lower life cycle costs.
The Team serves as an example of how to interact with Industry, implement commercial standards, and obtain new and emerging commercial technology for critical Fleet applications. The hard work, dedication, persistence and unfailing commitment exhibited by each of the Team members assisted in the synergy and execution of a most exemplary "best value" approach and follow through, while obtaining unparalleled results. Through this team's efforts and further competition of a successive series of BPAs, the pressures of the commercial market place will cause the vendors to develop product improvements, which allows the Government to obtain the latest technology without investing in costly research and development. Additionally, purchasing commercial items allows the vendors to share the indirect costs with commercial customers.
By evaluating offered warranties, the Team realized annual maintenance savings on the SCBA over its predecessor in excess of $6 million. Over a fifteen year useful life of the system, total projected maintenance savings are estimated to be over $90 million. In addition, under the terms of this BPA, the Government can obtain just-in-time deliveries, utilize the contractors' existing world wide logistics support, and eliminate warehouse, spare and repair parts costs. The Team's efforts have significantly contributed to the safety and survivability of the ships and crew, who one day, may have to rely on this critical life support system for their survival.
