Issue 110 - 27 Jul 98
Printer friendly version.
CVX, THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER OF THE FUTURE
MINE WARFARE SHIPS
THE FIXED DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM (FDS) AWARD
CVX, THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER OF THE FUTURE
The CVX's overarching research and development philosophy is to exploit the opportunities that new and emerging technologies offer to improve carrier capabilities and reduce total ownership costs. Composed of NAVSEA and PEO personnel, as well as the Fleet, Warfare Centers, industry, and academia, the integrated CVX team worked throughout the year to implement this acquisition strategy. Among the team's many initiatives was a visit to several of the fleet's in-service aircraft carriers to acquire first hand knowledge and experience to incorporate into the CVX design.
MINE WARFARE SHIPS
The Mine Warfare community implemented an innovative acquisition reform approach in its equipment upgrade and ship modernization efforts, including an accelerated Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) replacement of the MCM Machinery Control System. Using proven Smart Ship equipment design, plans were initiated to replace the existing 1970's era analog control systems with a commercially supportable digital Integrated Ship Control System (ISCS). Installation of new ISCS units is projected for FY 1999 on eight ships of the MCM Class.
THE FIXED DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM (FDS) AWARD
FDS was developed to provide an improved undersea surveillance system for the U.S. Navy. This system uses fiber optic technology for data transmission from underwater sites to shore processing sites. The purpose of the subject procurement was to acquire sufficient quantities of three types of armored cable for conducting future repairs of the FDS system.
With the hope of achieving time and cost savings while meeting the Navy's needs with minimal technical risk, the Government emphasized that offerors should provide innovative approaches in their responses to the solicitation. The solicitation allowed offerors to propose various alternatives to meet the requirements. The solicitation also highlighted the Government's intent to award a contract based on initial proposals. This gave the Government flexibility in its evaluation of proposals to make relevant comparisons of the alternatives proposed without being required to hold discussions. The Government awarded the contract on 12 December 1996, just over five months after issuance of the solicitation. The contract and the relatively short time required to award the contract reflect innovative business approaches, sound technical capabilities with minimal risk, and overall cost savings.
