February 11, 2014

The U.S.  Coast Guard today awarded three firm fixed-price  contracts for preliminary and  contract design (P&CD) for the  Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) acquisition  project.  The contracts were  awarded to Bollinger  Shipyards Lockport LLC (Lockport, La.), Eastern  Shipbuilding Group Inc. (Panama  City, Fla.), and General Dynamics, Bath  Iron Works (Bath, Maine).  The total value of the award is  approximately  $65 million.

Awarding  multiple design contracts ensures that competition is  continued through to a  potential down-select for detailed design and  construction, establishes a  fixed-price environment for the remainder  of the contract, and incorporates a  strategy to maximize  affordability.  This  strategy was developed by analyzing lessons  learned from other major government  shipbuilding programs and through  collaboration with industry on how to best  design and produce the most  affordable OPC. 

"I  thank the President, Secretary Johnson, and Congress for  their continued  support in recapitalizing our aging fleet of cutters.   These contract awards today are an important  milestone in sustaining  the offshore capability needed to protect the nation's  maritime  borders," said Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Bob Papp.  "Affordability  will be the central consideration as this acquisition moves  closer to  production."

The Coast  Guard issued the P&CD Request for Proposal (RFP)  Sept. 25, 2012.  Responses were received in January 2013, and the  Coast  Guard conducted a thorough evaluation of proposals based on technical,   management, past performance and price factors.   To support the effort  to acquire an affordable OPC, the Coast Guard engaged  industry prior  to RFP release through industry day events, one-on-one meetings  and  providing opportunities for potential offerors to review and comment on  OPC  draft technical packages, specifications and solicitation  language. 

The OPC will fill Coast Guard and DHS offshore mission   requirements and provide capabilities between the Coast Guard's Fast  Response  Cutter and National Security Cutter, while replacing the aging  210-foot and  270-foot medium endurance cutters.

For more information on the OPC acquisition project, visit: http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/opc

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, II applauded Panama  City, Florida's Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc., for being named one  of three finalists competing for a $10.5 billion contract to build the  U.S. Coast Guard's next generation of offshore patrol cutters. Eastern  Shipbuilding was awarded more than $21 million to design its prototype  for the new vessel.

"As one of America's leading innovators in maritime construction,  Eastern Shipbuilding Group is well positioned to deliver the cutting  edge, technologically-advanced vessels the Coast Guard is seeking," said  Southerland. "Should Eastern Shipbuilding win this contract, it will  provide a tremendous boost to Northwest Florida's economy and bring  hundreds of well-paying, highly-skilled construction jobs to our  community."

Eastern Shipbuilding Group is competing with shipyards in Lockport,  Louisiana and Bath, Maine for the final Coast Guard contract.

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PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Eastern Shipbuilding Group has been selected as a top finalist among bidders for two dozen new U.S. Coast Guard cutters.

The Panama City,  Fla.-based company is one of just three left in the running for a $10.5  billion contract that U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says could bring 2,500 jobs  to the area.

Nelson is a senior  member of the Senate's Armed Services Committee and Commerce Committee,  which has jurisdiction over the Guard.  Better equipping the Coast Guard  for offshore patrols has been a personal  priority, he said.

"I think Eastern  makes a lot of sense given its facilities, capabilities of its workforce  and solid track record in this industry," Nelson said.

The other finalists  are in Louisiana and Maine. The Guard announced yesterday the finalists  were selected from eight shipbuilders. It wants 25 new cutters with  production as early as 2016.

Here's a link to the Guard's announcement: http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/newsroom/updates/opc021114.asp

The first release is from the United States Coast Guard and it was released Tuesday. The remaining releases were sent Wednesday by Rep. Steve Southerland's Office and Sen. Bill Nelson's Office