Navy validates FFG(X) requirements

The Chief of Naval Operations and the Navy's acquisition chief recently validated requirements for the future frigate program (FFG(X)), according to officials. Validation is a big deal because the Navy has been selling its engagement with industry over 2018, and throughout the process. The frigate process is a new one for the Navy, having brought industry in early on discussions on how these requirements “may play out, using their expertise to, really, discover the art of possible before we set the requirements," Vice Adm. William Merz, the top requirements officer, told the Senate Armed Services’ Seapower Subcommittee on Nov. 27. The Navy remains on track to publish a draft Request For Proposals to industry in the spring, and a final RFP at the end of the fiscal year, Sept 30. The Navy is holding an open competition to design and construct the next frigate. But it’s previously awarded multiple contracts to five major shipbuilders - including Huntington Ingalls Industries of Pascagoula, Miss. and Austal USA of Mobile, Ala. - to mature their designs. The Navy anticipates and to award a construction contract in FY 2020, and to purchase 20 ships. Prior to the FY-19 defense policy and spending bills being enacted, Navy acquisition exec Hondo Geurts said in May that he didn’t believe Congress adding two additional Littoral Combat Ships than the Navy requested would change the number of frigates the service wants to buy. He affirmed on Nov. 27 that is still the case. (Source: Inside Defense 11/28/18)