GAO denies Austal protest vs HII

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) this week dismissed the objections of Austal USA shipyard of Mobile, Ala., over a potential $931M contract awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). The Newport News, Va.-based shipbuilder announced May 1 it was awarded the contract for “planning yard services” to support Littoral Combat Ships. The initial outlay was for $5M, but included options over six years that could increase its value to $931M, according to Naval Sea Systems Command. Austal USA, which builds the Independence variant of LCS, filed a protest with GAO on May 20. GAO didn’t provide a reason for its decision. The various services of the contract were to provided support for the ships, including managing maintenance, engineering/design and planning. HII planned to divide the work between two divisions: HII shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., and Technical Solutions, based in Hampton Roads with locations across the country, including Panama City, Fla. The award sparked a second protest from General Dynamics’ Bath (Maine) Iron Works. Bath builds the Freedom variant of LCS. GAO denied that protest in July. (Source: Newport News [Va.] Daily Press 08/29/19) https://www.dailypress.com/business/shipyards/dp-nw-hii-contract-protest-denied-20190829-gwrzhnny4zb7zjx7sv4tz356lq-story.html