WASHINGTON - The U.S. Coast Guard today released a draft RFP for the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) project. The draft
RFP contains new information for the shipbuilding industry and is available on
the OPC project
website. The draft RFP provides industry an opportunity to
preview and submit feedback on contents and requirements that will potentially
be included in the formal RFP for the preliminary design and construction of
the OPC.
“The release of the draft RFP is another important step in
the Coast Guard’s effort to acquire an affordable and capable Offshore Patrol
Cutter,” said Rear Admiral Bruce Baffer, director of acquisition programs and
program executive officer, in a statement.
The Coast Guard will consider the feedback received as it
finalizes the formal RFP, scheduled for release this fall. The Coast
Guard requests all industry feedback on the draft RFP be returned by July 16,
2012.
This release continues the Coast Guard’s acquisition
strategy of acquiring an affordable ship that meets the Coast Guard’s mission
requirements offshore by actively engaging industry early in the acquisition
process. The Coast Guard previously engaged potential vendors during
industry day events, one-on-one meetings, the release of the draft specification
in May 2011 and draft technical package in March 2012 to identify the best
avenues for acquiring a capable and affordable OPC. The Coast Guard plans
to acquire 25 OPCs.