An Air Force spokesperson confirmed a protest was lodged Tuesday with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which set into motion a mandatory stay on Raytheon’s contract.US Suppliers’ Fight Over Military Contract to Take Months to Resolve: General Counsel | World | RIA Novosti
The GAO now has 100 days to issue a decision, either siding with the Air Force and leaving the contract in Raytheon’s hands or siding with Northrop, which could lead
to a new competition for the right to produce the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) system.
WASHINGTON, October 23 (RIA Novosti) - US Military Supplier Northrop Grumman and its rival Raytheon will not get a resolution until next year, regarding their contract battle over the newest ground based radar system for the US Air Force, Government Accountability Office (GAO) Associate General Counsel Ralph White said Wednesday.
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White confirmed the GAO has until January 29, 2015 to review the contract for the right to produce the new radar system, referred to as Three-Dimensional Expediter Long- Range Radar (3DELRR). If no decision is made regarding the contract dispute, the bid for the system could be restarted, the GAO noted.
"It is not uncommon for such hearing to be held by the GAO to mediate similar disagreements on contract awards", White said.
Lockheed Joins Northrop In Protesting USAF Air Defense Radar Deal | Defense content from Aviation Week
Andrew Hajek, Raytheon’s 3DELRR program director, attributes his company’s win to Raytheon’s 15-year investment in a foundry to develop and produce Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors, which offer improved power output to older Gallium Arsenide systems. Thecompetition was for the lowest price, technically acceptable proposal.So, Lockheed’s contention that its proposal was the "most affordable"could indicate the company is disputing how the Air Force assessed therisk – and therefore cost – for its bid. However, a company spokeswoman did not provide details on the protest claims.
UPDATE 1-Lockheed Martin challenges contract to Raytheon | Reuters
Oct 22 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp on Wednesday said it had filed a formal protest with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) challenging the Air Force's decision to pick Raytheon Co to develop a new long-range radar.
"We believe that we offered the most affordable and capable solution for the program and have strong grounds for this protest," said Lockheed spokeswoman Rashi Ratan.
UPDATE 2-Northrop protests U.S. Air Force radar award to Raytheon | Reuters
Oct 21 (Reuters) - Northrop Grumman Corp on Tuesday said it had filed a formal protest with the U.S. Government Accountability Office against the U.S. Air Force's decision to pick Raytheon Co to develop a next-generation, long-range radar system.
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Raytheon said it would work closely with the Air Force to mitigate any resulting delays once the issue was resolved.
"The Air Force ran a very tough but very fair competition, and selected the world leader in radar to build 3DELRR," said Raytheon spokesman Mike Doble. "We remain confident in our solution and we're eager to move forward and deliver this much needed 3DELRR capability to the U.S. and its friends and allies."
Solicitation
Notice, Three Dimensional Expeditionary Long Range Radar EMD & LRIP- FA8730-13-R-0001 (Archived) - Federal Business Opportunities:
Opportunities
The USAF Theatre Battle Control Division has issued a solicitation for contract award on a limited competition basis for the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) and Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the Three Dimensional Expeditionary Long Range Radar (3DELRR) system. The 3DELRR Program is intended to produce and field the radar system for the United States Air Force (USAF) that meets the Service's theater battle space awareness needs in the current and forecasted threat environment. 3DELRR will be the principal USAF long-range, ground-based sensor for detecting, identifying, tracking, and reporting aerial targets for the Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC) through the Theater Air Control System (TACS). It will replace the legacy USAF AN/TPS-75 radar system as the TPS-75 is incapable of detecting some current and emerging threats.GAO Docket for Solicitation FA8730-13-R-0001
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