Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Program
Program History 2009
In January 2009, BAE Systems announced that it had been awarded a total of 6 contracts by the US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, totalling $115 million. These contracts were for replacement parts, including complete engines, transmissions, axles and self-recovery winches, in relation to 1,650 vehicles of their Caiman product line then deployed in Iraq.
On 12 February 2009, the Department of Defense announced that the Marine Corps System Command had awarded MKI Systems Woodbridge, Virginia, a $9,268,615 task order to provide professional technical support to the Ground Transportation and Engineer Systems, MRAP JPMO. This included contractor support directly to the PM; MRAP Category I, Category II, and Category III Leaders; Systems Integration and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) Manager; PM for Spiral Development; Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Manager and Functional Leaders for Acquisition, Logistics, Engineering, Test & Evaluation and Safety. This effort built upon existing contract support that would remain in place. The MRAP Vehicle Program had seen significant increases in the numbers of vehicles required, the volume of activities associated with Acquisition Category 1D transition and the demands for rapid acquisition and fielding of MRAP vehicles. Contract support under this task order would include comprehensive professional program management services for all MRAP vehicles and associated systems. Key support included preparation and updates of ACAT 1D acquisition documentation and other business and administrative services; engineering services and requirements analysis including spiral technology development/insertion; GFE integration; test and evaluation; production support; logistics analysis support, FMS and JPMO security. Many of the programs under this PM included high priority United States Marine Corps, Joint Service and FMS requirements with extensive Congressional, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy and USMC interest. Work would be performed in Stafford, Virginiaa. Work was expected to be completed in November 2009. Marine Corps System Command had also awarded EG&G Technical Services, Inc. Germantown, Maryland, an $8,900,613 task order to provide immediate and on-going acquisition and technical support to the Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Program. This included contractor support directly to the Joint Program Manager, deputies, and product and functional team leaders. This effort would include comprehensive Joint Program Management services for all MRAP vehicles and systems, systems engineering and production support, test and evaluation, integration, transportation, logistics, and acquisition management support. Key events included expedited testing, integration, fielding, and training for MRAP vehicles; concurrent integration of system and component improvements to both MRAP and related low density vehicles, and comprehensive assessments, selection, and fielding of other Improvised Explosive Device (IED) countermeasure equipment, all in response to Urgent Universal Needs Statements generated by the Operating Forces. The program required a highly competent and agile program management structure to respond to a myriad of urgent and priority requests for information and action. The program had transitioned from a Component rapid deployment capability to an ACAT ID program that was producing, fielding, upgrading, and sustaining life-saving vehicles for Warfighters. Work would be performed in Stafford, Virginia. Work was expected to be completed in November 2009.
Also in February 2009, the Department of Defense announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded the Canadian Commercial Corp, General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, a $26,791,877 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0004 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of Authorized Stockage List and Prescribed Load List parts to support 673 MRAP vehicles. The staging of these parts would allow vehicles that were damaged to be brought back to full mission capable in a minimal amount of time. GDLS-C would use a multitude of suppliers for these parts, both US based and abroad. By the end of February 2009, the US Military reported that it had fielded its 10,000 MRAP.
On 13 March 2009, the Department of Defense announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded BAE Systems Land & Armaments, Ground Systems Division, York, Pennsylvania, an $8,370,688 firm-fixed-priced modification to previously awarded delivery order #0004 under a contract (M67854-07-D-5025) for field service representatives and instructors to support Mine Resistant Ambush Protecte vehicles. Work would be performed in York, Pennsylvania, and was expected to be completed by the end of December 2009.
In March 2009, the Government Accountability Office reported that the Department of Defense was buying MRAP vehicles as non-developmental items and the production processes appeared to be mature. GAO did not assess their maturity using statistical process control data, but did assess the ability of vendors to manufacture the required number of vehicles in the time frames needed to achieve accelerated production and fielding requirements. For the most part, all vendors were noted to have achieved planned production rates and earlier concerns about obtaining sufficient quantities of ballistic steel and tires appeared to have been resolved. Planned monthly production quantities were to taper down as vendors near the end of their contracted deliveries. The key challenge was seen as ensuring availability of repair parts for vehicles in theater. The Department of Defense appeared to be balancing the demand for parts required for production and demands from the field. The replacement rate for certain vehicle components, such as tires, was still unknown at the time of the March 2009 GAO report.
The March 2009 report also noted that in order to rapidly field the vehicles, the Department of Defense had substantially compressed both developmental and operational test and evaluation. The test strategy helped to quickly identify the vehicles that protected crews, but resulted in the fielding of vehicles with significant operational issues. Automotive mobility and handling shortcomings identified during testing were not worked out before the vehicles were deployed and had also been observed in the field. The Department of Defense was noted to be continuing in mid-2009 to address shortcomings through a combination of engineering changes and upgrades introduced into the production line and modifications in the field. The specific details on shortcomings were classified.
Most of the logistical support for the MRAP as of March 2009 was being provided by contractor personnel, with more than 1,400 government civilians and contractors supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. The program office was also developing a plan to begin transitioning to military personnel provided support in early FY11. According to program officials, readiness levels had consistently exceeded the 90 percent benchmark across all theaters of operation.
The GAO's March 2009 noted that the Department of Defense had yet to make decisions on the MRAP's role in its tactical wheeled vehicle strategy, including how many of the fleet would remain on active service and how many would be stored or turned over to coalition forces. These decisions were seen as ultimately impacting the total cost of ownership. Other DoD decisions would also affect the future of the MRAP vehicle program. DoD planned at the time to acquire and the Joint Program Office issued a request for proposal for a lighter vehicle with MRAP-level protection and off-road mobility. The DoD was seeking mature items for production and will expect offerors to present for preliminary inspection two production representative vehicles between mid- to late-February 2009. Purchase of the vehicles for further testing will be contingent on their assessed potential to meet certain performance and safety requirements. This program, a spin-off of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Program, became known as MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle or M-ATV.
The issues noted in the GAO report had led to various training programs being developed by both the US Army and US Marine Corps. By 2008, the US Marine Corps had already constructed simulators to allow potential drivers to experience the MRAP and potential environmental hazards before deployment. The US Army had also initiated a MRAP Driver's Course.
On 8 April 2009, the Department of Defense announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, South Carolina, a $158,113,017 firm fixed priced delivery order #0012 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5031) for the purchase of independent suspension kits for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles. Work would be performed in OIF/OEF areas of responsibility, and various locations within the United States, and work was expected to be completed by 30 December 2010. On 9 April 2009, the DoD announced that Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico had awarded the Canadian Commercial Corp, General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, of Ontario, Canada, a $15,368,759 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0004 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of technical manuals for the RG31 MRAP Mk5 family of vehicles. Work would be performed in London, Ontario, Canada, and was expected to be completed on 9 December 2010. On 10 April 2009, the DoD announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded BAE Systems Land & Armaments, Ground Systems Division, of York, Pennsylvania, a $47,209,920 firm fixed priced modification to previously awarded delivery order #0006 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5025) for field service representatives and instructors to support Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. Work would be performed in Iraq, and was expected to be completed by the December 2009.
On 24 April 2009, the DoD announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems LLP, of Sealy, Texas, a $19,036,693 firm fixed priced modification to a previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5030) delivery order #0005, for the purchase of Capability Insertion Engineering change proposals for the 1,800 MRAP vehicles procured under that contract. Work would be performed at Kuwait Refurbishment Facility, and the final deliveries associated with this delivery order were expected to be completed by 30 July 2010.
On 18 May 2009, the DoD announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded BAE Systems Land & Armaments, Ground Systems Division, York, Pennsylvania., a $14,302,280 firm-fixed-priced modification to previously awarded delivery order #0004 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5025) for Field Service Representatives and Instructors to support Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. Work would be performed in Iraq, and was expected to be completed by the end of December 2009.
The weight of MRAPs and related issues identified by both the US Army and US Marine Corps was highlighted in June 2009, when Boeing announced that it had been contracted by the US Marine Corps to develop an MRAP recovery vehicle that could survive in hostile areas. On 16 June 2009, the Department of Defense announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded Force Protection Industries, Inc, Ladson, South Carolina, a $21,440,496 firm-fixed-price delivery order #0012 modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5031) for the purchase of field service representative support for the installation of the independent suspension kits on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Cougar vehicles. Work would be performed at the MRAP Sustainment Facility in Kuwait. Work was expected to be completed by 31 December 2009.
On 19 June 2009, the Department of Defense announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded Navistar Defense LLC, of Warrenville, Illinois, a $6,413,738 firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0004 modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of outside CONUS field service representative mechanics, back ramp retrofit kits, and several contract data requirement lists for MRAP vehicles. Work would be performed in West Point, Mississippi, and in Iraq. Work was expected to be completed in August 2010.
On 24 June 2009, SAIC annouced that the US Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command had awarded them a prime single award blanket purchase agreement to support the Joint Program Office, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle by providing MRAP Joint Logistics Integrator and Operational Readiness Services. The task order had a one-year base period of performance, one 12-month option, and one 6-month option, and was valued at more than $357 million if the options were exercised.
On 2 July 2009, the DoD announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded Force Protection Industries, Inc, of Ladson, South Carolina, a $58,009,282 firm-fixed-priced modification to previously awarded delivery order #0012 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5031) for the purchase of Field Service Representative Support, Equipment, Consumables, Bench Stock, and Training for the Installation of the Independent Suspension Kits on the MRAP Cougar Vehicles. Work would be performed at the MRAP Sustainment Facility in Kuwait, and work was expected to be completed by 28 February 2010.
On 7 July 2009, the DoD announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded Navistar Defense LLC, of Warrenville, Illinois, $39,220,048 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0004 modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of outside CONUS field service representatives, new equipment training instructors, CONUS FSR instructors, and senior FSRs to support MRAP vehciles. Work would be performed in the United States and Iraq, and work was expected to be completed by the end of September 2010.
On 10 July 2009, the DoD announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded Navistar Defense LLC, of Warrenville, Illinois, $71,081,162 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order 0006 modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of battle damage assessment and repair (BDAR) kits for MaxxPro Base and MaxxPro Plus MRAP variants. Work would be performed at the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas, and deliveries were expected to be completed by 1 August 2009.
On 22 July 2009, the DoD announced that the Defense Logistics Agency had awarded BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems LP, of Sealy, Texas a maximum $34,097,605 firm fixed price, sole source contract for axle assembly parts in support of Army MRAPs.
On 28 July 2009, the DoD announced that Marine Corps Systems Command had awarded BAE Systems Land and Armaments, LP, Ground Systems Division, of York, Pennsylvania, a $52,454,810 firm-fixed-priced modification to previously awarded delivery order #0003 under contract M67854-07-D-5025 for the upgrade of 170 United States Special Operations Command Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Category I vehicles with independent suspension system kits. Work would be performed in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom areas of responsibility, and was expected to be completed by 31 March 2010.
The Joint Program Office wrapped up Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) at the Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, for the M-ATV, MaxxPro Dash, and Cougar Independent Suspension (ISS) variants just days before Christmas 2009. After sliding the IOT&E schedule two months to the left, preliminary results of how the vehicles performed on the rugged terrain seemed promising.
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