Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) 18 and follow Through End of Class Post Delivery Test and Trial (PDT&T) efforts   3

The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) intends to modify Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) numbered N00024-19-G-2318 with Austal USA, LLC to include Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) execution for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) INDEPENDENCE Variant beginning with LCS 20 through the end of the class (LCS 20, LCS 22, LCS 24, LCS 26, LCS 28, LCS 30, LCS 32, LCS 34, LCS 36 and LCS 38) using other than full and open competition. This modification will incorporate all known PSA execution requirements such as required engineering, production and management efforts as well as the materials, facilities and other direct costs necessary in support of PSA execution. The PSA execution period for these ships will provide an opportunity to resolve any open Government responsible trial cards resulting from Final Contract Trial, outstanding warranty items, completion of deferred work and any ship repairs that may result from prior Test & Evaluation (T&E) events conducted during the PDT&T period. All logistics and provisional support will continue to be required for changes and new equipment installations executed during the PSA execution period. This effort shall also include the requirement to provide dry-docking capability as required, to effect any necessary repairs.
The Navy is actively seeking ways to reduce PSA execution work scope with the goal to deliver ships to the fleet in a timely manner as well as limiting the LCS impact on the constrained facilities in the San Diego, CA homeport. This allows ship maintenance and repair availabilities to proceed in San Diego, CA preserving large surface destroyers and (DDG 51/DDG 1000s) and large amphibious ships (LHAs/LPDs/LSDs) fleet schedules. Additionally, the Navy has reduced the remaining PSA work scope on the INDEPENDENCE Variant to include only the work required to close out any Government responsible Trial Cards, and conduct any final work items that are discovered during the Post Delivery Test & Trial (PDT&T) period. The Navy currently anticipates that the future PSA execution work scope may now fit within an approximate 4 week timeframe; however, the range of work items that may be discovered as a result of prior test events which include Combat Ship Shock Qualification Trial (CSSQT), Final Contract Trial (FCT), and Developmental and Operational Test events with elements of the mission modules, cannot be definitized in advance of a PSA. As such, the actual PSA execution work scope may be minimal and could be accomplished in much shorter Window Of Opportunity (WOO) availabilities or, the work may dictate that much longer dry docking availabilities may be necessary. The unknown, and undefinitized dynamic nature of the PSA work scope and the desire to accomplish as much of the effort as possible in the build yard necessitates the PSA execution activities to be sole sourced to Austal USA LLC, as the INDEPENDENCE Variant seaframe construction Prime Contractor. Austal is the only source with first-hand knowledge and experience in all aspects of the design and construction of LCS 20 through LCS 38. The place of performance for PSA execution efforts is anticipated to be near the shipbuilder in Mobile, AL or near the ship's homeport of San Diego, CA. However, it may be necessary to complete PSA execution elsewhere dependent on the work scope and Fleet's priorities for the limited port loading and drydocking resources in San Diego, CA.