BAE objects to SRC sole source contract

BAE Systems is objecting to a sole-source contract the Navy awarded to an incumbent to support development and installation of command and control systems on several aircraft carriers.

The contract is worth $92.5 million and went to Scientific Research Corp. of Atlanta. SRC was hired by the Navy for command and control work on several aircraft carriers while they are being serviced in shipyards.

This work covers the carriers George Washington, John Stennis, Gerald Ford and John F. Kennedy.

BAE is objecting to the work being awarded as a sole-source contract, though SRC has performed the work under an existing contract.

Services include integration, engineering, procurement of supplies, fabrication, test and delivery of C4I capabilities aboard the ships.

Work will take place at a SRC location in Charleston, S.C. along with Navy facilities at San Diego; Pascagoula, Mississippi; and Dahlgren, Newport News and Norfolk in Virginia.

The contract runs through September 2019 with no options.

According to the Navy’s justification document for making the award a sole source contract, the follow-on contract will be a full-and-open competition.

BAE was the only company that responded to the notice. The Navy said it explained to BAE that the award was only a continuation of current work.

The Navy also says that BAE “expressed no concerns regarding this proposed effort.”

Maybe the company changed its mind. BAE filed its protest May 7. A decision from GAO is expected by Aug. 15.