LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP (LCS) IN-SERVICE ENGINEERING & LIFE CYCLE SUPPORT

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. This is a notice of intent to solicit, negotiate and award a sole source contract under statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division intends to award a sole source contract to General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. (GDMS) (CAGE 3CX85) for in-service engineering and lifecycle support of Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Combat Systems, and Intelligence (C5I) system elements of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) equipment specific to the Independence (INDY) variant. Services include engineering; design; integration; test and evaluation; software development, testing, and load; system upgrade/replacement planning onboard and at sites; logistics product development and distribution; configuration management of the systems and logistics products; as well as training systems. Market research indicates that GDMS, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the LCS INDY variant combat system, is the only source capable of satisfying the agency requirements. A Sources Sought Notice (N6339426R0TBD) was published to SAM.gov on 24 October 2025 to identify potential sources. The Government reviewed capability statements from 10 respondents and determined that GDMS is the only source capable of satisfying the agency requirements for this follow-on acquisition without unacceptable delays and substantial duplication of cost that is not expected to be recovered through competition. Transitioning this work to a non-OEM source without access to GDMS' proprietary design data, is estimated to result in duplicate costs of at least $26M-$34M and create an immediate, minimum five-year gap in critical engineering support. This is based on the need for a non-OEM source to design, construct, equip, and certify specialized testing and integration facilities to replicate the LCS INDY variant's unique computing environment; recruit, clear, and train a specialized nationwide workforce, and negotiate new subcontracts for proprietary OEM materials; reverse-engineer proprietary software interfaces and C5I integration nodes to perform the required lifecycle engineering; and complete rigorous land-based testing, at-sea trials, and formal Navy combat system safety certification necessary to obtain a Navy Authority to Operate. This notice of intent to award is not a request for competitive proposals; however, in accordance with FAR 5.101(c)(4)(vi), responsible sources may submit a quotation, bid, or proposal, as appropriate, which will be considered by the agency. Responses may be submitted via email to john.t.peachey2.civ@us.navy.mil with a copy to wesley.m.whisner.civ@us.navy.mil. Please include Notice ID # N6339426R0TBD. The Government is not obligated to award, and will not pay for, any information received from potential sources because of this notice of intent. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.