ALCOAST 332/08
COMDTNOTE 3100
SUBJ:     PATROL BOAT ACQUISITION UPDATE
1.  THE COMMANDANT HAS ASKED ME TO KEEP YOU UPDATED ON OUR CRITICAL
ACQUISITION PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE FAST RESPONSE CUTTER (FRC), THE
COAST GUARDS NEW GENERATION OF PATROL BOATS.
2.  THE LAST INFORMATION WE PROVIDED INDICATED THAT WE ANTICIPATED
CONTRACT AWARD FOR THE FRC THIS MONTH. WHILE WE ARE ALL INTERESTED
IN OBTAINING A PATROL BOAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, IT IS EVEN MORE
IMPORTANT THAT WE ACQUIRE THE FAST RESPONSE CUTTER THAT REPRESENTS
THE BEST VALUE, ONE INTENDED TO SERVE THE PUBLIC FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
3.  THE SOURCE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE FAST RESPONSE CUTTER IS
ONGOING AT THIS TIME.  THE COAST GUARD IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN
DISCUSSIONS WITH ALL OFFERORS IN THE COMPETITIVE RANGE.  THE
COMPETITIVE RANGE INCLUDES THOSE OFFERORS WITH THE MOST HIGHLY
RATED PROPOSALS.  THOSE DISCUSSIONS WILL PROVIDE ALL OFFERORS IN
THE COMPETITIVE RANGE AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR PROPOSALS AND
ADDRESS ANY DEFICIENCIES AND/OR WEAKNESSES.  THIS BRIEF DISCUSSION
PERIOD-RELATIVE TO THE TIME WE WILL USE THESE ASSETS-WILL ENHANCE
THE COAST GUARDS ABILITY TO MAKE AN AWARD BASED ON THE BEST VALUE
TO THE GOVERNMENT, HELPING TO ENSURE THAT THE COAST GUARD GETS A
PATROL BOAT THAT IS OPTIMAL FOR OUR MISSIONS.
4. TO ACCOMMODATE THESE ADDITIONAL DISCUSSIONS, THE ANTICIPATED
CONTRACT AWARD DATE IS NOW SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR.
5.  RADM GARY T. BLORE, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR ACQUISITION,
SENDS.
6.  INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.