Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka (FLCY) awarded $118,839,251 in combined follow-on contracts to NIPPI Corporation, June 12.

The contracts will provided depot-level maintenance support services for the Navy and Marine Corps’ MH-60R Seahawk, F/A-18A –F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler aircraft.

According to NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Contracting Department Director Cmdr. Matthew Brickhaus, working with Fleet Readiness Center Western Pacific (FRCWP) to employ innovative and tailored contract strategies was key to the success.

"These contract vehicles are noteworthy for their unique acquisition strategy that allows for extended performance beyond five years,” said Brickhaus. "They will increase competition, lower prices and provide reliable repair capacity throughput for the naval aviation enterprise.”

Enhancing naval aviation readiness remains a top priority for NAVSUP headquarters and especially for FLCY. The contracts will add critical depot-level maintenance repair and capacity in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. They are expected to improve stability and consistency in the planned maintenance interval (PMI) and in-service repair aviation maintenance process, important features that are integral to sustaining Navy and Marine Corps aircraft.

Kurt Dronenburg, contracting officer and prior aircraft maintenance team lead for FLCY, said negotiations resulted in savings of more than $30 million.

“The success of the contract award was due to a combined effort made possible through close coordination with FRCWP, the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA),” he said. “The new contract vehicle was necessary to ensure ongoing, uninterrupted contractor support for PMI requirements.”

The team at FLCY worked closely with FRCWP, DCMA and DCAA to award the contract. The aggressive award schedule will enable depot-level maintenance to be performed more efficiently, while saving money.

Commander DCMA Japan Cmdr. Juan C. Varela said the contract vehicle has the potential to assist in bringing stability to the warfighter and areas of operations.

“The unique acquisition strategy we used meets one of our objectives, which is to seek business practices that are quicker and more efficient and reflect the U.S. National Defense Strategy for greater performance and affordability,” stated Varela. “At DCMA, we are proud of our mission to enhance the military’s readiness and lethality by ensuring timely delivery of quality products.”

The exceptional relationship between FLCY and FRCWP was critical to getting the contracts awarded so that PMI work could continue uninterrupted explained Commanding Officer FRC WESTPAC Cmdr. Randy Berti.

“Navy and Marine Corps squadrons will benefit greatly from the long duration contracts used to complete preventative maintenance tasks and in-service repairs on forward deployed aircraft within the theater,” said Berti. “Having the ability to execute repairs, without sending assets from the United States, will save significant time and money and allow the highest possible readiness for the warfighter.”

All Navy and Marine Corps aircraft must undergo inspections and repairs to prevent excessive damage and to correct problems before they make an aircraft non-flyable. PMI involves in-depth inspection of an aircraft’s various systems. The inspections and repairs are the primary function of depot-level maintenance teams and are required by the integrated maintenance plan. It includes such things as removing panels and doors from the aircraft; inspecting areas of the aircraft that are difficult to access in the field; identifying discrepancies like corrosion and repairing those discrepancies as required.

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.

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