On Aug. 29, the Department of the Navy (DON) announced its list of superior suppliers for 2017, businesses who demonstrated exceptional conduct in the areas of cost, schedule, performance, quality and business relations.

The Superior Supplier Incentive Program (SSIP) is designed to incentivize contractor performance by identifying and recognizing suppliers who provide the greatest value in terms of performance to the department.

"Our mission is to deliver the best capability for Sailors and Marines quickly and with good stewardship of taxpayer's money," said Allison Stiller, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. "It's important for us to recognize our industry partners who help us execute the mission."

The DON Tier 1 superior suppliers for 2017 in alphabetical order are:

BAE Systems Intelligence & Security
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems
Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services
Raytheon Missile Systems
Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems

The evaluated business units were divided into three tiers, with the top tier designated as superior suppliers. Designation as a Tier 1 superior supplier does not factor into future source selection decisions or contract awards for the business unit or the company.

Using a standard SSIP scoring model with the Army and Air Force, the Department statistically assessed suppliers over three years' worth of performance data through the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System to develop tiers.

"Because we looked at three years' worth of data and across the services, it's noteworthy for these industry partners to make the list," Stiller said. "It really means these partners have delivered over time, no matter the customer."

The remaining evaluated business units are listed below by tier in alphabetical order:

Tier 2
BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems Platforms & Services
Bell Boeing Joint Project Office
Boeing Military Aircraft
Boeing Global Services & Support
General Dynamics Information Systems and Technology
General Dynamics Marine Systems
General Electric Aviation
Harris Corporation Electronic Systems
Honeywell International Aerospace
Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding
Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding
L3 Technologies, Inc. Electronic Systems
Leonardo S.p.a. DRS Technologies
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems
Lockheed Martin Space Systems
MHSC (Sikorsky Lockheed JV) Maritime Helicopter Support Company LLC
Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
Orbital ATK Defense Systems
Rockwell Collins Government Systems
Rolls Royce Aerospace
Textron Bell Helicopter
Textron Systems
United Technologies UTC Aerospace Systems

Tier 3
Austal USA, LLC Austal USA
Harris Corporation Communication Systems
United Technologies Pratt & Whitney