MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND, QUANTICO, Va. -- The Marine Corps Systems command (MCSC) has ordered 1,000 additional life-saving armored Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. These vehicles have a proven capability to save lives by dramatically improving the current level of mine and improvised explosive device (IED) protection with a V-shaped hull and raised chassis. These additional vehicles will help support the increasing requirement for MRAP Vehicles in Theater.
The $481,414,500 Firm Fixed Price delivery order was awarded to Force Protection Industries, Inc. (FPII) of Ladsdon, S.C. All contract deliveries are expected to be completed in May 2008. The order resulted from FPII’s rapid delivery of test vehicles and successful verification of survivability and automotive performance.
This MRAP Vehicle order, the largest to date, follows LRIP orders awarded in February to five of the original manufacturers (including FPII) for 639 MRAP vehicles. The initial orders were awarded to manufacturers with low production and performance risk in order to commence fielding in support of this critical requirement as rapidly as possible. These orders were placed using an innovative Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracting strategy. IDIQ contracts were awarded to nine MRAP vehicle manufacturers, with initial orders for a small quantity of test vehicles. Follow-on production orders, such as the one awarded to FPII, will be awarded based on demonstrated survivability and automotive performance combined with production readiness and capacity to deliver.
The Marine Corps serves as the lead agency for procurement of the current requirement of MRAP vehicles. The requirement for these vehicles has grown rapidly. Based on theater operational needs, the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) is currently evaluating Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) requirements that exceed 7,700 vehicles, with a potential total procurement cost of $8.4 billion.
“We have consistently foreshadowed our urgent and compelling plan to decide quickly when tests are complete at Aberdeen to make additional delivery orders,” said Paul Mann, MCSC’s program manager for MRAP. “This delivery order illustrates the significant value these vehicles bring to the mission and the enormous support for the program. But we still have enormous work left to do.”