AlphaBrook Government Insights on Navy NAVWAR CANES FD
The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) Program Executive Office (PEO) Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (PEO C4) Tactical Network Program Office (PMW 160) is seeking a contractor to support the Consolidated Afloat Network Enterprise and Services (CANES) Full Deployment (FD) opportunity. It is important to note the CANES is a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) system integration effort, which aims to support applicable military applications. There are a multitude of software applications that require support from CANES. Specifically, NAVWAR intends to continue procuring Build-to-Print (BTP) CANES hardware under CANES FD recompete.
Primary Goals of CANES
Provide a secure afloat network required for Naval and Joint Operations
Consolidate and reduce the number of afloat networks through the use of Common Computing
Environment and mature cross domain technologiesReduce the infrastructure footprint and associated Logistics, Sustainment and Training Costs
Increase reliability, security, interoperability, and application hosting to meet current and projected Warfighter requirements
Developments
In determining the RFP release date for this effort, AlphaBrook contacted COR Jennifer Zornow, and while she informed us that “it [RFP] has not been posted yet”, she did share that her understanding was that “it’s going to be posted on [NAVWAR] e-Commerce.” Additionally, when we analyzed the relevant NAVWAR platform and learned more from NAVWAR stakeholders, we were told “the RFP will be released in Q4FY21 or Q1F22, with a contract award estimated for the Q4FY22 timeframe.” Based on our discussion with Ms. Zornow, she made no indication that an RFP is forthcoming, it is likely this effort will be procured late Q1FY22. “The Government anticipates issuing a Multiple Award Contract (MAC) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.”
Problem Areas Within the Current Contract
On further research, AlphaBrook spoke with PMW160 Deputy Program Manager, Bill Farmer to determine if there are any significant issues with the current CANES FD effort. He responded, “We have learned a lot of lessons with the current contract. For the vendors that participate, we got a lot of feedback [from those vendors]. It’s been very successful for us because whenever you are able to give industry a tight requirement, and then they have to compete amongst themselves, we get a fairly attractive deal.”
This brings us to believe that while the current iteration of CANES FD has been largely successful, it also suggests there could have been issues if the government were not able to provide the industry with a tight requirement.
Mr. Farmer further advised us that the government is looking to keep competition in regards to vendor performance on the CANES FD. “We need equal competition between all the vendors because we have learned that vendors will drop out, maybe permanently, or they will drop out for a period of time and say, ‘This is not affordable to us,” explained Mr. Farmer, indicating that there may have been lapses in competition due to vendor participation on the current CANES FD effort.
When we inquired about how the government is going to address this issue in the next iteration, Mr. Farmer responded, “There’s a lot of things that can be addressed in terms of how to make it still good value for the government and then provide industry with an ability to maybe do a little bit more of the work. I’ll give you an example, and this gets very in the weeds.The Industry builds a system and when they’re finished, their objective is to get paid as soon as possible. They want it off their books - full payment. But there’s a thing called government acceptance testing, and until we do the testing to accept the system then they don’t get paid. By contract, [it] says how many days that there [are] to support how much government testing [is required] - then one [thing the government] can do is progress payments. I will partially pay you for the system and so those are the kinds of things we can manipulate.”
Based on the totality of this feedback, we predict that the government will make some contractual language changes in order to incentivize vendor competition on the next contract iteration which will allow for the government to continue to meet their design requirements at an affordable price.
Insights via AlphaBrook Interviews about CANES FD
Sheer volume of work – AlphaBrook engaged with PMW160 Deputy Program Manager, Bill Farmer where he informed us, “These systems are pretty big – an aircraft carrier CANES is around 48 equipment racks, that’s a lot of work and for unit level ship, that’s about 24.” On this topic he continued, “When you total it all up in a given year, we may be ordering up to 500, 600 racks to suit all these different platforms. That’s a lot of work.” Vendors interested in bidding should be aware of these annual equipment rack requirements and thus highlight in their proposals their ability and experience in meeting these substantial requirements.
Transporting Deliverables Nationwide – Mr. Farmer also informed us, “We have vendors right now that are building racks in Florida, and Pennsylvania, and San Diego and in Charleston, South Carolina,” indicating that vendors can develop deliverables anywhere in the United States. Nevertheless, the government requires physical delivery at ports and specific locations to meet schedule demands. Considering this, vendors should note in their proposals the ability to transport deliverables nationwide to particular Navy locations.
Meeting Deliverable Schedule - Mr. Farmer further explained, “We do not want to miss a delivery, and these deliveries are scheduled well in advance. I mean, we are about to award systems now, that will not be delivered and placed on a ship until next year,” therefore vendors should also note in their proposals their previous experience meeting contract deliverable deadlines.
Providing Ample Attention to CANES Requirements - Mr. Farmer continued, “When they [vendors] have a contract with us, they have another 40-50 contracts with other Defense agencies perhaps and commercial organizations. Like I was saying, other than the militarization of what we are buying to make sure it can go on ships and be subject to the environmental consideration, it’s the same stuff that our telecom is looking for.” It is important for vendors to note that the government is seeking a contractor who can fully commit to supporting the CANES FD requirement, and should highlight in their proposals the ability to do so.
Read the Full Report
For additional insights on this opportunity and to learn how AlphaBrook can help your team gain a competitive advantage for this upcoming procurement you can access the FULL REPORT.