The Army has selected Michigan-based small business Loc Performance Products Inc. over BAE Systems with a $161 million contract for Engineering Change Proposal (ECP-1) vehicle modifications on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
The firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract was awarded in late June by the Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.
The contract provides for ECP-1 vehicle modifications, through the installation of track kits, shock absorber kits, vehicle suspension support system kits and heavy weight torsion bar kits.
Loc Performance Products President Lou Burr said: “This is a game-changer, and it’s going to nearly double the size of our company. It positions Loc for additional growth in support of other ECP combat vehicle modifications such as those that would benefit from Loc’s Final Drive technology currently under development through an Army Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II contract.”
Loc will add about 40 employees by next year, beginning with quality and manufacturing engineers, to be followed by new production workers, Burr said.
In a statement, BAE Systems, the original Bradley manufacturer, said, “Although we are disappointed that we were not selected for the latest Bradley engineering change proposal contract, we remain a committed partner to the Army on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. BAE Systems is a life-cycle provider for the Bradley and we will continue to support the Army in their future modernization efforts.”
The vehicle upgrades will be done at locations including Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Stewart, Ga.; and Fort Riley, Kan.
Loc is also responsible for logistics support including vehicle inspections, new equipment training, and a 10 kilometer road test for each upgraded vehicle.
Photo: U.S. Army
The award is a watershed moment for Army procurement, Burr said. “This type of contract is normally sole-sourced to the original prime contractor, which typically does not result in best value for the Army. Because this was a full and open competition, the Army saves taxpayers millions of dollars and demonstrates a new model for cost-effective procurement.”
Loc Performance has been operating as a small business since 1971. Burr said it has continued to be successful because it provides excellent quality at competitive pricing with a flexibility that larger organizations cannot match.