By Ann Roosevelt
SEALY, Texas–Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) this week is going to the top–the Secretary of the Army–to find out why the service did not award the Family of Medium Tactical Trucks (FMTV) rebuy to BAE Systems which has been building the vehicles here for 17 years.
“I’m taking the fight all the way,” McCaul told some 1,000 workers gathered at a Community Day that included about two dozen local politicians and BAE executives who flew in from Washington, D.C.
“It’s important to be here for you,” he told employees in a keynote address.
BAE employs some 3,000 people who could lose their jobs if the plant closes.
McCaul also pointed out that there would be other losses. Over the past 17 years, the Army has invested some $200 million in rebuilding the infrastructure to produce the tactical vehicles with the “highest quality and lowest price.”
McCaul has also asked the House Armed Services Committee to hold hearings into the contract award.
In August, the Army awarded the contract to Oshkosh Corp. [OSK] (Defense Daily, Aug. 28). Both BAE and Navistar, another unsuccessful bidder, have protested the award to the Government Accountability Office, which must make a decision by Dec.14. BAE has also filed a supplemental protest (Defense Daily, Sept. 17).
McCaul and Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas) led a 25-member, bipartisan group of the Texas congressional delegation in writing to Defense Secretary Robert Gates challenging the Army decision to end FMTV production at the BAE plant here in Sealy, and requesting a briefing.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) was unable to attend, but Jay Guerrero, regional director-southeast Texas, read a letter of support:
“I have serious concerns regarding this decision and I believe the Army owes each of you an explanation,” the letter said. He, too, wants to know more about the award process.
Cornyn praised the workers who have produced more than 56,000 FMTV trucks. “As a testament to the quality of your work, the Army has described the BAE Systems-built FMTV as “ultra-reliable.”
Dennis Morris, president of BAE Global Tactical Systems, said the award decision was “a flawed decision based on very flawed processes. We don’t agree with the government [that] 17 years of producing 56,000 trucks counts for nothing.”
Morris said the FMTV has a 94 percent operational readiness rate in combat, and that in September 1,308 vehicles were produced, a monthly record.
“The local councils have actually stalled their budget process because of the potential impact that loss of FMTV will have on their community,” Chris Chambers, vice president and general manager GTS Programs Global Tactical Systems,told Defense Daily.
Austin Country Judge Carolyn Bilski looked around and said, “this is a part of our lives,” as she and mayors and city council members of nearby towns watched and listened. Employees were nervous and excited about the event and their futures: “they didn’t do anything wrong,” she said.
The workhorse FMTV does Army heavy lifting. Donna Clay, an executive assistant who’s worked here for 12 years, said her son was in the Navy. “Our son has our vehicles, built specially for them two-three years ago.” Her husband, Ken, has been with the plant 18 years.
BAE gathered a collection of photos from employees of their relatives in the military, and showed them in a several-minutes-long video that drew cheers and whistles.
“All we do here is very, very personal to all of us,” Morris said.
BAE planned the Community Day some time ago, because everyone had been working hard to get the vehicles and the new LTAS armored cab out, and to show elected officials the facility. The production line, which can build 17 variants without interruption as well as the MRAP, was shut down for the event.
“I like a good fight and this is a fight we’re going to win,” McCaul said, walking down from the FMTV vehicle bed, which served as the stage. He then made a hit with the crowd, chatting, shaking hands and autographing T-shirts. n