Web Page sponsored by MILLBROOK
Millbrook, based in Bedfordshire, UK, makes a significant contribution to the quality and performance of military vehicles worldwide. Its specialist expertise is focussed in two distinct areas: test programmes to help armed services and their suppliers ensure that their vehicles and systems work as the specification requires; and design and build work to upgrade new or existing vehicles, evaluate vehicle capability and investigate in-service failures. Complementing these is driver and service training and a hospitality business that allows customers to use selected areas of Millbrookâs remarkable facilities for demonstrations and exhibitions.
Tel: +44 (0) 1525 408408
www.millbrook.co.uk/military
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23 Jun 10. EFV for the chop? Sources at DVD suggested that the USMC Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), was scheduled for the chop after the evaluation of the 5 pre-production vehicles. The source suggested surprise that GD had gone ahead with such stringent requirements as being able to fire underwater when the vehicle rolled over! The USMC is issuing a Requirement to refurbish their current AAV fleet, keeping the existing 30mm ATK armament.
23 Jun 10. It is unlikely that a protest filed by a relatively unknown small company will delay the U.S. Army’s plans to award contracts this September for its Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) program, according to sources. After its GCV proposal was rejected, Advanced Defense Vehicle Systems filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on June 18, according to the GAO bid protest docket. InsideDefense.com first reported the protest on June 22. “ADVS, a small business concern located in Lake Orion, Michigan, submitted a proposal that offered proven technology developed by ADVS and its subcontractors that would provide the Army with an innovative, maneuverable vehicle offering an extraordinary level of crew protection,” company officials said in a June 22 press release confirming the protest. According to the GAO’s website, a decision on the matter will be made by Sept. 27. The Army’s source selection board can continue its work in the meantime, but it cannot issue contract awards until the protest is resolved, according to a defense source. Program officials have stated they intend to award up to three contracts in September for the technology development phase of the program. This protest could slightly delay those plans, but it is not expected to set the program back considerably, the source said.”Early protests for the Army are a blessing as they clear the decks for a clean announcement once the final selections are made,” an industry official said. Defense companies submitted their proposals for the first phase of GCV in late May. Three industry teams announced their bid submissions, while rumors of a fourth team began to surface. There was speculation that Textron Land Systems might team and offer a vehicle, but a Textron spokeswoman confirmed the company is not bidding on the program.
Last week at the Eurosatory show, industry sources identified ADVS as the fourth bidder; however, it remained unclear if the Army had accepted the company’s submission. According to an industry source, the ADVS proposal was rejected because it was “non-compliant” with the Army’s requirements.
While the request for proposals did not indicate a specific type of vehicle, Army officials have said that most likely the vehicle would need to be tracked to handle the level of armor protection required. The source said the company had proposed a wheeled vehicle that was not sufficient for the vehicle’s mission profile or anticipated payload. The ADVS press release notes the Army’s solicitation said it would consider
small business participation, as well as program design, cost and past
performance, as evaluation factors in its source selection.
“The Army also stated that it would