No companies protest FFG(X) award, clearing way for Navy to begin work

None of the losing vendors that took part in the Navy's future frigate competition filed a bid protest against the contract award to Fincantieri Marinette Marine, clearing the way for the service to begin work.

"The [Government Accountability Office] protest period for the FFG(X) contract award has passed and the Navy has not received notice of protest," Navy spokesman Alan Baribeau told Inside Defense today in a written statement.

"The Navy is moving forward with execution of the contract and has completed the post-award conference. Detail design of the FFG(X) is commencing," he continued.

The service awarded FMM the contract to design and build FFG(X) in late April. While the Navy did not disclose which companies competed, Austal USA, Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works were all expected to submit bids.

GAO’s policies dictate a company must file a bid protest within 10 days of being debriefed about the award decision. Depending on the circumstances, a vendor filing a bid protest can trigger an automatic stay, effectively halting work on the contract until the protest has been resolved.