BAE Systems has decided not to protest the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle award after receiving a debriefing from the Army, the company told Inside Defense on Wednesday.
Last month, the Army selected General Dynamics Land Systems and American Rheinmetall Vehicles for the Phase III and IV detailed design and prototype build phases of the XM30 competition (formerly known as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle program). The contract is worth a total of $1.6 billion.
Five companies, including the winning bidders, had participated in the concept design phase of the competition and then submitted proposals for phases III and IV ahead of the Nov. 1, 2022 deadline. BAE, Oshkosh Defense and Point Blank Enterprises were not selected to move forward in the competition.
BAE released a statement Wednesday stating that “after careful evaluation and debrief conversations” with the Army, it had decided not to pursue a bid protest.
“While we are disappointed with the result, we remain focused on producing quality vehicles and expanded capabilities for soldiers. We look forward to continuing to be a reliable partner for the U.S. Army and finding new ways to innovate alongside them in the future,” the company said.
Oshkosh, as of Monday, was taking the position of not commenting on “any potential legal actions” with respect to the XM30 competition.
“Oshkosh is extremely proud of our team’s work on the OMFV program, the world-class team that we assembled, and the capabilities we’ve demonstrated in the combat vehicle market. As we move forward, we remain committed to supporting the U.S. Armed Forces in the design and delivery of the world’s most capable military vehicles and technology solutions that enable our warfighters to perform their missions and return home safely,” the company said on Monday.
Earlier this year, Oshkosh lost the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle follow-on competition to AM General and filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office. GAO denied that protest on June 12.