When ADM saw the tender release for Land 3025 Ph 2, we wondered why the well-established CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) program of JP 2110 (which has been running in some way shape or form for almost a decade) wasn’t managing the project. At first glance, this would be a perfect Smart Buyer opportunity, one would think.
“Contract negotiations with the preferred tenderer in support of Land 2110 Phase 1B - Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence are ongoing,” according to a Defence spokesperson in response to questions from ADM. “Contract signature is anticipated to occur by the end of Quarter 2 2018, subject to successful negotiations.”
The acquisition model around this program has been the source of some contention within industry ever since the down-select to the Leidos-led team was announced in July 2017. In essence, the program office was looking for a shopping list of gear and needed an integrator to make sure it all worked together.
“The approach to market and selection of the preferred tenderer for Land 2110 Phase 1B was complete prior to initiation and Gate 0 approval of Land 3025 Phase 2,” the Defence statement continued. “Consequently, the Land 2110 Phase 1B approach to market did not communicate to industry the intention for the support contract to become a Prime Vendor arrangement that could support Land 3025 Phase 2.
“In order to provide industry with a fair opportunity to bid for the Land 3025 Phase 2 requirements, and based on independent probity advice, it was decided to approach the market. The tender for Land 3025 phase 2 has been developed in accordance with the Smart Buyer process.
“The scope of Land 2110 Phase 1B and Land 3025 Ph2 differ considerably. Land 2110 Phase 1B provides protection for the ADF conventional forces against exposure to Toxic Industrial Materials and Weaponised CBRN threats. Land 3025 Phase 2 provides specialised and rapidly deployable Counter CBRNE to support Special Operations, deployed ADF and Government agencies,” the Defence statement concluded.
ADM Comment: The moral of the story: Special Forces literally have special in their name. On one hand, Land 3025 Phase 2 will give industry the chance to bid on another CBRNE program. On the other, there is already an established program office that has gone out to market numerous times and already has the ‘lay of the land’ when it comes to this capability set.