Littoral Combat Ship

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a Major Defense Acquisition Program managed by the Department of the Navy, designated with Acquisition Program ID 374-MDP and Acquisition Category IC. The program encompasses the development, acquisition, and sustainment of a class of naval vessels designed for operations in littoral (near-shore) waters. These ships are equipped for various mission types including surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and mine countermeasures, requiring continuous maintenance and modernization to maintain operational readiness.

The contract awards associated with this program primarily involve ship maintenance, repair, modernization, and engineering services, with individual delivery orders ranging from approximately $20,000 to $53 million and performance periods typically spanning 1-12 months. Major prime contractors include Austal USA, LLC, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Fincantieri Marine Systems North America, Metro Machine Corp (DBA General Dynamics NASSCO Mayport), and Epsilon Systems Solutions Inc. Common subcontractors include General Dynamics Mission Systems, QED Systems, and various technical services providers. Work is predominantly performed at naval facilities in Mayport, Florida, San Diego, California, and Singapore, with the U.S. Fleet Forces Command (Atlantic), Naval Sea Systems Command, and U.S. Pacific Fleet Forces serving as the primary funding agencies. While most awards do not carry set-aside designations, occasional small business set-asides are used for specific components or services. Contract types are predominantly firm-fixed-price delivery orders, with some cost-plus-award-fee arrangements for engineering and management services.