According to an August 19 report from the Federal Times, the first contracts for the Coast Guard's next cutter program are still a year away, and the winner in the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) competition isn't expected to be announced for another four or five years, but the Coast Guard already is talking with shipbuilders about different ways to approach the acquisition and award strategy, and how to build the new ships. The meetings started Aug. 10 in Washington. At least eight shipbuilders were taking part separately in discussions with Coast Guard budget managers and staff members from the Acquisition Directorate.
(Source: Federal Times)