The Waterway Commerce Cutter (WCC) undertaking consists of two separate however associated vessel designs: the River Buoy Tender (WLR) and the Inland Construction Tender (WLIC) [Image: Birdon America]
Denver-based Birdon America, Inc. a subsidiary of Australia’s Birdon Pty Ltd, experiences that it has awarded a primary spherical of main subcontracts in assist its $1.187 billion contract to design and construct 27 Waterways Commerce Cutters (WCC) for the U.S. Coast Guard.
The subcontracts had been awarded following a profitable preliminary Program Management Review (PMR), the primary main milestone of the WCC program.They vary in worth from $10 million to $50 million and are firm-fixed worth (FFP), indefinite supply, indefinite amount (IDIQ) awards for design, improvement, manufacturing, and supply. Subcontract awardees within the first tranche included:
- Kern Martin Services, Inc., Coden, Ala.,
- Hiller Marine, Mobile, Ala.,
- Techcrane International, Covington, La.,
- Beier Integrated Systems, Gray, La.,
- LeBlanc Associates, Houma, La.,
- Cummins, Charleston, S.C.
Birdon says it’s dedicated to cautious collection of robust U.S. suppliers with confirmed efficiency and a fame for top of the range. It provides that over 98% of its suppliers are U.S. corporations, and 70% of the contract can be carried out by small companies, together with Kern Martin Services (KMS), Inc., close to Bayou La Batre, Ala.
Emmett Kern, president of KMS, stated, “Our company’s roots began from a small family-owned business in 1979 servicing Bayou La Batre and surrounding areas. The company has grown from our humble beginnings, and now service projects from Florida to Texas. Our team and the local community are excited about the award of the interior joiner contract for the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) vessels. This contract will sustain and grow jobs. Our specialty is 65-foot to 250-foot offshore and inland work boats. The WCC vessels are right in our wheelhouse. KMS has a reputation for quality on-time work. We appreciate the trust that Birdon has placed in us to continue this practice with the WCC project. We look forward to partnering with Birdon to complete these vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard.”
Rob Scott, President of Birdon America, Inc., stated, “Birdon is moving full speed ahead with executing the WCC Program. These subcontracts are an important milestone, and we look forward to announcing additional subcontract awards soon. As a small business Birdon is always looking for opportunities to work with other small businesses and is excited to be working with Kern Martin. We appreciate the strong support and partnership from our subcontractors, and our ongoing relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard.”
WCC PROGRAM
The WCC contract contains two separate however associated vessel designs: the River Buoy Tender (WLR) and the Inland Construction Tender (WLIC). Both variants are complicated, trendy, and designed to navy requirements. The new cutter design will present as much as 11 days sustainment for as much as 19 crew members. The 27 vessels can be constructed inside a 10-year interval commencing with an 18-month design finalization interval.
Many of the present WCC vessels are over 70 years outdated. The vessels don’t meet present readiness and expertise requirements and are more and more costly to keep up. This results in operational delays, crew security issues, and doesn’t enable the project of combined gender crews.
