Pacific activities develop single-ship multi-option contract

Navy Supply Corps Newsletter, May-June, 2005 by Daniel P. Seep

Forward Deployed Naval Forces Operational Readiness

Rapidly meeting operational commitments for the United States Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) is of utmost importance for national strategy and security. For FDNF Japan, to meet this ever changing commitment, forward deployed logisticians rely on speed and quality, while leveraging cost. As such, the U.S. 7th Fleet and Commander Naval Air Forces (CNAF) in partnership with the U.S. Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC), Yokosuka, and Ship Repair Facility (SRF)/Japan Regional Maintenance Center (JRMC), Yokosuka rely on forward deployed logisticians and contracting and maintenance personnel to ensure FDNF ships are ready and able to meet all mission essential requirements.

At any given time, there are 40-50 ships, 200 aircraft and about 20,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel in the 7th Fleet. This includes forces that operate from bases in Japan and Guam, as well as rotationally-deployed forces based in the United States. FDNF ships operate in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf and approximately 11,000 miles from the West coast of the United States. The 7th Fleet, with the support of its task force commanders, directly supports the three principal elements of U.S. national security strategy: deterrence, forward defense, and alliance solidarity. The fleet thereby promotes peace and stability in this increasingly important part of the world.

In order for the 7th Fleet Commander to meet his mission requirements and the three principle elements of U. S. national security strategy, the forward deployed 7th Fleet ships must be mechanically and operationally ready to deploy on short notice. Due to the decreasing number of ships in the U.S. fleet, it must also be able to meet emergent, disaster, and short-fused national interest operations, all while maintaining or increasing operational readiness and tempo. An integral part of meeting these lofty goals is to reduce the maintenance and overhaul periods, while completing more work packages, emergent repairs, and maintenance actions during a way to motivate the prime contractor to improve in areas such as schedule, production, cost, technical, management, and subcontracting plans. All of these performance areas directly impact the operational readiness of the 7th Fleet. After each maintenance or repair project, a board will meet to determine how much of a percentage the contractor will receive as a result of the work accomplished during that period."

Awarding of the contract to SHI for the maintenance overhaul of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) is the first step to future contracting efforts conducted for 7th Fleet ships. It is a great opportunity and, once executed, promises to revolutionize the way ship repair and maintenance is currently conducted in military installations in Japan. Engaging in a long-term partnering contract with a Japanese company and leveraging their technology all while increasing readiness to 7th Fleet ships makes good business, operational and tactical sense for the U.S. Navy and the government of Japan.

CDR Dan Seep's previous contracting experience includes FISC Jacksonville Director of Contracting Department and Contracting Intern at the Defense Logistic Agency. His operational experience includes Disbursing Officer and Supply Officer tours on two combatant ships and a Supply Officer tour on a fast attack submarine.

Commander Daniel P. Seep, SC, USN

Director of Far East Contracting Department

U.S. Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Yokosuka, Japan