Three-tiered procurement framework for U.S. Navy waterfront facilities

Abstract

Supporting the ships and submarines berthed at United States Navy installations is a core capability and essential to mission-readiness. Over the previous ten years, Congressional discretionary spending, which keeps these facilities in operational condition, has been reduced to minimal sustainment levels, thus inhibiting the shore installation commander's ability to effectively manage their regions and support both United States and foreign fleets. Changes in Congressional membership, coupled with a change in Presidential administrations, has produced verbal commitments to fortify our military infrastructure in the hope of arresting, and even reversing, years of infrastructure deterioration. Navy waterfront infrastructure is procured via contracting officers governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulations and subordinate instructions. This thesis proposes a Three-Tiered Framework to procurement packaging. Specific drivers are applied to eliminate unavailable contract delivery options. Private construction industry strategies are then applied to determine delivery method attractiveness. The combination of both is present as a framework for packaging Navy waterfront projects that are attractive to the private sector. Through analysis of the worldwide data and discussions with OSD, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) staff, and interviews with over 40 senior naval personnel and industry leaders; four representative bases were modeled against the Tree-Tiered Framework. The installations selected are Naval Station Norfolk Virginia; Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Japan; Naval Base Ventura County California; and Navy Station Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico. The bases include large, small, international, and a second base in the continental United States. All facilities are located in areas under direct United States Government control, with no Status of Forces Agreements or international charters that limit waterfront procurements.