The U.S. Navy will use price as its standard when it awards the Next-Generation Enterprise Network contract, according to Capt. Shawn Hendricks, manager of the Naval Enterprise Networks Program Office.
At a industry briefing Friday, Hendricks said the network will likely cost $10 billion over five years, double what the Navy spent on its previous large network contract, the Navy Marine Corps Intranet.
Hendricks said there are currently less than five potential bidders that can fulfill the criteria set out in previous drafts.
Hendricks said bidders should offer proposals that can cut costs through reduced staffing requirements and rely on government-wide software license contract vehicles.
A final request for proposals is due Dec. 21, 2011 with the contract to be awarded in December 2012, according to the NextGov report. The network must be ready for operation April 30, 2014, when the NMCI contract ends.
Previous NGEN coverage:
Oct. 21: Kenneth Deutsch to Lead CSC’s Pursuit of Major Navy Network Contract as VP
