Another Report Criticizes Project Deepwater

[struggle4progress]

2/19/2007 - Port Security News.com


Following the issuance of a report January 29 that was critical of the Coast Guard’s Project Deepwater, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security issued another report last week (February 14) that was similarly critical. While the first report found that the Deepwater program’s flagship, the National Security Cutter, will not meet performance requirements and will substantially exceed cost estimates, the latest report focuses on Deepwater’s 123-foot patrol boats.

At a hearing of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee February 14, DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner said that his office found common themes among its several audits of Project Deepwater, among which are that “schedule concerns trump security concerns.” He also found flawed contract terms and conditions, poorly defined performance requirements, and inadequate management and oversight. He did acknowledge, however, that the Coast Guard has provided his office with all the information requested ...

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Project Deepwater Criticized in IG Report
2/5/2007 - Port Security News.com


The Office of Inspector General in the Department of Homeland Security issued a report last week (January 29) which criticized the operation of Project Deepwater, particularly the development of the National Security Cutter, the Project’s flagship. Deepwater is a $24 billion program designed to replace the Coast Guard’s fleet of ships and aircraft. It is the largest acquisition project in Coast Guard history.

The National Security Cutter is designed to conduct operations far from shore. Eight Cutters are scheduled for delivery in the Deepwater contract, accounting for nearly 12 percent of the Coast Guard’s budget. The IG in its report said the Cutter is not meeting performance requirements and will greatly exceed cost estimates.

The report found that the “primary factor” in the Cutter’s flawed design is that the Coast Guard contract for Deepwater “does not require that the Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a joint venture between Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin Corp., or its subcontractors accept or act upon the advice of the Coast Guard’s designated technical experts. As a result of this relationship, the Coast Guard is limited in its ability to exercise technical oversight over its assets acquired under the Deepwater contract.”

The IG reported that the Coast Guard did not fully cooperate with inspectors, and includes the Coast Guard’s disagreement with the report’s conclusions. It said that the Coast Guard has failed “to exercise technical oversight over the design and construction of its Deepwater assets" ...


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