Congressional Staff, DHS, OMB & Other Misc Q&As

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Requested by: OAF&CG Due to Requestor: DHS review required?

Original Reason for CASA Selection

QUESTION: : In conjunction with the contract, provide the documentation describing the original
reasoning that ICGS and the Coast Guard used to select the CASA over other aircrafts, specifically the
original with the specifications spelled out in the RFP for a marine patrol aircraft.

ANSWER: During Phase I of the Deepwater Program in March, 1999, Team Deepwater, which later
became Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) conducted an evaluation of 16 candidate aircraft to
consider for selection as the Coast Guard’s Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). Both turboprop and jet aircraft
were considered. New fixed wing aircraft alternatives were investigated, all with the potential to
complement or replace legacy aviation assets in the Integrated Deepwater System (IDS). Candidate
alternatives were evaluated to reduce operating costs, improve mission performance, and expand upon
Legacy fixed wing multi-mission capabilities. The evaluation included three separate CASA products.

As part of the Deepwater Final Phase II Proposal submitted to the Coast Guard in June 2002, the Coast
Guard accepted ICGS’s Integrated Deepwater System design that included the CASA CN-325-300M ER.
This extended-range version of the Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) CN-235-300 included modifications
to the basic aircraft in order to meet the performance specifications unique to Coast Guard missions.

Coast Guard Aviation officials had concerns about the capabilities of the proposed aircraft, primarily with
the aircraft’s weight growth margin, because the proposed aircraft included airframe modifications but not a
modified powerplant. The perception is that the CN235-300M ER could not safely carry a full fuel load
while operating in certain hot weather locations that led the Coast Guard to request that ICGS conduct
another MPA Analysis of Alternatives (AoA). This included Aircraft performance, total ownership cost,
and capability to perform mission. The results of the subsequent analysis recommended the change to the
CN-235-300M from the CN-235-300M ER.

This was briefed to the Coast Guard Commandant in March, 2003. The Commandant approved the
selection in a decision memo dated March, 10, 2003, that designated the CN-235-300M as a Maritime Patrol
Aircraft in the IDS (the HC-130H/J is the other MPA). A contract for the development and demonstration
of the first two CN-235-300Ms was signed in May, 2003.

A subsequent business case analysis requested by the Coast Guard was completed by ICGS in December,
2004. This analysis, once again, compared the CN-235-300M, CN-235-300M ER, and C-27J. The analysis
assessed the operational effectiveness and total ownership costs of switching to the CN-235-300M from the
CN-235-300M ER. The analysis confirmed the CN-235-300M was capable of performing all its missions
and exhibited better weight growth margin and climb performance characteristics.

Aviation assets that contribute to the overall IDS and the aviation asset mix were selected based on
performance and cost. The MPA is one part of the Deepwater Program. It provides a Medium Range
Surveillance capability that supports the 11 Congressionally mandated missions assigned to the Coast
Guard.
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MPA Timetable
March 1999 Deepwater Phase I Analysis of Alternatives for Aviation Assets
complete.
June 2002 Revised Final Proposal from ICGS accepted by Coast Guard.
Proposal included CN-235-300M ER as replacement MPA.
November 2002 MPA Platform Analysis study by ICGS to validate selection of
CN-235-300M ER
March 2003 Analysis of Alternatives on risk mitigation activities for MPA
complete. Showed upgrade to CN-235-300M ER from CN-235-300M
not appropriate.
Results briefed to Commandant. Congressional language in FY03
budget directs Coast Guard to acquire replacement MPA.
Commandant signed decision memo designating CN-235-300M as
MPA within IDS
May 2003 Contract signed with ICGS for development and demonstration of
MPA 1& 2
December 2004 ICGS conducted business case analysis on MPA selection. Analysis
confirmed performance characteristics a mission performance
capabilities of CN-235-300M as compared with CN-235-300M ER
CY 2005 Design & production of CN-235-300M
December 2006 Delivery of first CN-235-300M to Coast Guard. Pilot in command
gives very favorable endorsement to aircraft’s performance & safety
characteristics.

Attachment

Attachment

Attachment

Program Drafter G Fleming, 475-3075, G-DRM

Reviewed by G Blore, 475-3000, G-D PEO
CG-821 Program Reviewer S. Spadafora, 372-3507, CG-821

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CG-82 Notes (why changes were made to question):

REFERENCE