First Win Was Tossed Out Earlier This Month

They're going to try again. Oceaneering International, Inc. announced Thursday it intends to submit a revised proposal to NASA for development and production of the Constellation Space Suit System (CSSS).

As ANN reported, NASA's initial contract award to Oceaneering was terminated earlier this month... a move Oceaneering says was "for the convenience of the government," noting the GAO subsequently dismissed the protest lodged by Exploration Systems & Technology, Inc.

"Based on a narrow compliance issue, NASA intends to re-open limited discussions, request new final proposal revisions, and re-award the contract," Oceaneering states.

Mark Gittleman, Vice-President and General Manager of Oceaneering Space Systems, added "While we are disappointed that NASA terminated our contract, we believe in their process and support their decision. We are pleased the GAO has dismissed the protest. We look forward to submitting a limited final proposal revision as required by NASA and to a timely contract award."

"We remain confident our offering will continue to be judged as the best value to the government," said Jim Buchli, Vice President & CSSS Program Manager. "Our world-class and highly experienced contractor team offered an innovative and comprehensive solution to develop and produce the next spacesuit for NASA. We remain fully committed and prepared to meet all requirements of the Constellation spacesuit program."

Oceaneering is a global provider of engineered services and products primarily to the offshore oil and gas industry, with a focus on deepwater applications. Oceaneering Space Systems, located in Houston, TX immediately adjacent to NASA JSC, supports NASA in training astronauts for extravehicular activity, and designs, develops, tests, produces, and certifies astronaut equipment, robotic systems, and thermal protection systems for NASA, the Department of Defense, and commercial applications.

FMI: www.oceaneering.com/