Shipbuilding Procurement: An International Analysis of Source Selection Processes

Abstract

Naval shipbuilding procurement accounts for a significant portion of discretionary budgets worldwide. With high initial costs and long-term sustainment expenses, an effective source selection strategy is crucial in the contracting process for these critical weapon systems. This research examines the shipbuilding procurement source selection strategies of the United States, Egypt, Japan, and Taiwan, comparing these countries’ source selection basis for award, source selection team composition, and proposal evaluation criteria. Using government acquisition regulations, laws, and publicly available solicitation/tender data, a comparative analysis is conducted to identify opportunities for improvement in the contract source selection process.