As the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Oshkosh Defense simultaneously addresses the vehicle design and technology integration aspects through a streamlined C4 integration approach. This “first-pass” approach delivers an optimized vehicle that brings the network to the mission. When carried out by a third-party integrator, the C4 integration process often includes disassembling the vehicle, integrating the equipment via a trial-and-error approach, and reassembly. This introduces unnecessary risk, cost and delay to vehicle development and delivery. Oshkosh’s holistic approach and complete assembly line integration avoids these issues. A full range of C4 equipment, weapons and other systems are designed into the base vehicle, conforming to specific customer requirements and needs, and reducing the potential interference between systems and resulting in a more ergonomic vehicle.

Concurrent vehicle design and integration can also accelerate vehicle fielding. Oshkosh responded to the urgent need for MRAP All-Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) in 2009 by delivering the vehicles pre-wired for C4 equipment. This enabled the U.S. military to more quickly integrate and field Oshkosh-produced M-ATVs, reaching a rate of more than 1,000 vehicles per month during peak production.

About Oshkosh Defense

Oshkosh Defense is a leading provider of tactical wheeled vehicles and life cycle sustainment services. For more than 90 years, Oshkosh has been mobilizing military and security forces around the globe by offering a full portfolio of heavy, medium, light and highly protected military vehicles to support our customers’ missions. In addition, Oshkosh offers advanced technologies and vehicle components such as TAK-4® independent suspension systems, TerraMax™ unmanned ground vehicle solutions, Command Zone™ integrated control and diagnostics system, and ProPulse® diesel electric and on-board vehicle power solutions, to provide our customers with a technical edge as they fulfill their missions. Every Oshkosh vehicle is backed by a team of defense industry experts and complete range of and training services to optimize fleet readiness and performance.

Northrop had agreed in its 2002 settlement with DCMA that it would limit the amount of deferred compensation it would include in proposals for subsequent contracts. The government’s contracting officer found that Northrop had failed to honor this commitment and should be assessed a penalty equal to twice the amount of the unallowable costs claimed. Northrop challenged the decision in a complaint filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. The Department of Justice responded to the suit with counterclaims alleging that in addition to the FAR penalties, Northrop also had violated the False Claims Act by passing along these unallowable costs to the government in indirect rates applicable to hundreds of 2004 contracts with the government. The government alleged that as a consequence of Northrop’s knowing misrepresentations, it was induced to pay more than $1.9 million in unallowable costs in thousands of vouchers and invoices.

The settlement was the result of a consolidated effort spearheaded by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch in conjunction with the DCMA and the Defense Contract Audit Agency, Western Region Investigative Support Division. The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. The case is captioned Northrop Grumman Corporation v. United States, Fed. Cl. No. 07-482C. www.justice.gov