3PSC cleared to operate Gordon, Gilliland

3PSC cleared to operate Gordon, Gilliland

Companies withdraw protests of MSC charter award; AMO ready to man key ships

     All protests of the charter award for the operation of the USNS Gordon and USNS Gilliland have been withdrawn, clearing the way for AMO-contracted company 3PSC LLC to assume operation of the two large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off vessels next year.
     Military Sealift Command in August awarded the charter covering the two LMSRs to 3PSC of Cape Canaveral, Fla., as a small business set-aside. 3PSC employs AMO engine, deck and radio-electronics officers.
     The protests challenged 3PSC's status as a small business and questioned the compliance of the wage and benefit rates provided to MSC by 3PSC with the Service Contract Act of 1965.
     "These protests were baseless," said AMO National President Michael McKay. "3PSC's status as a small business was confirmed by the government, and the company's wage and benefit rates were in full compliance with the law. AMO looks forward to again manning these ships."
     The Gordon and Gilliland are currently operated for MSC by Patriot Contract Services, which has labor agreements with the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association and the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots.
     Patriot did not protest the LMSR charter award to 3PSC.
     Ocean Shipholdings Inc. had challenged 3PSC's standing as a small business. The Small Business Administration ruled against Ocean Shipholdings, confirming 3PSC's small business designation. Ocean Shipholdings appealed the decision but then withdrew the appeal.
     A second protest was filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) by Keystone Sealift Services, which employs engineers represented by MEBA and non-union deck officers. Keystone also challenged 3PSC's small business standing and charged that 3PSC's wage and benefit rates for the LMSRs were in violation of the Service Contract Act. The law requires prevailing industry wages and benefits for private sector employees working under government contract and prohibits wage and benefit reductions from one contract year to the next and between successive contracts.
     Keystone withdrew its protest before the GAO issued a ruling on its merits.
     3PSC currently operates the instrumentation vessels USNS Hayes and USNS Waters for MSC under a small business set-aside charter.

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