The Acquisition Directorate has given us another illustration of an OPC conceptual design, apparently the same design used earlier.
Acquisition Directorate’s Disclaimer: “The conceptual renderings posted on this website are for artistic display purposes only and do not convey any particular design, Coast Guard design preferences, or other requirements for the OPC.”
We should see a draft “Request for Proposal” (RFP) in the next three months.
Meanwhile the list of companies interested in building the ships has grown to twelve: Austal, BAE, Bath Iron Works, Bollinger, Derecktor, Eastern Ship Building Group, Marinette Marine, General Dynamics NASSCO, Northrop Grumman, Todd Pacific, Signal International, and VT Halter Marine. (Click on “List of Interested Companies” here for more detail).
A previous more detailed update from November 2010 here.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Corrected my count of the number of builders interested in competing for the OPC contract to twelve.
Since I’m a ruthless homer I’m pulling for Todd. Not that I’d be all that broken up about NASSCO or BIW.
That there is significant competition can only be a good thing.
No argument here.
I do not see a stern ramp ?
As noted in my earlier update. I was surprised to see there was a specific statement that there would be no stern ramp. I don’t know if this was because the stern ramp on the NSCs has been problematic or because they were trying to keep it simple. The stern ramp on the NSCs has resulted in having two separate steering gear rooms on either side of the ramp. To me this is good from a damage control point of view, but it does complicate construction a bit.
There is much more information in the earlier update: http://cgblog.org/2010/11/16/offshore-patrol-cutter-opc-update-nov-2010/
There is a little more information on the Acquisition Directorate Web site now. you can access through this page: http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/OPC/industryengagement.asp