NASA awards contract

NASA has awarded a contract to National Instruments Corporation of Austin, Texas, to provide system design software and measurement and control systems hardware while consolidating the procurement of agency end-user software licenses. This contract is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract with provisions for firm-fixed delivery/task orders, which consists of a one-year base period and four one-year options. The period of performance will begin Sept. 30, 2015, with a potential end date of Sept. 27, 2020 and total value of $37.7 million. The contract will be administered by the Enterprise License Management Team at the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) at Stennis Space Center, Miss. The NSSC performs select business activities for all NASA centers. (Source: NASA/NSSC, 09/30/15)

Contract: Lockheed, $28.8M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $28,777,974 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-15-C-0031) to upgrade the low-rate initial production Autonomic Logistics Operating Unit and all fielded Autonomic Logistics Design Development (ALIS) systems to ALIS software release 2.0.2 in support of the F-35 aircraft. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (50 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (10 percent); Portsmouth, United Kingdom (5 percent); Willliamtown, Australia (5 percent); Nevatim, Israel (5 percent); Glendale, Ariz. (4 percent); Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (3 percent); Cameri Air Base, Italy (2.5 percent); Amendola Air Base, Italy (2.5 percent); Yuma, Ariz. (2 percent); Ogden, Utah (2 percent); Valparaiso, Fla. (2 percent); Beaufort, S.C. (1.5 percent); Las Vegas, Nev. ( 1.5 percent); Havelock, N.C. (1 percent); Norfolk, Va. (1 percent); San Diego, Calif. (1 percent), and Salt Lake City, Utah (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2017. This order combines purchases for the Air Force ($12,164,704); Marine Corps ($6,236,157); Navy ($3,365,675); non-U.S. Department of Defense participants ($5,874,056); and foreign military sales customers ($1,137,382). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/30/15)

Contract: Pettibone, $48.9M

Pettibone Concrete Construction Inc., Panama City, Fla., has been awarded a $48,885,013 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Tyndall Air Force Base airfield civil works. Contractor will provide all management, supervision, labor, materials, equipment, and incidentals required for maintenance, repair and minor construction of airfield pavement and asphalt, including but not limited to grading of subgrade and base course; and resurfacing, full depth reconstruction. Work will be performed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 29, 2020. The 325th Contracting Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA4819-15-D-0002). (Source: DoD, 09/30/15)

Contract: Raytheon, $50M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $50,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for support to the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile AIM-120D system improvement program. Contractor will provide candidate studies/analyses and risk reduction efforts, laboratory and modeling and simulation improvements, and delivery of performance capability assessments as needed in support of the AMRAAM AIM-120D SIP. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2022. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-15-D-0135). (Source: DoD, 09/30/15)

Contract: Lockheed, $20.6M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $20,646,148 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-12-C-0004) to provide additional funding for concurrency related changes to the F-35 aircraft and the supporting subsystems for the Navy/Marine Corps and Air Force. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (95 percent); Marietta, Ga. (3 percent); and Palmdale, Calif. (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. This modification combines purchase for the Navy/Marine Corps (75 percent), and the Air Force (25 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/29/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Flight Safety Int., $35M

Flight Safety International Inc., Marine Air Terminal, LaGuardia Airport, Flushing, N.Y., was awarded a $35,094,752 modification (P00157) to contract W9124G-04-C-0037 for an extension of the existing contract for fixed-wing flight training services. Work will be performed at Ft. Rucker, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2016. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $35,094,752 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Ft. Rucker, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/29/15)

Airbus still has tanker dream

Could military tankers for the U.S. Air Force eventually be built in Mobile, Ala.? Allan McArtor, Airbus Group CEO, told National Defense magazine that if a future competition required that military tankers be built domestically, Airbus would expand its facilities in Alabama to compete. "That is our industrial home. If we had an opportunity to bid on a tanker program, that is where it would be," he said. Airbus competed against Boeing to build tankers to the Air Force. Airbus won initially, but Boeing protested and eventually won. McArtor is convinced the Air Force would consider buying an Airbus tanker to supplement the Boeing 767-based KC-46A fleet. The opening of a U.S. manufacturing plant in Alabama is a milestone, McArtor says, and while the plant is for commercial planes, it's still a boost to Airbus’ marketing efforts at the Pentagon and could be expanded. (Source: National Defense Magazine, 09/26/15)

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $57.2M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $57,231,214 (P00104) firm-fixed-price contract for logistics support of the T-1A aircraft. Contractor will provide contractor-operated maintained supply, over and above, on-equipment maintenance, and data and field service representatives. Work will be performed at Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas; Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2016. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA8106-09-C-0001). (Source: DoD, 09/28/15)

Airbus tells suppliers to cut prices

Airbus is telling suppliers of its A320 family of jetliners to cut prices by at least 10 percent by 2019 in order to make the company's main cash cow more competitive, three people familiar with the matter said. The demand echoes rival Boeing's cost-cutting Partner for Success initiative, which has redrawn the relationship between suppliers and Boeing as the industry gears up for record output. Airbus has told suppliers that the prospect of increased volumes and a longer lifespan for its best-selling jet means it is time to review all options in its supply chain. (Source: Reuters, 09/25/15) Gulf Coast note: Airbus this month opened its newest A320 assembly line in Mobile, Ala.

Contract: Boeing, $36.3M

The Boeing Corp., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $36,350,863 modification (P00003) on previously awarded contract FA8681-15-C-0050. Contractor will provide research and development leading to the procurement of 60 long delay fuzes and development of an embedded fuze system. Work will be performed at St. Louis, and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2017. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation, and ammunition procurement funds in the amount of $13,188,088 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/25/15)

Module for Orion built

Airbus Defense and Space, prime contractor for NASA's Orion space vehicle's European Service Module (ESM), has completed four large titanium tanks for the module. The tanks are the first hardware to be supplied for the Orion space vehicle. The tanks will be transported to Italy, where the structural test model will be assembled before being tested in the United States. The primary goal of these initial tests is to verify whether the structural components can withstand the enormous loads. The next step is to build the engineering model that will be assembled and tested at Airbus Defense and Space in Bremen, Germany. (Source: Space Daily, 09/25/15) Gulf Coast note: Orion is assembled at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, which is also building the core state of the Space Launch System that will launch Orion; engines for the SLS are tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Airbus tackles supplier issue

Delivery of the first A321 jetliner produced at the company's new plant in Mobile, Ala., is several weeks behind schedule due to problems with a supplier. Still, Airbus said it expects to deliver it on time to JetBlue in the second quarter of 2016. Allan McArtor, chairman and CEO of Airbus Group, said there were issues with jigs and tools, the large structures that hold parts in place, as well as the tools used to join parts. But McArtor notes Airbus has enough flexibility to catch up. A second A321 for American Airlines will be delivered later in 2016. (Source: Global Trade Daily, 09/24/15) The plant, which began production in July, had its inaugural opening Sept. 14. Previous

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $160M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $160,238,440 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0011) to exercise an option for the organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance and logistics services in support of approximately 200 T-45 aircraft based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, Miss.; NAS Kingsville, Texas; NAS Pensacola, Fla.; and NAS Patuxent River, Md. Logistics services to be provided include sustaining engineering, supply and government property management, and procurement of associated parts and materials. Work will be performed in Kingsville (48 percent); Meridian (44 percent); Pensacola (7 percent); and Patuxent River (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2016. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/22/15)

Contract: Raytheon, $180M

Raytheon Co., Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded an $180,000,000 fixed-price-incentive, firm target, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile program support and annual sustainment. Contractor will provide program support, service life prediction program, and contractor logistics support services. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2020. This contract involves foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-15-D-0062). (Source: DoD, 09/21/15)

Contract: UTC, $10.6M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $10,642,496 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-14-C-0026) to retrofit the F-35B F-135 propulsion system for the Navy/Marine Corps and the international partners, including the installation of a redesigned lift fan inter-stage vane. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in December 2016. This contract combines purchases for the Navy/Marine Corps (98 percent) and the international partners (2 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/18/15)

Tax abatements for MAAS OKd

MOBILE, Ala. -- MAAS Aviation received tax abatements totaling nearly $2.2 million Wednesday for construction of a proposed $13 million second paint facility at Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. Announced during the Paris Air Show in June 2015, the second paint facility would target third-party original equipment manufacturers; maintenance, repair and overhaul providers; and potential military clients. (Source: Alabama News Center (Alabama Power), 09/17/15) Ireland-based MAAS said in April 2014 that it would break ground on a $13 million paint facility at the Mobile Aeroplex to service Airbus jets. In June at the 2015 Paris Air Show MAAS said it would expand and build a two-bay $39 million facility. That figure included several long-term investment proposals, including the second paint facility.

Contract: Summit, $6.9M

Summit Construction Inc., Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., is being awarded a firm-fixed- price contract (HDEC03-15-C-0001) for the architectural and refrigeration upgrade to the commissary at Fort Myer, Va. The award amount is $6,902,588. The contract is for a 379-day period based on the issuance of the notice to proceed which is expected in October 2015. The contracting activity is the Defense Commissary Agency, Enterprise Acquisition Division, Construction and Design Branch, Joint Base San Antionio Lackland, Texas. (Source: DoD, 09/17/15)

Contract: Noble Supply, $9M

Noble Supply and Logistics, Rockland, Mass., has been awarded a $9,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a contractor operated civil engineer supply store. Contractor will provide a simplified method for authorized civil engineer personnel and self-help customers to purchase materials, equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, electrical, plumbing, sheet metal, welding, landscaping, heating/air conditioning/refrigeration/ventilation, pipe fitting and carpentry. These items shall be used for work orders, construction, recurring maintenance and repair and self-help type work. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2016. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2823-16-D-4007). (Source: DoD, 09/17/15)

Contract: Raytheon, $10.8M

Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $10,793,422 contract modification (P00018) for the repair of legacy control sections for the High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) missile (AGM-88). Contractor will provide repair of government-furnished parts reused in HARM control section modification production that failed during the acceptance testing. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2017. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-10-C-0011). (Source: DoD, 09/17/15)

Contract: RoboTeam, $25M

RoboTeam, Gaithersburg, Md., has been awarded a $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for an explosive ordnance disposal small robot. Contractor will deliver a robot system with logistics and maintenance support. Work will be performed worldwide as necessary and is expected to be complete by Sept. 16, 2022. The 772nd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8051-15-D-0009). (Source: DoD, 09/17/15)

Contract: Raytheon, $100M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $100,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) production support. Contractor will provide MALD system upgrades, integration, sustainment, management, and logistical support. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2020. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8682-15-D-0082). (Source: DoD, 09/17/15)

Contract: KTU+A, $7.5M

KTU+A, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a maximum amount $7,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for professional planning and engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of responsibility (AOR). Task order 0001 is being awarded at $106,190 for developing basic facility requirements and Department of Defense 1391s (DD Form 1391s) for the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The work to be performed provides for plans, studies, and project and facility planning documents. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by September 2016. All work on this contract will be performed primarily at various activities within the NAVFAC Southeast AOR, but may also be used for professional planning services within the entire NAVFAC AOR (worldwide). The term of the contract is not to exceed 36 months with an expected completion date of September 2018. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-15-D-0131). (Source: DoD, 09/16/15)

Contract: Scientific Systems, $6.6M

Scientific Systems Co. Inc., Woburn, Mass., has been awarded a $6,600,242 firm-fixed-price Small Business Innovation Research III contract for advanced navigation common capability (ANCC). Contractor will expand upon ANCC previous work by generalizing the process of integrating the technology into weapon systems. Work will be performed at Woburn and is expected to be complete by Sept. 14, 2017. Fiscal 2015 research and development funds in the amount of $6,600,242 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-15-C-0124). (Source: DoD, 09/16/15)

Contract: M1, $20M

M1 Support Services, Denton, Texas, has been awarded a $20,029,841 fixed-price, cost-reimbursable modification (P00097) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA4890-11-C-0005. Contractor will provide program support of the Air Combat Command’s T-38 companion trainer program. Work will be performed at Langley Air Force Base, Va.; Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.; Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.; and Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2016. Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/16/15)

Harman resigns as airport director

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- Sunil Harman has resigned as the director of Okaloosa County's airports to pursue other opportunities. The departure was announced by Okaloosa County Administrator John Hofstad at Tuesday's commission meeting in Fort Walton Beach. Harman, whose resignation is effective Sept. 30, was not at the meeting. He was hired in July 2013 to oversee the county’s airports. During his tenure, the county launched a rebranding where the name of county’s primary airport was changed to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport and the Destin facility was renamed Destin Executive Airport. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 09/15/15) Prior to taking the Okaloosa job, Harman was director of the airport in Tallahassee.

Airbus plant officially opens

Airbus A320 plant officially opens in Mobile.
GCAC photo by Michelle R. Thomas

MOBILE, Ala. – Scores of dignitaries, including corporate officials, politicians and three ambassadors, were on hand today for the formal opening of the $600 million Airbus A320 assembly plant at the Mobile Aeroplex, the aircraft maker's fourth A320 assembly plant and its first in the United States. With partially built A321 jetliners flanking the assembled dignitaries and media representatives from around world, the crowd applauded and stood when a sign was placed on a plane sections that said “This aircraft proudly made in the USA by  the worldwide team from Airbus.” The event in Hangar 9, the name Airbus uses the final assembly lines in Hamburg, Tianjin, China and now Mobile, closed with the song “Sweet Home Alabama” playing in the background. The first jetliner being built at the plant is an A321 for JetBlue, which will take delivery in 2016. (Source: GCAC, 09/14/15)

Contract: Rehab Svcs, $7M

Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Madison, Miss., was awarded on Sept. 3 a $7,023,720 modification (P00036) to exercise an option on previously awarded contract FA3010-13-C-005 for full food services. Work will be performed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2017. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/11/15)

Contract: Raytheon, $10.7M

Raytheon Technical Services Co. LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., has been awarded a $10,667,190 modification (P00008) to previously awarded contract FA8672-13-C-0199 for engineering, manufacturing and development for Joint Miniature Munitions Bomb Rack Unit development. Contractor will provide development, design verification, design qualification, initial aircraft integration, fabrication of flight test assets and demonstration of production processes. Work will be performed at Indianapolis and is expected to be complete by May 31, 2018. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/11/15)

RR wins Airbus Beluga deal

Rolls-Royce won a $700 million deal to supply and maintain engines for Airbus's new fleet of Beluga cargo jets used to transport large sections of new planes, such as entire wings. Rolls-Royce is being awarded the contract to power the five new aircraft with its bestselling Trent 700 engine. The current Beluga fleet use engines made by GE. (Source: Telegraph, 09/11/15) Gulf Coast note: Rolls-Royce tests Trent engines at its outdoor test facility at Stennis Space Center, Miss.; Airbus is formally opening its A320 manufacturing plant in Mobile, Ala., Sept. 14. All the sections are sent by ship from Europe.

Public celebration of Airbus set

MOBILE, Ala. -- A public celebration will be held Saturday at the Mobile Aeroplex ahead of Monday's invitation-only inauguration ceremonies for the $600 million Airbus manufacturing plant. The celebration starts at 3 p.m. with the opening of the Kid Zone followed by the 5:30 p.m. start of a one-mile fun run. The Airbus 5K on the Runway race is scheduled for 6 p.m. The celebration is free and open to the public. Festivities are on the green space at the Mobile Aeroplex on Broad Street between 5th and 6th Streets. (Source: al.com, 09/10/15)

Italian-made F-35 takes flight

CAMERI AIR BASE, Italy -- Italy's first F-35A Lightning II, assembled at the Cameri Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility, flew for the first time Monday. The flight was an hour and 22 minutes. The Cameri FACO is owned by the Italian government and operated by Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi in association with Lockheed Martin. F-35 production began in July 2013 and rolled out of Italy's first F-35A, AL-1, was in March. AL-1's official delivery to Italy is expected by the end of the year. The facility will assemble Italy’s F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant and the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant, and is planned to assemble the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s F-35A aircraft. The F-35A and F-35B will replace Italian Air Force and Italian Navy AV-8 Harriers, Panavia Tornados and AMX fighters. (Source: Lockheed, 09/07/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: DynCorp Int., $100M

DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $100,018,444 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract (N00019-15-D-0003) to exercise an option to provide organizational, intermediate, depot-level maintenance and logistics services for the T-44, and organizational maintenance for T-6 aircraft, in support of the Chief of Naval Air Training. Provided support includes labor, services, facilities, equipment, tools, related support equipment, direct and indirect material. Work will be performed in Corpus Christi, Texas (51 percent); Whiting Field, Fla. (34 percent); and Pensacola, Fla. (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2016. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/09/15)

Pieces come together for Orion

NEW ORLEANS – Engineers at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility on Saturday welded together the first two segments of the Orion crew module that will fly atop NASA's Space Launch System rocket on a mission beyond the far side of the moon. The primary structure of Orion's crew module is made of seven large aluminum pieces that must be welded together. The first weld connects the tunnel to the forward bulkhead, which is at the top of the spacecraft and houses many of Orion's critical systems, such as the parachutes that deploy during re-entry. Orion's tunnel, with a docking hatch, will allow crews to move between the crew module and other spacecraft. NASA's prime contractor for the spacecraft, Lockheed Martin, is doing the production of the crew module at Michoud. (Source: PRNewswire, 09/08/15) Engines for the core stage of the SLS are being tested at NASA's Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous

Contract: UTC, $249.8M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a not-to-exceed $249,830,014 undefinitized modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive, firm-target contract (N00019-14-C-0004) to procure low-rate initial production (LRIP) Lot 9 propulsion system initial spares for the global spares pool to include initial spare engines, initial spare modules, and initial spare parts required in support of the LRIP Lot 9 F-135 propulsions systems for the F-35 aircraft for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, international partners, and foreign military sales customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford, (93 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (6 percent); and Bristol, UK (1 percent). Work is expected to be completed in July 2018. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (49 percent); Navy (23 percent); international partners (25 percent); and foreign military sales (3 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/04/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: American Systems, $6.8M

American Systems Corp., Chantilly, Va., has been awarded a $6,826,190 modification (02) to the previously awarded contracts FA7046-11-D-0001/0003 for F-35 operational test and evaluation verification and validation. Contractor will provide for the rescope of work to be performed for verification and validation for the F-35 verification simulation environment for operational test and evaluation. Work will be performed at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2017. Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/04/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $12M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $12,009,064 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-12-D-0016) to exercise an option for maintenance, repair, and logistics support for the Chief of Naval Air Training Aircraft's intermediate maintenance departments located at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla., and NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. Support to be provided includes labor, equipment, tools, services, and direct and indirect material. Work will be performed at NAS Pensacola (60 percent) and NAS Corpus Christi (40 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2016. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/03/15)

Fourth MUOS launched

MUOS launches Wednesday.
United Launch Alliance photo

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. – The Navy's fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite launched Wednesday at 6:18 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41. MUOS-4, whose signal was acquired some three hours after launch, completes the initial operational constellation and provides near global network coverage for warfighters and combatant commanders. This array allows mobile forces, including submarines, surface ships and aircraft, to communicate around the world via the narrowband spectrum. User communities that will primarily benefit include ground forces at the individual soldier level but also include members of all services and special forces. (Source: NNS, 09/02/15) Gulf Coast note: Work on the core propulsion system for the A2100 satellite-based spacecraft is done by Lockheed Martin at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous

Contract: Bell-Boeing, $19.8M

 Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded $19,828,419 for cost-plus- fixed-fee modification to delivery order 0096 previously issued against a basic ordering agreement (N00019-12-G-0006) in support of the V-22. This modification provides for the procurement of additional nonrecurring engineering in support of the MV-22 Integrated Aircraft Survivability Equipment (IASE) universal urgent needs effort as well as 24 MV-22 IASE A-kits. Work will be performed at Ridley Park, Pa. (64 percent); Menlo Park, Calif. (5 percent); Anaheim, Calif. (4 percent); Corona, Calif. (3 percent); Huntington Beach, Calif. (2 percent); St. Louis, Mo. (2 percent); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (1 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (1 percent); and various locations throughout the U.S. (18 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2017. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/02/15)

Contract: Lockheed, $311.4M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $311,399,980 contract for undefinitized delivery order 5503 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020) for the F-35 Lighting II Block 3F upgrade for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and the government of the United Kingdom. This order procures retrofit modification hardware necessary for the Block 3F upgrades, as well as engineering tasks supporting modification kit installation. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (90 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2021. This contract combines purchase for the Air Force (46 percent); Marine Corps (27 percent); Navy (20 percent); and the government of the United Kingdom (7 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/01/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.