Pensacola moving ahead on hangar

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The city is moving ahead with the design of the next hangar of the ST Engineering campus, although full funding for the four-year project is still pending, according to Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson. Lining up the remaining funding for the $210 million project to expand ST Engineering's maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at the Pensacola International Airport is the top priority of Robinson's administration since taking office a month ago. The expanded facility is expected to bring in an additional 1,325 jobs and will consist of three additional hangars similar to the one that opened in June. Robinson said at his weekly press conference Monday that the city would begin design of the first new hangar known as Hangar 2. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 12/28/18)

Contract: UTC, $230.1M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $230,144,942 cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm contract. This contract provides for testing support for the F-35 Lightning II Propulsion System Block 4 Flight Test Program for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and the non-U.S. Department of Defense (non-U.S. DoD) participants. Support to be provided includes technical engineering, flight test support, special tooling and test equipment, flight test spare and repair parts. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md. (35 percent); and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (33 percent); and in East Hartford (32 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy and Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $20,000,000 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). This contract combines purchase for the Navy ($45,760,870; 20 percent); Marine Corps ($45,760,870; 20 percent); Air Force ($91,521,740; 40 percent); and the non-U.S. DoD participants ($47,101,463; 20 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0007). (Source: DoD, 12/28/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Boeing, $75M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is awarded a not-to-exceed $75,000,000 for undefinitized, fixed-price-incentive-firm-target modification P00002 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-18-C-1046). This modification provides for non-recurring engineering in support of the incorporation of the initial Block III capability for the production of F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft. Work will be performed in St. Louis (62 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (33 percent); Mesa, Ariz. (3 percent) and Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $35,000,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/28/18)

Contract: Boeing, $11.3M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded an $11,256,951 modification (FA8681-14-D-0028-001709) to contract FA8681-14-D-0028-0017 for high rate compact telemetry units (HCTMs) and long laser wire harnesses. This modification provides for the exercise of options for an additional quantity of 269 encrypted HCTMs, 30 unencrypted HCTMs, and 50 long laser wire harnesses being produced under the delivery order. Work will be performed in St. Louis and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2017 special defense acquisition funds; fiscal 2011 foreign military sales funds; fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds; and fiscal 2018 other procurement funds are funding the contract. This modification involves foreign military sales to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $33,578,408. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contract activity. (Awarded Dec. 18, 2018) (Source: DoD, 12/28/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $712.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $712,482,210 for cost-plus-incentive fee, firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001919F2474 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020) for the development of advanced hardware in support of the F-35 Lightning II Technology Refresh 3 (TR3) System. Efforts include the design of the TR3 System through full flightworthy certification, production readiness review, and fleet release to support low-rate initial production Lot 15 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in March 2023. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy and Marine Corps); and non-U.S. Department of Defense participant (non-U.S. DoD) funding in the amount of $207,144,167 will be obligated at time of award, $13,000,000 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This delivery order combines purchases for the Marine Corps ($27,046,506; 32 percent); Navy ($24,500,000; 29 percent); and non-U.S. DoD participants ($32,506,142; 39 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/27/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Boeing, $14.4M

The Boeing Co., Oklahoma City, Okla., has been awarded an estimated amount of $14,446,683, Option Three modification (P00013) to contract FA8105-16-D-0002 for KC-135 engineering services for sustainment. The contract modification provides for recurring engineering services for sustainment of the KC-135 aircraft. Work will be performed in Oklahoma City; San Antonio, Texas; Huntsville, Ala.; and Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is estimated $70,901,530. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity. Contract was awarded Dec. 20, 2018. (Source: DoD, 12/21/18)

Contract: BAE, $12.4M

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Md., has been awarded a $12,392,102 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract modification (P00002) to contract FA8109-18-D-0005 to exercise Option One. The contract modification extends the contract term for an additional 12 months in order to continue providing diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages (DMSMS) support for Air Force and non-Air Force users supporting the Air Force, to proactively reduce mission capability impacts to improve logistics support and weapon system sustainability. This effort will help assure all required parts and materials supporting Air Force-managed weapon systems are available within acceptable production lead times and will reduce the overall cost of ownership of the weapon systems by facilitating economical DMSMS resolutions costs, reducing the number of reactive solutions, minimizing any delays in organic depot-level repair, as well as contractor repair, and by improving weapon system availability. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; and Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., with some work performed at Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The work is expected to be completed by June 20, 2021. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 consolidated sustainment activity group engineering funds will be obligated on any individual task orders issued during the option one performance period. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $24,778,204. Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/21/18)

Contract: Boeing, $76.6M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $76,581,676 not-to-exceed firm-fixed-price contract for the design, fabrication, installation, test and delivery of two F/A-18E Tactical Operational Flight trainers and two F/A-18E low cost trainers for the government of Kuwait under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in St. Louis (50 percent); New Orleans, La. (30 percent); and Kuwait City, Kuwait (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2022. FMS funds in the amount of $20,490,233 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (N6134019C0005). (Source: DoD, 12/21/18)

Contract: DMR, $9.4M

DMR Consulting Inc, Panama City Beach, Fla., is being awarded a $9,426,737 firm-fixed–price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for depot level repair, overhaul, and modification for the MK-105 magnetic minesweeping gear. This contract supports the depot level repair and maintenance of the MK105 magnetic minesweeping gear. The MK105 Magnetic Influence Minesweeping system, better known as the “sled”, is a high speed catamaran hydrofoil platform which is towed behind the MH-53E helicopter and is used to sweep magnetic influence mines. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $48,318,732. Work will be performed in Panama City, and is expected to be completed by December 2019. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division is the contracting activity. (N61331-19-D-0002) (Source: DoD, 12/21/18)

Contract: Multiple, $168M

Systems Studies & Simulation Inc., Huntsville, Ala. (W911S0-19-D-0007); Yorktown Systems Group Inc., Huntsville, Ala. (W911S0-19-D-0001); Summit Technologies Inc., Pensacola, Fla. (W911S0-19-D-0002); Cognition LLC, Panama City, Fla. (W911S0-19-D-0003); Beshenich Muir & Associates LLC, Leavenworth, Kan. (W911S0-19-D-0004); Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Va. (W911S0-19-D-0005); and Janus Research Group Inc., Appling, Ga. (W911S0-19-D-0006), will compete for each order of the $168,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for training strategies, concepts, and products. Bids were solicited via the internet with 29 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2023. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/20/18)

Contract: Rolls-Royce, $218.7M

Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is awarded a $218,747,254 firm-fixed-price undefinitized contract action to provide intermediate and depot level maintenance and related logistics support for in-service T-45 F405-RR-401 Adour engines. Work will be performed in Meridian, Miss. (44 percent); Kingsville, Texas (44 percent); Pensacola, Fla. (11 percent); and Patuxent River, Md. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2019. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (N61340-19-D-0004). (Source: DoD, 12/20/18)

Contract: General Dynamics< $45.2M

General Dynamics One Source LLC, Fairfax, Va., is awarded $45,235,426 for cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price order N6833519F0054 against a previously issued General Services Administration, Government Wide Acquisition contract (GS00Q09BGD0030). This order provides a range of knowledge based and information technology support services such as program management, enterprise architecture, emerging capabilities and requirements implementation, life cycle management, operations and maintenance, enterprise data management, service desk, and training in accordance with Department of Defense and U.S. Cyber Command security standards and mandates in support of the joint strike fighter aircraft. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va. (72 percent); Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (7 percent); Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (5 percent); Patuxent River, Md. (4 percent); Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (3 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (3 percent); China Lake, Calif. (3 percent); Point Mugu, Calif. (1 percent); Lakehurst, N.J. (1 percent); and Hill Air Force Base, Utah (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $6,500,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This order was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; two offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/20/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $22.1M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $22,138,342 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-12-C-0070) that provides sovereign data merge capabilities that ensure the integrity and protection of country unique data of participants that use the Autonomic Logistics Information systems in support of the F-35 program. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in November 2019. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $12,700,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/20/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $99.3M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $99,254,206 undefinitized contract to procure equipment and tooling needed to increase Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile/Long Range Anti-Ship Missile production to a maximum rate where installation is required during the construction phase of the new facility. Work will be performed in Orlando and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2022.  This award is the result of sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8682-19-C-0008). (Source: DoD, 12/19/18)

Contract: Raytheon, $141.4M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $141,447,329 firm-fixed-price contract (FA8672-19-C-0010) to exercise an option to previously awarded contract FA8672-10-C-0002 for Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) II. The contractor will provide low-rate initial production for 1,260 SDB II Lot Five munitions, 389 single-weapon containers, 344 dual-weapon containers, 20 production reliability incentive demonstration effort captive vehicles, 20 production reliability incentive demonstration effort tests, 36 weapon load crew trainers/conventional munitions maintenance trainers and data. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition resulting from follow-on to competition. Fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds in the amount of $141,447,329 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, 12/18/18)

SLS tank Huntsville-bound

NEW ORLEANS — NASA is moving a massive liquid hydrogen tank to Huntsville, Ala., for testing as part of its plans to eventually return to the moon. The 149-foot-long tank, which weighs more than 100,000 pounds and is the largest ever built here, is part of the Space Launch System. The tank moved Friday from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans is a test model that won't actually be launched. It was moved out of the factory to the barge Pegasus. It will travel up river to the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, where it will undergo tests designed to mimic the conditions of traveling into space.The tank holds 537,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen that along with liquid oxygen will help propel the rocket and its cargo into space. (Sources: AP via WDRB, 12/14/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $10.3M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $10,302,132 modification (P00001) to contract FA8682-19-C-0010 for Lot Two production of three Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles. Work will be performed in Orlando and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2020. The award is the result of sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds will fund the contract. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/14/18)

Contract: Boeing, $82.4M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is awarded a $92,361,661 not-to-exceed firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Phase 1 integrated logistics support for 22 F/A-18E and 6 F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft in support of the government of Kuwait under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in St. Louis (85 percent); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (8 percent); New Orleans (5.5 percent); China Lake, Calif. (.5 percent); Patuxent River, Md. (.5 percent); and Gulfport, Miss. (.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2020. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $38,792,947 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code. 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0033). (Source: DoD, 12/13/18)

Contract: Boeing, $11.7M

The Boeing Co., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., has been awarded an $11,746,605, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00014) to exercise Option Three of contract FA8509-16-C-0001 for the integrated sustainment support of the AC‐130U gunships. This modification provides for the continuation of services for the development, modification, sustainment, and maintenance of the AC‐130U gunship. Work will be performed at Fort Walton Beach and deployed locations in Afghanistan and Kuwait, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2019 for the negotiated option. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition and is incrementally funded. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract modification is $11,746,605. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/13/18)

NASA awards contract

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA has selected Four Inc. of Herndon, Va., to provide new products, renewals and cloud services to NASA customers for purchase when needed. The total not-to-exceed value of the contract is approximately $9.6 million. The firm-fixed price Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurements (SEWP) Catalog has a performance period consisting of a one-year base period with two one-year option periods. The SEWP Catalog is available for use by all NASA centers and associated facilities through December 31, 2021, if all options are exercised. The contract will be administered by the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) at Stennis Space Center (SSC). The NSSC performs selected business activities for all NASA centers. (Source: NASA/SSC, 12/12/18)

Airport hits milestone

PANAMA CITY, Fla. - The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) at West Bay celebrated having a million passengers in the calendar year Monday and handed out balloons and cupcakes to everyone aboard a Delta flight from Atlanta to mark the milestone. This is the first time the airport has reached the milestone.The airport had just 300,000 passengers when it started in 2010.Originally, there had been talk Hurricane Michael, which hit in October, might keep the airport from reaching the milestone. (Source: News Herald, 12/11/18)

Airbus Mobile delivers 100th jetliner

100th plane on its first flight in November.
Airbus photo

MOBILE, Ala. - Airbus has delivered its 100th aircraft from the company’s U.S. Manufacturing Facility at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. The A320neo, serial number (MSN) 8580, was delivered to Frontier Airlines. The aircraft features two horses, Meadow and West, on its tailplane. Airbus’ Mobile facility is delivering four A320 series aircraft per month and has delivered to eight U.S.-based customers so far, including Air Lease Corporation, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines. Airbus has three other A320 production facilities in Hamburg, Germany; Tianjin, China; and Toulouse, France. (Source: Airbus, 12/11/18)

Contract: Arete, $17M

Aretè Associates Inc., Northridge, Calif., is awarded a $17,083,516 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N61331-18-D-0012) to exercise an option for coastal battlefield reconnaissance and analysis (COBRA) systems. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. (35 percent); Destin, Fla. (35 percent); and Santa Rosa, Calif. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by July 2021. No funding will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as delivery orders are issued. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/10/18)

F-35s eyed for Tyndall rebuild

WASHINGTON - In the wake of the devastation caused in October by Hurricane Michael to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., the Air Force is recommending Congress use supplemental funding for rebuilding the base for up to three squadrons of F-35A fighters. The operational squadrons of F-22 Raptors formerly at Tyndall can be accommodated at bases in Alaska, Hawaii and Virginia and would allow for an increase in squadron size from 21 to 24 aircraft. If approved and funded, F-35s could be based at Tyndall in 2023. Before the storm Tyndall was home of the 325th Fighter Wing, comprised of two F-22 squadrons. One was operational, one was training. The base also hosts the 1st Air Force, the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, and the Air Force Civil Engineering Center. The hurricane damaged 95 percent of the buildings at Tyndall. More than 2,000 personnel have since returned. The Air Force intends to keep the testing, air operations center and civil engineering missions at Tyndall. The recommendations only affect the operational fighter flying missions at the base. (Source: Secretary of the Air Force, 12/07/18) Nearby Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: L3 Vertex, $21.8M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC., Madison, Miss., was awarded a $21,845,138 modification (P00035) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, labor hour, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-13-D-0007). This modification increases the ceiling and extends the period of performance to provide contractor logistics services and materials for organizational and depot-level services required to support and maintain the TH-57 fleet. Work will be performed in Milton, Fla., and is expected to be completed in January 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/06/18)

New tanker battle looming

In an opening salvo of a future aerial tanker battle, Europe's Airbus is teaming up with U.S.-based Lockeed Martin to develop tankers to meet the U.S. military's growing demand. Tuesday's announcement of the memorandum of agreement between the two aerospace giants comes eight years after Airbus lost an Air Force tanker battle to rival Boeing. In that battle, Airbus teamed with Northrop Grumman, then went it alone after Northrop dropped out. Airbus initially won the contest to build the tankers in Mobile, Ala., but following a Boeing protest the contract went to Boeing. Now Airbus will work with Lockheed and go after the next possible aircraft and refueling service orders. The U.S. Air Force, which wants to ultimately replace its entire fleet of over 400 tankers, is examining ways to meet growing demand for aerial refueling with possible fee-for-service arrangements, purchases of hundreds of additional aircraft, and the future development of a stealthy tanker. Senior executives from Airbus and Lockheed agreed to jointly explore all those opportunities. Airbus has had success selling its A330-based Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), which has been selected by 12 countries. The aircraft is already refueling or capable of refueling most major U.S. combat airplanes, including the stealthy F-35 fighter jet. Lockheed builds, among other things, the F-35 and the C-130 transport plane that can also be used as a tanker. Boeing is building 179 767-based tankers, called the KC-46A, for the U.S. Air Force under the contract awarded in 2011. (Sources: Reuters, PRNewswire, 12/04/18) Although Airbus lost the tanker competition, it built a plant in Mobile to assemble the popular A320 series of jetliners. Nearly 100 Mobile-built jetliners have been delivered. Mobile will also be getting a second assembly line to build A220 passenger jets.

Contract: Raytheon, $18.9M

Raytheon Co. Missile Systems Division, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded an $18,691,155 fixed-price incentive (firm-target), follow-on contract for High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile targeting system contractor logistics support services. This contract provides depot repair and sustaining engineering activities. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2019. The contract includes a one-year period of performance with three one-year options. This contract award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $18,691,155 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-19-C-0004). (Source: DoD, 11/30/18)

Contract: L3, $97.5M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $97,491,260 firm-fixed-price contract for contractor operated and maintained base supply of the Air Education and Training Command fleet of 178 T-1A trainer aircraft. Work will be performed at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Vance AFB, Okla.; Columbus AFB, Miss.; and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., with an expected completion date of Nov. 30, 2019. This award for Option One is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount $48,288,767 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker AFB, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8106-18-C-0001). (Source: DoD, 11/30/18)

Contract: UTC, $399.8M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $399,778,883 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-17-C-0010). This modification provides for performance based logistics sustainment in support of the F-35 Lightning II F135 propulsion system for the U.S Navy; U.S Air Force; U.S. Marine Corps; Non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. This modification provides for maintenance of support equipment; common program activities; unique and common base recurring sustainment; repair of repairable; field service representatives; common replenishment spares; conventional take-off and landing/carrier variant F135 unique maintenance services, and short take-off and landing F135 unique services. Work will be performed in East Hartford (73 percent); Oklahoma City, Okla. (18 percent); Camari, Italy (3 percent); Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Fla. (2 percent); Edwards AFB, Calif. (1 percent); Hill AFB, Utah (1 percent); Luke AFB, Ariz. (1 percent); and Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy), Non-U.S. DOD participants and FMS funds in the amount of $399,778,883 are being obligated on this award, $277,624,046, of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force ($142,300,541; 36 percent); U.S. Marine Corps ($109,353,811; 27 percent); U.S. Navy ($25,969,694; 6 percent); non-U.S. DOD participants ($90,987,493; 23 percent); and FMS customers ($31,167,344; 8 percent) under the FMS Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/30/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $18.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $18,497,196 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-18-D-0129). This modification exercises the ordering period for the first option year and provides for emerging capabilities and analysis systems engineering activities to include programmatic and logistics tasks that will analyze the F-35 air system's ability to meet future operational requirements, investigating cost and weight reduction program options, and conducting modeling and simulation activities. Additional assessments may include such efforts as analyzing changes to design life, operational readiness, reliability, and air system design and configuration. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in December 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/29/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Scientific Research, $12M

Scientific Research Corp., Atlanta, has been awarded an $11,966,292 firm-fixed-price contract to exercise option one in previously awarded contract FA8617-17-C-6227 for T-6A aircraft kit production and installation. Work will be performed at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; Vance AFB, Okla.; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Sheppard AFB, Texas; Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 1, 2020. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $11,966,292 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8617-17-C-6227-P00007). (Awarded Nov. 26, 2018). (Source: DoD, 11/29/18)

ALC takes deliver in Mobile

Mountain goat adorns tail of A321.
Airbus photo

MOBILE, Ala. - Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has taken delivery of its first U.S.-produced A321. The aircraft, delivered from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, will be leased to Denver-based Frontier Airlines and features Xavier the Mountain Goat on its vertical tail and Sharklets. The aircraft is also the first U.S.-made A321ceo to enter Frontier’s fleet. The airline has previously taken direct delivery of six A320neos from Airbus’s Mobile production facility.ALC is the eighth U.S.-based customer to receive aircraft from Airbus’ Alabama-based A320 Family production facility. (Source: Airbus, 11/29/18)

Contract: Bell-Boeing, $20.5M

Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is awarded $20,512,216 for modification P00056 to increase the ceiling of a previously awarded fixed-price incentive contract (N00019-09-D-0008) for additional Joint Performance Based Logistics support for the Marine Corps MV-22 and the Air Force and Special Forces Operations Command CV-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (46.6 percent); Philadelphia, Pa. (41.4 percent); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 6.1 percent); Oklahoma City, Okla. (4.3 percent); and St. Louis, Mo. (1.6 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2019. No funding will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/28/18)

UTC splits in three

United Technologies is breaking itself into three independent companies after sealing its $23 billion acquisition of aviation electronics maker Rockwell Collins. The company's announcement Monday was the latest by a sprawling industrial conglomerate deciding it will be more efficient and focused as smaller, separate entities. The three companies will be United Technologies, which will house its aerospace and defense industry supplier businesses of Pratt and Whitney and Collins Aerospace Systems; Otis, the maker of elevators, escalators and moving walkways; and the Carrier air conditioning and building systems business. The separation is expected to be completed in 2020. (Source: AP via Yahoo, Bloomberg, 11/27/18) Gulf Coast note: UTC has an operation in Foley, Ala.

Contract: Tetra Tech, $10.3M

Tetra Tech-Maytag Aircraft Corp., Pasadena, Calif., was awarded a $10,252,498 modification (0007 03) to contract W912DY-13-G-0010 for maintenance and minor emergency repair of equipment and appurtenances. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Fla.; Fort Worth, Texas; Tallahassee, Fla.; Mayport, Fla.; Panama City, Fla.; New Orleans; Parris Island, S.C.; Pensacola, Fla.; Quantico, Va.; Albany, Ga.; Milton, Fla.; Andros Island, the Bahamas; and Guantanamo, Cuba, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 15, 2019. Fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds in the amount of $10,252,498 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/20/18)

Contract: Northrop, $489.9M

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, San Diego, has been awarded a $489,924,430 definitization and increase in scope fixed-price-incentive-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (FA8620-18-C-1000 PZ0004) for the Japan Global Hawk program. The contract provides for: three RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30i air vehicles each containing an enhanced integrated sensor suite payload, two ground control elements, spares and support equipment, system engineering and program management tasks required to execute, manage, control, and report on all program activities, and a site survey. Work will be performed in San Diego and is expected to be completed by Sept. 1, 2022. This contract involves foreign military sales (FMS) to Japan and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. This action will increase funding by $294,542,454 for a total of $425,012,030 in FMS funding. FMS funding in the amount of $64,912,400 will be awarded as priced options to be exercised as soon as Japan releases the remaining funds. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/19/18) Gulf Coast note: Fuselage work on Global Hawk variants is done in Moss Point, Miss.

Tyndall repair to take 3-5 years

The Air Force expects it will take three to five years to repair damage to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., caused by Hurricane Michael. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said at the Nov. 15 Defense One Summit in Washington, D.C., that the October hurricane damaged 95 percent of the base's buildings. Missions will return to the base over the next three months, including the Air Operations Center. Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., some 60 miles west of Tyndall, has taken Tyndall's F-22 flying training unit including T-38 trainers. The Raptor schoolhouse for pilots in training has also be moved to Eglin. All the F-22 Raptors that were left behind during the storm have moved on to the bases where they will be housed until their future destination is determined, Wilson said. The Air Force in recent weeks said it would relocate its Tyndall F-22 fleet to Joint Base Langley-Eustice, Va, Joint Base Elmendorf-Ricardson, Alaska, and Joint Base Pear Harbor-Hickham, Hawaii. (Sources: Inside Defense, Military.com, 11/15/18)

Contract: EMR, $16.9M

EMR Inc., Niceville, Fla., is awarded $16,897,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N6945019F1000 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N69450-17-D-0507) for renovations to Colmer Dining Facility Building 367 at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss. Renovations include expansion of cold storage areas, improvements to electrical and mechanical systems, updated parking and architectural components. In addition, a temporary kitchen facility composed of modular units will be placed in service at a separate location. The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, engineering, materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies and transportation to perform all work described in the request for proposal. Work will be performed in Gulfport and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2021. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $16,897,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One proposal was received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/16/18)

Airport getting new hotel

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – The Northwest Beaches International Airport soon will have a new addition when The St. Joe Company breaks ground in early 2019 on a 110- to 125-room hotel on the airport grounds. The hotel, including a restaurant, bar and meeting rooms, will be built adjacent to the now-closed covered parking facility on the north side of West Bay Parkway, St. Joe President and CEO Jorge Gonzalez said Wednesday. The airport’s passenger traffic was cited as the reason behind the hotel. In 2017, passenger traffic with the airport’s four operating airlines surpassed 900,000 passengers for the first time at the eight-year-old airport in West Bay. The company hopes to open the new hotel in early 2020. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 11/14/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $172.1M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., is awarded a $172,145,533 fixed-price incentive-fee contract for long range anti-ship missiles (LRASMs) Lot 2 production. The contract allows for the production of 50 LRASMs. Work will be performed in Orlando and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2021. The award is the result of sole- source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8682-19-C-0010). (Source: DoD, 11/15/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $83.1M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed value $83,100,000 undefinitized contract action. This contract provides for the development, integration, certification, and testing of dual capable aircraft capability to include hardware and software into the Air Force F-35A. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (70 percent); Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (29 percent); and St. Charles, Mo. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2024. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funding in the amount of $24,630,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0010). (Source: DoD, 11/15/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $348.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $348,915,105 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to provide the infrastructure to support developmental laboratory facilities and flight test activities in support of F-35 development, production and sustainment. Work will be performed at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (35 percent); Patuxent River, Md. (35 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participant funds in the amount of $177,042,349 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force ($70,932,017; 40 percent); Marine Corps ($35,466,009; 20 percent); Navy ($35,466,008; 20 percent) and non-DOD participants ($35,178,315; 20 percent). This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0004). (Source: DoD, 11/15/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

RS-25 rocket engine tested

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted a full-power, full-duration 650-second RS-25 engine test on the A-1 Test Stand at Stennis Space Center today. Operators fired development engine No. 0525 to a 113 percent thrust level for 60 seconds during the test, the second time they have achieved the highest RS-25 power level. Engineers first fired development engine No. 0528 to that level during a February test at Stennis. Four RS-25 engines will help power NASA's Space Launch System, supplying a combined 2 million pounds of thrust and working in conjunction with a pair of solid rocket boosters to provide more than 8 million pounds of thrust. RS-25 tests at Stennis are conducted by a combined team of NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Syncom Space Services operators. Aerojet Rocketdyne is the RS-25 prime contractor. Syncom Space Services is the prime contractor for Stennis facilities and operations.(Source: NASA, 11/15/18) Previous

HPM to build A220 line, expand A320

MOBILE, Ala. - Airbus today named HPM as its program manager for planning, design and construction of its new A220 assembly line at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. HPM also will be responsible for the expansion of Airbus' current facilities to accommodate the expected increase in A320 series production. Construction on facilities for the A320 expansion and new A220 production has begun, and construction for a main A220 flow line building is expected to begin next year. A220 jetliner assembly is planned to start in 2019, using a combination of the existing and expanded Airbus facilities at Brookley to enable the first A220 delivery from Mobile to take place in 2020. A permanent production process will be established upon completion of an A220 final assembly line building in 2020. HPM has offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, Auburn and Mobile, Ala., Atlanta, Dallas and Tampa. HPM worked with Airbus in Mobile more than a decade ago with the Airbus Engineering Center. It was also program manager for the A320 series production facility, which was completed in 2015. (Source: Airbus, 11/15/18) Previous: Report: HPM to build A220 line; Previous of interest: Airbus tech school in the works

Contract: Lockheed, $22.7B

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $22,712,874,822 not-to-exceed undefinitized contract modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target, firm-fixed-price advanced acquisition contract (N00019-17-C-0001) for 255 aircraft. This modification provides for the production and delivery of 106 F-35 aircraft for the U.S. services (64 F-35As Air Force; 26 F-35Bs Marine Corps; 16 F-35Cs Navy); 89 F-35s for non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants (71 F-35As, 18 F-35 Bs); and 60 F-35s for Foreign Military Sales customers (60 F-35As). The U.S. aircraft quantities are for the Lot 12 program of record plus fiscal 2018/fiscal 2019 aircraft quantity congressional adds. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (57 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (14 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (9 percent); Cameri, Italy (4 percent); Orlando, Fla. (4 percent); Nashua, N.H. (3 percent); Baltimore, Md. (3 percent); San Diego, Calif. (2 percent); Nagoya, Japan (2 percent); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2023. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 aircraft procurement funds (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy) in the amount of $3,505,522,468 (59 percent); non-DoD participant funds in the amount of $1,578,531,164 (26 percent); and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $916,667,000 (15 percent) for a total of $6,000,720,632 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/14/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $382M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Owego, N.Y., is awarded a $382,000,000 not-to-exceed, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, undefinitized contract that provides for the production and delivery of eight MH-60R aircraft as well as associated systems engineering and program management support. Work will be performed in Owego (52 percent); Stratford, Conn. (40 percent); and Troy, Ala. (8 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2020. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $147,000,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0013). (Source: DoD, 11/14/18)

Contract: Kaman, $52M

Kaman Precision Products Inc., Orlando, Fla.; and Middletown, Conn., has been awarded a $52,026,000 firm-fixed-price modification (P00009) to contract FA8681-18-C-0009 for the Joint Programmable Fuzes. The contract modification is for the purchase of an additional 15,000 fuzes being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Orlando and Middletown and is expected to be completed by June 1, 2020. Fiscal 2016, 2017 and 2018 ammunition procurement funds in the amount of $52,026,000 are being obligated at time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $225,422,234. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/14/18)

Contract: L3, $35M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $35,000,000 firm-fixed- price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract modification to contracts FA8106-17-D-0001 for contractor logistic support of the Air Force C-12 fleet. Work will be performed in Madison; San Angelo, Texas; Okmulgee, Okla.; Buenos Ares, Argentina; Gaborone, Botswana; Brasilia, Brazil; Bogota, Columbia; Cairo, Egypt; Accra, Ghana; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Budapest, Hungary; Joint Base Andrews, Md.; Nairobi, Kenya; Rabat, Morocco; Manila, Philippines; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Bangkok, Thailand; Ankara, Turkey; Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; Holloman AFB, N.M.; Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; and Yokota Air Base, Japan. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2018. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $2,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award. Total face value of obligated funds for this contract is $30,913,890. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Tinker AFB, Okla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/14/18)

Ground broken for new terminal

LAFAYETTE, La. – There was a ceremonial groundbreaking at Lafayette Regional Airport for a new terminal. The airport was constructed in the 1950’s and got a facelift in the 80’s, but after a record number of passengers in 2017, the expansion was considered necessary. Steven Picou, Executive Director of the airport, said the current terminal can’t be easily expanded, and the new one will be built with the future in mind. It will be 110,000 square feet, larger than the current 62,000 square foot terminal. Construction will take about two-and-a-half years. (Source: KLFY, 11/08/18) Lafayette is about two hours west of New Orleans on Interstate 10.

Brookley Terminal 1 in sight

MOBILE, Ala. – The Mobile Airport Authority Thursday gave conditional approval to two contracts for development of a terminal at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. What is being called “Terminal 1” would be used by low-cost carrier ViaAir and cost roughly $7 million - $5 million for the building and parking and the rest for FAA-required fencing and security. It would bring commercial passenger service to the complex near downtown Mobile in six months. The carrier plans to use Mobile Regional Airport, but wants to shift service to the downtown airport. It’s the first step towards what might eventually be the wholesale movement of passenger service from the Regional Airport to the downtown airport. The MAA chose remodeling an existing building now used by Airbus over building a temporary structure. (Source: al.com, 11/08/18) Previous

Stratolaunch tests pre-burner

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Stratolaunch said it successfully tested a component of its hydrogen-fuelled rocket engine with the pre-burner hot-fire test last week at NASA’s rocket engine test facility in South Mississippi. The pre-burner serves as the smaller of two combustion chambers in the hydrogen-fueled PGA rocket engine. The name PGA is from the initials of the company's founder Paul G. Allen, who recently passed away. The Microsoft co-founder launched the company with aerospace engineer and entrepreneur Burt Rutan in 2011 with the aim of providing flexible, low-cost access to space. Stratolaunch did not disclose how long Friday’s firing lasted, but the company said the duration and power levels of the preburner tests would be increased over the coming months. (Sources: Engadget, 11/07/18, Geekwire, 11/06/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $350M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $350,000,000 increase to an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) production support. Contractor will provide lifecycle support for all efforts related to JASSM, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, JASSM-Extended Range, and any JASSM variant in the areas of system upgrades, integration, production, sustainment, management and logistical support. Work will be performed in Orlando and is expected to be completed by April 17, 2022. This award is the result of sole-source acquisition. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8682-17-D-0002). (Source: DoD, 11/05/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $130.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aerospace Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $130,359,625 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive fee contract (N00019-18-C-1004) in support of the F35 Block 4 Pre-modernization Phase II effort. This modification provides for pre-modernization requirements decomposition and design work for Block 4.1 Partner participant weapon capabilities for maturation to an air system requirements review level of maturity. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force, Navy); and non-U.S. Department of Defense (non-U.S. DoD) participant funding in the amount of $90,505,737 will be obligated at time of award, $13,262,261 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($17,557,293; 13.5 percent); Navy ($14,223,730; 10.9 percent); Marine Corps ($14,223,730; 10.9 percent); and the non-U.S. DOD participants ($84,354,872; 64.7 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/02/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Airbus tech school in the works

POINT CLEAR, Ala. – Airbus is working towards creating a technical school of its own that would help provide it with the larger workforce it expects it will need with the ramp up of the A320 production line and the new A220 production line. The school was mentioned Thursday during the Aerospace Alliance Annual Summit in Point Clear. The summit, in its 10th year, is being held at the Grand Hotel. Neal Wade of the four-state Aerospace Alliance said in his opening remarks that surveys all point to education as a top critical need of the industry. Several speakers talked about the pressing need for workers, from pilots to mechanics. Stephanie Burt, director of Human Resources for the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility at the Mobile Aeroplex, said Airbus currently has 480 direct employees and will be hiring 400 to 500 workers for the new A220 assembly line and another 150 for the A320 line as production ramps up to meet customer demand. She said that at this point Airbus has enough qualified applicants, “but we know with 700 jobs that are going to saturate the market by us alone, we’re not going to be able to fill those jobs with the local population.” Airbus plans to create a technical school of its own, not to keep people away from four-year or two-year colleges, but to create more opportunities for the local and extended community who may not take the traditional college path. It would open next year. She said it’s not going to be a technical school in the traditional sense of a two-year college, but rather a place where someone who went to a two-year school could come and be assessed over a three- to five-week program to determine their skill level before being put in a position at the plant. Or, she said, “you come to us with nothing and in 12 weeks we have you capable to go out and do some OJT (on-the-job-training).” The summit continues Friday. (Source: Gulf Coast Reporters League, 11/01/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $64.3M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $64,290,305 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-18-C-1048) that exercises an option to procure one lot of F-35 training devices for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (47 percent); Sterling, Va. (28 percent); Wilsonville, Oregon (7 percent); Cleveland, Ohio (4 percent); Reston, Va. (4 percent); Alameda, Calif. (3 percent); London, United Kingdom (3 percent); Bristol, United Kingdom (2 percent); and Tampa, Fla. (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in July 2021. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $64,290,305 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/31/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $129.5M

Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded a $129,483,864 noncompetitive, cost-plus-incentive-fee and firm-fixed-price contract under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Under this new contract, the contractor will provide maintenance and sustainment for two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Batteries for UAE. The maintenance and sustainment scope of work includes software and hardware development, contractor logistics support, engineering services, and missile field surveillance. The work will be performed in Sunnyvale; Dallas, Texas; Huntsville, Ala.; Anniston, Ala.; Troy, Ala.; Lakeland, Fla.; and the United Arab Emirates, with an expected period of performance of Nov. 1, 2018, through July 2, 2021. One offer was solicited and one offer was received. UAE FMS funds in the amount of $129,483,864 will be used to fund this effort. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, is the contracting activity (HQ0147-19-C-5001). (Source: DoD, 10/31/18)

Contract: Multiple, $473M

ACR Technical Services Inc., Newport News, Va. (FA4890-19-D-1001); APRO International Inc. Vienna, Va. (FA4890-19-D-1002); Goldbelt C6 LLC, Chesapeake, Va. (FA4890-19-D-1003); Science and Management Resources Inc., Pensacola, Fla. (FA4890-19-D-1004); and Yulista Support Services LLC, Huntsville, Ala. (FA4890-19-D-1005), have been awarded a ceiling $473,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Air Force Enterprise Contracted Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratories Services II. This contract provides Air Combat Command, the Air National Guard, and other major command and combatant command customer management, supervision, personnel, equipment, tools, materials and other items necessary to perform equipment calibrations by professional and technical metrologists. Work will be performed at various Air Force bases in the continental U.S. and outside the continental U.S., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2028. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,300,000 will fund the current requirement. Headquarters Air Combat Command Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/30/18)

Contract: General Dynamics, $54.4M

General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $54,436,930 modification (P00023) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (W15QKN-15-D-0001). This modification provides integrated logistics support for multiple foreign military sales (FMS) customers using purchased Navy defense articles including weapon systems, various aircraft, and other components procured under FMS programs. Work will be performed at Patuxent River, Md. (52 percent); Philadelphia, Pa. (11 percent); Jacksonville, Fla. (2.5 percent); Pensacola, Fla. (1.5 percent); Mechanicsburg, Pa. (1 percent); various locations within the continental U.S. (4 percent); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (28 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/30/18)

MRO expansion MOU signed

ST Engineering and the city of Pensacola signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for additional maintenance, repair and overhaul hangars at Pensacola International Airport, adjacent to a 173,500 square-foot hangar that opened this summer. ST Engineering will invest $35 million in the $210 million project. The MOU was signed Oct. 27 in Singapore. Attending the signing was Mayor Ashton Hayward, Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh and FloridaWest chief executive officer Scott Luth. Under the agreement, ST Engineering and the City of Pensacola will develop the MRO complex over four years after the formalization of definitive agreements. The 655,000 square-foot design-to-build complex will consist of three state-of-the-art widebody aircraft hangars and an administration building. Since opening in June 2018, the current facility has already redelivered 25 aircraft. (Sources: ST Engineering, Pensacola News Journal, WEAR-TV, 10/29/18) Previous: Aero projects funding get preliminary OK; VT MAE has grand opening; Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter, August 2018, page 1

Tech park CRA eyed

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Setting up a Community Redevelopment Agency or business improvement district at the Fort Walton Beach Commerce and Technology Park could generate money to help pay for improvements, including more buildings, said City Manager Michael Beedie. The park is home to about 70 businesses, ranging from Fortune 100 companies such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin to local-based businesses like Props Craft Brewery and Fort Walton Machining. “When you have an aging asset and you’re not tuned into competitive realities, a great jewel can pass you by if you don’t try to chart a new path,” said Nathan Sparks, executive director of the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County. Beedie and Sparks said much of the park’s long-term future will be guided by its ongoing master plan, a draft version of which will be presented to the City Council on Nov. 13. Beedie anticipates the plan will be finalized by the end of this calendar year. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 10/28/18)

Task Force tours Tyndall

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Members of the Florida Defense Support Task Force toured Tyndall Air Force Base last week to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Michael. The base sustained considerable damage, but officials say Tyndall should be up and running by January. Jay Trumbull, state representative and chair for the task force, said the significant need at Tyndall will be met with a significant structural rebuild. The task force, which has an interest in all military installations in the state, offers support on a state level. Rep. Neal Dunn said the rebuild will mean a brand new Tyndall, updated to the needs of the 21st century. Currently around 35 percent of infrastructure on base has significant damage. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 10/28/18) Previous

Contract: Lockheed, $8.7M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $8,700,187 for cost-plus-fixed-fee order N0001919F0276 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides support services to design a non-Department of Defense (DoD) participant strategic facility in support of the F-35 aircraft. Work will be performed in Kansas City, Mo. (72 percent); and Fort Worth (28 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Non-DoD participant funds in the amount of $8,700,187 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/23/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Education focus of newsletter

The growing aerospace industry is facing a crisis with the aviation workforce failing to keep up with demand. Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, all seeking to increase their aerospace footprint, are all pushing efforts to improve their own training pipeline. So far, the aviation industry is getting what it needs, but they are rightfully concerned about the future. The Gulf Coast Aerospace Newsletter takes a look at the training pipeline in the four states in a special 36-page issue. (Source: Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter, 10/23/18)

F-22s damaged; command moved

More than a dozen F-22 Raptor fighters were damaged when Hurricane Michael hit Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The F-22s were trapped on the ground because they were in various states of maintenance and repair and had to ride out the Category 4 hurricane in hangars. As many as 17 of Tyndall’s F-22s might have sustained damage or been destroyed. Each F-22, a single-engine, single-seat fighter, costs $150 million. The rest of the F-22s based at Tyndall were sent to Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (Source: Popular Mechanics, 10/15/18) Meanwhile, headquarters of the First Air Force has shifted to Virginia because of the hurricane. The First Air Force is responsible for air security of the United States. The command will now be run out of Langley Air Force Base in Hampton. While the move is not permanent, it is expected to remain in Virginia for at least the rest of the year. (Source: Daily Beast, 10/15/18) Previous

Most F-35s resume flights

More than 80 percent of the fleet of F-35 fighter jets in the United States and around the world have cleared engine inspections and are now approved for flights, the Pentagon said on Monday. Last week, all U.S. and international F-35 fighter jets made by Lockheed Martin were grounded so that fuel tubes could be examined in the wake of a September crash in South Carolina.The Pentagon said it is working closely with United Technologies Corp's Pratt & Whitney, maker of the F-35's engine, to procure more parts to minimize the time it will take for remaining repairs. Jets found without issues were cleared to return to flight. The Air Force, Navy and Marines have more than 240 of the single-seat, single-engine fifth generation flighters. (Source: Reuters, NBCNews, 10/15/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center. Previous

F-35 grounded during crash probe

The Pentagon grounded all 245 U.S. Navy, Air Force and Marines F-35 fighters on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation into a jet that crashed in Beaufort, S.C., late last month. Eleven international partners who participated in the program also grounded most of their F-35s. A Navy aircraft mishap board is charged with overseeing the investigation, and they will be conducting a fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube inside the engine of the F-35 aircraft, according to military officials. Joe Dellavedova, director of public affairs for the F-35 program, said that they will remove and replace any fuel tubes they suspect might be problematic. Those planes that don't have the problem will be cleared to fly, he said, and they hope to have the inspections completed within 24 to 48 hours. (Source: NBCNews, CNN, 10/11/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center. Previous

RS-25 undergoes latest test

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – A team of operators conducted another successful 500-second RS-25 hot fire on the A-1 Test Stand at Stennis Space Center (SSC) in South Mississippi on Oct. 11, the fourth in a series that will extend into 2019. Once again, the hot fire features an acceptance test of an RS-25 engine controller for use on a future flight of NASA’s new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Four RS-25 engines, firing simultaneously, will provide a combined 2 million pounds of thrust to help launch the new rocket. NASA has been testing RS-25 engines at SSC for SLS use since early 2015. (Source: NASA/SSC, 10/11/18) Previous

Tyndall takes direct hit

Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Fla., home of F-22 training, took a direct hit from Hurricane Michael and suffered extensive damage Wednesday. No injuries were reported, but according to the base’s official Facebook page trees and power lines were downed and there was significant structural damage. The base was evacuated before the storm with only a skeleton staff remaining when the hurricane hit. The base, 12 miles southeast of Panama City and northwest of hard-hit Mexico Beach, is home of the 325th Fighter Wing and some 600 military families. As is common practice when hurricanes threaten, the base's aircraft were flown hundreds of miles away as a precaution before the hurricane hit. (Source: Stars and Stripes, 10/10/18) Meanwhile, Gulf Power reported Wednesday that during the peak of the Category 4 hurricane, about 26 percent of customers lost power. "The Gulf Power system held strong from Pensacola to Fort Walton Beach," said Gulf Power spokesman Jeff Rogers. "But the hardest hit areas around Panama City may need to be rebuilt from the ground up." (Source: Gulf Power, 10/19/18)

Contract: Orbital Sciences, $791M

Orbital Sciences Corp., Chandler, Ariz., has been awarded a $791,601,015 other-transaction agreement for the development of a Launch System Prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. This award is part of a portfolio of three agreements that leverage commercial launch solutions in order to have at least two domestic, commercial launch service providers that meet National Security Space requirements, including the launch of the heaviest and most complex payloads. This agreement requires shared cost investment for the development of the OmegA launch system. Work will be performed in Chandler; Magna and Promontory, Utah; Iuka, Miss.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Sandusky, Ohio; and Michoud (New Orleans), La., with launch facilities at Kennedy Space Center, Fla.; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.. The work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2024. This award is the result of a full and open competition. This agreement will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 through 2024 research, development, test and evaluation funds totaling a maximum of $791,601,015. Fiscal 2018 funds in the amount of $109,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8811-19-9-0002). (Source: DoD, 10/10/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $164M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, is being awarded a $164,000,000 contract modification (P00034) to previously awarded, sole-source, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed- fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract HQ0147-10-D-0001 for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Field Support Contract (TFSC). This modification will increase the total ceiling value from $561,200,000 to $725,200,000. The contractor will continue to perform the same effort under the general scope of the TFSC, which includes logistics performance requirements, forward stationing for theater support, logistics information capabilities, post deployment software support, product assurance, safety, missile support, security and engineering services. This modification will also incorporate the International Engineering Services Program and Field Surveillance Program activity. The work will be performed in Huntsville, Ala.; Sunnyvale, Calif.; Grand Prairie, Texas; and Troy, Ala.. The ordering period remains from March 25, 2010, through March 31, 2019. This contract was awarded under the sole-source authority pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations 6302-1, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements." No additional funds are being obligated by this modification; fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 operations and maintenance; and procurement funds will be obligated with execution of future task orders. No task orders are being issued at this time. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, is the contracting activity (HQ0147-10-D-0001). (Awarded Oct. 9, 2018). (Source: DoD, 10/10/18)

HT-18 command changes

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col Aaron Brunk turned over command of Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHTEEN (HT-18) to U.S. Navy Cmdr. Kenneth Kerr, during a change of command ceremony Friday at Naval Air Station Whiting Field Atrium. Under Brunk’s leadership HT-18 flew more than 29,000 flight hours in the completion of more than 16,700 sorties, with 217 student aviators successfully completing the Advanced Helicopter Flight Training syllabus and being designated as Naval Aviators during his command tour. (Source: Naval Air Station Whiting Field, 10/05/18)

New assignment

Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Becklund, who has been selected for the grade of major general, special assistant to the commander, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla., has been assigned as deputy commander, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field. (Source: DoD, 10/05/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $390.8M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $390,792,959 firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee contract for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) lot 16 production for 360 JASSM-extended range, three foreign military sales (FMS) separation text vehicles, one FMS flight test vehicle-live fire and tooling and test equipment. Work will be performed in Orlando and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. This award uses fiscal 2018 missile procurement funds and FMS funds. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8682-19-C-0009). (Source: DoD, 10/05/18)

Contract: Onvoi, $40M

Onvoi LLC, De Funiak Springs, Fla., has been awarded a $39,951,581 contract for base operating services at March Air Reserve Base, Calif. This contract provides for all personnel, supervision, equipment, tools, materials, supplies, test equipment, and other items and services necessary to accomplish supply, vehicle operations and maintenance, traffic management, real property maintenance, fuels management, and airfield management. Work will be performed at March ARB and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2023. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 10 offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,106,974 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Reserve Command Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA4664-19-C-0001). (Source: DoD, 10/04/18)

Contract: Boeing, $45M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded a $45,000,000 modification (P00011) to contract FA8681-14-D-0028 for Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) technical support and integration. Boeing will provide JDAM support for studies and analysis, product improvement, upgrades and integration. Work will be performed in St. Louis, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2019. No funds 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, 10/03/18)

Contract: COLSA, $69.6M

COLSA Corp., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $69,618,375 modification (P00039) to contract FA2486-16-F-0031 for Technical and Management Advisory Services Command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR)/cyber support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Hanscom AFB, Mass.; Gunter Annex, Ala.; Patrick AFB, Fla.; Edwards AFB, Calif.; Scott AFB, Ill.; Robins AFB, Ga.; Beale AFB, Calif.; Hill AFB, Utah; Langley AFB, Va.; and San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. This modification involves foreign military sales to Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Morocco, NATO, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds; production funds; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $17,165,708 will be obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $183,437,730. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/01/18)

Contract: M1 Support, $12M

M1 Support Services, Denton, Texas, has been awarded a $12,047,564 modification (A00032) to contract FA3002-15-C-0006 for trainer maintenance services. Work will be performed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2019. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $76,720,526. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,023,939 will be obligated at the time of award. The 82nd Contracting Squadron, Sheppard AFB, is the administrative contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/01/18)

Contract: Northrop, $10M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum Heights, Md., has been awarded a $9,967,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for spare equipment, on-site technical support, repairs, upgrades, and travel. This contract provides for spare parts and technical services to support F-35 Reprogramming Labs. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla; and Linthicum Heights and is expected to be complete by Sept. 27, 2023. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $267,487 are being obligated on the first task order at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Specialized Contracting Branch, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2487-18-D-0006). (Source: DoD, 09/28/18)

Contract: Northrop, $7.7M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.-Amherst Systems Inc., Buffalo, N.Y., has been awarded a $7,680,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for spare equipment, on-site technical support, repairs, upgrades, and travel. This contract provides for spare parts and technical services to support F-35 reprogramming labs. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; and in Buffalo and is expected to be completed by Sept. 28, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $493,741 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Specialized Contracting Branch, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2487-18-D-0004). (Source: DoD, 09/28/18)

Contract: Telspan Data, $46.2M

Telspan Data LLC, Concord, Calif., has been awarded a $46,183,433 basic indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for air data recorders (ADR), ground recorder systems (GRS), data replay systems (DRS) and support services. The contract provides for spare equipment, support services, and improvement of ADR, GRS, and DRS capabilities for use by the operational and test communities in support of the Air Force Test mission. Work will be performed in Concord and multiple continental U.S. military installations, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 28, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,795,985 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Specialized Contracting Branch, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2487-18-D-0016). (Source: DoD, 09/28/18)

Contract: Cherokee Nation, $22M

Cherokee Nation Management and Consulting LLC, Catoosa, Okla., has been awarded a $22,000,000 indefinitely-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for civil engineering support services. The contract provides for responsive, flexible full-spectrum installation engineering services including installation engineer technical assistance (requirement planning, development, execution) and other support. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by 2023. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,264,651 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-18-D-0010). (Source: DoD, 09/28/18)

Contract: Webb Electric, $16.5M

Webb Electric Co. of Florida Inc., Pensacola, Fla., has been awarded a $16,460,695 firm-fixed-price in support of the Airfield Lighting Phase 1&2 construction project. This contract provides all plant, labor, materials, equipment, transportation and supervision necessary to repair Scott Air Force Base, Ill., degraded airfield lighting. Work will be performed at Scott AFB and is expected to be completed November 2019. The award is the result of a source-selection acquisition with five offers received. Fiscal 2018 funds in the amount of $16,460,695 will be obligated at the time of award. 375th Contracting Squadron, Scott AFB, is the contracting activity (FA4407-18-R-0003). (Source: DoD, 09/28/18)

Contract: Speegle, $8M

Speegle Construction Inc., Niceville, Fla., was awarded an $8,007,902 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of a new 10,134 sq. ft. two-story addition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Eglin Air Force Base with an estimated completion date of July 29, 2020. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $8,007,902 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-18-C-0026). (Source: DoD, 09/28/18)

Contract: BCI, $13.7M

BCI Construction USA Inc., Pace, Fla., was awarded a $13,731,375 firm-fixed-price contract for headworks intake lifting equipment. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Lancaster, Tenn.; Celina, Tenn.; and Jamestown, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 15, 2020. Fiscal 2018 river and harbor contributed funds in the amount of $13,731,375 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville, Tenn., is the contracting activity (W912P5-18-C-0019). (Source: DoD, 09/28/18)

F-35 crashes, pilot ejects

The U.S. military suffered its first crash of an F-35 when a Corps F-35B went down Friday at 11:45 a.m. outside Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C. The pilot safely ejected. The cause was not specified and the incident is under investigation. The aircraft, which cost more than $100 million, belonged to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, which trains Marine pilots for combat with the F-35. (Source: Washington Post, 09/28/18) In unrelated F-35 news earlier in the week, the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s 65,000-ton re-entry into carrier aviation, marked a historic moment Tuesday when Royal Navy Commander Nathan Gray and Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Andy Edgell touched down the first F-35B on the deck of the aircraft carrier The ship was on patrolling the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. They were the first two British pilots to land on a British aircraft carrier in eight years and it marked the beginning of the Royal Navy’s developmental trials slated to last about two months. (Source: Defense News, 09/28/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center. Previous

Contract: UTC, $209.6M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded $209,601,517 for modification P00002 to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-18-C-1021) for additional long-lead materials, parts, and components in support of F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production Lot 13 propulsion systems. This modification is in support of Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford (67 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (26.5 percent); and Bristol, United Kingdom (6.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy); non-DoD participant, and FMS funds in the amount of $209,601,517 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($73,537,179; 35 percent); Marine Corps ($35,477,475; 17 percent); Navy ($21,888,984; 10 percent); non-DoD participants ($41,929,486; 20 percent); and FMS customers ($36,768,394; 18 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: UTC, $39.3M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded $39,266,691 for modification P00008 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm target, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-17-C-0020). This modification provides for additional long lead-time components, parts, and materials in support of Lot 13 F-35 Lightning II propulsion systems in support of the Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy; non-Department of Defense (DoD); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford (67 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (26.5 percent); and Bristol, United Kingdom (6.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy); non-DoD participant; and FMS funds in the amount of $30,439,813 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Marine Corps ($29,054,685; 73.99 percent); Air Force ($582,821; 1.49 percent); Navy ($109,186; 0.28 percent); non-U.S. DoD participants ($9,228,392; 23.50 percent); and FMS customers ($291,607; 0.74 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Bell-Boeing, $10.8M

Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is awarded $10,810,033 for cost-plus-fixed-fee modification P00019 to a previously issued delivery order 0096 placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-12-G-0006 to procure 12 additional MV-22 Integrated Aircraft Survivability Equipment (IASE) retrofit A-Kits Block C; 12 MV-22 IASE retrofit kit installations; IASE configuration B retrofit A and B-Kit installation; and five CV-22 IASE advanced mission computer A-Kits. Work will be performed at Ridley Park, Pa. (81.9 percent); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (17.7 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (.4 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2020. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy and Air Force) funds in the amount of $10,810,033 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($9,577,130; 88 percent); and Air Force ($1,232,903; 12 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/18)

Contract: Arete Associates, $40.4M

Aretè Associates Inc., Northridge, Calif., is awarded a $40,378,366, firm-fixed-priced, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity requirements contract to provide coastal battlefield reconnaissance and analysis (COBRA) systems, COBRA program systems support, and provisioned item orders/spares for the AN/DVS-1 COBRA Block 1 System. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $93,000,000. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. (35 percent); Destin, Fla. (35 percent); and Santa Rosa, Calif. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2021. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $16,618,453 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(5), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-5(c)(2): Authorized or Required by Statutes, this is a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract award that is derived from, extends, or logically concludes efforts performed under prior SBIR contract N61331-11-C-0007. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity (N61331-18-D-0012). (Source: DoD, 09/27/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $29.3M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $29,254,101 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001918F2494 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides for the procurement of various diminishing manufacturing sources parts to protect deliveries for future F-35 Lightning II lots. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in February 2019. Fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps); non-Department of Defense (DoD) participant; and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $29,254,101 will be obligated at time of award, $10,589,608 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Air Force ($6,353,410; 21.72 percent); Marine Corps ($3,128,028; 10.69 percent); Navy ($1,108,170; 3.79 percent); non-DoD participants ($12,181,209; 41.64 percent); and FMS customers ($6,483,284; 22.16 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $116.3M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $116,311,183 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001918F2048 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020) for the procurement of 440 low-rate initial production 11 Generation 3 Helmet Mounted Display Systems, oxygen masks, and initial spares in support of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the Air Force (180); Navy (60); Marine Corps (69); non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants (119); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers (12). Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in October 2020. Fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps); fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force and Navy); fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy and Marine Corps); non-DoD participant, and FMS funds in the amount of $116,311,183 are being obligated at time of award, $70,826,314 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force ($47,120,086; 40.5 percent); Navy ($15,711,725; 13.5 percent); Marine Corps ($18,944,511; 16.3 percent); non-DoD participant ($31,599,088; 27.2 percent); and FMS customers ($2,935,773; 2.5 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $315.8M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $315,773,716 for modification P00004 to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive firm contract (N0001918C1048) to procure support equipment for F-35 Lightning low-rate initial production Lot XI aircraft in support of the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (31 percent); Redondo Beach, Calif. (25 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (13 percent); Hartford, Conn. (12 percent); Melbourne, Australia (8 percent); Rome, Italy (4 percent); Franklin, Ohio (4 percent); and Chatsworth, Calif. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2023. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2017 and 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy); fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps); and non-DoD Participant funds in the amount of $315,773,716 are being obligated at time of award, $29,911,537 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force ($108,665,198; 34.41 percent); Navy ($31,062,358; 9.84 percent); Marine Corps ($5,186,434; 1.64 percent); and non-DoD participants ($170,859,726; 54.11 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Calculex, $46.6M

Calculex Inc., Las Cruces, N.M., has been awarded a $46,623,715 basic indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Air Data Recorders (ADR) and support services. The contract provides for spare equipment, support services, and improvement of ADR capabilities for use by the operational and test communities in support of the Air Force Test mission. Work will be performed in Las Cruces and multiple continental U.S. military installations, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 27, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $282,795 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2487-18-F-2325). (Source: DoD, 09/27/18)

U.S. F-35 used in combat

The United States used an F-35 jet – a Marine Corps F-35B – against a Taliban target in Afghanistan on Thursday, marking the first U.S. combat use of the stealthy plane. The F-35B jet took off from the Wasp-class USS Essex (LHD 2) amphibious assault ship in the Arabian Sea in support of ground clearance operations. The F-35, made by Lockheed Martin Co, comes in three variants - the F-35A conventional take-off and landing model, the F-35B, a short take-off/vertical landing version, and the F-35C, used aboard aircraft carriers. In May, Israel became the first country to use the U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighter in combat. (Sources: Reuters, Naval Forces Central Command, Popular Mechanics, 09/27/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Boeing wins T-X contract

The Boeing-Saab partnership has won a $9.2 billion contract to produce the next generation of Air Force training jets. The contract will allow the Air Force to buy up to 475 aircraft and 120 simulators, the Air Force said in a Sept. 27 statement, although the current plan is to buy 351 T-X aircraft, 46 simulators and associated ground equipment. Initial operating capability is planned by the end of fiscal 2024, with the first simulators arriving at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, in 2023. Full operational capability is projected for 2034. Saab promised that, should the partnership emerge victorious, it would build a new plant in the United States for its T-X work, although a location has not been announced. The other two teams competing for the contract were Leonardo DRS and Lockheed Martin. DRS’ T-100 is based on the Leonardo M-346 trainer, and the company announced its intention to do structural subassembly, final assembly and check out of the aircraft in Tuskegee, Ala., where it would build a new $200 million facility. Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries wanted to build a modified version of KAI’s T-50. Lockheed said that its T-50A would be built in Greenville, S.C., where it also plans to fabricate the F-16 in the future. (Sources: Defense News, Boeing, 09/27/18) Previous