Eglin preparing for F-15EX

Boeing building eight F-15EX fighters
Air Force photo

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - In less than a year, Eglin Air Force Base will take possession of two new F-15EX fighters, which are expected to roll off the production line in early 2021. Eglin’s 40th Flight Test Squadron will take possession of the first new fighter, EX1, and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron will receive EX2. The Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force at Eglin will manage the developmental and operational testing, which will be conducted at the same time by squadron air crews and testers, the release said. “The time has come to upgrade the aging F-15C/D fleet and that presents itself in the form of F-15EX, the most advanced F-15 ever created,” said Maj. Brett Hughes, 40th FLTS lead F-15EX DT pilot. Initial testing is expected to take a year and a half. The F-15 first entered service in 1976. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 07/28/20)

Contract: AC Inc., $27.4M

AC Inc., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $27,403,200 firm-fixed-price contract for Standoff Precision Guided Munitions (SOPGM) shipping containers. This contract provides for manufacture and delivery of SOPGM containers to various locations for various munitions. Work will be performed in Huntsville and is expected to be completed July 30, 2025. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 procurement research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,265,600 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-20-D-0023). (Source: DoD, 07/30/20)

Contract: Becton, Dickinson, $24.8M

Becton, Dickinson and Co., Sparks, Md., has been awarded a $24,281,829 contract for Veritor point-of-care COVID-19 test kit production expansion initiative to establish additional domestic manufacturing capabilities. Work will be performed in Sparks and is expected to be completed Feb. 28, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act under the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-20-C-0025). (Source: DoD, 07/30/20)

Contract: Applied Research, $17.6M

Applied Research Associates, Albuquerque, N.M., has been awarded a $17,600,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Lethality, Vulnerability and Survivability (LVS) 2020 effort. This contract provides for research and development for new LVS models and methodologies, thus allowing analysts to assess concept weapons against existing and developing targets. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed July 30, 2025. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $100,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin AFB, is the contracting activity (FA8651-20-D-0041). (Source: DoD, 07/30/20)

Blue Angels get Super Hornet

PENSACOLA, Fla. - On Monday morning, the first painted Super Hornet arrived at Naval Air Station Pensacola. It was delivered from Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fla., where a lot of Super Hornet transitional maintenance and training takes place. The F/A-18 Super Hornet was flown into Pensacola by Capt. Eric Doyle, director of the Blue Angels Super Hornet Transition Team. The entire 11-jet Super Hornet fleet should arrive at NAS Pensacola before the end of the year. The new jets are on schedule to replace the current F/A-18 Legacy Hornets and begin officially flying for the Blues in April 2021. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 07/28/20)

Contract: Advanced Concepts, $43M

Advanced Concepts Enterprises Inc., Shalimar, Fla., has been awarded a $43,099,833 firm-fixed-price contract for command and control contract academic training, courseware development and distance learning training program. This contract provides services for training support/mission system interface and staff support services to the Control and Reporting Center, Battle Control Center, Air Operations Center and Tactical Air Control Party missions at various locations. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $43,099,834. Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2025. This award is a result of a 100% small business set-aside competitive acquisition and six offers were received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $943,015 are being obligated at time of award for the phase-in period. Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity (FA4890-20-C-0013). (Source: DoD, 07/23/20)

Contract: Multiple, $14B

AECOM Management Services Inc., Germantown, Md. (FA3002-20-D-0012); AKIMA Logistics Services LLC, Herndon, Va. (FA3002-20-D-0013); DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas (FA3002-20-D0010); Jacobs Technology Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (FA3022-20-D-0014); Leidos Inc., Reston, Va. (FA3002-20-D-0011); M1 Support Services LP, Denton, Texas (FA3002-20-D-0015); PAE Services LLC, Arlington, Va. (FA3002-20-D-0016); and Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Mo. (FA3002-20-D-0017), have been awarded a maximum $14,000,000,000 multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for Aircraft Maintenance Enterprise Solution -- a strategic sourcing vehicle for Air Force-wide contracted aircraft maintenance. The contractors will provide all organizational-level maintenance services for all aircraft listed in each individual task order performance work statement, which can include any aircraft platform (excluding rotary wing, tiltrotor and remotely piloted aircraft). Because this is an IDIQ, the location of performance is not known at this time and will be cited on individual task orders. Generally, work will be performed at government facilities and is expected to be completed Sept. 14, 2030. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with 19 offers received. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Installation Contracting Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-19-R-A001). (Source: DoD, 07/22/20)

Hangar deal moves forward

Space Florida, the state’s aerospace economic development agency, approved development of agreements for $35 million in financing and lease arrangements with the company that will provide new training helicopters for Naval Air Station Whiting Field. The agreements will cover $20 million for construction of a 100,000-square-foot maintenance, repair and overhaul hangar, and an additional $15 million in equipment and tooling. It will be provided by Space Florida through a lease-back arrangement with AgustaWestland Philadephia Corp., according to Matt Chesnut, director of business and economic development for Space Florida. Plans call for the facility to be in place by the middle of next year, according to Chesnut. The maintenance facility will be at Whiting Aviation Park, adjacent to NAS Whiting Field. The facility is expected to bring 50 new jobs to Santa Rosa County, each with an average annual salary of $42,000, according to Space Florida. AgustaWestland is part of Italy's Leonardo, which in January was awarded a $176.4 million contract to provide the Navy with an initial order of 32 new TH-73A training helicopters, derived from the TH-119. Whiting Field is currently using the Bell TH-57. (Sources: Pensacola News Journal, 07/18/20) Previous

Contract: Raytheon, $375M

Raytheon Co. Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $375,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a miniature self-defense missile. The contract provides for the research and development of a flight-test ready missile. The first task order is $93,380,234. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by October 2023. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $26,712,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8651-20-D-0001) (Source: DoD, 07/21/20)

Contract: Lockheed, $861.7M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $861,731,778 modification (P00040) to previously-awarded fixed-price incentive (firm target), firm-fixed-price contract N00019-17-C-0001. This modification exercises options to procure eight Lot 14 F-35A Lightning II repositioned aircraft as a result of the Republic of Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program, and six Lot 14 F-35A aircraft for the Air Force. Additionally, this modification establishes undefinitized line items that provides recurring engineering in support of the modification of the eight Lot 14 F-35A Lightning II repositioned aircraft to a full operationally capable F-35A Air Force configuration. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (63%); El Segundo, Calif. (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Orlando, Fla. (4%); Nashua, N.H. (3%); Baltimore, Md. (3%); San Diego, Calif. (2%); various locations within the continental U.S. (1.3%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (0.7%). Work is expected to be completed by May 2026. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds for $848,881,778 will be obligated at time of award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/20/20) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Vanguard Pacific, $7.3M

Vanguard Pacific LLC, Foley, Ala., has been awarded a $7,304,129 firm-fixed-price contract for protective coating and sign maintenance. This contract provides for airfield rubber removal, striping of airfield, streets and parking lots, protective coating and sign maintenance. Work will be performed at Joint Base Andrews, Md., and Davidsonville and Brandywine communications sites, and is expected to be completed Aug. 4, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive service disabled veteran owned small business set aside acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,776 are being obligated at the time of award. The 316th Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md., is the contracting activity (FA2860-20-D-0003). (Source: DoD, 07/20/20)

Contract: Leidos, $30M

Leidos Inc., Arlington, Va., has been awarded a ceiling $30,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for high speed attack munitions research. The first task order will be for a $341,500 award under task order FA8651-20-F-1011. The five-year contract will support research and development, advancing state of the art in weapons airframe research to explore the impacts of complex flight environments on advanced weapon systems. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed August 2021 for the initial task order. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $325,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA8651-20-D-0011). (Source: DoD, 07/17/20)

Contract: Lockheed, $935.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $935,530,602 contract, which consists of an $895,531,143 not-to-exceed cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm, firm-fixed-price undefinitized line item; and a $39,999,459 cost-plus-incentive-fee definitized line item. The undefinitized line items procure support equipment, autonomic logistics information system hardware, training systems, site activations and integrated contractor support for the F-35 Lightning II. Additionally, definitized line items on this contract support tasking that will result in improvements to the reliability, availability, maintainability and total ownership cost of the F-35 Lightning II for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (76%); Fort Worth (10%); Redondo Beach, Calif. (9%); Owego, N.Y. (4%); and Samlesbury, United Kingdom (1%), and is expected to be completed by March 2026. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $205,656,772; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $153,835,313; non-DOD participant funds in the amount of 279,748,427; and FMS funds in the amount of $62,479,903 will be obligated at time of award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-20-C-0032). (Source: DoD, 07/17/20) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center.

Contract: Blue Tarpon, $45M

Blue Tarpon Construction LLC, Gulf Breeze, Fla., was awarded a $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for rapid-response temporary roofing projects in the event of an emergency. Bids were solicited via the internet with 16 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2027. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-20-D-0035). (Surce: DoD, 07/14/20)

Contract: Boeing, $22.9B

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded a $22,890,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (FA8634-20-D-2704). The first delivery order has been awarded as an undefinitized contract action with a total not-to-exceed value, including options, of $1,192,215,413. It is a cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price effort for the F-15EX system. This delivery order (FA8634-20-F-0022) provides for design, development, integration, manufacturing, test, verification, certification, delivery, sustainment and modification of F-15EX aircraft, as well as spares, support equipment, training materials, technical data and technical support. Work will be performed in St. Louis and at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2023. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $248,224,746; and fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $53,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/13/20)

Contract: Speegle, $10.3M

Speegle Construction Inc., Niceville, Fla., was awarded a $10,373,085 firm-fixed-price contract to construct two new facilities at Eglin Air Force Base. Bids were solicited via the internet with 10 received. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $10,373,085 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-20-C-0020). (Source: DoD, 07/10/20)

Blue Angels opt out of air show

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Navy's Blue Angels have decided to opt out of the July 8-11 Pensacola Beach Air Show. Usually a two-day event, it was spread out over four days to allow for more social distancing. Organizers say the flight demonstration team canceled due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. The Santa Rosa Island Authority said it had received a statement from the Blue Angels that said in part that "canceling our flights during the Pensacola Beach Air Show is the only way we can ensure the safety of our community we love so much." (Source: al.com, 07/02/20)

Contract: Raytheon, $495M

Raytheon Missiles Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $495,058,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) program support and annual sustainment. The contractor will provide non-warranty repairs, program support, contractor logistics support and service life prediction program analysis supporting the AMRAAM weapon system. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed June 30, 2026. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. No funds are being obligated on the action at the time of award. Concurrently, the first task order will be awarded with $989,450 in fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-20-D-0020). (Source: DoD, 07/01/20)

Contract: Raytheon, $27M

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $27,054,192 firm-fixed-price modification (P00004) to contract FA8675-20-C-0033 for the advanced medium range air-to-air missile program obsolescence. This modification provides for a life of type procurement of known obsolete component in support of production and sustainment through the program of record and foreign military sales procurements. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2021. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Poland, Qatar, Romania and Spain. Air Force fiscal 2020 missile procurement funds in the amount of $8,810,304; Navy fiscal 2020 weapons procurement funds in the amount of $5,277,696; and FMS funds in the amount of $12,966,192 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, 07/01/20)

Contract: Aircraft Svcs, $17.6M

Aircraft Services Alliance LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded a $17,550,227 firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, no-fee-requirements contract for on-site depot support. This contract provides on-site depot support (OSDS) program for labor services to accomplish on-site depot level maintenance and modification work on all Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) C-130 weapons systems and sub-systems. OSDS supports multiple AFSOC customers to provide timely and high quality active weapon system maintenance worldwide. Work will be performed at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive small business set-aside with a basic solicitation and four offers were received. Fiscal 2020 through 2025 operations and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2020 through 2025 Air National Guard funds will finance this contract. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8509-20-D-0013). (Source: DoD, 07/01/20)

Contract: Vision Building, $9.7M

Vision Building Energy Efficiency LLC, Austin, Texas, has been awarded a $9,700,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) recommissioning and energy optimization services (REOS). This contract provides for HVAC REOS to support base-level civil engineers. Work will be performed at Air Force facilities throughout the U.S. and is expected to be completed June 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The 772nd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8051-20-D0009). (Source: DoD, 07/01/20)

Contract: Sierra Nevada, $700M

Sierra Nevada Corp., Centennial, Colo., was awarded a $700,000,000 fixed-price-award-fee, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, time-and-materials and cost-reimbursement-no-fee contract (H92408-20-C-0004) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the development and procurement of Radio Frequency Countermeasure (RFCM) systems. The systems will be integrated onto AC-130J Ghostrider and MC-130J Commando II aircraft operated by Air Force Special Operations Command to help protect aircrews from air- and land-based enemy radar and missile systems. The contract includes RFCM system engineering services, logistics support and spare parts. Funds in the amount of $87,929,352 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract is funded with research, development, test and evaluation appropriation for fiscal 2020; and procurement appropriation for fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020. The under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment determined requirements of Title 10, U.S. Code 2371b (d) were met and approved the use of the authority of Section 2371b as essential to meet critical national security objectives. USSOCOM, Tampa, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/01/20)

Contract: UTC, $21.2M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $21,227,308 modification (P00021) to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract N00019-18-C-1021. This modification exercises an option to procure additional Lot 15 F135 propulsion systems long lead components, parts and materials in support of the Navy, the Marine Corps and the governments of the United Kingdom and Italy’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind. (80%); and Bristol, United Kingdom (20%), and is expected to be completed by November 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,171,706; and non-Department of Defense participant funds in the amount $6,055,602 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, 07/01/20) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center.

SLS core stage avionics checked

SLS Core stage on B-2 stand
NASA photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - The flight computers and avionics of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s core stage for the Artemis I mission were powered on and have completed a thorough systems checkout. The test used Green Run software developed for the test and loaded in the flight computers for the first time. The SLS avionics power on and checkout was the second of eight tests in the Green Run test series at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, where the core stage is installed in the B-2 Test Stand. The test steadily brought the core stage flight hardware, which controls the rocket’s first eight minutes of flight, to life for the first time. The core stage will provide more than 2 million pounds of thrust to help launch Artemis I, the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to the Moon through NASA’s Artemis program. (Source: NASA/Stennis Space Center, 07/01/20)