Contract: Multiple, $750M

ABBA Construction Inc., Jacksonville, Fla. (FA2521-21-D-0004); Alen Construction Group, Davie, Fla. (FA2521-21-D-0005); APC Construction, Harvey, La. (FA2521-21-D-0006); CORE Engineering & Construction Inc., Winter Park, Fla. (FA2521-21-D-0007); Doyon Management Services LLC, Federal Way, Wash. (FA2521-21-D-0008); General Mechanical Corp (Oneida), Daytona Beach, Fla. (FA2521-21-D-0009); Healtheon Inc., New Orleans, La. (FA2521-21-D-0010); Ivey’s Construction Inc., Merritt Island, Fla.  (FA2521-21-D-0011); Justin J. Reeves LLC, Houma, La. (FA2521-21-D-0012); and Klutina Rivers Construction/AHTNA-CDM JV, Irvine, Calif. (FA2521-21-D-0013), have each been awarded a ceiling $750,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for installation infrastructure repair and/or construction. These contracts provide for a full range of design, construction and engineering activities necessary to meet Space Force and other customer requirements. Work will be performed at Patrick Space Force Base (SFB), Fla.; Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla.; Kennedy Space Center, Fla.; and other 45th Space Wing units geographically separated throughout Florida. Work is expected to be completed May 2, 2031. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 59 offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,000 per contract are being obligated at the time of award. The 45th Contracting Squadron, Patrick SFB, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/30/21)

Contract: Raytheon, $212.7M

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $212,701,232 fixed-price-incentive-firm contract for StormBreaker® (SDBII, GBU-53/B) production Lot 7. This contract provides for all up rounds and containers. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed Feb. 28, 2025. This contract involves classified Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 Air Force missile procurement funds in the amount of $129,698,826; fiscal 2021 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $43,508,956; and FMS funding in the amount of $39,493,450 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8672-21-C-0005). (Source: DoD, 04/30/21)

Contract: Systima, $45M

Systima Technologies Inc., Kirkland, Wash., has been awarded a $45,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Standoff Precision Guided Munitions and Precision Strike Capability products and support. This contract provides for Precision Strike Capability products and services in support of integration, test, training, and operational efforts for the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Army, Marine, Navy, and Air Force units through USSOCOM Detachment-1. Work will be performed in Kirkland, Wash., and is expected to be completed April 30, 2026. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $841,981 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-21-D-0001). (Source: DoD, 04/30/21)

Contract: Multiple, $10M

Aecom Technical Services Inc., Los Angeles, Calif. (W91278-21-D-0048); HDR Engineering Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo. (W91278-21-D-0049); and WSP USA Solutions Inc., Washington, D.C. (W91278-21-D-0050), will compete for each order of the $9,999,999 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2026. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/30/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $57.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $57,364,337 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N0001919C0010). This modification adds scope to provide for the integration, testing and initial certification of the Norwegian Joint Strike Missile on the F-35A aircraft. Additionally, this modification provides early software development efforts to implement universal armament interface revision-five architecture in support of the United Kingdom’s Select Precision Effects At-Range Capability Three on the F-35B aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in July 2024. Non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $57,364,337 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, 04/30/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: ACE Engineering, $20M

ACE Engineering Inc., Ontario, Calif. is awarded a maximum-value $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for paving projects located within the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast area of operations. An initial task order is being awarded at $59,631 for repairs to Davis Road at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by June 2021. All work on this contract will be performed in Pensacola (50%); Milton, Fla. (20%); naval operational support centers and naval outlying landing fields located in Florida and Alabama (20%); and Panama City, Fla. (10%), and is expected to be completed by April 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $59,631 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.sam.gov website, with two proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-21-D-0028). (Source: DoD, 04/30/21)

10th U.S.-made A220 delivered

Airbus this week delivered its 10th U.S-made A220 from its assembly plant in Mobile, Ala., this one an A220-300 to JetBlue. The plane (registration: N3023J) is the second A220 in JetBlue’s fleet after the carrier received its first U.S-made A220 in December. The first U.S-made A220 delivery went to Delta Air Lines in October 2020, which also received the next four A220s. The Mobile Airbus campus, which also builds A320 passenger jets, started producing the A220 in August 2019. (Source: SimpleFlying, 04/29/21) Previous

ECP sees third busiest month

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - Business is picking up at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). According to the latest information released by ECP officials, March was the third-busiest month in the airport's history, boasting a more than 100 percent increase in passengers compared to March 2020. It also was a 12 percent increase from March 2019 and an almost 42 percent increase from March 2018, before Hurricane Michael devastated the Panhandle and the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the nation. ECP officials said March's total passenger count was 129,066, compared to 64,398 in March 2020; 115,215 in March 2019; and 90,896 in March 2018. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 04/30/21)

Bill Nelson to head of NASA

Former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida was confirmed as the new head of NASA in a unanimous Senate vote Thursday. Nelson faced questions and bipartisan support last week in a meeting of the Senate commerce, science and transportation committee in which he discussed continuing the Artemis program to send humans back to the moon as well as reinvigorate Earth science missions. Nelson, who once flew on the space shuttle when he was in the U.S. House, takes over for interim administrator Steve Jurczyk, who has been leading NASA since Jim Bridenstine stepped down when President Biden was inaugurated in January. Nelson, 78, lost out in his re-election bid to the Senate in 2018 to then Gov. Rick Scott. Nelson first won his Senate seat in 2000. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/29/21) Gulf Coast note: NASA has operations in Bay St. Louis, Miss., and New Orleans.

Contract: Raytheon, $16.5M

Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $16,457,008 firm-fixed-price modification (P00013) to contract FA8675-20-C-0033 for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) program for Gordian Knot (GK) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) life-of-type buy. This effort provides for a life-of-type procurement of GK ASIC in support of production and sustainment through the AMRAAM program of record. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed May 31, 2023. This contract involves unclassified Foreign Military Sales to Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Poland, and Qatar. Air Force fiscal 2020 missile procurement funds in the amount of $4,007,037; Navy fiscal 2020 weapons procurement funds in the amount of $4,248,005; and FMS funds in the amount of $8,201,966 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, 04/29/21)

RS-25 testing continues

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted a long-duration RS-25 single-engine test Wednesday, continuing its seven-part test series to support development and production of engines for future missions of the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Operators fired the Aerojet Rocketdyne engine for almost 11 minutes on the A-1 Test Stand. RS-25 tests at Stennis Space Center are conducted by an integrated team, including NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Syncom Space Services, the prime contractor of Stennis facilities and operations. (Source: NASA/SSC, 04/28/21)

Mobile-built A220 enters service

JetBlue Airways’ first Airbus A220-300 has entered service. The new jet officially started scheduled operations with a revenue flight from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Tampa International Airport (TPA). JetBlue’s outfits the A220 with 140 seats in a three-class configuration. The aircraft is set to operate between the U.S. Northeast and Florida for the next several weeks. The first Airbus A220 jet for JetBlue, built in Mobile, Ala., was handed over in December 2020. Ultimately, the aircraft type will replace the existing regional jet fleet of 60 Embraer E190. Once complete, it will make JetBlue an all-Airbus operator. The rest of its fleet consists of the A320 family. (Sources: multiple, including New York Business Journal, International Flight Network, 04/27/21) Previous

Fire Scout crashes into LCS

PACIFIC OCEAN - An MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the side of the San Diego-based Littoral Combat Ship USS Charleston (LCS-18) after taking off from the ship during a routine training mission, the Navy said. The rotary-wing UAV was operating from the ship around 9:40 a.m. when the collision happened in the western Pacific, according to a U.S. 3rd Fleet news release. The UAV fell into the sea and was not recovered. The incident damaged a safety net on the ship and struck the hull. Damage appears limited to an area above the waterline. Nobody was injured and the LCS continued to safely operate after the incident. The cause is under investigation. (Source: multiple, including USNI, Associated Press, 04/27/21) Gulf Coast note: The USS Charleston was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala.; The Fire Scout is built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

Contract: BAE, $19.4M

BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Minneapolis, Minn., is awarded a $19,395,557 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-only contract (N00024-21-C-5393) for MK 41 Vertical Launching System mechanical design agent services to provide design and system engineering support, logistics, and ship/missile integration services. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $164,527,911. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (86%); and the governments of Japan (11%); Finland (1%); Germany (1%); and the Republic of Korea (1%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Minneapolis (42%); Norfolk, Va. (18%); San Diego, Calif., (18%); Aberdeen, S.D. (9%); Bath, Maine (6%); Pascagoula, Miss. (6%); and Redzikowo, Poland (1%), and is expected to be completed by April 2022. If all options are exercised, work will continue through April 2026. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,088,275 (39%); fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,000,000 (37%); Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Japan funds in the amount $773,665 (14%); and fiscal 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $500,000 (10%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities beta.sam.gov website, with two offers received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/28/21)

Contract: Bell Textron, $8M

Bell Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $7,999,391 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides engineering and technical field services for the H-1 aircraft to include airframes, avionics, electrical power plant systems and associated equipment, on and off-site proficiency training, technical and unusually complex technical guidance in support of the Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Center. Work will be performed at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. (50%); New Orleans, La. (25%); and Kaneohe, Hawaii (25%), and is expected to be completed in April 2026. 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N6893621D0012). (Source: DoD, 04/28/21)

Contract: Central Lake, $7.7M

Central Lake Armor Express Inc., Central Lake, Mich., is awarded a $7,701,807 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification to previously-awarded contract N61331-20-D-0010 for Maritime Armor Systems to support the Antiterrorism Afloat Equipage Program. This modification will increase the contract value up to a maximum of $19,715,207. Work will be performed in Central Lake and is expected to be completed by May 2022. No funding will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/28/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $22.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $22,500,165 modification (P00005) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001920C0026). This modification adds scope to provide support required to establish the common reprogramming tool development network and selection of a service-oriented architecture for the development of enhanced reprogramming tools, which is essential for all standing labs in support of the F-35 aircraft for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and non-Department of Defense participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (90%); and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (10%), and is expected to be completed in December 2021. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,248,092; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $3,405,332 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, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/27/21)

Contract: Eagle Industries, $8.7M

Eagle Industries Unlimited Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is awarded an $8,668,143 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification to previously-awarded contract N61331-20-D-0007 for Maritime Armor Systems to support the Antiterrorism Afloat Equipage Program. This modification will increase the contract value up to a maximum of $23,244,921. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by May 2022. No funding will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/27/21)
 

Contract: Lockheed, $59.3M

Lockheed Martin Corp. Rotary and Mission Systems, King of Prussia, Pa., has been awarded a $59,288,190 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) enterprise software. This contract shall sustain, modernize, and advance JASSM enterprise management software, operational real-time combat analysis systems, synchronize software, provide mission optimization analysis/reporting capabilities, terminal area model automation systems engineering, integration and test, and enhance JASSM advanced training. Work will be performed in King of Prussia and is expected to be completed March 21, 2022 for the base year. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 and operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $15,668,432 are being obligated at the time of award for the base year. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8682-21-C-0003). (Source: DoD, 04/22/21)

Two injured in helo crash

Two people were hurt Tuesday when an Army helicopter crashed at a training base in South Alabama, military officials said. The “aviation mishap” involved a UH-72 Lakota occurred during flight training with two on board, according to a news release from Fort Rucker. The incident occurred at Fort Rucker’s Brown Stagefield heliport near New Brockton. The two people on board were evacuated for medical treatment. The cause has not been released. Fort Rucker, near Dothan, is the Army’s primary training facility for helicopter pilots. (Source: multiple, including military.com, 04/21/21, al.com, 04/20/21)

SAR helo completes testing

HH-60W in anechoic chamber/ AF photo

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The Air Force’s new combat search and rescue helicopter, the HH-60W Jolly Green II, completed its developmental test program at Eglin Air Force Base, April 13. The final test by the Sikorsky and Air Force team was on the aircraft’s weapon systems. The goal of the test was to both demonstrate the performance of the weapons while optimizing weapon-system configurations. Test efforts began May 2019 with the first HH-60W flight. The integrated test team accumulated more than 1,100 flight test hours across six aircraft testing the full spectrum of aircraft systems. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 04/15/21)

Eglin gets second F-15EX

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The 53rd Wing welcomed the second F-15EX Eagle II to Eglin Air Force Base on Tuesday. Flown in by Maj. Aaron Eshkenazi, the second F-15EX is assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. The two F-15EXs will be used by the 40th Flight Test Squadron and 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron for integrated developmental and operational testing in a bid to the F-15EX into the hands of warfighter as soon as possible. The F-15EX will make its exercise debut at Northern Edge 2021. (Source: 53rd Wing, 04/20/21) Previous

Aviation academy inches closer

The Senate has agreed to provide $1 million to Santa Rosa County for an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) training facility in Milton. Senate budget negotiators agreed to the House’s latest plan for infrastructure and economic development spending. That included the full million as requested by the House to plan and renovate an existing facility to create the training and certification program. The academy would be the first A&P training facility in the county and would also serve neighboring Escambia and Okaloosa counties. The county plans to spend $4 million on the project, which is being completed in partnership with Milton and the Santa Rosa County school district. Of the remaining $3 million, $1 million will come from local government sources. Lawmakers are in the final stages of creating the budget for the coming fiscal year. (Source: Florida Politics, 04/21/21) The county is home to Naval Air Station Whiting Field.

Core stage removed from B-2

Core stage placed on tarmac. NASA photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Crews at NASA’s Stennis Space Center (SSC) worked April 19-20 to remove the first flight core stage of the agency’s Space Launch System rocket from the B-2 Test Stand in preparation for its transport to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The core stage had to be lifted from its vertical placement in the stand and lowered to a horizontal position on the B-2 Test Stand tarmac. The stage will be loaded on NASA’s Pegasus barge for transport to Kennedy, where it will be prepared for launch of the Artemis I mission. The removal followed completion of a series of eight Green Run tests over the past year, culminating in the hot fire of the stage's four RS-25 engines March 18. (Source: NASA, 04/20/21) Previous

ECP airport getting new tenant

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - Bay County officials say they hope to announce the company involved in an economic development project at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) this summer. While Parker McClellan, executive director for the airport, said he couldn't release much information on the project as of Thursday, he noted that the unnamed company refurbishes airplanes and will create more than 90 jobs. McClellan also said the group not only would use ECP's runways, but rent land from the airport for its operations and also build a hangar. Becca Hardin, president of the Bay County Economic Development Alliance, said that development project, called Project Gator, has a capital investment of $26 million. Its hangar will be built on 14 acres at the airport. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 04/17/21)

Contract: Amentum, $16.4M

Amentum Services Inc., Germantown, Md., is awarded a $16,445,246 modification (P00076) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N6833517C0272). This modification exercises an option to provide maintenance support services for 15 Fleet Readiness Centers, Aviation Support Equipment Divisions. Work will be performed in Solomons, Md. (16%); North Island, Calif. (12%); Cherry Point, N.C. (10%); Portsmouth, Va. (9%); El Centro, Calif. (8%); Jacksonville, Fla. (7%); Lemoore, Calif. (7%); Beaufort, S.C. (5%); Jacksonville, Fla. (5%); Fort Worth, Texas (5%); New Orleans, La. (5%); Comalapa, El Salvador (4%); Yorktown, Va. (3%); North Island, Calif. (2%); and Whidbey Island, Wash. (2%), and is expected to be completed in April 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,900,000 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/15/21)

RS-68A completes final test

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - The world’s most powerful hydrogen-fueled rocket engine built by Aerojet Rocketdyne, the RS-68A, completed its final hot-fire acceptance test for use on the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle on the B-1 Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center (SSC). ULA’s Delta IV Heavy rocket uses three Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68A engines; one on each of its three common booster cores to launch the spacecraft into orbit. The three RS-68A engines combine to generate more than two million pounds of thrust for the Delta IV Heavy. The original variant of the engine, the RS-68, was first tested at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; testing moved to SSC in 2000. The RS-68 powered Delta IV made its inaugural flight in 2002. The upgraded RS-68A completed its first test firing in September 2008, was certified in April 2011 and made its inaugural flight in June 2012. (Source: multiple, including Intelligent Aerospace, 04/14/21, Spaceref, 04/12/21) Related

Contract: Multiple, $70M

Amee Bay LLC, Hanahan, S.C. (N64498-21-D-4023); American Systems Corporation, Chantilly, Va. (N64498-21-D-4024); Continental Tide Defense Systems Inc., Wyomissing, Pa. (N64498-21-D-4025); Delphinus Engineering Inc., Eddystone, Pa. (N64498-21-D-4026); Epsilon Systems Solutions Inc., Portsmouth, Va. (N64498-21-D-4027); General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Falls Church, Va. (N64498-21-D-4028); La Playa Inc. of Virginia, Chesapeake, Va. (N64498-21-D-4029); Oceaneering International Inc., Chesapeake, Va. (N64498-21-D-4030); and Q.E.D. Systems Inc., Virginia Beach, Va. (N64498-21-D-4031), are each awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for the procurement of blue collar installation and technical services for upgrading hull, mechanical and electrical systems under various modernization programs for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division. The maximum dollar value for all nine contracts combined is $69,998,172. Each awardee will be awarded $5,000 (minimum contract guarantee per awardee) at contract award. It is estimated that work will be performed on the East Coast, West Coast, and outside the continental U.S. at the following locations: Norfolk, Va.; San Diego, Calif.; Mayport, Fla.; Bremerton, Wash.; Charleston, S.C.; Alameda, Calif.; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Panama City, Fla.; Baltimore, Md., Manama, Bahrain; Sydney, Australia; Gdynia, Poland; Rota, Spain; Yokosuka, Japan; and Sasebo, Japan. Work will be assigned according to individual task orders and is expected to be completed by April 2027. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $45,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the task order level as contracting actions occur. This multiple award contract was competitively procured via the Beta.Sam.gov website with nine offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/13/21)

Contract: Raytheon, $14.3M

Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $14,265,742 modification (P00010) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001919C0054). This modification adds scope to provide non-recurring engineering, tooling, and hardware to establish full rate production and unique tracking for F135 engines alternate sourced parts in support of the F-35 Lightning II program. Work will be performed in East Hartford and is expected to be completed in June 2021. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $7,132,871; and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,132,871 will be obligated at time of award, all 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, 04/13/21)

Contract: CSS Werx, $9.8M

CSS Werx LLC, Panama City Beach, Fla., is awarded a $9,763,904 expenditure-based prototype project order for the prototype of a rapidly deployable command and control system. The prototype shall fit ithin the physical constraints of an expeditionary afloat environment and have the capability to run all of the existing applications and services consisting of commercially available items of the existing tactical datacenter including bare metal and already deployed reconfigurations. Work will be performed in Panama City and is expected to be completed by October 2022. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $185,000 will be obligated at time of award and not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This agreement was competitively procured via the Expeditionary Warfare Multiple Party Team, other transaction agreements, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity (N61331219G001). (Source: DoD, 04/13/21)

April aerospace newsletter available

The April 2021 edition of the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter has been published. The cover story is about the effort to create two new space-related technology parks near two NASA facilities - one in Southeast Louisiana and the other in South Mississippi.There’s also a story about Gulf Power's recent virtual symposium, including a discussion about Florida and how it fared better than most during the pandemic. Another article focuses on this week's TeCMEN Industry Day, where a contender for the Armed Overwatch program will be discussed. Finally, there's a story about the recently released Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index. It shows that most of the metro areas in the Gulf Coast I-10 region performed quite well and improved their ranking. (Source: Gulf Coast Reporters League, April 2021 newsletter, 04/13/21)

Frasca gets simulator subcontract

Flight simulator company Frasca International of Urbana, Ill., announced that it has been named a subcontractor for the U.S. Navy TH-73A aircrew training services (ATS) contract. Frasca will install eight new TH-73 flight training devices (FTDs) and modify ten existing TH-57B/C models to better reflect the Navy’s TH-73A Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS). The primary contract was awarded to FlightSafety International company FlightSafety Defense, which will operate and maintain the Frasca FTDs along with providing training support at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla. Delivery is expected to begin this year and continue through 2024. (Sources: multiple, including AVWeb, Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, Vertical Magazine, 04/09/21). The Leonardo TH-73 is replacing the TH-57 to train Navy, Marine and Coast Guard aviators at Whiting Field in Milton.

Reprogramming lab falling short

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) has come under criticism from the Department of Defense (DoD) for apparent deficiencies at an F-35 software reprogramming laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base. In a January report, the DoD's office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E), indicated that the F-35 United States Reprogramming Laboratory (USRL) is falling short in its mission of testing and improving software essential for the F-35. In its annual report on testing and evaluation in 2019-20 fiscal year, the DOT&E says the USRL is not able to adequately test and improve the F-35s mission data files that provide the fighter jet with the ability to search for and identify hostile targets. The report says the USRL lacks adequate equipment to be able to test and optimize the mission data files under conditions stressing enough to ensure adequate performance against current and future threats in near-peer combat. Among the recommendations in the report, the office calls for obtaining "adequate funding to develop and sustain robust laboratory and simulation environments." The report also calls for ensuring "adequate lab infrastructure" to meet timelines for the operational requirements for the latest F-35s and the fighter program's Continuous Capability Development & Delivery strategy. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 04/08/21)

General officer assignments

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The secretary of the Air Force announced the following assignments: Maj. Gen. Michele C. Edmondson will be assigned as commander, 2d Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Edmondson is currently serving as commandant of cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.; Maj. Gen. (select) Michael E. Martin will be assigned as commanding general, Special Operations Command Korea, U.S. Special Operations Command, Camp Kim, Yongsan Garrison, South Korea. Martin is currently serving as director, operations, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Davidson will be assigned as director, operations, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. Davidson is currently serving as deputy commander, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. (Source: DoD, 04/07/21)

New F-15 officially unveiled

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Military personnel and leaders got a glimpse of the F-15EX Eagle II on Wednesday at a ceremony celebrating the arrival of the Air Force’s newest fighter jet. The rollout of the new aircraft comes as older F-15 jets become outdated, many outflying their recommended lifespan, according to military officials. F-15EXs will be tested at Eglin to ensure the jets are combat-ready before being mass-produced. The Air Force will acquire up to 144 of the Boeing F-15EXs to replace F-15C/D models. (Source: WKRG-TV, 04/07/21) Previous

Contract: Speegle Construction, $22.1M

Speegle Construction Inc., Niceville, Fla., was awarded a $22,149,338 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of the second phase of the Australia, Canada, United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory Facility at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Bids were solicited via the internet with 12 received. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base with an estimated completion date of June 27, 2023. Fiscal 2021 military construction, defense-wide funds in the amount of $22,149,338 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-21-C-0011). (Source: DoD, 04/08/21)

FAA approves airport switch

MOBILE, Ala. - The Federal Aviation Administration has approved shifting commercial air service from Mobile Regional Airport in west Mobile to the Mobile Downtown Airport at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. The Mobile Airport Authority (MAA) announced Tuesday that the FAA had approved its 20-year master plan for development, which includes the airport swap. The FAA approval was critical for the project to receive future FAA funding. The MAA already has established a small terminal at Brookley, designed to service budget carriers. Moving all Mobile’s commercial passenger carriers to Brookley will require the construction of a new terminal and additional work. The MAA says phase I work will include a new terminal that will be slightly smaller than Mobile Regional Airport’s terminal, at 130,000 square feet, but will have features that will allow it to qualify as an international terminal. Phase 1 also will include a parking garage, additional parking lots and tarmac expansion; the estimated price tag for the terminal and other features is $160 million. (Source: multiple, including al.com, WKRG-TV, Simple Flying, 04/06/21)

Second RS-25 hot fire test

RS-25 test April 6. NASA photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted a second RS-25 single engine hot fire test April 6 as part of a new series to support the development and production of engines for the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The full-duration hot fire of more than eight minutes was conducted on the A-1 Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center (SSC) in South Mississippi. It is part of a scheduled seven-test series designed to provide data for Aerojet Rocketdyne, lead contractor for the SLS engines, as it begins production of new RS-25 engines for use after the first four SLS flights. Four RS-25 engines help power SLS at launch, firing simultaneously to generate a combined 1.6 million pounds of thrust at launch and 2 million pounds of thrust during ascent. The RS-25 engines for the first four SLS flights are upgraded space shuttle main engines and have completed certification testing. During the new test series, operators will focus on evaluating new engine components and reducing risk in engine operation. (Source: NASA/SSC, 04/06/21)

Contract: Oasis Systems, $543.3M

Oasis Systems LLC, Burlington, Mass., has been awarded a $543,266,729 task order for advisory and assistance services for the 96th Cyberspace Test Group located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-22-F-1002). (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: Torch, $475M

Torch Technologies Inc., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $474,992,283 task order for advisory and assistance services for the tenant organization of the 96th Test Wing located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-22-F-1001). (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: CQ JV, $213.6M

CQ JV LLC, Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $213,611,520 task order for advisory and assistance services for the 96th Test Wing located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-22-F-1004). (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: CQ JV, $200.2M

CQ JV LLC, Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $200,214,805 task order for advisory and assistance services for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex located at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2486-22-F-1005). (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: Gauss, $86.6M

Gauss Management Research And Engineering Inc., South Ogden, Utah, has been awarded a $86,617,493 task order for advisory and assistance services for the 412th Test Wing located at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2486-22-F-1003). (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: Multiple, $249M

Native Technology Solutions LLC, Lorton, Va. (W91278-21-D-0001); Knight Architects Inc., Atlanta, Ga. (W91278-21-D-0002); Raymond Pond Enterprise Solutions JV LLC, Conyers, Ga. (W91278-21-D-0003); Schmidt-Prime Group LLC, Pensacola, Fla. (W91278-21-D-0004); Pond-Tetra Tech JV LP, Peachtree Corners, Ga. (W91278-21-D-0011); Bullock Tice Associates Inc., Pensacola, Fla. (W91278-21-D-0005); Cems-Rs&H JV, Summerville, S.C. (W91278-21-D-0006); G.M. Hill Engineering Inc., Jacksonville, Fla. (W91278-21-D-0007); Ilsi-Arcadis Small Business Joint Venture LLC, New Orleans, La. (W91278-21-D-0008); Leo A. Daly Co., Atlanta, Ga. (W91278-21-D-0009); Merrick & Co., Greenwood Village, Colo. (W91278-21-D-0010); Prime Ae/Stanley JV LLC, Baltimore, Md. (W91278-21-D-0012); Aecom Technical Services Inc., Los Angeles, Calif. (W91278-21-D-0013); Arcadis-Exp Federal JV, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (W91278-21-D-0014); Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc., Kansas City, Mo. (W91278-21-D-0015); and Jacobs Government Services Co., Englewood, Colo. (W91278-21-D-0016), will compete for each order of a $249,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 75 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 5, 2026. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: Raytheon, $79.4M

Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $79,398,158 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Small Diameter Bomb Increment II lot integration and test. This contract effort will deliver all-up round (AUR) test vehicles, perform AUR-level assembly, checkout, testing and systems integration testing; and prepare for production cut-in and fielding for the multiple engineering changes needed, including National Security Agency (NSA) cryptographic modernization, Global Positioning System (GPS) military code, mitigation of part obsolescence, and design changes evolving from production and/or operations. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed April 1, 2023. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 Air Force (USAF) missile procurement funds in the amount of $11,977,567; fiscal 2020 USAF research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) funds in the amount of $6,495,714; fiscal 2021 Navy (USN) RDT&E funds in the amount of $5,133,243; fiscal 2021 USN weapon procurement funds in the amount of $2,783,878; and fiscal 2019 Special Defense Acquisition Funds in the amount of $9,021,596 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8672-21-F-6052) (Source: DoD, 04/02/21)

F-15EX delivered to Eglin

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - A new F-15EX on March 11 flew from Boeing’s facility in St. Louis to Eglin Air Force Base alongside two older models, the F-15C jet fighter that it will replace, and F-15E jet fighter-bomber. The new warplane will join a testing and evaluation squadron at Eglin. Eglin is home to the 53rd and 96th Test Wings, both of which already operate the F-15 series of fighters. The two wings will complete the F-15EX’s developmental and operational testing simultaneously. The first F-15EX, known as EX1, will go to the 96th Test Wing’s 40th Flight Test Fighter Squadron. The second F-15EX, EX2, will go to the 53rd Wing’s 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. (Source: Military and Aerospace Electronics, 03/31/21) Previous