Contract: PRIDE, $17.8M

PRIDE Industries, Roseville, Calif., was awarded a $17,771,117 modification (P00085) to contract W9124G-18-C-0005 for Fort Rucker base operations support. Work will be performed in Fort Rucker, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $2,961,853 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Field Directorate Office, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/31/22)

Artemis launch set for Saturday

The uncrewed Artemis I mission will get another attempt at launching on a journey around the moon on Saturday.
After the launch was scrubbed Monday morning, the launch team spent the remainder of the day evaluating data gathered during the attempt. Mission managers shared an update Tuesday evening. The Artemis I stack, which includes the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, continues to sit on Launchpad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. One of the rocket’s four RS-25 engines, identified as engine #3, could not reach the proper temperature range that is required for the engine to start at liftoff. Mission managers suspected that the engine #3 issue was actually a problem with the bleed system, rather than the actual engine. A faulty sensor may be providing an incorrect reading of the engine temperature. (Source: CNN, 08/30/22) Previous

Contract: Raytheon, $972.2M

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $972,184,161 non-competitive, firm-fixed-price incentive modification (P00022) to previously awarded contract FA8675-21-C-0034 for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Production Lot 36. The modification provides for the exercise of the pre-priced options for Lot 36 production of AMRAAM missiles, AMRAAM Telemetry System (ATS), initial and field spares, and other production engineering support hardware and activities. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Aug. 30, 2025. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Australia, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, which accounts for 42% of the contract value. Fiscal 2022 Air Force aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $671,030; fiscal 2020 Air Force missile procurement funds in the amount of $3,096,742; fiscal 2021 Air Force missile procurement funds in the amount of $28,583,539; fiscal 2022 Air Force missile procurement funds in the amount of $292,740,340; fiscal 2022 Air Force operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,593,695; fiscal 2021 Air Force research and development funds in the amount of $1,715,356; fiscal 2022 Air Force research and development funds in the amount of $3,867,005; fiscal 2020 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $1,342,060; fiscal 2021 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $150,511,034; fiscal 2022 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $77,489,607; fiscal 2022 Navy research and development funds in the amount of $4,800,717; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $404,773,037 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Dominance Division Contracting Office, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/30/22)

Contract: General Dynamics, $44M

General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Mass., is awarded a $43,957,454 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-only modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-20-C-5603 to exercise options for the sustainment of the littoral combat ship Integrated Combat Management System and associated combat system elements. Work will be performed in Pittsfield (85%); San Diego, Calif. (14%); and Mobile, Ala. (1%), and is expected to be completed by August 2023. Fiscal 2022 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,000,000 (65%); and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $550,022 (35%) will be obligated at time of award, and funds in the amount of $1,550,022 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/30/22)

Contract: HII, $41.6M

Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded a $41,646,746 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to definitize the previously awarded undefinitized contract N00024-22-C-2300 for temporary dock services and maintenance to the ship (including, but not limited to, preventative and corrective maintenance), as required, as well as management, labor, material, facilities, emergent work support and maintenance as required, to accomplish the combat systems availability (CSA) for DDG 1002. Work will be performed in Pascagoula and is expected to be completed by October 2023. Fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $750,687 (3%); fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,496,466 (13%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,053,085 (7%); and fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,078,471 (77%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Huntington Ingalls Inc. is the only responsible source available to perform the DDG 1002 CSA with resource availability and the technical capabilities required to complete the DDG 1002 CSA. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-22-C-2300). (Source: DoD, 08/29/22)

Contract: RQ Construction, $24.3M

RQ Construction LLC, Carlsbad, Calif., is awarded a $24,287,000 firm-fixed-price task order (N6945022F0826) under a multiple award construction contract to provide a new electrical distribution system at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The contract also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised, would increase the cumulative contract value to $24,912,000. Work will be performed in Pensacola and is expected to be completed by March 2026. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $24,287,000 are obligated in this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-21-D-0060). (Source: DoD, 08/29/22)

Contract: Alpha Marine, $9.5M

Alpha Marine Services LLC, Galliano, La., is awarded a $9,542,972 option (P00023) for contract N3220520C2252. The option is a firm-fixed-price contract with reimbursable elements to support Military Sealift Command’s contract for the time charter of six tractor-like tugs in support of Naval Base San Diego, California. This option is the second of the current contract. The current contract includes a one-year firm period of the performance, three one-year option periods and one 11-month option period. The cumulative value of this contract, if all options are exercised, is $43,699,319. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed, if all options are exercised, by July 31, 2025. Fiscal 2022 working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $784,353 are obligated and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. Funds in the amount of $8,758,619 for the remainder of option two are to be provided for fiscal 2023 and are subject to the availability of funds in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.232-18 — availability of funds. This procurement was released under full and open competition, with an unlimited number of companies solicited via the System for Award Management website and one offer was received. The Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/29/22)

Contract: multiple, $90M

Iron EagleX Inc., Tampa, Fla. (FA0021-22-D-0001); RSI-Quantitech JV LLC, Huntsville, Ala. (FA0021-22-D-0002); Vector Innovative Solutions LLC, Glendale, Ariz. (FA0021-22-D-0003); Advanced Concepts Enterprises Inc., Shalimar, Fla. (FA0021-22-D-0004); and SA Technical Services Inc., Niceville, Fla. (FA0021-22-D-0005), have been awarded a $90,000,000 contract action for a multiple award enterprise sourcing contract. This contract provides for a contract vehicle designed to rapidly execute non-personal advisory and assistance services (A&AS) and non-A&AS requirements for Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The location of performance is AFSOC bases, AFSOC geographically separated units, and tenant activities located on any AFSOC base, and is expected to be complete by September 2027. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with 13 offers received. Fiscal 2022 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,000 are being obligated at the time of award. 765th Enterprise Sourcing Flight, Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/29/22)

Artimis I Monday launch scrubbed

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - The launch of NASA’s historic Artemis I moon mission has been postponed after the team was unable to work through an issue with one of the rocket’s four engines. Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, said it was too early to tell precisely what will happen, but the next opportunity to send the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft on their journey is Friday, but whether or not another attempt is made that day depends on how testing goes. Sarafin confirmed that Friday is in play if the team can resolve the issue in the next 48 to 72 hours while the 322-foot-tall rocket sits on the Launchpad 39B. If it does not launch Friday, the next opportunity is Monday. A bleed test to get the RS-25 engines on the bottom of the core stage to the proper temperature range for liftoff was not successful. The issue involved engine Number 3. The launch team knew that the bleed test was a risk because they weren’t able to include it in previous wet dress rehearsal tests simulating the launch. Currently, the issue doesn’t suggest an engine problem, but rather an issue within the bleed system that is used to cool the engine. The team also saw an issue with the vent valve at the inner tank and the combination of issues convinced the team they needed more time, Sarafin said. When Artemis I launches, Orion’s journey will last 42 days as it travels to the moon, loops around it and returns to Earth – traveling a total of 1.3 million miles The Space Launch System is the most powerful rocket ever built. (2.1 million kilometers). When it returns to Earth, the capsule will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. (Source: multiple, including CNN, Washington Post, 08/29/22) Gulf Coast note: The four RS-25 engines are recycled and modified engines used in the Space Shuttle program. They were tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. The rocket itself was built at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.

Contract: Lockheed, $15M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Stand-in Attack Weapon Phase 1.2. This contract provides for all activities associated with the statement of objectives as well as the contractor's proposal for Phase 1.2. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be complete by Feb. 25, 2023. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 Air Force research and development funds in the amount of $15,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-22-F-1036). (Source: DoD, 08/26/22)

Contract: Northrop, $15M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Northridge, Calif., has been awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Stand-in Attack Weapon Phase 1.2. This contract provides for all activities associated with the statement of objectives as well as the contractor's proposal for Phase 1.2. Work will be performed in Northridge and is expected to be complete by Feb. 25, 2023. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 Air Force research and development funds in the amount of $15,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-22-F-1051). (Source: DoD, 08/26/22)

Contract: L3Harris, $14.6M

L3Harris Mustang Technology Group LP, Plano, Texas, has been awarded a $14,579,829 firm-fixed-price contract for Stand-in Attack Weapon Phase 1.2. This contract provides for all activities associated with the statement of objectives as well as the contractor's proposal for Phase 1.2. Work will be performed in Plano and is expected to be complete by Feb. 25, 2023. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 Air Force research and development funds in the amount of $14,579,829 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-22-F-1031). (Source: DoD, 08/26/22)

Contract: Raytheon, $8.8M

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a non-competitive, firm-fixed-price modification (P00021) to previously awarded contract (FA8675-21-C-0034) in the amount of $8,837,522 for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile Production Lot 35 Rectifier Filter Assembly Captive Air Training Missile Retrofit effort. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by May 30, 2026. Fiscal 2021 Air Force missile procurement funds in the amount of $4,485,281; fiscal 2021 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $3,865,690; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $486,551 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Dominance Division Contracting Office, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/26/22)

Contract: Raytheon, $18.5M

Raytheon Co., Poulsbo, Wash., is awarded an $18,543,264 cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite-quantity requirements contract for depot-level support, maintenance and modifications support of the AN/AQS-20 Sonar Mine Detecting Set, and the AN/MHP-20 Deploy and Retrieve system for the AN/AQS-20 System. The AN/AQS-20 is a towed, mine hunting and identification system for Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $91,706,089. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I. (65%); Poulsbo,  (30%); and Panama City, Fla. (5%); and is expected to be completed by August 2023. If all options are exercised, work will continue through August 2027. No funding will be obligated at time of award. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii) and (iii) – circumstances permitting other than full and open competition when only one source and no supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, Panama City, is the contracting activity (N6133122D0004). (Source: DoD, 08/25/22)
 

Developmental testing for Grey Wolf

DUKE FIELD, Fla. - In mid-August 2022, the U.S. Air Force accepted ownership of four MH-139A Grey Wolf test aircraft, weeks after Boeing completed the final FAA Supplemental Type Certification required for the MH-139A to achieve its Military Flight Release. These accomplishments allow the Air Force to conduct testing of critical military capabilities of the MH-139A as the program progresses towards Milestone C. “Leonardo's 139 helicopter has an impressive pedigree of performance in multiple missions in the civil, public, and military domains,” said Lt. Col. Josh Hallford, Chief, MH-139 Standardization and Evaluations MH-139 Test Detachment 7. The MH-139A Grey Wolf will replace the Air Force fleet of UH-1N aircraft, offering a significant capability increase in speed, range, endurance, payload, and survivability. The Air Force will acquire 80 MH-139A helicopters, training devices, and associated support equipment. The MH-139A will provide vertical airlift and support to four Air Force Major Commands and other operating agencies including Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Reserve Command, and the Air Force District of Washington. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 08/23/22)

Downtown airport gets international flight

MOBILE, Ala. - The downtown Mobile airport welcomed its first international flight Monday morning, the Mobile Airport Authority said. Airbus has begun weekly shuttle flights between Mirabel, Canada, and the downtown airport, connecting the two cities responsible for manufacturing the A220 aircraft. Several months ago the Federal Aviation Administration approved changing the name of the airport to Mobile International Airport. The airport authority plans to move all commercial air service from the Mobile Regional Airport in west Mobile to the downtown airport. MAA said it expects to break ground on a new international terminal early next year. (Source: WALA-TV, 08/23/22

Contract: Advance Systems, $292.3M

Advanced Systems and Software Engineering Technologies LLC, Ridgecrest, Calif., is awarded a $292,310,598 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides system engineering, analysis, research, development, logistics, configuration and data management services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s aircraft integrated product teams for the development, integration, test, evaluation, and fielding of new and upgraded capabilities to Navy aircraft, to include F/A-18, EA-18G, F-35, AV-8B, AH-1/UH-1 aircraft and unmanned aerial systems. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif. (86.5%); Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (7%); Ridgecrest, Calif. (5%); Point Mugu, Calif. (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (0.5%), and is expected to be completed in October 2027. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside; three offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, is the contracting activity (N6893622D0038). (Source: DoD, 08/23/22)

Contract: Aktarius, $19M

Aktarius LLC, Panama City, Fla., is awarded a $19,023,894 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides training support services to conduct and present training materials, user manuals, and user training on the upgraded and enhanced Digital Imagery Exploitation Engine, the Kinetic Integrated Lightweight Software Individual Tactical Combat Handheld, and the Android Precision Assault Strike Suite applications for Digital Precision Strike Service customers. Work will be performed in Panama City (90%); and China Lake, Calif. (10%), and is expected to be completed in August 2027. 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 15 U.S. Code 637 Tribal 8(a) Small Business. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, is the contracting activity (N6893622D0015). (Source: DoD, 08/23/22)

Contract: Rolls-Royce, $1B

Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is awarded a $1,013,571,576 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract. This contract provides intermediate, depot-level maintenance and related logistics support for approximately 210 in-service T-45 F405-RR-401 Adour engines in support of the Navy. Work will be performed in Meridian, Miss. (47%); Kingsville, Texas (46%); Pensacola, Fla. (6%); and Patuxent River, Md. (1%), and is expected to be completed in July 2027. 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 Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air System Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity (N0001922D0042). (Source: DoD, 08/17/22)

Safety issue grounds CV-22

Air Force Special Operations Command grounded its CV-22 Osprey fleet Aug. 16 as part of a safety stand down. The stand down comes after two incidents of “hard clutch engagement” in the past six weeks. News of the stand down was first reported by Breaking Defense. Hard clutch engagement involves the clutch connecting the rotor gear box to the engine slipping, then catching hard, causing the aircraft to lurch. AFSOC has more than 50 Ospreys in its fleet, based out of Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Hurlburt Field, Fla., Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., RAF Mildenhall, U.K., and Yokota Air Base, Japan. The CV-22’s tiltrotor design allows it to take off and land vertically but pivot its engines forward for higher-speed and longer-range horizontal flight. (Source: Air Force Magazine, 08/17/22)

Blue Origin ship leaves Pensacola

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Blue Origin ship "Jacklyn" that's been at the downtown dock for three years was towed away Sunday. It's tentatively scheduled to head to Brownsville, Texas, where it could be scrapped. The 600-foot former cargo ship has been docked at the Port of Pensacola since 2018 undergoing a retrofit to enable it to serve as a landing platform for the first stage of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket. But in April, Blue Origin confirmed to the News Journal that the company was looking at "different options" for landing and recovering its rockets. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 08/16/22)

Contract: BIS Services, $9.6M

BIS Services LLC, Kenner, La., was awarded a $9,585,138 firm-fixed-price contract for repairing dikes and revetments on the Missouri River and the Cora Island Chute. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in several cities in Missouri, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 30, 2030. Fiscal 2022 civil construction funds in the amount of $9,585,138 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-22-C-1029). (Source: DoD, 08/16/22)

Contract: Lockheed, $7.6B

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $7,630,940,571 firm-fixed-price, fixed-price incentive (firm target), undefinitized modification (P00016) to a previously awarded advanced acquisition contract (N0001920C0009). This modification increases the ceiling to procure 129 Lot 15 aircraft, as follows: 49 F-35A aircraft for the Air Force; three F-35B aircraft and 10 F-35C aircraft for the Marine Corps; 15 F-35C aircraft for the Navy; 32 F-35A aircraft and four F-35B aircraft for non-U.S Department of Defense (DOD) participants; and sixteen F-35A aircraft for Foreign Military Sales customers, as well as 69 shipsets of technical hardware. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (57%); El Segundo, Calif. (14 %); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Cameri, Italy (4%); Orlando, Fla. (4%); Nashua, N.H. (3%); Baltimore, Md. (3%); San Diego, Calif. (2%); Nagoya, Japan (2%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed in October 2024. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $2,162,537,083; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,538,490,483; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $54,747,445; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $32,338,565; FMS funds in the mount of $693,338,015; and non U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $682,929,685 will be obligated at the time of award, $87,086,010 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, 08/12/22) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $53.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $53,415,771 modification (P00003) to a previously awarded, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N0001922C0015) that provides continued engineering and other related activities in support of the design and development of a Joint Strike Fighter aircraft variant tailored for an unspecified Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer. Work will be performed in El Segundo, Calif. (56%); Fort Worth (43%); and Tempe, Ariz. (1%), and is expected to be completed in July 2026. FMS funds in the amount $53,415,771 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, 08/12/22) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Serco, $152.3M

Serco Inc., Herndon, Va., is awarded a $152,322,533 cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides program management support in support of the full acquisition lifecycle of the F-35 program, to include development, production, and sustainment. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va. (93.53%); Dayton, Ohio (2.99%); Fort Worth, Texas (1%), and various locations within the continental U.S. (2.48%), and is expected to be completed in August 2027. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; nine offers were received.  The Naval Air System Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N0001922D0026). (Source: DoD, 08/10/22) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: multiple, $20M

Electrical Corporation of America Inc., Raytown, Mo. (W91278-22-D-0068); Englobal Government Services Inc., Tulsa, Okla. (W91278-22-D-0069); and Koontz Electric Company Inc., Morrilton, Ariz. (W91278-22-D-0070), will compete for each order of the $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for control systems installations at hydroelectric facilities. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 9, 2027. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/10/22)

Contract: Lockheed, $524.1M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $524,100,000 undefinitized modification (P00015) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm target) advanced acquisition contract (N0001920C0009). This modification increases the ceiling to procure long-lead time materials, parts, components, and effort for the production of seven Lot 15 F-35A aircraft, two Lot 15 F-35B aircraft, seven Lot 16 F-35A, and two Lot 16 F-35B aircraft for the government of Italy. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (57%); El Segundo, Calif. (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Cameri, Italy (4%); Orlando, Fla. (4%); Nashua, N.H. (3%); Baltimore, Md. (3%); San Diego, Calif. (2%); Nagoya, Japan (2%); and various undisclosed locations outside the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed in June 2025. Non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $524,100,000 will be obligated at the 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, 08/09/22) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: BCI, $9.4M

BCI Construction USA Inc., Pace, Fla., was awarded a $9,404,435 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of 25 partially penetrating relief wells. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Easton Alton, Ill., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 7, 2023. Fiscal 2022 and 2023 civil construction funds in the amount of $9,404,435 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912P9-22-C-0011). (Source: DoD, 08/08/22)

NAS JRB gets female commander

BELLE CHASSE, La. — Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans held a change of command ceremony Friday. Capt. Lena Kaman became the first female commanding officer at the installation. Kaman previously served on the staff of the Chief of Navy Reserve in the Legislative Affairs Directorate, prior to reporting to NAS JRB New Orleans in June as the prospective Commanding Officer. Kaman relieved Capt. Todd Bruemer. who became the air station`s commanding officer on July 26, 2020. He led the installation through two major hurricanes, the COVID-19 outbreak, and hosted a successful air show in March 2022. (Source: WGNO, 08/05/22)

Contract: Lockheed, $10.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $10,445,923 modification (P00029) to contract FA8682-20-C-0001 to convert six AGM-158B missiles to test assets and nine weapon systems simulators. Work will be performed in Orlando, and is expected to be completed Oct. 31, 2024. The award is the result of sole-source acquisition, and fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the full amount will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Aug. 4, 2022) (Source: DoD, 08/05/22)

Weapons Pitch day provides $30M

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The U.S. Air Force Armament Directorate awarded more than $30 million in funding to multiple small business innovators at the recent Weapons Pitch Day. During the two-day event, a panel of Air Force leaders considered 21 proposals aimed at furthering development in the directorate’s six innovation targets, digital engineering, reach, autonomous collaboration, non-kinetic effects, sensing and communications and affordable mass. Seventeen proposals passed the gauntlet for 15 small businesses. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 08/04/22)

Contract: General Dynamics, $535M

General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO), San Diego, Calif., is awarded a $535,021,375 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-2235 for the procurement of detail design and construction of Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) 8. Work will be performed in San Diego (69%); Santa Fe Springs, Calif. (6%); Crozet, Va. (6%); Mexicali, Mexico (4%); Houston, Texas (3%); National City, Calif. (1%); Aliağa, Turkey (1%); Belle Chasse, La. (1%); Pittsburgh, Pa. (1%); and various other locations, each accounting for less than 1 percent (8%), and is expected to be completed by March 2026. Fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $535,021,375 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/04/22)

Contract: Inland Dredging, $30M

Inland Dredging Co. LLC, Dyersburg, Tenn., was awarded a $30,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for rental of a 24-inch cutterhead pipeline dredge. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 4, 2022. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-22-D-0067). (Source: DoD, 08/04/22)

Passenger numbers dip

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - Traffic at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) took a dive over the past two months, but the airport remains ahead of last year's record-breaking pace. According to a report released by the Airport Authority during its board meeting, passenger numbers in June were down about 13 percent compared to the same time last year, the second straight month the airport experienced a dip in traffic. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 08/01/22)

C2 Test and Eval gets new leader

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - The 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron welcomed Lt. Col. Leslie “Nilla” Woll as the squadron’s new commander during a change of command ceremony July 28. Col. Adam Shelton, 505th Test and Training Group commander, handed command to Woll from Lt. Col. Carly Sims. As commander, Woll will lead 148 personnel in the planning, execution, and reporting of operational tests on the Airborne Warning and Control System, JSTARS, Control and Reporting Centers, Air Operations Center, TACP, Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications, and Distributed Common Ground Station weapon systems. The 605th TES is a composite squadron located at Hurlburt Field with three detachments and one operating location. (Source: 505th Command and Control Wing, 08/02/22)

Contract: Veraxx, $40.8M

Veraxx Engineering Corp., Chantilly, Va., is awarded a $40,841,034 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for the upgrade, integration, and fielding of a completed baseline version of the Marine Corps Tactical Environment (TEn) for the four Marine Corps aircraft wings and complete integration of the TEn into Marine Corps aviation training systems and devices, as well as address interoperability bridges. Work will be performed in New River, N.C. (15%); San Diego, Calif. (15%); Oceanside, Calif. (15%); Craven County, N.C. (10%); Ginowan, Japan (10%); Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (5%); Jacksonville, N.C. (5%); Beaufort, S.C. (5%); Twentynine Palms, Calif. (5%); Yuma, Ariz. (5%); Orlando, Fla. (5%); Chicago, Ill. (1%); Fort Worth, Texas (1%); Lakehurst, N.J. (1%); New Orleans, La. (1%); and Chicopee, Mass. (1%). The work is expected to be completed in January 2028. No funds will be obligated at 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 Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (N6134022D0009). (Source: DoD, 08/03/22)

Contract: Hensel Phelps, $76.2M

Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $76,237,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a headquarters building and a utilities area building. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work will be performed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., with an estimated completion date of April 14, 2025. Fiscal 2021 other procurement, Air Force funds in the amount of $76,237,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-22-C-0024). (Awarded July 29, 2022) (Source: DoD, 08/02/22)

Contract: L3, $3B

L3 Communications Integrated Systems, Greenville, Texas, was awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (FA8637-22-D-B001) in the amount of $3,000,000,000 (maximum ceiling value) in support of Armed Overwatch. Research, development, test, and evaluation; and procurement funds in the amount of $170,000,000 were obligated at time of the award. Armed Overwatch will provide Special Operations Forces deployable, affordable, and sustainable crewed aircraft systems fulfilling close air support, precision strike, and armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, requirements in austere and permissive environments for use in irregular warfare operations in support of the National Defense Strategy. The contract will be a mixture of firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, time and materials, and cost reimbursement no-fee for the procurement of up to 75 aircraft, training systems, mission planning systems, support equipment, spares, and logistics support, with a period of performance from July 2022 to July 2029, including all options. The majority of the work will be done in Greenville. This action is a follow-on production contract in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 4022(f) authorized or required by statute. U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Awarded July 31, 2022) (Source: DoD, 08/01/22) Gulf Coast note: One losing competitor would have built the aircraft in Crestview, Fla. Previous

Contract: multiple, $25M

HDR Engineering Inc., Mobile, Ala. (W912782-2-D-0015); Mott MacDonald LLC, Iselin, N.J. (W91278-22-D-0016); Stantec-Fni JV, Lexington, Ky. (W91278-22-D-0017); and Tetra Tech Inc., Huntsville, Ala. (W91278-22-D-0018), will compete for each order of the $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services to support the Water and Wastewater Technical Center of Expertise. Bids were solicited via the internet with 18 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2027. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/01/22)

Contract: Manson, $16.4M

Manson Construction Co., Seattle, Wash., was awarded a $16,434,000 firm-fixed-price contract for dredging the Mississippi River. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in New Orleans, La., with an estimated completion date of June 27, 2023. Fiscal 2022 civil operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $16,434,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, is the contracting activity (W912P8-22-C-0039). (Source: DoD, 08/01/22)

L3 gets Armed Overwatch

U.S. Special Operations Command has awarded a contract for its Armed Overwatch program, selecting L3 Harris Technologies’ AT-802U Sky Warden as the winner of its competition for a low-cost aircraft to fly surveillance and strikes in austere locations, the combatant command announced Aug. 1. The deal could be worth up to $3 billion and will include 75 aircraft along with training systems, mission planning systems, support equipment, spares, and logistics support. Initial operating capability is expected in fiscal year 2026, with full operating capability following in 2029. L3 Harris unveiled Sky Warden in May 2021 as part of a collaboration with aircraft manufacturer Air Tractor. The companies claimed that the aircraft, based on Air Tractor’s agricultural AT-802 airframe, features the largest payload capacity of any single-engine turboprop aircraft. Sky Warden was selected as one of five finalists for the Armed Overwatch program, with flight demonstrations taking place throughout 2021 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sky Warden will replace the Air Force’s U-28 Draco fleet and will be both an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft and one that is capable of conducting light strikes in permissive environments. It beat out Leidos’ Bronco II, MAG Aerospace’s MC-208 Guardian, Textron Aviation Defense’s AT-6E Wolverine, and Sierra Nevada Corp.’s MC-145B Wily Coyote. (Source: Air Force Magazine, Business Wire, 08/01/22) The Bronco II would have been built in Crestview, Fla. For background story, see the April 2021 issue of Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter, page 3. Previous: Budget has funds for aircraft; Eglin Overwatch test upcoming. 

New leader for Eglin's newest wing

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony July 28. Col. William Young passed the guidon to the wing’s new leader, Col. Joshua Koslov. The wing also bid farewell to Young, who retired from the Air Force the same day. The new wing, which stood up in 2021, was the first of its kind, with its mission to enable, equip and optimize fielding capabilities to give the U.S. and allies a sustainable, competitive advantage over adversaries in the electromagnetic spectrum. The wing provides maintenance, operational and technical expertise for electronic warfare in support of the Combat Air Forces. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 08/01/22)