Contract: QuantiTech, $47.4M

QuantiTech, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $47,352,975 modification (P00080) to contract FA2486-16-F-0034 for Technical and Management Advisory Services range support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Arnold AFB, Tenn.; Holloman AFB, N.M.; Hill AFB, Utah; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and Eielson AFB, Alaska, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds; production funds; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $646,620 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $123,653,694. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/26/18)

Contract: Torch Technologies, $44.5M

Torch Technologies Inc., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $44,456,840 modification (P00068) to contract FA2486-16-F-0030 for Technical and Management Advisory Services Armament support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, technical, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Kirkland AFB, N.M.; and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $4,980,727 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $113,184,124. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/26/18)

Contract: Bevilacqua Research, $36M

Bevilacqua Research Corp., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $36,081,359 modification (P00059) to contract FA2486-16-F-0033 for Technical and Management Advisory Services Platforms support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Duke Field, Fla.; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Nellis AFB, Nev.; Tinker AFB, Okla.; and Edwards AFB, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 research and development; procurement; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $831,385 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $96,476,260. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/26/18)

Contract: Microsoft, $34.4M

Microsoft, Redmond, Wash., has been awarded a $34,350,473 other transaction agreement under to execute the enterprise information technology as a service network as a service experiment. This agreement provides for experimentation of a secure, reliable, measured, commercial data and voice network in order to enable access to Department of Defense data and applications from DoD facilities, as well as enable access for mobile and remotely located users. Work will be performed in Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.; and Maxwell AFB, Ala., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8726-18-9-0002). (Source: DoD, 09/26/18)

Contract: DCS, $16.3M

DCS Corp., Alexandria, Va., has been awarded a $16,252,479 modification (P00045) to previously awarded FA2486-16-F-0032 for Technical and Management Advisory Services Electronic Warfare support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research and development; procurement; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,161,841 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $30,469,693. This modification involves foreign military sales to Belgium, Greece, Iraq, Korea, Morocco, NATO, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/26/18)

Contract: Multiple, $99M

EMR Inc., Niceville, Fla. (N69450-18-D-1318); Custom Mechanical Systems Corp., Bargersville, Ind. (N69450-18-D-1319); Dawson Federal Inc., Ponte Vedra, Fla. (N69450-18-D-1320); Windamir Development Inc., McDonough, Ga. (N69450-18-D-1321); Southeast Cherokee Construction Inc., Montgomery, Ala. (N69450-18-D-1322); and Drace Anderson JV, Ocean Springs, Miss. (N69450-18-D-1323), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award design-build construction contract for construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of responsibility (AOR). The maximum dollar value for the five year ordering period for all six contracts combined is $99,000,000. The work to be performed provides for general building type projects (new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition, and repair work) including industrial, airfield, aircraft hangar, aircraft traffic control, infrastructure, administrative, training, dormitory, and community support facilities. EMR Inc. is being awarded the initial task order at $9,872,615 for the construction of K-C130J Enlisted Aircrew Training System Facility at Naval Air Station, Joint Readiness Base, Fort Worth, Texas. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by December 2019. All work on this contract will be performed within the NAVFAC Southeast AOR which includes Texas (40 percent); Louisiana (40 percent); and Mississippi (20 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of September 2023. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Navy Reserve); and fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,877,615 are obligated on this award; of which $5,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction; operations and maintenance (Navy); and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website with 21 proposals received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/26/18)

Contract: IDSC, $11.9M

IDSC Holdings LLC, doing business as Snap-On Industrial, Kenosha, Wisc., is awarded an $11,924,503 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 1,482 different brand-name commercial hand tools and toolboxes with a total overall quantity of 158,516 items for Lot 11 low-rate initial production F-35 Lightning II aircraft in support of the Joint Strike Fighter F35A/B/C Tool Control Program. Work will be performed in Kenosha and is expected to be completed in September 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance; fiscal 2018 working capital fund (Navy); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $11,924,503 will be obligated at time of award, $160,164 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; one offer was received. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($9,565,654; 80.2 percent); and the governments of Israel ($1,174,474; 9.9 percent); Japan ($777,715; 6.5 percent); and Korea ($406,660; 3.4 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-18-C-0667). (Source: DoD, 09/26/18)

SSC chalks up new RS-25 test

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – NASA stayed right on schedule Tuesday with the third in a series of scheduled RS-25 rocket engine tests at Stennis Space Center. The successful hot fire of RS-25 developmental engine No. 0525 on the A-1 stand met all test objectives and featured several key elements, most notably an acceptance test of an engine flight controller for use by NASA’s new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The hot fire also represented the seventh test of a 3D-printed pogo accumulator and the third test of a main combustion chamber fabricated using a bonding technique designed to save time and money. The flight controller units are a key component of the RS-25 engine, serving as the “brain” to help it communicate with the rocket and to provide control of its operation and internal health diagnostics. Engineers are testing RS-25 engines to help power the new SLS rocket, built to carry humans deeper into space than ever before, including to the Moon and Mars. Four RS-25 engines will help power the SLS at launch, providing 2 million pounds of combined thrust. (Source: NASA/SSC, 09/25/18) Previous

Navy's VFA-101 to leave Eglin

The Navy plans to deactivate next year the F-35C fleet replacement squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and combine it within VFA-125, the other fleet replacement squadron, at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. Seapower Magazine reports that according to an internal directive dated Sept. 10, the Navy intends to deactivate Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA-101), which trains F-35C instructors, pilots and maintainers, on July 1. VFA-101, a former fleet replacement squadron for the F-14 Tomcat, was reactivated in 2012 and began flying F-35Cs in 2013. (Source: Seapower Magazine 09/24/18) Air Force F-35A instructors, pilots and maintainers also train at Eglin.

Contract: Integrated Solutions, $17.5M

Integrated Solutions for Systems Inc., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $17,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Weapons Effects Simulation Testing effort. This contract provides for research and development concepts and conventional inventory weapon systems. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 27, 2023. This award is the result of a broad agency announcement. Fiscal year 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $50,000 is being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin AFB, is the contracting activity (FA8651-18-D-0023/FA8651-18-F-0027). (Source: DoD, 09/24/18)

Contract: Global Connections, $13M

Global Connections to Employment Inc., Pensacola, Fla., is awarded $13,028,622 for modification P00010 to extend the previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N68836-17-C-0005) to exercise option period two for full food and mess attendant services in support of Naval Air Station, Pensacola; and Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; and mess attendant services in support of Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Miss. The contract includes a one-month base period, two 12-month option periods, one 11-month option period, and a six-month extension option, which if all options are exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $45,737,677. Work will be performed in Pensacola (60 percent); Eglin AFB, (20 percent); and Gulfport (20 percent), and work is expected to be completed by September 2019. If all options on the contract are exercised, work will be completed by February 2021. Subject to the availability of funds, fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,028,622 will be incrementally funded throughout year, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is a sole-source procurement under the AbilityOne Program (Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 8.704). with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/24/18)

Contract: L3 Vertex, $16.3M

L3 Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is awarded $16,332,950 for modification P00007 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N61340-17-D-0005) to exercise an option to provide for intermediate level maintenance, repair, and logistics services in support of the Chief of Naval Aircraft Training aircraft. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. (50 percent); NAS Corpus Christi, Texas (45 percent); and NAS Whiting Field, Fla. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/21/18)

Contract: EMR, $16M

EMR Inc., Niceville, Fla., is awarded $15,990,000 for a firm-fixed-price contract for an addition/alteration to an existing commissary at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The contract is for a 539 calendar day period based on the issuance of the notice to proceed which is expected in November 2018. Offers were solicited via full and open competition, and three offers were received. The contracting activity is the Defense Commissary Agency, Enterprise Acquisition Division, Construction Design Branch, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, Texas (HDEC03-18-C-0003). (Source: DoD, 09/20/18)

Contract: CAE USA, $25.4M

CAE USA Inc., Tampa, Fla., was awarded a $25,352,844 modification (P00022) to contract W911S0-15-C-0003 for fixed-wing courses, academic and flight simulator, flight training and support services. Work will be performed in Dothan, Ala., with an estimated completion date of March 9, 2024. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $25,352,844 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Rucker, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/19/18)

New A321 uses renewable fuel

A321 with renewable fuel takes off Wednesday
Airbus photo

MOBILE, Ala. – Airbus’ A320 series production facility in South Alabama will deliver its first aircraft partially powered by sustainable jet fuel on Thursday. The JetBlue A321 flew today with the renewable fuel mixture and is scheduled to depart Mobile tomorrow with 15 percent sustainable jet fuel in its tanks. In total, five A321s are due to be delivered to JetBlue from Mobile using sustainable fuel by the end of 2018. All of the fuel will be supplied and certified by Air BP. It will be loaded into the aircraft by Signature Flight Support, Airbus’ fueling services provider in Mobile. Since May 2016, Airbus has offered customers the option of taking delivery of new aircraft from Toulouse, France, using a blend of sustainable jet fuel. Following the deliveries to JetBlue, Airbus will determine the next steps toward offering this option to more customers taking aircraft deliveries from Mobile. Longer term, Airbus envisions supporting industrial production of sustainable fuels for aviation in the U.S. Southeast. (Source: Airbus, 09/19/18) Renewable jet fuel is chemically equivalent to conventional jet-A fuel, with no difference in performance or safety. Thousands of commercial flights have flown on different types of renewable jet fuel.

Contract: DynCorp Int, $173.2M

DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $173,174,040 for modification P00041 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, labor hour, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-15-D-0003). This modification provides organizational, intermediate, and depot-level maintenance and logistics support for 16 T-34, 54 T-44, and 287 T-6 aircraft. Work will be performed in Corpus Christi, Texas (50 percent); Milton, Fla. (39 percent); Pensacola, Fla. (8 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/18/18)

Moss Point flight testing MQ-8Cs

MQ-8C takes off in Moss Point, Miss.
Northrop Grumman photo

MOSS POINT, Miss. – Northrop Grumman recently began flight tests for MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopters produced in Moss Point at the Trent Lott International Airport, a major milestone for the company and the region's aerospace economy. The plant is key to producing and testing the MQ-8C Fire Scout, the Navy's newest autonomous helicopter that is bringing increased speed, endurance and payload capacity to maritime operations. The Navy recently completed initial operational test and evaluation aboard the USS Coronado (LCS 4) for the MQ-8C Fire Scout, which has over 1,500 program flight hours. The aircraft is a modified Bell 407 helicopter, and final assembly is done in Moss Point at a 101,000-square-foot plant that opened in 2006 and now works on the Fire Scout and Global Hawk unmanned systems and does subassembly work for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. "Building on Northrop Grumman's recent announcement of new production capabilities in Moss Point and a 40 percent increase in employment at the site, the ability to now conduct MQ-8C Fire Scout flight tests where the production occurs will bring new efficiencies and effectiveness to our local operations and improve our ability to serve the U.S. Navy," said Melissa Packwood, program director, Fire Scout, Northrop Grumman. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 09/14/18) Previous: MQ-8C being tested on LCS; Plant expanding, adds F-35 work

Contract: Lockheed, $88M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $88,029,912 for modification P00002 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm, firm-fixed-price contract (N0001918C1048). This modification exercises an option for F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production Lot XI support equipment for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (31 percent); Redondo Beach, Calif. (25 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (13 percent); Hartford, Conn. (12 percent); Melbourne, Australia (8 percent); Rome, Italy (4 percent); Franklin, Ohio (4 percent); and Chatsworth, Calif. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2022. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $88,029,912 will be obligated at time of award, $45,158,482 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, 09/14/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: MS Dpt Rehab Svc, $7.4M

Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $7,397,000 modification (P00005) to exercise an option on contract FA3010-18-C-0007 for full food services. The location of performance is Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,397,000 will be obligated when they become available. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler AFB, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/14/18)

Contract: UTC, $266M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $266,062,462 cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract for the procurement of program administrative labor for non-recurring sustainment activities; supplies, services and planning for depot activations; material and support equipment for depot maintenance facilities and mockup engines and modules for test cells in support of F-35 Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford and is expected to be completed in October 2021. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); non-U.S. DoD participant, and FMS funds in the amount of $266,062,462 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($83,646,823, 31 percent); Marine Corps ($43,446,086, 16 percent); Navy ($32,271,482, 12 percent); non-U.S. DoD participants ($99,075,389; 37 percent); and FMS ($7,662,682; 3 percent). This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-18-C-1069). (Source: DoD, 09/13/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.