Contract: multiple, $906.6M

Aktarius LLC, Panama City, Fla. (W911SR-23-D-0020); Applied Training Solutions LLC, Greensburg, Pa. (W911SR-23-D-0021); Carter-Lambert Divisions LLC, Waldorf, Md. (W911SR-23-D-0022); Chimera Enterprises International Inc., Edgewood, Md. (W911SR-23-D-0023); Global Systems Technologies Inc., Morrisville, Pa. (W911SR-23-D-0024); Hythe Research LLC, Havre de Grace, Md. (W911SR-23-D-0025); L2 Defense Inc., Baltimore, Md. (W911SR-23-D-0026); MLT Systems LLC, Stafford, Va. (W911SR-23-D-0027); Murtech Inc., Glen Burnie, Md. (W911SR-23-D-0028); Strategic Technology Institute Inc., Rockville, Md. (W911SR-23-D-0029); The Lockwood Group LLC, Belcamp, Md. (W911SR-23-D-0030); CSMI LLC, Salem, N.H. (W911SR-23-D-0031); Culmen International LLC, Alexandria, Va. (W911SR-23-D-0032); Gryphon Technologies L.C., Washington, D.C. (W911SR-23-D-0033); HII Defense and Federal Solutions Inc., Huntsville, Ala. (W911SR-23-D-0034); IAP Worldwide Services Inc., Cape Canaveral, Fla. (W911SR-23-D-0035); Interfuze Corp., Huntsville, Ala. (W911SR-23-D-0036); K.D. Analytical Consulting LLC, Lexington, Ky. (W911SR-23-D-0037); MAG DS Corp., Fairfax, Va. (W911SR-23-D-0038); Patricio Enterprises Inc., Stafford, Va. (W911SR-23-D-0039); SciTech Services Inc., Havre de Grace, Md. (W911SR-23-D-0040); STS International Inc., Berkeley Springs, W.V. (W911SR-23-D-0041); The Logistics Company Inc., Fayetteville, N.C. (W911SR-23-D-0042); Clark Creative Solutions LLC, Baltimore, Md. (W911SR-23-D-0043); DMAERO LLC, Byron, Ga. (W911SR-23-D-0044); Integrity Consulting Engineering & Security Solutions LLC, Purcellville, Va. (W911SR-23-D-0045); NetSea Technologies LLC, Bel Air, Md. (W911SR-23-D-0046); Semper Valens Solutions Inc., Canyon Lake, Texas (W911SR-23-D-0047); SkyBridge Tactical LLC, Tampa, Fla. (W911SR-23-D-0048); and Tier Tech International Inc., Delray Beach, Fla. (W911SR-23-D-0049), will compete for each order of the $906,570,000 order-dependent contract to support systems and government entities that provide force protection against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats. Bids were solicited via the internet with 43 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 2, 2031. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/19/22)

Newly designed RS-25 test cut short

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted the first test of the newly redesigned RS-25 engine for future flights of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket Dec. 14, completing 209.5 seconds of a scheduled 500 second hot fire at the agency’s center in South Mississippi. The hot fire test was shut down early by a non-flight system used to monitor the engine. NASA and SLS lead engine contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne are analyzing data to review the monitoring system, evaluate engine performance, and identify the reason for the early test cutoff. Because the test was being done for redesigned engines in support of Artemis V and beyond, no impacts to RS-25 hardware for earlier missions is expected. The single-engine hot fire, known as a confidence test, was designed to confirm all is ready to proceed with a series of certification tests early next year on a full RS-25 certification engine. NASA and the company modified 16 of the engines remaining after the Space Shuttle Program for use on Artemis mission I through IV. The upcoming series of testing is for the RS-25 engines that will be used beginning with Artemis V. (Source: NASA/SSC, 12/15/22)

Contract: multiple, $4B

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Md. (N00039-23-D-9001); DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pa. (N00039-23-D-9002); Management Services Group, doing business as Global Technical Systems, Virginia Beach, Va. (N00039-23-D-9003); L3Harris, Camden, N.J. (N00039-23-D-9004); Leidos, Reston, Va. (N00039-23-D-9005); Peraton, Herndon, Va. (N00039-23-D-9006); Serco, Herndon, Va. (N00039-23-D-9007); and VT Milcom, Virginia Beach, Va. (N00039-23-D-9008), are awarded a $4,098,600,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) production units, software – initial, renewals and maintenance, spares and system components, and lab equipment. CANES is the Navy's program of record that consolidates and replaces existing afloat networks providing the necessary infrastructure for applications, systems and services required to dominate the cyber warfare tactical domain. CANES represents a key aspect of the Navy's modernization planning by upgrading cybersecurity, command and control, communications and intelligence systems afloat, and by replacing unaffordable and obsolete networks. The primary goals of the CANES program are to: 1) Provide a secure afloat network required for Naval and Joint Operations; 2) Consolidate and reduce the number of afloat networks through the use of Common Computing Environment and mature cross domain technologies; 3) Reduce the infrastructure footprint and associated Logistics, Sustainment, and Training costs; and 4) Increase reliability, security, interoperability and application hosting to meet current and projected warfighter requirements. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Ala.; San Diego, Calif.; Largo, Fla.; Ayer, Mass.; Long Beach, Miss.; Camden, N.J.; Johnstown, Pa.; Summerville, S.C.; Clarksville, Va.; Gainesville, Va.; Sterling, Va.; and Virginia Beach, Va. Work is expected to be completed by December 2032. Contract actions will be issued and funds obligated as individual delivery orders. Other procurement (Navy) funds will be placed on contract with an initial delivery order issued to each contractor on record at the time of award. This contract has a 10-year ordering period up to the contract award amount. There are no options. The multiple award contract was competitively procured by full and open competition bids via the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) e-Commerce Central and the Federal Business Opportunities websites, with 10 offers received. Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/16/22)

Contract: Lockheed, $245.7M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas is awarded a not-to-exceed $245,745,216 undefinitized cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001923F0002) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001919G0008). This order provides program management support, non-recurring engineering, F-35B/C laser shock peening, depot site support, contractor field and regional depot modification installations in support of retrofit and modification efforts for the F-35 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) partners. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (29.2%); Nagoya, Japan (14.4%); Cameri, Italy (12.6%); Williamtown, Australia (7.9%) Samlesbury, United Kingdom (6.2%); Ogden, Utah (6.1%); Cherry Point, N.C. (5.4%); Iwakuni, Japan (2.7%); Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (2.5%); Cheongju, South Korea (2.1%); El Segundo, Calif. (1.9%); McLean, Va. (1.6%); Miramar, Calif. (1.5%); Lemoore, Calif. (1%); Yuma, Ariz. (1.5%); Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (1.4%); Nevatim, Israel (0.8%); various locations within the Continental United States (1.2%), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,211,825; fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $15,683,409; FMS customer funds in the amount of $15,612,217; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $22,095,154 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, 12/16/22)

Contract: Johns Hopkins, $49.9M

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, Laurel, Md., has been awarded a $49,900,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract provides for specifically designed models, software routines, hardware sub-systems, systems, platforms, and tools that enable weapon development and analysis for sensor/payload/subsystem performance. Work will be performed in Laurel and is expected to be completed by Dec. 15, 2029, and includes issued task orders. This contract was a result of a sole-source solicitation based on the capabilities of a University Affiliated Research Center.  Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $500,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8651-23-D-A002). (Source: DoD, 12/16/22)

Contract: Raytheon, $21M

Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded an estimated $21,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract is to develop critical subsystem technologies that support the Compact Air to Air Missile and Extended Range Air to Air Missile systems. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Dec. 15, 2029. This award is the result of a white paper originating from broad agency announcement FA8651-20-S-0008. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,725,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8651-23-D-A001). (Source: DoD, 12/16/22)

Contract: Raytheon, $619M

Raytheon Technologies Corp., doing business as Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $619,068,244 firm-fixed-price, fixed-price incentive (firm target), cost reimbursable modification (P00008) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0011). This modification adds scope to procure long-lead materials, parts and components for Lot 17 F135 propulsion systems in support of the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Additionally, this modification adds scope for the production and delivery of four F135-PW-600 propulsion systems in support of Lots 15 and 16 F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter for non-U.S. DOD partners and FMS customers, as well as provides for integration efforts for an FMS customer into the Joint Strike Fighter program. Work will be performed in Windsor Locks, Conn. (23%); Indianapolis, Ind. (19%); Houston, Texas (4%); Phoenix, Ariz. (3%); West Palm Beach, Fla. (3%); Southington, Conn. (3%); the following labor surplus areas to include East Hartford, Conn. (15%); Rockford, Ill. (5%); and New Britain, Conn. (2%); various locations within the continental U.S. (3%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (20%), and is expected to be completed in October 2030. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $101,285,551; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $44,081,814; FMS customer funds in the amount of $339,131,605; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $134,569,274 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/15/22) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: multiple, $249M

Bay West LLC SB, St. Paul, Minn. (W91278-23-D-0008); SERES-Arcadis JV SB, Charleston, S.C. (W91278-23-D-0010); SERES-Arcadis JV 8(a), Charleston (W91278-23-D-0011); FPM-AECOM JV1 8(a), St. Petersburg, Fla. (W91278-23-D-0014); EA- Engineering, Science & Technology, Hunt Valley, Md. (W91278-23-D-0001); Auxilio Plexus JV, Denver, Colo. (W91278-23-D-0013); Plexus-Ayuda JV SB, Alexandria, Va. (W91278-23-D-0006); Cape-Weston JV2 SB, Norcross, Ga. (W91278-23-D-0007); E2-ASL JV 8(a), Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (W91278-23-D-0012); QRI-Tetra Tech JV SB, Baton Rouge, La. (W91278-23-D-0027); M&A Environmental Solutions, Melbourne, Fla. (W91278-23-D-0015); M&A Environmental Solutions, Melbourne, Fla. (W91278-23-D-0005); Aerostar SES LLC, Mobile, Ala. (W91278-23-D-0002); HGL-Aptim Applied Science & Technology JV LLC, Reston, Va. (W91278-23-D-0003); CES-Insight LLC, Brea, Calif. (W91278-23-D-0009); and Hana-Bay West 8A JV LLC, North Chesterfield, Va. (W91278-23-D-0016), will compete for each order of the $249,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for environmental remediation services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 39 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 14, 2032. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/15/22) 

Contract: Rogers, Lovelock, $30M

Rogers, Lovelock, & Fritz Inc., Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $30,000,000 labor-hours contract for architect and engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 14, 2027. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-23-D-0036). (Source: DoD, 12/15/22)

Contract: Lockheed, $25M

The Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, has been awarded a $25,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract provides for research and development on advanced missile subsystem components supporting the compact air to air missile and extended range air to air missile systems. Work will be performed at Grand Prairie and is expected to be completed by Dec. 14, 2029, and includes issued task orders. This award is the result of a white paper originating from broad agency announcement FA8651-20-S-0008. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,550,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8651-23-D-A003). (Source: DoD, 12/15/22)

Training wing leader removed

The commander of the Air Force's training unit at Keesler Air Force Base. Biloxi, Miss., has been removed from his duties. Maj. Gen. Michelle Edmondson, head of the Second Air Force, relieved Col. William H. Hunter from his role as commander of the 81st Training Wing on Tuesday due to "a loss of trust and confidence” in the officer, according to a press release. The services often don't disclose specifics of why a commander is fired, typically citing the federal Privacy Act, which protects military records, and relying on the phrase "loss of trust and confidence" instead of detailing the reasons behind a shake-up, including whether there was misconduct. (Source: military.com, 12/14/22)

Contract: Lockheed, $24.4M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $24,432,476 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00003) to a previously awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N0001922D0024). This modification adds scope for maintenance and support of F-35 chase aircraft necessary to support F-35 aircraft acceptance and delivery, including all pre and post-flight activities, the removal and replacement of failed components, and return the aircraft to a clean and compliant condition suitable for first-time delivery of F-35 Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, non-U.S. Department of Defense participants, and Foreign Military Sales customer's operational aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in December 2023. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/13/22) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Air commandos get new leader

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind assumed command of Air Force Special Operations Command during a ceremony in the Freedom Hangar at Hurlburt Field Dec. 9. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. presided over the ceremony where Bauernfeind took the guidon from Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, who will go on to serve as the deputy chief of staff, operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force at the Pentagon. During his tenure, Slife led the command to become a pathfinding force paving the way in key initiatives such as palletized effects, employing Mission Sustainment Teams and steering resources to armed overwatch. He also implemented a force generation process that achieved the intent of the Secretary of Defense, and more importantly, provided deployment predictability for the Airmen of the command. (Source: Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs, 12/12/22)

Contract: M1 Support

M1 Support Services LP, Denton, Texas, was awarded a $535,391,051 modification (P00126) to contract W9124G-17-C-0104 for aviation maintenance. Work will be performed at Fort Rucker, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 15, 2024. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $9,820,728 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/12/22)

Artemis mission completed

NASA completed a crucial step Sunday toward returning astronauts to the lunar surface with the successful completion of the Artemis test mission. It sent the Orion space capsule designed for human spaceflight to orbit the moon and return safely to Earth. The Orion, which had no astronauts on board, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the Baja California peninsula of Mexico under a trio of billowing parachutes at 12:40 p.m. Eastern time. the 26-day, 1.4 million-mile mission went “exceedingly well,” NASA officials said, from the launch on Nov. 16 to flybys that brought Orion within about 80 miles of the lunar surface and directly over the Apollo 11 landing site at Tranquility Base. (Source: Washington Post, 12/11/22) Gulf Coast note: Orion and the Space Launch System were both built at Michould Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The SLS RS-25 engines were tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous

Ground breaking held for new airport

MOBILE, Ala. - On Friday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and a host of other officials broke ground on the new airport terminal. Set to open in 2025, the five-gate terminal at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley will become the new center for commercial travel in Mobile, while non-commercial flights will move to the Mobile Regional Airport in West Mobile. The Aeroplex is just six miles from the Port of Mobile, which boasts five rail lines and sits just off Interstate 10. With the deepening and widening of the port set to be completed in 2025 and the return of passenger rail service, Mobile is set to become a transportation hub and lead to economic growth, according to speakers at the groundbreaking. (Source: al.com, 12/09/22)

NASA, Boeing change SLS process

NASA and Boeing are changing how they assemble the core stage of the Space Launch System, moving some of the final integration work from New Orleans, La., to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. Currently, the five major sections of the core stage - forward skirt, liquid oxygen tank, interstage, liquid hydrogen tank and engine section - are manufactured and joined together at Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans. Starting with the SLS manufactured for Artemis 3, the upper four-fifths of the SLS will be joined at Michoud and shipped to KSC. The engine section will still be manufactured at MAF but shipped separately to KSC, where it will undergo final outfitting at the Space Station Processing Facility there, including installation of its four RS-25 engines. It will later be attached to the rest of the core stage inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC. (Source: SpaceNews, 12/07/22)

Contract: Lockheed, $2.2B

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $2,218,242,426 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, and fixed-price incentive, cost reimbursable modification (P00060) to a previously awarded contract (N0001921C0020). This modification exercises an option to provide logistics support, to include ground maintenance activities, action request solution, depot activities, automatic logistics information system operations and maintenance, reliability and maintainability, supply chain management, pilot training, maintainer training, and training system sustainment in support of delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter air systems for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (57%); Orlando, Fla. (26%); Greeneville, S.C. (11%); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (4%); and El Segundo, Calif. (2%),  and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $429,707,693; fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $121,187,907; fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $54,259,998; FMS customer funds in the amount of $121,551,361; and non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $293,723,889 will be obligated at time of award, $605,155,598 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/08/22) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Northrop, $32.5M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Military Aircraft Systems, Melbourne, Fla., is awarded a $32,458,804 firm-fixed-price order (N0001923F0080) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001920G0005). This order procures spare Wet Outer Wing Panels for the government of Japan's configuration of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in St. Augustine, Fla. (38%); Melbourne, Fla. (10%); Gardena, Calif. (7%); Clemmons, N.C. (5%); Ronkonkoma, N.Y. (3%); Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (2%); Edgewood, N.Y., (1%); Tulsa, Okla. (1%); Hauppauge, N.Y. (1%); Merritt Island, Fla. (1%); Cedar City, Utah (1%); Carson, Calif. (1%); Irvine, Calif. (1%); Crestview, Fla. (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (27%), and is expected to be completed in July 2027. Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $32,458,804 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, 12/08/22)

News feed comes to end

The Gulf Coast Aerospace News feed will cease posting updates Dec. 31, 2022, ending 14 years of providing daily aerospace news briefs from the I-10 region between Southeast Louisiana and Northwest Florida. The blog will remain available for viewing. Gulf Coast I-10 aerospace news briefs dating back to 2005, compiled prior to the 2008 launch of the blog, will be accessible via dtortorano@gmail.com. (Source: GCAC, 12/07/22)