Thursday, August 30, 2018

Contract: Whitesell-Green, $17.6M

Whitesell-Green Inc., Pensacola, Fla., was awarded $17,559,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N6945018F0727 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N69450-16-D-1109) for the renovation of the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Building 101 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The work to be performed provides for renovation, to include demolition, of the north half of the space and quarterdeck (Area A) and renovation of the south half of the space (Area B) of Building 101 administrative areas. Project also includes construction of a vestibule at the main entrance with incidental site work. The contractor shall provide the labor, supervision, engineering materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies and transportation to perform all work described in the request for proposal. The task order also contains one planned modification, which if issued would increase the cumulative task order value to $17,615,859. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Fla., and is expected to be completed by January 2021. Fiscal 2018 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $17,559,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, is the contracting activity (N69450-16-D-1109). (Source: DoD, 08/30/18)

Contract: Harper, $30.8M

Harper Construction Co. Inc., San Diego, Calif., was awarded $30,817,653 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247318F4873 under a previously awarded, multiple award construction contract (N62473-18-D-5853) for construction of a F-35 simulator facility at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The facility will support six full mission simulators and support spaces including administrative, classroom, and conferences spaces. The building will also include space for other training devices as required by the Marine Corps weapons systems planning document and be in compliance with intelligence community technical specifications. Work will be performed in San Diego and is expected to be completed by May 2020. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $30,817,653 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/30/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center

Contract: UTC, $118.2M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., was awarded not-to-exceed $118,219,503 for modification P00007 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm target, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-17-C-0020). This modification provides for initial spares, including four F135-PW-600 (STOVL) engines for the Marine Corps; one power module and gearbox; four lift fan modules; and eight drive shafts in support of the Marine Corps’ low-rate initial production Lot 11 F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Work will be performed in East Hartford (67 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (26.5 percent); and Bristol, United Kingdom (6.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $118,219,503 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, 08/30/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $250.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $250,438,817 modification to a previously awarded, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-16-C-0033). This modification definitizes pricing for F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production Lot 11 production non-recurring special tooling and special test equipment. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (27.68 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (17.21 percent); Samlesbury, United Kingdom,(14.04 percent); Orlando, Fla. (8.86 percent); Nashua, N.H. (8.55 percent); San Diego, Calif. (4.42 percent); Baltimore, Md. (3.31 percent); Marietta, Ga. (2.73 percent); Turin, Italy (1.40 percent); Rochester, United Kingdom (1.38 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (0.70 percent); Rolling Meadows, Ill. (0.64 percent); Palmdale, Calif. (0.63 percent); Papendrecht, Netherlands (0.61 percent); Melbourne, Fla. (0.56 percent); East Aurora, N.Y. (0.54 percent); Irvine, Calif. (0.53 percent); Arlington, Texas (0.53 percent); Valencia, Calif. (0.53 percent); British Columbia, Canada, (0.52 percent); Camden, N.J. (0.39); Garden Grove, Calif. (0.37); Cheltenham, United Kingdom, (0.27); Hauppauge, N.Y. (0.25 percent); Kjeller, Norway (0.23 percent); Grand Rapids, Mich. (0.22 percent); Clearfield, Utah (0.22 percent); St. Charles, Mo. (0.19 percent); Tempe, Ariz. (0.17 percent); Williston, Vt. (0.16 percent); Avon, Mass. (0.16 percent); Wichita, Kan. (0.16 percent); Inglewood, Calif. (0.13 percent); Sarasota, Fla. (0.13 percent); Kongsberg, Norway (0.12 percent); Plano, Texas (0.12 percent); Helena, Mont. (0.11 percent); Eskisehir, Turkey (0.11 percent); City of Industry, Calif. (0.10 percent); Montmorency, Australia (0.10 percent); and other locations inside and outside the continental U.S. (0.92 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2021. Fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy); international partner; and foreign military sales funding in the amount of $250,438,817 will be obligated at time of award, $168,038,355 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchase for the Air Force ($86,299,673; 34.46 percent); Marine Corps ($44,887,147; 17.92 percent); Navy ($36,851,534; 14.71 percent); Foreign Military Sales customers ($41,216,398; 16.46 percent); and international partners ($41,184,065; 16.45 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/30/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Boeing, $805.3M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded a ceiling price $805,318,853 fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract to provide the design, development, fabrication, test, verification, certification, delivery, and support of four MQ-25A unmanned aerial refueling vehicles, including integration into the carrier air wing to provide an initial operational capability to the Navy. The work will be performed in St. Louis (45.5 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (6.9 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (3.1 percent); Quebec, Canada (3.1 percent); Palm Bay, Fla. (2.3 percent); San Diego, Calif. (1.5 percent); and various locations inside and outside the continental U.S. (37.6 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2024. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $79,050,820 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; three offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-18-C-1012). (Source: DoD, 08/30/18) Gulf Coast note: The Navy conducts primary aviation training in the Gulf Coast region.

MAF-built EM-2 vessel in Florida

Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans completed construction on the spacecraft capsule structure that will return astronauts to the Moon. It was shipped to Florida and arrived last week at Kennedy Space Center. It is now undergoing final assembly. The capsule structure, or pressure vessel, for NASA's Orion Exploration Mission-2 (EM-2) spacecraft was welded together over the last seven months by Lockheed Martin technicians and engineers at the NASA New Orleans facility. The EM-2 mission in mid-2022 will be its first flight with astronauts on board, taking them farther into the solar system than ever before. The first pressure vessel for EM-1, which will be used in an unmanned flight, was also built at Michoud and sent to Kennedy for final assembly. (Sources: multiple, including Orlando Sentinel, Virginia Pilot, (08/28/18) Previous

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Contract: Rockhill Group, $8.4M

The Rockhill Group, Molino, Fla., has been awarded an $8,430,746 firm-fixed-price modification (P00020) to contract (FA4890-16-C-0011) for the air-to-ground intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance contract. The contract modification is for exercising Option Year Two. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $76,627,660. Work will be performed at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.; Hancock Field, N.Y.; March Air Reserve Base, Calif.; and Creech AFB, Nev. Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019 for this option period. Air Combat Command Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/29/18)

Contract: PAE Aviation, $17.9M

PAE Aviation and Technical Services LLC, Marlton, N.J., has been awarded a $17,865,292 modification to contract FA4890-15-C-0018. Contractor will provide functional and quality assurance support for the aerial targets program, which directly supports live-fire weapons system testing and enables the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group in the developmental and operational weapons testing for all air-to-air missiles for the F-22, F-35, F-16, and F-15 aircraft. Work will be performed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.; and Holloman AFB, N.M., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $17,865,292 will be obligated at the time of award. Air Combat Command, Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/29/18)

Contract: Booz Allen, $17.6M

Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Va., is awarded $17,559,070 for a firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, one-year task order (M95494-18-F-0009) under a previously awarded General Services Administration (GSA) One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) contract (GS00Q14OADU108) for Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters directorate wide professional services. The services procured include: program management; logistics program support; information technology program support; operations support; planning support; government and external affairs support; facilities support; and enterprise content management support. This task order includes four one-year option periods, which, if exercised, could bring the cumulative value of this task order to $82,262,555. Work will be performed at McLean (54 percent); Arlington, Va. (35 percent); Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan (4 percent); New Orleans, La. (2 percent); Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. (2 percent); Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. (2 percent); and Charleston, S.C. (1 percent). Work is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2019. If all options are exercised, work will continue through Aug. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $1,573,147 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This task order was competitively solicited via GSA OASIS, with three proposals received. The Marine Corps Installations Command, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/29/18)

Gulf Power passing on savings

Solar pnels at NAS Whiting Field Holley OLF
Gulf Power photo
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Gulf Power today filed an agreement with the Florida Public Service Commission seeking approval to reduce rates for 2019 and beyond by some $9.6 million on an annual basis. This reduction reflects the remaining tax savings resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Of that amount, $3.8 million will benefit businesses and industrial customers, including Northwest Florida's military bases. Renewables, like solar fields, also put downward pressure on rates. (Source: Gulf Power, 08/29/18)

Friday, August 24, 2018

Bell closes Lafayette plant

LAFAYETTE, La. – Bell Helicopters is shutting down its operation at the Lafayette Regional Airport. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) said the state’s contract with Bell was being terminated due to underperformance. LED provided $26 million in funding to the manufacturer in 2013 to establish an assembly base in the state. The facility was initially supposed to be the final assembly line for the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X but later transitioned to the 525 cabin subassembly facility. Part of the agreement was that Bell would create 115 new direct jobs. Bell renegotiated the contract last year to bring that number down to 95. But Bell currently employs 22 full-time workers at the site. The work done in Lafayette will be done now in Amarillo, Texas. LED is seeking to be repaid $16 million. (Sources: KLFY, Helicopter Investor, 08/23/18, Acadiana Advocate, 08/24/18) Lafayette is about two hours west of New Orleans along Interstate 10.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Contract: BAE Systems, $83.5M

BAE Systems, Technology Solutions and Services Inc., Rockville, Md., is awarded an $83,479,530 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This level of effort contract provides up to a maximum of 1,012,800 hours of direct labor support services. Tasking includes maintenance, integrated logistic support, management, life cycle sustainment, and the upgrade of current systems; such as the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance system; using new and emerging technologies in support of the Special Communications Mission Solutions Division. Work will be performed in California, Md. (38 percent); Chesapeake, Va. (26 percent); Spring Lake, N. C. (9 percent); San Diego, Calif. (7 percent); Pranzer Kaserne, Germany (4 percent); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (3 percent); Fort Bliss, Texas (3 percent); St. Inigoes, Md. (3 percent); Fort Campbell, Ky. (2 percent); Fort Lewis, Wash. (2 percent); Homestead, Fla. (1 percent); Fort Carson, Colo. (1 percent); and Camp Lejeune, N.C. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2023. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal, with two offers received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-18-D-0062). (Source: DoD, 08/23/18)

Contract: Technical Systems, $10.6M

Technical Systems Integration Inc., Chesapeake, Va., is awarded a $10,585,142 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for depot-level repair, overhaul, and modification for the MK-105 magnetic minesweeping gear. The MK105 Magnetic Influence Minesweeping System is a high-speed catamaran hydrofoil platform which is towed behind the MH-53E helicopter and is used to sweep magnetic influence mines. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $54,044,081. Work will be performed in Panama City, Fla., and is expected to be completed by August 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,657,763 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 Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City Beach, is the contracting activity (N61331-18-D-0011). (Source: DoD, 08/23/18)

Contract: MSE Group, $10M

MSE Group LLC, San Antonio, Texas, is awarded a maximum amount $10,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for professional hazardous material and waste management environmental compliance and engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of responsibility (AOR). A task order in the amount of $15,659 is being awarded to prepare Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act Sections 312 and 313 regulatory requirements for reporting year 2018 at Naval Support Activity Panama City, Fla. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by July 2019. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations in the NAVFAC Southeast AOR. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of August 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $15,659 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with seven proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-18-D-0119). (Source: DoD, 08/23/18)

F-35 nose gear collapses

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – An Air Force F-35A that returned to base after an in-flight emergency was photographed with its nose pointed down after its nose gear collapsed while it was on the flight line. The plane from the 58th Fighter Squadron had the ground incident after noon Wednesday, according to the 33rd Fighter Wing. Nobody was injured. The flight line is near the runway Eglin shares with the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. No commercial traffic was affected. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the mishap is under way. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 08/22/18)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Contract: Boeing, $8.2M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded an $8,192,003 firm-fixed-price contract for five Automated System Test Set Trailers and spares. Work will be performed in St. Louis and will be completed by Aug. 20, 2020. Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $8,192,003 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8678-18-C-0007). (Source: DoD, 08/22/18)

Airman getting Medal of Honor

A Hurlburt Field airman who gave his life on the battlefield will be recognized Wednesday for his sacrifice. Air Force Tech Sgt. John Chapman will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Air Force video of his March 2002 battle in Afghanistan shows Chapman and his reconnaissance team. They engaged the enemy in the rescue of a Navy petty officer who'd fallen from the chopper they were on, landing on an enemy-infested mountain top. Despite being wounded in the rescue, Chapman continued to fight, ultimately losing his life. During that battle 16 years ago, seven service members lost their lives in a battle that lasted more than an hour. Chapman becomes the 19th airman to win the nation’s highest military honor, and the first airman since the Vietnam era. (Source: WEAR-TV, Northwest Florida Daily News, 08/20/18)

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Contract: Kratos, $109M

Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., Sacramento, Calif., has been awarded a $108,959,357 firm-fixed-price contract, for Lot 14-16 production and contractor logistics support. Work will be performed at Sacramento and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $27,094,365 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8678‐18‐C‐0002). (Source: DoD, 08/21/18)

Whiting gets new energy award

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. - The Department of Energy recognized NAS Whiting Field this week for its contributions to energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy technologies. Selected earlier this month as the Department of the Navy’s small shore installation Energy Excellence award winner for 2018, NAS Whiting Field’s recent Utility Energy Savings Contract (UESC) was also selected by the Department of Energy (DOE) as a Federal Energy and Management Program (FEMP) award for 2018. The project was one of only nine selected throughout the entire federal government, and the only Department of Navy project recognized. (Source: NAS Whiting, 08/21/18) Previous related

Monday, August 20, 2018

Contract: Jacobs, $13.9M

Jacobs Technology Inc., Tampa, Fla., is awarded a $13,879,811 cost-plus-fixed-fee-term contract. This is a bridge contract that provides for uninterrupted contractor support services, most importantly in the areas of information technology (IT) and information assurance (IA), for the F-35 Joint Program Office. Services to be provided under this contract include program management, IT, IA, enterprise architecture, emerging capabilities and requirements, operations management, enterprise management, and asset management support. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va. (77 percent); Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (6 percent); Patuxent River, Md. (4 percent); Eglin AFB, Fla. (4 percent); Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio (3 percent); China Lake, Calif. (2 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (2 percent); and Jacksonville, Fla. (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2019. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $7,545,000 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-2. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-18-C-0674). (Source: DoD, 08/20/18)

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Relativity making history in 2019

Relativity Space, a California-based company that's building a rocket using far fewer parts thanks to additive manufacturing, will test for the first time in history the combination of a 3D printed engine with a 3D printed fuel tank at Stennis Space Center, Miss., in 2019. KABC-TV reports that the company's operation is in a nondescript business park in Inglewood. The station says building a rocket usually takes 12 to 18 months and consists of more than 100,000 parts. Relativity Space takes two months and the rocket is made of fewer than 1,000 parts. (Source: KABC-TV, 08/17/18) Previous: Startup banks on military launches; Relativity, SSC sign new agreement

Friday, August 17, 2018

Contract: Lockheed, $26.1M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $26,127,742 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001918F2038) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides for non-recurring engineering activities associated with the F-35 Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) Security Architecture Phase III design, development, integration and test of the ALIS Sovereign Data Management (SDM) system in support of the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and F-35 international partners. This effort provides F-35 international partners the capability to review and block messages to prevent sovereign data loss. Additionally, the effort includes studies and recommendations to improve the security architecture of ALIS. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (53 percent); and Orlando, Fla. (47 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); and international partner funds in the amount of $26,127,742 will be obligated at time of award, $6,912,067 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Air Force ($10,769,545; 41 percent); Marine Corps ($7,895,656; 30 percent); Navy ($1,988,809; 8 percent), and international partners ($5,473,732; 21 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/17/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

NASA selects projects

NASA selected 20 research and technology proposals valued at $15 million from 19 American small businesses. Each is partnering with research institutions for Phase II of NASA’s Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. The selections include two projects supporting Stennis Space Center: One is “Through Wall Wireless Intelligent Sensor an Health monitoring,” developed by American GNC Corp. of Simi Valley, Calif., an Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York. The other is “High Performance Simulation Tool for Multiphysics Propulsion Using Fidelity-Adaptive Combustion Modeling,” developed by Streamline Numerics, Inc. of Gainesville, Fla., and Stanford University of Stanford, Calif. Only small businesses awarded Phase I contracts are eligible to submit a proposal for a Phase II funding agreement. Phase II is focused on the development, demonstration and delivery of the innovation. Phase II projects are chosen as a result of competitive evaluations and based on selection criteria provided in the Solicitation. Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000. For a complete list of the STTR selections, click here. (Source: NASA/SSC, 08/17/18)

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Bridenstine sees RS-25 test

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – Operators conducted a successful test of RS-25 developmental engine No. 0525 – complete with a new flight controller unit – on the A-1 Test Stand as new NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and other agency officials watched. The hot fire was the first RS-25 test at Stennis since February, when operators powered the engine to its highest operating level ever. It also was the first test of developmental engine No. 0525 since August 2015. It marked the first in a series of nine scheduled tests on engine No. 0525 through the rest of the year and into 2019. Each will feature an RS-25 flight controller for use on an actual SLS mission, as well as testing engine components made with innovative manufacturing designed to reduce the cost of future engines. Four RS-25 engines will power the Space Launch System designed to take astronauts on deep-space missions. (Source: NASA, 08/14/18) The test was to have lasted 500 seconds, but aborted at 319 due to a facility issue. All the test objectives, however, were met. (Source: NASA Spaceflight, 08/14/18)

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

August aero newsletter available

The August issue of the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter is now available. This issue has a story about the effort to expand the MRO operations at Pensacola International, and a story about the development of an aviation park just outside Naval Air Station Whiting Field near Milton. Both promise to make the Pensacola metro area a leader in the field. There is also a story about the recent Southeast Aerospace and Defense Conference in Mobile, where that city's aerospace footprint continues to grow. (Source: GCAC Newsletter, 08/14/18)

Monday, August 13, 2018

Contract: Lockheed, $480M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $480,000,000 undefinitized contract for air-launched rapid response weapon critical design review and test and production readiness support. Work will be performed in Orlando and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-18-C-0021). (Source: DoD, 08/13/18)

Contract: Boeing, $17M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $17,002,107 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001918F2654 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0001). This order is for the retrofit documentation and kits to convert nine F/A-18E and two F/A-18F aircraft into a Blue Angel configuration in accordance with engineering change proposal 6480. Work will be performed in St. Louis and is expected to be completed in December 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,002,107 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, 08/13/18) Gulf Coast note: The Blue Angels are based in Pensacola, Fla.

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Two repair hangars open

ANDALUSIA, Ala. – Aircraft maintenance service provider Yulista Holding has opening a new fixed- and rotary-wing facility at the Southern Alabama Regional Airport. It includes two hangars, an office, and manufacturing and storage space, with services geared toward Lockheed C-130 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The airport's proximity to Eglin Air Force Base and other Northwest Florida military installations opens new opportunities for contracts, the company said. Yulista, based in Huntsville, Ala., also announced this week it had completed a new 80,000-square foot hanger at the Huntsville Executive Airport. (Sources: Intelligent Aerospace, Yulista, 08/10/18) Yulista also has a maritime operation in Panama City Beach, Fla.

Friday, August 10, 2018

Contract: Lockheed, $302M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $301,980,301 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N0001917F0472 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides for the procurement of ancillary mission equipment for F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production Lot 12 aircraft in support of the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, the non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps), non-DoD participant and FMS funds in the amount of $301,980,301 will be obligated at time of award, $41,066,198 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Air Force ($109,727,547; 36 percent); Marine Corps ($50,115,140; 17 percent); Navy ($8,979,210; 3 percent); non-DoD participants ($102,334,986; 34 percent); and FMS customers ($30,823,418; 10 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/10/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Choctawhatchee, $20M

Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative Inc., DeFuniak Springs, Fla., has been awarded a maximum $19,989,648 modification (P00012), incorporating the economic-price-adjustment agreement to the existing 50-year contract (SP0600-16-C-8314) with no option periods, for electric utility services. This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract. Location of performance is Florida, with a July 31, 2067, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2067 operations and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va. (Source: DoD, 08/10/18)

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Contract: Lockheed, $105M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $104,991,053 for modification P00003 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-18-C-1004) for continued design maturation and development of contractually identified Block 4 common capabilities. These efforts are in support of the F-35 Phase 2.2(A)(1) pre-modernization of common capabilities in support of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and the international partners. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in July 2019. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) and international partner funds in the amount of $27,000,000 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 ($83,950,846; 79.96 percent) and the international partners ($21,040,207; 20.04 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/09/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Raytheon, $110M

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded an $110,000,000 total-package approach, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Paveway Family of Weapons. The contract action provides a total-package approach for Paveway-specific activities including but not limited to: studies, production, certification, integration, and sustainment. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed Feb. 9, 2029. This contract involves foreign military sales (FMS) to the Philippines and countries with active cases to acquire Paveway weapon systems or have expressed interest in the Paveway Family of Weapons. FMS funds in the amount of $1,554,527 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-18-D-0001). (Source: DoD, 08/09/18)

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Contract: Lockheed, $19.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $19,931,983 for modification P00010 to a delivery order (N0001917F0108) previously issued against basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020. This modification provides for the procurement of Aircraft Management System (AMS) and Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD) components, mitigating hardware lead time schedule risk for Technical Refresh Phase 3 development, as well as integration of AMS and PCD into identified development laboratories to support Lot 15 F-35 Lightning II production. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in September 2019. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $15,852,703 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/08/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Continental begins plant work

MOBILE, Ala. – Continental Motors has begun work on a nearly 275,000-square-foot engine and parts manufacturing facility at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. The plant will include $40 million in new equipment and an area dedicated to new manufacturing techniques and processes, such as additive manufacturing. The plant, which consolidates operations scattered among nearly a dozen buildings, is expected to be operational in 2019. Continental Motors, which employs 400 workers in Mobile, is a subsidiary of China’s AVIC International Holding LTD. It produces piston and turbine engines for light aircraft, and also provides services. (Source: al.com, 08/05/18, Birmingham Business Journal, AP via U.S. News and World Report, 08/06/18)

NAS Whiting wins award

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton was is the recipient of the Department of the Navy Energy Excellence Award for 2018 in the Navy Small Shore category. The announcement was made Aug. 3 by the Secretary of the Navy. The award program promotes excellence in the areas of energy security, new technology, innovation, program management and efficiency across the department. Whiting Field successfully implemented several initiatives resulting in a nearly 20 percent energy intensity reduction, already exceeding the 2020 energy goals established by the Secretary of the Navy. This feat was possible in part through completion of a year-long Utility Energy Service Contract in partnership with Gulf Power. (Source: Naval Air Station Whiting Field, 08/06/18)

Monday, August 6, 2018

Contract: Raytheon, $13.1M

Raytheon Missiles Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $13,100,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification (P00007) to contract FA8656-15-D-0019 for advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) technical support. The contractor will provide technical services and analysis supporting the AMRAAM weapon system. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $35,000,000. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/06/18)

Contract: Straub, $16.8M

Straub Construction Inc., Santa Rosa, Calif/, is awarded $16,800,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247318F4874 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-16-D-1887) for construction of the Air Wing Training Facility at Naval Air Station, Fallon. The work to be performed provides for construction of the facility that will support desk-style aircraft simulators, Virtual Aegis Combat simulators, F-35 Mission Rehearsal Trainers, and unmanned aerial system simulators, E-2D simulators and support spaces. Project will be constructed with reinforced concrete masonry with seismic upgrades, reinforced concrete slab, structural steel framing, elastomeric roof and structural elements that would allow the expansion of the facility in the future if required. Work will be performed in Fallon and is expected to be completed by August 2020. Fiscal 2017 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $16,800,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/06/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Sentient, $49M

Sentient Digital Inc., doing business as Entrust Government Solutions, New Orleans, La., is awarded a total $49,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for information technology (IT) engineering support services. IT services in this contract will assist Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems (C4S) division (N6) in providing and sustaining Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of the Navy (DoN) compliant technical C4S solutions. Additionally, this contract will satisfy emerging requirements, enhance and develop IT capabilities in support of MSC’s mission and assist in the development of governance to ensure IT capabilities align to MSC N6’s strategic business support plan, MSC N6’s technical architecture road maps, DoD, and DoN mandates. The solutions primarily satisfy emergent cyber security mandates and technical refreshes for end of life hardware and software. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed Aug. 15, 2023. Fiscal 2018 working capital funds in the amount of $10,000 will be obligated as the initial task order and will satisfy the minimum guarantee requirements. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with eight offers received. The Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, is the contracting activity (N32205-18-D-1000). (Source: DoD, 08/06/18)

Airport finishes runway project

KILN, Miss. - About $5 million worth of improvements are finished at Stennis International Airport in Hancock County. The 8,500-foot grooved and lighted runway is an essential component to attracting new companies to the airpark, currently home to 16 companies and nearly 400 employees. Stennis Airport also serves as a military training facility, relying on both the runway as well as Stennis Space Center’s acoustical buffer zone. The $4.85 million in funding came from the Federal Aviation Administration's airport improvement program. (Source: WLOX-TV, 08/06/18)

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Contract: Lockheed, $33M

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., has been awarded a $32,077,853 modification (P00720) to contract F04701-02-C-0002 for Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Satellite Vehicle 4. The contract modification is to implement SV 4 operational resiliency phase one for the AEHF. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 space research; and development test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,086,205 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $9,236,908,810. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/03/18) Gulf Coast note: Core propulsion subsystem work the AEHF is done by Lockheed Martin at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Contract: Multiple, $68.8M

Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Va. (N00189-18-D-Z042); CACI Inc. – Federal, Chantilly, Va. (N00189-18-D-Z043); Deloitte & Touche LLP, Arlington, Va. (N00189-18-D-Z044); Systems Planning and Analysis Inc., Alexandria, Va. (N00189-18-D-Z045); and Whitney, Bradley & Brown Inc., Reston, Va. (N00189-18-D-Z046), are awarded an estimated $68,606,390 multiple award cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts that will include terms and conditions for the placement of both cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price task orders to provide contractor support of strategic assessment and planning; manpower assessment; planning and programming analysis support; financial program management; manpower, personnel, training and education program and policy assessment and management; and quantitative analysis, forecasting, performance assessment, and research, development, test and evaluation program management support in support of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) manpower, personnel, training and education domain comprised of the DCNO, the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Personnel Command, the Navy Manpower Analysis Center, Commander Naval Education and Training, and Commander Navy Recruiting Command. The contracts will run concurrently and will include a 36-month base ordering period and two 36-month optional ordering periods which if exercised, the total value of this contract will be $223,902,299. Work will be performed in Millington, Tenn. (50 percent); Arlington, Va. (30 percent); Pensacola, Fla. (10 percent); various locations throughout the continental U.S. (8 percent); and various contractor facilitates (2 percent). The base ordering period of the contract is expected to be completed by August 2021; if all options are exercised, the ordering period will be completed by August 2027. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $50,000 will be obligated ($10,000 on each of the five contracts to fund the contracts’ minimum amounts) and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured for the award of multiple contracts pursuant to the authority set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation 16.504. The requirement was solicited through the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 11 offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/03/18)

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

New RS-25 production run nears

As the next series of RS-25 engine test firings at the Stennis Space Center, Miss., nears, Aerojet Rocketdyne is assembling the new components of its “production restart” design and fabricating the parts for new flight engines. Aerojet Rocketdyne’s RS-25 program is primarily based out of its Canoga Park facility in the Los Angeles area, where most of the engineering and production of the engines is done. All of the flight engines are planned to be delivered to NASA by July, 2024. The new engines are due to begin flying on the fifth Space Launch System (SLS) launch. The SLS program has 16 engines left over from the Space Shuttle era, which will be used on the first four launches – four engines per launch. The engines are modified from their Space Shuttle configurations to operate at a higher power level and more severe thermal environment. They went through extensive ground testing from early 2015 through late 2017. Changes to the engine design will be certified in part during dozens of ground test firings at Stennis, grouped into a series of tests on different ground test engines. The first production restart test series, called “Retrofit 1a,” was completed in late February. That series demonstrated the first major production restart component, the pogo accumulator assembly. The pogo units are now built using a 3-D printing technique. The last of four hot-fire tests saw development engine 0528 (E0528) throttled up to a record 113 percent RPL. The upcoming Retrofit 1b test series is currently targeted to start in the A-1 test stand at Stennis in mid-August. Following the completion of the rapid-turnaround demonstration of the AR-22 engine, Aerojet Rocketdyne’s other SSME derivative, E0525 was delivered to the stand on July 23 for installation. (Source: NASA Spaceflight, 07/31/18) Previous related: Testing of AR-22 underway;