Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Contract: Lockheed, $1.9B

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $1,926,811,724 cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost reimbursable contract. This contract procures recurring logistics services for delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Air Systems in support of the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Services to be provided include ground maintenance activities, action request resolution, depot activation activities, automatic logistics information system operations and maintenance, reliability, maintainability and health management implementation and support, supply chain management and activities to provide and support pilot and maintainer initial training. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (61%); Orlando, Fla. (25%); Greenville, S.C. (5%); Warton, United Kingdom (6%) and Redondo Beach, Calif. (3%); and is expected to be completed in December 2020. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy), non-DOD participant and FMS funds in the amount of $1,014,338,012 will be obligated at time of award, $671,022,784 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchase for the Air Force ($392,321,076; 38%), Marine Corps ($191,048,520; 19%), Navy ($87,653,188; 9%), non-DoD participants ($231,962,860; 23%) and FMS customers ($111,352,368; 11%). This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-20-C-0006). Awarded Dec. 30, 2019. (Source: DoD, 12/31/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and F-35 reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $172.2M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a not-to-exceed $172,210,000 fixed-price-incentive-firm target, advance acquisition contract. This contract procures long lead materials, parts components and effort for the production of 28 lot 15 F-35 aircraft for the Navy and Marine Corps. Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas (35%), El Segundo, Calif. (25%), Warton, United Kingdom (20%), Orlando, Fla. (10%), Nashua, N.H. (5%), and Baltimore, Md. (5%), and is expected to be completed in November 2023. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $172,210,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 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 (N00019-20-C-0009). Awarded Dec. 27, 2019. (Source: DoD, 12/31/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and F-35 reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $98.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $98,948,397 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N00019-20-F-0377) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-19-G-0008). This order provides for the integration of the Next Generation Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System into all variants of the F-35 aircraft in support of the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in July 2022. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy), fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force) and non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $98,948,397 will be obligated at time of award, $40,665,812 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy ($40,665,812; 41%), Air Force ($40,665,812; 41%) and non-DOD participants ($17,616,773; 18%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. Awarded Dec. 30, 2019. (Source: DoD, 12/31/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and F-35 reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $82M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded an $81,968,583 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-19-C-0010). This modification procures hardware and software development of select block 4 capabilities through developmental flight test for the F-35 Lightning II in support of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Additionally, this modification provides requirements decomposition of advanced block 4 capabilities in support of the system functional review. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in June 2022. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy; $2,096,577) and non-DOD participant funds ($77,775,605) for $79,872,182 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. Awarded Dec. 30, 2019. (Source: DoD, 12/31/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and F-35 reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $68M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $68,000,000 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0033). This modification provides product process verification on F-35 production operation cards to identify and correct potential process issues and implement and validate corrective actions in support of the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in June 2024. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy; $34,000,000) and fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force; $34,000,000) funds in the amount of $68,000,000 will be obligated at time of award, $34,000,000 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. Awarded Dec. 27, 2019. (Source: DoD, 12/31/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and F-35 reprogramming labs.

Monday, December 30, 2019

Duke gets MH-139A, new unit

DUKE FIELD, Fla. - Duke Field at Eglin Air Force Base in Northwest Florida took delivery Dec. 19 of the new MH-139A helicopter. Nicknamed the "Grey Wolf," the MH-139A is the Air Force’s first service-specific helicopter, and the first helicopter acquisition by the Air Force’s Global Strike Command. The MH-139A is a military version of Leonardo’s AW-139 commercial helicopter outfitted for military use by Boeing. The Air Force is paying $2.38 billion for up to 84 helicopters. The Global Strike Command will use the MH-139A for security and support for missile installations across North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and Nebraska. The Grey Wolf will bring improvements in speed, range, endurance and payload over the Vietnam-era UH-1N "Huey," which it's replacing. In addition to providing security for nuclear missiles, the Grey Wolf also will have a role in providing security in the nation’s capital. It's also to be used in civil search and rescue, survival school and test support. A new unit, Detachment 7, has been established to evaluate and test the helicopter and will work with Air Force Materiel Command’s Duke Field-based 413th Flight Test Squadron, the Air Force’s only dedicated helicopter test unit. (Sources: Pensacola News Journal, 12/19/19, Crestview Bulletin, 12/15/19)

Friday, December 27, 2019

Contract: Raytheon, $768.3M

Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $768,283,907 non-competitive fixed-price incentive (firm) contract for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Production Lot 33. This contract provides for the production of the AMRAAM missiles, captive air training missiles, guidance sections, AMRAAM telemetry system, spares and other production engineering support hardware. Work will be performed in Tucson with an expected completion date of Feb. 28, 2023. This contract involves unclassified foreign military sales to Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and United Kingdom, which accounts for 47% of the contract value. Fiscal 2018 Air Force and Navy procurement funds in the amount of $21,606,031; fiscal 2019 Air Force and Navy procurement funds in the amount of $356,753,259; fiscal 2020 Navy procurement funds in the amount of $4,212,839; fiscal 2019 Air Force research and development funds in the amount of $7,343,150; fiscal 2020 Air Force and Navy research and development funds in the amount of $10,295,601; fiscal 2020 Air Force operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,404,956; and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $366,668,071 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Dominance Division Contracting Office, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-20-C-0033). (Source: DoD, 12/27/19)

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Contract: Lockheed, $7B

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $7,000,000,000 modification (P00009) to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract FA8205-18-D-0001 for F-22 air vehicle sustainment. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for additional five year ordering period for comprehensive F-22 air vehicle sustainment. Work will be performed at five operational bases: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; Tyndall AFB, Fla.; Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.; and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and at six support locations: Edwards AFB, Calif.; Palmdale, Calif.; Hill AFB, Utah; Tinker AFB, Okla.; Sheppard AFB, Texas; and Warner Robins AFB, Ga.; as well as at other potential stateside and overseas locations, combat deployment and en-route support bases, potential locations through depot partnering agreements and system program office locations and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2032. This contract action is the result of a sole-source acquisition. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/20/19)

Contract: UTC, $455.5M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $455,524,124 modification (P00016) to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-18-C-1021). This modification provides for non-recurring engineering and tooling in support of the lot 14 production and delivery of 32 F135-PW-100 propulsion systems and one F135-PW-600 propulsion system for F-35 Joint Program Office non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants. Work will be performed in East Hartford (97%); Indianapolis, Ind. (2%); and Bristol, United Kingdom (1%), and is expected to be completed in April 2022. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps, and Navy); fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force); and non-DoD participant funds in the amount of $413,030,550 are being obligated at time of award, $13,932,222 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for non-DoD participants ($385,166,106; 93%); Air Force ($13,932,222; 3%); Navy ($6,966,111; 2%); and the Marine Corps ($6,966,111; 2%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/21/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Northrop, $22.5M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., is awarded a $22,471,211 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide engineering, cyber security, system software, logistics and training services in support of the MQ-8 Fire Scout Unmanned Air Systems. Work will be performed at San Diego and is expected to be completed in December 2020. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement; and operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,778,236 will be obligated at time of award, $7,999,858 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-20-C-0025). (Source: DoD, 12/20/19) Gulf Coast note: Moss Point, Miss., does final assembly Work on the MQ-8 Fire Scout.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Contract: Georgia Tech, $85M

Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Atlanta, Ga., has been awarded an $85,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Golden Horde Science and Technology demonstration effort. The first task order will be awarded as an undefinitized contract action, with a not-to-exceed of $46,000,000 under task order FA8651-20-F-1070. The five year contract provides support for research and development of emerging munition technologies, as well as integrated weapon demonstrations. The effort is conceptualized as a fast-paced Air Force Research Laboratory-led demonstration project executed under the auspices of the Team Eglin Weapon Consortium. Work will be performed at Atlanta, Ga., and is expected to be completed by December 2021 for task order 0001. This award is the result of a non-competitive acquisition under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency needs. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $17,290,000 are being obligated on the first task order at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8651-20-D-0070). (Source: DoD, 12/19/19)

Contract: UTC, $58.4M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engine, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a $58,382,282 fixed-price-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee task order (N00019-20-F-0001) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-17-G-0005). This order provides non-recurring engineering for early identification, development and qualification of corrections to potential and actual operational issues, including safety, reliability and maintainability problems identified through fleet usage, accelerated mission testing, continues engine maturation and evaluates component life limits based on operational experience in support of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Aircraft for the Navy, Air Force; non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford (87%) and Indianapolis, Ind. (13%), and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy and Air Force), non-DoD participant and FMS funds in the amount of $19,422,149 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy ($20,908,426; 36%); Air Force ($19,887,707; 34%); non-DoD participants ($9,471,149; 16%) and FMS customers ($8,115,000; 14%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/19/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $8,993,361 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract. This contract provides support to establish the common reprogramming tool development network and selection of a service-oriented architecture needed to commence development of enhanced reprogramming tools, which is essential for all standing labs in support of the F-35 aircraft for the Navy and the government of Australia. Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas (97%) and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (3%), and is expected to be completed in December 2020. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) and non-Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $6,995,574 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 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 (N00019-20-C-0026). (Source: DoD, 12/19/19)

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Contract: Boeing, $92.3M

Boeing Aerospace Operations Inc., St. Louis, Mo., is awarded a not-to-exceed value of $92,280,378 undefinitized contract action. This cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-quantity contract provides engineering technical services in support of Naval Aviation weapon systems and all associated systems and equipment throughout their sustainment life-cycle, to include contractor field services in support of the AV-8B, EA-18G, F/A-18, C-40, and P-8A aircraft for the Navy and the government of Kuwait. Work will be performed in Iwakuni, Japan (17.88%); Oceana, Va. (8.48%); Whidbey Island, Wash. (8.25%); New Orleans, La. (7.26%); Miramar, Calif. (6.85%); Beaufort, S.C. (5.45%); Kuwait (5.36%); Fort Worth, Texas (5.06%); North Island, Calif. (5.06%); Jacksonville, Fla.(4.61%); Pensacola, Fla. (3.63%); Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (3.63%); Patuxent River, Md. (3.63%); China Lake, Calif. (3.63%); Cherry Point, N.C. (3.63%); Yuma, Ariz., (3.63%); Fallon, Nev. (1.8%); Lemoore, Calif. (1.8%); various locations within the continental U.S. (.3%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (.06%), and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued; fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds (Navy) in the amount of $791,695 will be obligated for the first task order, all of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to the 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-20-D-0007). (Source: DoD, 12/18/19)

Contract: Lockheed, $50.2M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $50,161,071 modification (P00026) to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-18-C-1048). This modification exercises an option to procure unique F-35 Autonomic Logistics Information System hardware and support equipment for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in El Segundo, Calif. (25%); Orlando, Fla. (20%); Windsor, Conn. (16%); Rome, Italy (12%); Fort Worth, Texas (11%); Bend, Or. (6%); Long Island, N.Y. (4%); Pharr, Texas (2%); Riverside, Calif. (2%); and Farnborough, United Kingdom (2%), and is expected to be completed in September 2024. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $50,161,071 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/18/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 traing center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $8.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $8,890,964 modification (P00019) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N00019-18-F-2476) previously placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020. This modification is for the procurement of modification kits required for modification and retrofit activities in support of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps and Navy); fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); and fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps and Navy) funds in the amount of $8,890,964 will be obligated at time of award, $1,021,042 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Air Force ($3,857,905; 43%); Marine Corps ($3,789,990; 43%); and Navy ($1,243,068; 14%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/18/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

December newsletter published

The December issue of the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter is now available for download. This issue, the last of 2019, takes a look back at the key aviation-related stories that occurred in the Gulf Coast region during the year. There's a separate story that looks forward to what might happen in 2020. (Source: GCAC, 12/17/19)

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Contract: Primus, $8.8M

Primus, Beltsville, Md., was awarded an $8,782,763 firm-fixed-price contract for cold and hot aviation refuel and defuel services, personnel, management, parts, supplies, transportation and vehicles/trucks. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Work will be performed in Daleville, Ala., with an estimated completion date of June 16, 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $5,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission Installation Contracting Command, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity (W9124G-20-C-0004). (Source: DoD, 12/13/19)

Contract: Arete Assoc., $17.6M

Arete Associates Inc., Northridge, Calif., is awarded a $17,561,860 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously-awarded contract (N61331-18-D-0012) to exercise Option 2, to provide Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) Block I systems. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. (35%); Destin, Fla. (35%); and Santa Rosa, Calif. (30%), and is expected to be completed by July 2022. No funding will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/13/19)

Friday, December 13, 2019

Contract: Lockheed, $18M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $18,055,674 modification (P00055) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0004). This modification provides for the maintenance and operation of the Australia, Canada, United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory (ACURL). This effort includes sustainment support for all ACURL systems to include consumables for the F-35 aircraft in support of the governments of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed in February 2021. Non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $18,055,674 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, 12/12/19)

Contract: DMR Consult, $9M

DMR Consulting Inc., Panama City Beach, Fla., is awarded an $8,991,202 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N61331-19-D-0002 to exercise the option for the depot level repair, overhaul and modification for the MK-105 Magnetic Minesweeping Gear. This option exercise is for depot level repair and maintenance of the MK105 Magnetic Minesweeping Gear. The MK105 Magnetic Influence Minesweeping System, better known as the "sled," is a high-speed catamaran hydrofoil platform, which is towed behind the MH-53E helicopter and is used to sweep magnetic influence mines. Work will be performed in Panama City, Fla., and is expected to be completed by December 2020. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, Panama City, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/12/19)

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Saudi aviation students grounded

The Navy has grounded Saudi military trainees at three bases in Florida in the wake of a deadly shooting Friday at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., by a member of the Saudi Royal Air Force. The suspension of flight training will affect about 300 Saudi students at NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field near Milton and NAS Mayport in Jacksonville. Classroom instructions will continue, and other international students will resume flight training. The safety stand-down was issued pending results of an FBI investigation of the shooting that left three sailors dead and eight others, including two deputies, wounded. Investigators believe Saudi 2nd Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, 21, acted alone. He was fatally shot by a deputy. In addition, an Air Force spokeswoman told Reuters an undisclosed number of additional Saudi students have also stopped flying at other U.S. bases. There are 850 Saudi students in the U.S. for military training. (Source: New York Times, Reuters, 12/10/19) Previous

Sunday, December 8, 2019

FBI presuming shooting terrorism

The FBI is presuming the fatal shooting Friday of three servicemen at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., was terrorism, but the agency has yet to declare an official motive. In a Sunday afternoon press conference, Rachel L. Rojas, FBI special agent in charge of the Jacksonville division, said federal, state, and local authorities are investigating the attack by Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, 21, a second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force. who was training as a naval flight officer at NAS Pensacola. He was killed by a sheriff’s deputy. Authorities are "working with the presumption that this was an act of terrorism,” Rojas said. The main goal now is to see if Ashamrani acted alone or was part of a network. (Source: NBCNews, 12/08/19) The handgun used by Alshamrani was a 9mm Glock bought legally in Florida, according to the FBI. Rojas said during the press conference at Escambia County's Emergency Operations Center that is was purchase lawfully through a process that was open to "not just him, but any foreign national." She did not say when or where it was purchased. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has information on regulations allowing foreign nationals to buy guns on U.S. soil. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 12/08/19) Previous

Final NAS shooting victim IDd

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Navy officials on Saturday night released the names of all three aviation students who were shot to death Friday by a gunman at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Two of them, Joshua Kaleb Watson and Mohammed Sameh Hathaim, earlier were identified by their families. The third victim was identified by the Navy as Cameron Scott Walters, 21, of Richmond Hills, Ga. He enlisted Sept. 16 and after basic training reported to Pensacola Nov. 24. All three were students at Naval Aviation Schools Command at NAS. The shooter was shot to death by deputies. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 12/07/19) Previous

Saturday, December 7, 2019

2nd NAS shooting victim IDd

PENSACOLA, Fla. - A 19-year-old who was in Pensacola for flight crew training has been confirmed by a family member as one of the three people killed by a Saudi gunman Friday at Naval Air Station Pensacola. In a phone call with the Pensacola News Journal, Doretha Brady confirmed her grandson, Mohammed Hathaim of St. Petersburg, Fla., was killed in the shooting. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Hathaim joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 2018, and had moved to Pensacola for his training at NAS. He was scheduled to graduate the flight school program on Dec. 19. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 12/07/19) Previous

Troubling gunman image emerging

The gunman who killed three people at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., on Friday before being killed by deputies hosted a dinner party earlier in the week where he and three others watched videos of mass shootings, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. One of the students who attended aviation student Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani's dinner party videotaped outside the building while the shooting took place, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity after being briefed by federal authorities. Two other Saudi students watched from a car, said the official, adding that 10 Saudi students were being confined to the base Saturday. (Source: AP via Yahoo, 12/07/19) In other reports, barely two hours before Alshamrani went on a shooting spree, tweets purportedly written by him criticized the United States for its support of Israel and for stationing troops at bases in Saudi Arabia. The FBI is working to confirm that tweets came from him. Also, according to SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors online extremism, in social media posts Alshamrani appeared to have quoted slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack. (Sources: Reuters, USAToday, 12/07/19) Previous

Family identifies NAS victim

One of the three victims killed by a Saudi gunman at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., on Friday has been identified by his family. Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, of Enterprise, Ala., graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis this year and arrived in Pensacola two weeks ago for flight training. In a tribute on Facebook, Adam Watson wrote that his brother saved lives by giving up his own. Watson was shot multiple times but made his way outside to tell first responders where the shooter was. "He died a hero and we are beyond proud but there is a hole in our hearts that can never be filled,” wrote the brother. The assault, which is being investigated as possibly terror-related, ended when a sheriff's deputy killed the gunman, identified as Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a second lieutenant in the Saudi Royal Air Force. (Sources: Daily Mail, Reuters, 12/07/19) Previous

Contract: Lockheed, $153.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $153,392,916 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously-awarded contract (N00019-19-C-0074). This modification procures special tooling and special test equipment required to meet current and future F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production as well as full-rate production rates. Work will be performed in Rome, Italy (29.9%); Redondo Beach, Calif. (24.4%); Fort Worth, Texas (21.3%); Clearfield, Utah (10.4%); Marietta, Ga. (6.9%); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (3.7%); Papendrecht, Netherlands (0.9%); Irvine, Calif. (0.7%); Williston, Vt. (0.6%); Helena, Mont. (0.5%); Kongsberg, Norway (0.4%); and Amityville, N.Y. (0.3%), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps); non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) international partners; and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $153,392,916 will be obligated at time of award, $39,892,893 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($55,841,076; 36%); Navy ($51,887,772; 34%); Marine Corps ($22,286,205; 15%); non-U.S DoD international partners ($17,564,488; 11%); and FMS customers ($5,813,375; 4%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/06/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center.

Contract: BAE, $12.6M

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Md., has been awarded a $12,608,102 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract modification (P00003) to previously-awarded contract FA8109-18-D-0005 to exercise Option Two. The contract modification extends the contract term for an additional 12 months in order to continue providing diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages support for Air Force and non-Air Force users supporting the Air Force, to proactively reduce mission capability impacts to improve logistics support and weapon system sustainability. This effort will help assure all required parts and materials supporting Air Force-managed weapon systems are available within acceptable production lead times and will reduce the overall cost of ownership of the weapon systems by facilitating economical diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages resolutions costs, reducing the number of reactive solutions, minimizing any delays in organic depot-level repair, as well as contractor repair and by improving weapon system availability. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.; and Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; and is expected to be completed by June 20, 2021. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $37,386,305. Fiscal 2020 and 2021 consolidated sustainment activity group engineering funds will be obligated on any individual task orders issued during the option two performance period. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/06/19)

Friday, December 6, 2019

NAS Pensacola shooter IDd

The shooter who was shot to death after he killed three people at Naval Air Station Pensacola Friday has been identified by multiple news outlets as Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a second lieutenant in the Saudi Air Force. The foreign aviation student was shot by an Escambia County deputy. Authorities are trying to determine if the morning shooting in a large school complex at the base was terrorism-related. NAS Pensacola is a key training facility for the Navy, and is called the "Cradle of Naval Aviation." Parts of the base look like a college campus, including Building 633 where the shootings occurred. The base is where 60,000 members of the Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard receive training each year in multiple aviation-related technical fields. Students at the base include a couple hundred from U.S. partner nations, including Saudi Arabia. (Sources: multiple, including AP via Miami Herald, NBC News, ABC7 News, WEAR-TV, 12/06/19) Previous

Aviation academy ground broken

KILN, Miss. - Pearl River Community College (PRCC) broke ground Tuesday on the Phil Bryant Aviation and Aerospace Workforce Academy in Hancock County, across from Stennis International Airport. It's possible thanks to a $2 million grant from the Department of Economic Development Administration (EDA), matched with more than $3.9 million in state and local investments. It's expected to help create 469 jobs, retain 550 jobs, and generate $5 million in private investments. The academy will be an estimated 25,000 square feet that will consist of eight classrooms, five labs, reception area, faculty and staff offices, and more. Part of the complex will be a hangar of some 18,000 square feet and will consist of two classrooms with labs, open hangar area with hands-on lab stations. The facility is expected to be complete in 2021. Students will be able to study welding, precision manufacturing, instrumentation, industrial electronics, and more. (Sources: WLOX, 12/03/19, PRCC, 12/04/19)

Lockheed expanding at SSC

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – Lockheed Martin is expanding its operations at NASA's Stennis Space Center (SSC) in Hancock County in a $20.9 million investment that will create 30 jobs. Lockheed Martin's primary activity at SSC is to design and build satellites and spacecraft for government and commercial customers. For the expansion, Lockheed Martin is centralizing select thermal production capabilities to its SSC location and will begin manufacturing products that are key components of all spacecraft currently manufactured by the company. The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for building renovations. The project qualifies for tax abatements under the Hancock County Board of Supervisors’ current incentives program. (Source: Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, 12/03/19)

NAS Pensacola shooter was Saudi

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. - The shooter who used a handgun to kill three people at Naval Air Station Pensacola has been identified as a Saudi national. He was one of the international students in aviation-related training at the Navy base. His name has not been released, but the FBI is handling the investigation as a possible act of terrorism. NAS Pensacola has had students from partner nations training at the facility for many years. Officials did not say how long he had been training. Building 633, where the shooting occurred, is a multi-story facility that houses schools for a range of aviation technical training courses. (Source: GCAC, 12/06/19) Previous

4 dead in NAS Pensacola shooting

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. - Four people are dead, including the shooter, at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Eleven others were injured and sent to Baptist Hospital and Sacred Heart Hospital. The base is on lockdown. The shooting occurred before 7 a.m. CST at Building 633. The base has 16,000 military and 7,400 civilians and is a key Navy technical training base. It's also home of the Blue Angels flight demonstration team, Barrancas National Cemetery, and the National Naval Aviation Museum. (Sources: multiple, including ABC News, AP via the Ledger, USAToday, 12/06/19) Updated with new information from a news conference that a fourth person died.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

United orders 50 A321XLRs

United Airlines has placed a firm order for 50 Airbus A321XLR jetliners as it begins to phase out older models and launches an expansion of transatlantic routes from its key U.S. hubs in Newark/New York and Washington D.C. United plans to take delivery of the first A321XLR in 2024 and expects to begin international service with the aircraft in 2025. The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step in the A320neo/A321neo series of aircraft that meets market demand for an increased range and payload in a single-aisle aircraft. It will allow service from the U.S. East Coast to a much larger selection of European destinations. At the end of October 2019, the A320neo series had accumulated more than 7,000 firm orders from over 110 customers worldwide. (Source: Airbus, 12/04/19) Many of the A321XLRs ordered by United Airlines will likely be built in Mobile, Ala.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Contract: Lockheed, $988.8M

Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $988,832,126 definitization modification (PZ0010) to previously-awarded contract FA8681-18-C-0021 for Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon critical design review, test and production readiness support. The contract modification will definitize the contract terms, specifications and price. Work will be performed at Orlando and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2022. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $988,832,126. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being obligated in the amount of $23,000,000 at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/02/19)

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Contract: UTC, $522M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $521,996,409 undefinitized contract modification (P00070) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee and fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract (N00019-17-C-0010). This modification provides performance based logistics sustainment in support of the F-35 Lightning II F135 propulsion system for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford (73%); Oklahoma City, Okla. (18%); Camari, Italy (3%); Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (2%); Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (1%); Hill Air Force Base, Utah (1%); Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (1%); and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C. (1%), and is expected to be completed in November 2020. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance (Air Force) funds for $72,261,440 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($179,272,654; 34%); Marine Corps ($134,605,633; 26%); Navy ($29,758,385; 6%); non-DoD participants ($124,483,008; 24%), and FMS customers ($53,876,729; 10%) under the FMS Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/27/19)

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Contract: Raytheon, $386M

The Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $386,000,000 contract modification (P00001) to the previously awarded contract FA8681-18-D-0001 for the total package approach (TPA) to the Paveway Family of Weapons. The contract action provides a TPA for Paveway-specific activities including, but not limited to: studies, production, certification, integration and sustainment. This modification increases the ceiling of the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract from the previously awarded amount of $110,000,000 to $496,000,000. Work will be performed at Tucson, Arizona; and Air Force test ranges. This modification involves 100% foreign military sales to countries with active cases to acquire Paveway weapon systems or have expressed interest in the Paveway Family of Weapons. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $496,000,000. Foreign Military Sales funds are being used and no funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Direct Attack Branch, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/20/19)

Contract: L3, $77.2M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $77,247,414 firm-fixed-price contract for contractor operated and maintained base supply of the Air Education and Training Command fleet of 178 T-1A trainer aircraft. Work will be performed at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Vance AFB, Okla.; Columbus AFB, Miss., and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2020. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount $15,787,799 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8106-18-C-0001). (Source: DoD, 11/20/19)

Contract: Schmidt-Prime, $30M

Schmidt-Prime Group LLC, Pensacola, Fla., is awarded a $30,000,000 maximum amount firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for professional architectural and engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of operations (AO). The work to be performed provides for preparation of professional architectural and engineering services for preparation of design-bid-build documents and design-build request for proposals for various project types at Department of Defense (DoD) and non-DoD activities in the NAVFAC Southeast AO. Initial task order is being awarded at $441,467 to provide engineering services to update the installation DD Form 1391 project documentation and prepare the region team final DD Form 1391 for the Advanced Helicopter Training System at Naval Air Station, Whiting Field, Milton, Fla. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by March 2020. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations in the NAVFAC Southeast AO including, but not limited to, Florida (20%); Georgia (17%); South Carolina (15%); Louisiana (10%); Mississippi (10%); Texas (10%); Andros Island, Bahamas (5%); Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (5%); Tennessee (3%); Alabama (1%); Arkansas (1%); Kansas (1%); Missouri (1%); and Oklahoma (1%), and is expected to be completed by November 2024. Fiscal 2019 military construction (MILCON, Navy) contract funds in the amount of $441,467 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance and MILCON, Navy. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 26 proposals received. NAVFAC Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-20-D-0002). (Source: DoD, 11/20/19)

Contract: Lockheed, $831M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $831,008,187 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target, firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0001). This modification provides for the production and delivery of 15 lot 14 F-35A aircraft and associated red gear in support of the Government of Australia. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (59%); 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%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed in March 2023. Non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $831,008,187 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, 11/26/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., has an F-35 training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $328M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $327,950,000 fixed-price-incentive-firm-target advance acquisition contract to procure long lead material, parts and components in support of the Lot 15 production and delivery of 48 F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the Air Force. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (35%); El Segundo, Calif. (25%); Warton, United Kingdom (20%); Orlando, Fla. (10%); Nashua, N.H. (5%); and Baltimore, Md. (5%), and is expected to be completed in June 2023. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $327,950,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 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 (N00019-20-C-0009). (Source: DoD, 11/26/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., has an F-35 training center.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

VT 86 has command change

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. - The "Sabrehawks" of Training Squadron (VT) 86 held a change-of-command ceremony Nov. 14 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, where Cmdr. Eric Reeves relieved Cmdr. Joshua Fuller as commanding officer. During his tenure, Fuller saw 224 Naval Flight Officers received their Wings of Gold and together accumulated more than 19,000 hours in the T-45C Goshawk jet trainer. Fuller, a graduate of Samford University in Alabama, earned his wings in December 2001. Reeves is a native of Baldwinsville, N.Y., and a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduate earning his commission through the Navy ROTC program. He earned his wings in 2003 as a naval flight officer. Cmdr. George Zintak, a native of Chicago, will assume the role of executive officer. VT-86 graduates complete follow-on training with fleet replacement squadrons to prepare them for future fleet aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler. (Source: Chief of Naval Air Training, 11/22/19)

35,000th helicopter aviator winged

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – Training Air Wing (TRAWING) 5 celebrated a milestone in naval aviation when the 35,000th rotary wing student naval aviator walked across the stage at Naval Air Station Whiting Field to receive his "Wings of Gold" Nov. 22. Lt. j.g. Robert Woods, a native of Northlake, Ill., walked off the stage at the Lassen Auditorium as the Navy’s newest helicopter pilot. He joined 22 other students in achieving the designation. Woods will go on to fly the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter with the Airwolves of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Forty in Jacksonville, Fla. TRAWING 5 conducts primary flight training and advanced rotary training at NAS Whiting Field. The wing flew 129,937 hours in fiscal year 2019, which accounts for 46 percent of all of Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) hours and 15 percent of all United States Navy flight hours. It is responsible for training all Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard helicopter pilots and winged 457 rotary wing aviators in fiscal year 2019.(Source: Naval Air Station Whiting Field, 11/22/19)

Contract: Raytheon, $72M

Raytheon Missiles Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $72,000,000 cost-plus, fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive fee, firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract 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, 2025. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. No funds are being obligated on the action at the time of award. Concurrently, the first task order will be awarded with $238,173 in fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-20-D-0010). (Source: DoD, 11/22/19)

Contract: Raytheon, $11M

Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $10,954,391 fixed-price incentive (firm) modification (P00018) to previously awarded contract FA8675-18-C-0003 for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Production program. This modification provides for acceptance of a voluntary value-engineering change proposal resulting in non-recurring engineering costs for qualification of a second source for the AMRAAM Integrated Wing Restraint rocket motor. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be complete by Dec. 15, 2021. This contract involves foreign military sales to Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Spain, United Kingdom, Poland, Romania and Morocco. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,252,588,656. Fiscal 2018 missile procurement funds (Air Force and Navy) in the amount of $7,096,254; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $3,858,137 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/22/19)

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Contract: UTC, $762.5M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $762,486,023 modification (P00014) to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-fee contract (N00019-18-C-1021). This modification exercises options for the Lot 14 production and delivery of 48 F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Air Force and 10 F135-PW-600 propulsion systems for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in East Hartford (85.3%); Indianapolis, Ind. (11.8%); and Bristol, United Kingdom (2.9%), and is expected to be completed in April 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force and Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $762,486,023 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($521,507,748; 68%); and the Marine Corps ($240,978,275; 32%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/21/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Airman's medal upgraded

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Chris Grove, a special tactics combat controller assigned as the 720th Special Tactics Group based at Hurlburt Field, Fla., was awarded the nation’s third-highest medal for gallantry against an armed enemy during a ceremony this month. Grove was originally awarded the Bronze Star in October 2008, but due to a review of awards within the 24th Special Operations Wing, the award was upgraded to a Silver Star. The action occurred in November 2007 during a reconnaissance patrol in Afghanistan. Grove was able to call in air strikes against the Taliban that had taken uphill positions, delivering thousands of pounds of munition and securing the safety of his joint and partner forces. Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, presented the medal during a ceremony, November 15 at Hurlburt Field. (Source: 24th Special Opertions Wing, 11/15/19)

Friday, November 15, 2019

Contract: Raytheon, $18.6M

Raytheon Co. Missile Systems Division, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded an $18,569,662 modification (P00003) exercising the first option year of three options to previously awarded FA8675-19-C-0004 for fiscal 2020 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) Targeting System (HTS) Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) services. The contract modification is for HTS POD CLS depot repairs and sustainment activities. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2020. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $37,260,817. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $18,569,662 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/14/19)

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Four engines mated to core

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- All four RS-25 engines were mated to the core stage of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for Artemis I, the first mission of SLS and NASA's Orion spacecraft. Engineers and technicians at Michoud Assembly Facility are now integrating the propulsion and electrical systems within the structure. The stage, which includes two huge propellant tanks, provides more than 2 million pounds of thrust to send Artemis I to the Moon. The fourth engine was attached Nov. 6 just one day after structurally mating the third engine. The first two RS-25 engines were structurally mated to the stage in October. After assembly is complete, crews will conduct an integrated functional test of flight computers, avionics and electrical systems that run throughout the 212-foot-tall core stage in preparation for its completion later this year.(Sources: Spaceref, 11/11/19, Scitechdaily, 11/08/19)

Monday, November 11, 2019

Missing airman identified

The Air Force identified the missing airman who fell out of a C-130 over the Gulf of Mexico during a training exercise as 29-year-old Special Tactics combat controller Staff Sgt. Cole Condiff. The Dallas native fell about 1,500 feet from the plane Tuesday during a parachute training exercise south of the Florida Panhandle. His parachute was deployed and he was seen treading water after the fall. Condiff was with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The recovery operation continues. (Source: multiple, including ABC News, 11/10/19) Previous

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Contract: UTS Systems, $200M

UTS Systems LLC, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., has been awarded a maximum $200,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for commercial shelters. This is a one-year base contract with three one-year option periods. Location of performance is Florida, with a Nov. 7, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPE1C1-20-D-1210). (Source: DoD, 11/08/19)

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Airman missing after fall from plane

An Air Force airman who fell out of the C-130 he was flying in over the Gulf of Mexico remains missing. Rescue crews were searching for the man in a 700-square-mile area south of the Florida Panhandle, about two nautical miles offshore between Destin and Pensacola, Fla. The plane was based at Hurlburt Field, Fla., near Mary Esther. Officials received the report that the airman fell into the water on Tuesday around 11:30 a.m. The staff sergeant was in training at the time and fell from the aircraft at about 1,500 feet, Pensacola station WEAR reported. Others in the plane saw the airman's parachute deploy and that he was treading water once he landed. (Sources: multiple, including ABCNews, NBCNews, 11/06/19)

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Blue Angels homecoming

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Blue Angels cap another season of nationwide air show performances with a Homecoming Air Show Friday and Saturday at Naval Air Station Pensacola. There will be three shows over the two days. Gates open at 8 a.m. both Friday and Saturday for the day shows, which begin at about 9:30 a.m. The Blue Angels fly at about 2 p.m. both days. The Friday night show is from 4 until 6:30 p.m., a show that does not include the Blue Angels. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 11/05/19) The team is headquartered at NAS Pensacola.

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Contract: General Dynamics, $46.1M

General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Fairfax, Va., is awarded a $46,103,818 modification (P00024) to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (W15QKN-15-D-0001) to execute Award Term 4 for integrated logistics support for multiple Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed at Patuxent River, Md. (52%); Mechanicsburg, Pa. (5.5%); Philadelphia, Pa. (5.5%); Jacksonville, Fla. (2.5%); Pensacola, Fla. (2.5%); various other locations within the continental U.S. (4%); Kuwait City, Kuwait (24%); Atsugi, Japan (1%) Iwakuni, Japan (1%); Koahsiung, Taiwan (1%); and Cairo, Egypt (1%), and is expected to be completed in October 2020. 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 Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/31/19)

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Contract: Lockheed, $10.6M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $10,571,178 modification (P00015) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-14-C-0040). This modification provides for the development and delivery of an enhanced simulator database and project management support for the F-35 aircraft in support of the government of Japan. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (70%); and Fort Worth, Texas (30%), and is expected to be completed in July 2021. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $10,311,534 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, 10/30/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and F-35 reprogramming labs.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Contract: Multiple, $90M

The Superior Forge & Steel Corp., Lima, Ohio; and Ellwood National Forge, Irvine, Pa., have been awarded $90,000,000 multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. These contracts provided for the procurement of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators BLU-J 27C/B Penetrator warhead case assemblies with associated components. Work will be performed at Lima and Irvine and is expected to be complete by Oct. 28, 2027. This award is the result of two sole source acquisitions. Fiscal 2018 ammunition production funds in the amount of $3,000 per contractor for the initial delivery order are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: 10/28/19)

Contract: Lockheed, $7B

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $7,027,643,109 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm-target, cost-reimbursable contract. This modification provides for the procurement of 114 F-35 aircraft for Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy; non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Specifically the modification procures 48 F-35A aircraft for the Air Force, 20 F-35B aircraft for the Marine Corps, nine F-35C aircraft for the Navy, 12 F-35A aircraft for the government of Norway, 15 F-35A aircraft for the government of Australia, and eight F-35A and two F-35B aircraft for the government of Italy. The above U.S. aircraft quantities are inclusive of fiscal 2019 (Lot 13) plus up aircraft. In addition, this modification adds scope for the Air System Diminishing Manufacturing Sources integration, software data loads, critical safety items, red gear, non-recurring engineering, recurring engineering and the Joint Strike Fighter Airborne Data Emulator. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (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 March 2023. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); non-DoD participants; and FMS funds in the amount of $7,027,643,109 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 ($2,812,512,346); Marine Corps ($1,297,487,314); Navy ($612,389,812); non-DoD participants ($2,243,321,947); and FMS ($61,931,690) customers. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: 10/28/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Contract: Lockheed, $148.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $148,417,608 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N00019-20-F-0301) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-19-G-0008). This order procures durability testing support for the certification of the F-35B aircraft variant to a minimum of 8,000 flight hours/30 year service life in support of the Marine Corps and non-Department of Defense participants. The effort includes the test article configuration, the test article build, the test plan, the testing itself, and teardown and analysis. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (65%); Palmdale, Calif. (25%); and Samlesbury, United Kingdom (10%), and is expected to be completed in July 2032. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Marine Corps) and non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $6,083,023 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, 10/25/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center.

More Mobile deliveries eyed

American Airlines and Spirit Airlines executives said on Thursday that they are working with Airbus to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs on European-made aircraft. That includes having more planes delivered from its aircraft plant in Mobile, Ala. Planes built there are not subject to a 10 percent tariff announced by Washington in the wake of the recent World Trade Organization ruling. American, one of the largest customers of the A320 series, expects 21 deliveries over the next two years, with nine already scheduled out of Airbus’ plant in Mobile. Spirit, which became the first U.S. airline to pick European planes following the tariff with a provisional order for 100 Airbus A320neo-family jets, said it was hoping for a resolution over time. Spirit’s remaining Airbus deliveries for 2019 and nine firm orders for 2020 will come from Mobile, while two are due from Hamburg and the remainder are undetermined. (Source: Reuters, 10/24/19) Previous

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Spirit wants 100 A320 series

Airbus and Spirit Airlines have agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding for the U.S.-based airline to acquire up to 100 A320neo series aircraft. Spirit announced its intention to place firm orders for a mix of A319neo, A320neo, and A321neo to meet its future fleet requirements. Spirit is based in South Florida. At the end of September 2019, the A320neo series had received more than 6,650 firm orders from nearly 110 customers worldwide. (Source: Airbus, 10/23/19) Gulf Coast note: Airbus builds the A320 series in Mobile, Ala., as well as in Germany, France and China.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Contract: FlightSafety, $13.3M

FlightSafety Services Corp., Centennial, Colo., is awarded a $13,344,850 modification (P00013) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N61340-18-C-0019) for aircrew training services in support of the TH-57B/C community, including instruction, operation and curriculum support. Work will be performed at Naval Air Station, Whiting Field, Fla., and is expected to be completed in October 2020. No funds are being obligated at time of award. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/22/19)

Contract: Northrop, $18.3M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., is awarded an $18,253,921 modification (P00003) to a firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N00019-19-F-0272) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0026) in support of the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system. This order procures material kits and retrofit labor to incorporate the Integrated Functional Capability (IFC) 4.0 configuration into one retrofit ground segment and fully fund the IFC 4.0 retrofit install labor for aircraft B10. Work will be performed in San Diego, (41.2%); Palmdale, Calif. (30.7%); Waco, Texas (9.9%); Salt Lake City, Utah (2.9%); Newtown, N.D. (2.5%) Verona, Wisc. (1.6%); Sterling, Va. (1.5%); Irvine, Calif. (1%); San Clemente, Calif. (0.7%); and various locations inside and outside the continental U.S. (7.9% and 0.1%, respectively). Work is expected to be completed in February 2021. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $18,253,921 are being 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. (DoD, 10/21/19) Gulf Coast note: Northrop Grumman in Moss Point, Miss., does fuselage work on Tritons.

Friday, October 18, 2019

NAS Whiting and Fleet Fly In

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. - Training Air Wing Five at NAS Whiting Field will host portions of the Naval Helicopter Association Gulf Coast 2019 Fleet Fly In next week. It's designed to provide a week of training and knowledge sharing with student aviators so they can make informed decisions as they move forward in their aviation careers. A number of aircraft including helicopters and fixed wing airframes such as the MH-60R and S, MH-53, AH-1Z, H-65, MV-22, and several civil aircraft are expected to participate. (Source: NAS Whiting Field, 10/18/19)

Thursday, October 17, 2019

October newsletter published

The October issue of the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter published this week and is available on our website. The cover story is about the World Trade Organization decision to let the United States place tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of goods from the European Union. It does not include major sections shipped from Europe to Mobile, Ala., to assemble jetliners, but that could change. We also provide an update on the Navy's plans to replace the TH-57 training helicopter at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla., and update one of the major success stories for this region, the Unmanned Systems Center in Moss Point, Miss. (Source: Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor, 10/17/19)

Friday, October 4, 2019

Contract: UTC, $325.2M

United Technologies Corp., East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $325,185,212 cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm contract to provide material and support equipment for depot maintenance facilities, non-recurring sustainment activities, supplies, services and planning for depot activations as well as two F135 full-scale high fidelity mockup engines and four modules for test cells in support of the F-35 Lightning II Program. Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, Okla. (43.75%); East Hartford, (20%); Windsor, Conn. (3.5%); Cherry Point, N.C. (3.25%); Fairbanks, Ark. (3%); Miramar, Fla. (2.25%); Indianapolis, Ind. (1.5%); various locations within the continental United States (2.75%) and various locations outside the continental United States (20%), and is expected to be completed in January 2023. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy), non-Department of Defense (DoD) participant and foreign military sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $309,357,445 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force ($142,457,377; 44%), Marine Corps ($50,633,162; 16%), Navy ($36,962,858; 11%); non-DoD participants ($86,780,595; 27 %) and FMS ($8,321,220; 2 %). 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 (N00019-20-C-0005). (Source: DoD, 10/04/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Contract: Miss.DRS, $7.7M

Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $7,706,151 modification (P00012) to exercise an option on previously awarded contract FA3010-18-C-0007 for full food services. The location of performance is Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and the work is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,706,151 will be obligated when they become available. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/03/19)

Contract: ASES, $21.3M

ASES LLC, doing business as Field Aerospace, Oklahoma City, Okla., has been awarded a $21,346,897 firm-fixed-price contract modification (P00023) to previously award contract FA8106-18-C-0002 to exercise Option One for full rate production to begin for the T-1A Avionics Modification Program. This contract provides for the replacement of the avionics suite in the Air Education and Training Command fleet of 178 T-1A trainer aircraft, 16 operational flight trainers and 14 part task trainers. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 14, 2025. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $9,993,753; and 2019 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $11,353,143 are being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/02/19)

U.S. can hit EU with $7.5B tariffs

The World Trade Organization says the U.S. can move forward with plans to impose tariffs on some $7.5 billion worth of EU goods annually, to counteract years of European loans and illegal subsidies to Airbus. The decision comes after a 15-year dispute over European Union countries' roles in building Airbus into a global player — and a fierce competitor to U.S. aerospace giant Boeing. But the clash is far from over: The WTO will likely rule in the coming months on the EU's own request to levy tariffs on the U.S. over its aid to Boeing. The United States on Wednesday said it would slap 10 percent tariffs on European-made Airbus planes and 25 percent duties on French wine, Scotch and Irish whiskies, and cheese from across the continent as punishment for illegal EU aircraft subsidies. The size and scope of the tariffs were reduced considerably from a $25 billion list floated by Washington earlier this year that included helicopters, major aircraft components, seafood, luxury goods and other big-ticket categories that were excluded from Wednesday’s announcement. (Sources: multiple, including NPR, Reuters, CNBC, 10/02/19) The inclusion of major aircraft components would have impacted Airbus' Mobile, Ala., operation, which assembles A320 and A220 series jetliners. Previous

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Contract: Faxon, $600M

Faxon Machining Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio (FA8681-20-D-0001); and Major Tool & Machine Inc., Indianapolis, Ind. (FA8681-20-D-0002), have been awarded a $600,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for BLU-136/B next generation area attack warhead case production. This contract provides for the procurement of 15,000 BLU-136/B next generation area attack warhead cases. Work will be performed at Cincinnati and Indianapolis and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2026. This award is the result of a competitive small business set-aside acquisition. Fiscal 2019 ammunition production funds in the amount of $109,500 is being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Direct Attack Division, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/01/19)

Contract: Reliance, $49M

Reliance Test & Technology, Crestview, Fla., has been awarded a $49,032,036 modification (P00056) to previously awarded contract FA2486-16-C-0002 for Eglin Operation and Maintenance Support Service. This contract modification increases the value of cost-type contract line item numbers for Option Period One. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2020. The total cumulative face value of the contract to $1,266,287,845. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $6,200,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/01/19)

Contract: SES, $11.3M

SES Electrical LLC, Oak Ridge, Tenn., has been awarded an $11,298,386 firm-fixed-price contract to repair main perimeter fence. As the result of Hurricane Michael, the contract is comprised of the removal and disposal of old damaged fence, removal and disposal of previously installed temporary fencing and replacement with new approved fencing materials at specific locations identified on Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Work will be performed at Tyndall Air Force Base and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. This award is the result of a sole source 8(a) Alaska Native Corporation acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funding in the amount of $11,298,386 are being obligated at the time of award. The 325th Contracting Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA4819-19-C-A033). (Source: DoD, 10/01/19)

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Contract: ASRC, $12.8M

ASRC Builders LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded a $12,795,970 firm-fixed-price contract for demolition (Bldg. 6385) and construction of an F-35A conventional munitions maintenance facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Eielson, Ark., with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2021. Fiscal 2010 military construction funds in the amount of $12,795,970 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Anchorage, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W911KB-19-C-0030). (Source: DoD, 09/30/19)

Contract: Ashford, $41M

Ashford Leebcor Enterprises II LLC, Williamsburg, Va., was awarded a $40,979,587 firm-fixed-price contract for design-build, demolition of a dormitory. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 9, 2021. Fiscal 2015 and 2018 military construction, Air Force funds in the amount of $40,979,587 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-19-C-0034). (Source: DoD, 09/30/19)

Contract: MOWA, $7M

MOWA-Barlovento JV A, Gautier, Miss., has been awarded a $7,058,125 firm-fixed-price contract to repair and update the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Building 837. Work will be performed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 10, 2020. This award is the result of the Regional Engineering and Construction indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract and four offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funding in the amount of $7,058,125 are being obligated at the time of award. The 325th Contracting Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base is the contracting activity. (FA4819-19-F-A065). (Source: DoD, 09/30/19)

Contract: AT&T, $23.6M

AT&T Government Solutions, Vienna, Va., has been awarded a $23,615,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Tyndall Air Force Base Supplement Communications Recovery Effort (TSCR). This effort is for relief in rebuilding Tyndall AFB, a disaster area due to Hurricane Michael. The TSCR is to complete the holistic communication infrastructure and IT services restoration effort by delivering a modernized Wide Area Network and Base Area Network delivery solution. Work will be performed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 25, 2020. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $23,615,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8726-19-F-0153). (Source: DoD, 09/30/19)

Contract: Boeing, $70M

The Boeing Corp., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded a $70,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators. Will be performed at St. Louis and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2022. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 ammunition procurement funds in the amount of $26,285,280 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-19-D-0008). (Source: DoD, 09/30/19)

Contract: Raytheon, $200M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $200,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Small Diameter Bomb II Life Cycle Support Contract III. This contract provides lifecycle support includes, but is not limited to, all efforts related to the SDB II and variants in various support efforts for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development integration, production, sustainment, testing, obsolescence analysis and management, logistics support, testing, training, upgrades, and software updates. Additionally, studies and analysis related to current and future expansion of system performance, simulations, modeling, test hardware, technical support, aircraft integration activities, and procurement of all associated test hardware to support the activities and repair of non-warranted assets will be procured using this contract vehicle. Technical support for the SDB II system provides for engineering, management fielding and logistical tasks required to ensure technical baselines remain current and effective and that future growth requirements remain feasible. Work will be performed at Tucson amd is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2024. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 Air Force and Navy ammunition procurement; and research and development funds will be used, and no funds are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8672-19-D-0001). (Source: DoD, 09/30/19)

Contract: Metson Marine, $7.6M

Metson Marine Services Inc., Ventura, Calif., is awarded $7,618,818 for modification P00009 to the previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N68836-19-C-0002) to exercise Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-9 for Option Period One for port operations support services that include maintenance and repairs of government furnished boats, service craft, and waterfront equipment; oil spill response; industrial marine services; docking regular overhauls; ship movement and fleet liaison support services; berth day support; facility response team services; counter-terrorism support; barrier and gate services; and exclusion buoy inventory in support of Commander, Navy Region Southeast. The contract will include a nine-month base period and four one-year option periods which if exercised, the total value of this contract will be $35,545,878. Work is expected to be completed by September 2020. If all options on the contract are exercised, work will be completed by September 2023. Work will be performed in Kings Bay, Ga. (30%); Kingsland, Ga. (28%); Mayport, Fla. (18%); Pensacola, Fla. (15%); Key West, Fla. (4%); Port Canaveral, Fla. (3%); Panama City, Fla. (1%); and Jacksonville, Fla. (1%). Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds (98%); and fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (U.S. Coast Guard) funds (2%) in the amount of $3,398,123 will be obligated at time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with the solicitation as a 100% total small business set-aside requirement with five offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/30/19)

Contract: Lockheed, $8M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $8,004,622 modification (P00006) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-19-C-0004). This modification provides additional contractor support to increase the development flight test aircraft capacity for F-35 test. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (80%); and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (20%), and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Marine Corps); and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participant funds in the amount of $8,004,622 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 Marine Corps ($6,579,479; 82%); and non-U.S. DoD participants ($1,425,143; 18%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/30/19)

Contract: Lockheed, $30.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $30,468,348 modification (P00005) to a previously awarded, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-19-C-0004). This modification exercises the option to continue lab infrastructure activities in support of F-35 system integration labs. In addition, this modification provides administration, maintenance and preparation of F-35 labs to test updated or corrected software and hardware configurations across the F-35 platform. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (70%); and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (30%), and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participant funds in the amount of $5,424,586 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, 09/30/19)

Contract: Vertex, $40.3M

Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is awarded a $40,277,158 modification (P00039) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable, labor hour indefinite-delivery, requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0011). This modification opens up the ordering period to provide organizational, intermediate, and depot-level maintenance, logistics, and engineering support. The effort involves providing services in support of the T-45 Pilot Production Recovery effort, equipment, tools, direct material, and indirect material required to support and maintain all Navy T-45 aircraft, aircraft systems, and related support equipment to support flight and test and evaluation operations. Work will be performed in Kingsville, Texas (53.6%); Meridian, Miss. (39.6%) and Pensacola, Fla. (6.8%), and is expected to be completed in March 2022. 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, 09/30/19)

Contract: UTC, $2.2B

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $2,195,644,813 modification (P00011) to a previously awarded advanced acquisition contract (N00019-18-C-1021). This modification definitizes the production and delivery of 112 F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Air Force, 46 F135-PW-600 propulsion systems for the Marine Corps, and 25 F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Navy. In addition, this modification definitizes award of long lead components, parts and materials associated with 129 F135-PW-100 and 19 F135-PW-600 propulsion systems for non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (67%); Indianapolis, Indiana (26.5%); and Bristol, United Kingdom (6.5%), and is expected to be completed in February 2023. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy); non-U.S. DoD participant; and FMS funds in the amount of $3,561,262,259 are being 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 ($878,133,063; 40%); the Marine Corps ($619,150,637; 28%); the Navy ($178,828,697; 8%); non-U.S. DoD Participants ($420,087,247; 19%); and FMS customers ($99,445,169; 5%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/30/19)

Monday, September 30, 2019

SLS pathfinder at KSC

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – NASA’s Pegasus barge arrived at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex 39 turn basin wharf Friday, Sept. 27. Pegasus ferried the 228,000-pound, 212-foot-long Space Launch System (SLS) rocket core stage pathfinder mock-up. The pathfinder will be used by the Exploration Ground Systems Program and their contractor, Jacobs, to practice offloading, moving and stacking maneuvers, to train employees and certify all the equipment works properly. The core stage includes the cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks that will feed four RS-25 rocket engines and also contains the vehicle’s avionics and flight computer. The pathfinder will stay at KSC for about a month before sailing back to NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana. (Source: Brevard Times, 09/29/19)

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Leonardo eyes Whiting center

Leonardo Helicopter said it will build a 100,000 square-foot customer support center adjacent to Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Northwest Florida if it's selected to supply the Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System. Leonardo, one of three companies competing to build the new helicopter trainer, is offering TH-119 single-engine helicopter to replace the Navy’s TH-57 training helicopters. The Navy is expected to make its selection for the 130 helicopters by the end of 2019. Leonardo’s planned support center will create up to 50 jobs to maintain the trainers. (Source: Leonardo, 09/25/19) The center would be built at the 267-acre Whiting Aviation Park, a new park adjacent to NAS Whiting Field. The other competitors are Airbus Helicopters and Bell, which built the TH-57.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Contract: Microsoft, $45M

Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash., has been awarded a $44,985,323 modification (P0004) to previously awarded FA8726-18-9-0002 for Network as a Service. The contract modification adds Wi-Fi, public cellular connectivity, Base Area Network transformation and dual path Wide Area Network connectivity at all three bases on the agreement. Work will be performed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico; Hurlburt Air Force Base, Fla.; and Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2021. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the agreement to $109,815,137. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $25,578,356 are being obligated at the time of award. The Enterprise IT and Cyber Infrastructure Division, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/19)

Contract: Lockheed, $150.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $150,544,969 modification (P00022) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N0001919C1048). This modification provides for Autonomic Logistics Information System hardware and support equipment in support of low rate initial production Lot 11 Lightning II aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (35%); Fort Worth, Texas (20%); Redondo Beach, Calif. (18%); Windsor, Conn. (13%); Franklin, Ohio (3%); Rome, Italy (3%); Winter Springs, Fla. (2%); Riverside, Calif. (2%); Chatsworth, Calif. (2%); and Bend, Ore. (2%). Work is expected to be completed in November 2023. Fiscal 2017 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps); non-U.S. DoD Participant; and FMS funds in the amount of $150,544,969 are being obligated at time of award, $11,150,805 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($24,176,311; 16.06%); Navy ($11,150,805; 7.41%); Marine Corps ($9,630,405; 6.40%); non-U.S. DoD Participants ($80,050,789; 53.17%); and FMS customers ($25,536,659; 16.96%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/19)

Contract: Global Connections, $12.1M

Global Connections to Employment Inc., Pensacola, Fla., is awarded $12,147,228 for modification P00013 to extend the previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N68836-17-C-0005) to exercise Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-9 for option period three for full food and mess attendant services in support of Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. and Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School Elgin Air Force Base (AFB), 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 under Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-8, 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%); Elgin AFB (20%); and Gulfport (20%), and work is expected to be completed by August 2020. If all options on the contract are exercised, work will be completed by February 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,532,017 will be incrementally funded throughout the period of performance, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is a sole-source procurement under the Ability One 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, 09/27/19)

Contract: Lockheed, $9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $9,000,000 modification (P00008) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001919C1022) in support of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. This modification provides for additional Air System Software Sustainment Updates/Delivery to include Deficiency Report (DR) resolution services for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps and one training course for the Government of the Netherlands. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (81.7%); Samlesbury, Preston, United Kingdom (5.5%); Linthicum, Md. (3.9%); Nashua, N.H. (3.7 percent); Orlando, Fla. (2.9%); El Segundo, Calif. (2.3%). Work is expected to be completed in December 2019. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participant funds in the amount of $9,000,000 are being obligated at time of award, $7,397,640 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($3,698,820; 41 %); U.S. Marine Corps ($3,698,820; 41%); and Non-U.S. DoD Participants ($1,602,360; 18%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/19)

Friday, September 27, 2019

Contract: Vertex, $180.4M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is awarded a $180,418,553 modification (P00037) to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0011). This modification exercises an option for organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance, logistics, and engineering support for Navy T-45 aircraft, aircraft systems, and related support equipment. Support to be provided includes services, equipment, tools, direct material, and indirect material required to support and maintain all to support flight and test and evaluation operations. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas (45.7%); NAS Meridian, Miss. (41.7%); NAS Pensacola, Fla. (10.1%), and NAS Patuxent River, Md. (2.5%), and is expected to be completed in September 2020. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/19)

Contract: Jacobs, $93M

Jacobs Technology Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is awarded a $92,995,855 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for in-air and underwater launch testing/capability for a new weapons system. This contract provides for engineering and design services to upgrade, redesign, fabricate, and operate the air launch testing capability at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) China Lake, and for the conceptual design support and initial operation of an underwater launch test capability at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane, Ind.. Work will be performed at NAWCWD China Lake, Calif. (50%); and NSWC Crane (50%), and is expected to be completed in September 2024. Fiscal 2019 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $100,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)1. The NAWCWD, China Lake, is the contracting activity (N68936-19-D-0049). (Source: DoD, 09/27/19)

Contract: UTC, $7.5M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $7,485,199 modification (P00066) to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract (N00019-17-C-0010). This modification provides for testing of software changes to allow for emergency thrust bump operations in support of F-35B short takeoff and landing aircraft for Marine Corps and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed in November 2019. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps); and non-U.S. DoD participant funds in the amount of $5,900,340 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Marine Corps ($5,900,340, 79%); and non-U.S. DoD participants ($1,584,859; 21%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.