Saturday, May 30, 2020

SpaceX launches astronauts

NASA astronauts are heading to space from U.S. soil for the first time in nine years aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule, the maiden crewed flight of the innovative spacecraft. The mission, which is sending Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station, is a bold new venture for the space agency's plan to allow commercial companies to take its astronauts into low-Earth orbit. They launched from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A at 3:22 p.m. ET as they rode SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket toward a rendezvous with the station in about 19 hours. On Wednesday, storms and a tornado warning upended a launch attempt, with the veteran space shuttle astronauts suited up and strapped into the Dragon before the mission was scrubbed. (Source: NPR, 05/30/20)

Contract: ABBA Cnstctn, $10.5M

ABBA Construction Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., has been awarded a $10,481,178 firm-fixed-price contract for the multi-phase renovation of Hangar 68 Joint-Preflight Integration of Munitions and Electronic Systems (J-PRIMES) test facility. Work will be performed on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and includes updated fire suppression systems, administrative and lab spaces, HVAC, furniture, vestibule, and bathrooms. These projects are estimated to be completed by May 2021. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the full amount will be obligated at time of award. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2823-20-R-0001). (Source: DoD, 05/29/20)

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Contract: DynCorp Intnl, $8.8M

DynCorp International, Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $8,774,725 modification (P00007) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N61340-19-D-0905. This modification increases the flight hour capacity on base year two of this contract by 1,100 flight hours per month, increasing the total flight hours from 6,500 hours per month to 7,600 hours per month in support of the TH-57 aircraft. Work will be performed in Milton, Fla., and is expected to be complete by May 2023. No funds are being 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, 05/28/20)

Contract: Lockheed, $393.8M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $393,846,014 modification (P00008) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00019-19-D-0015. This modification increases the ceiling to produce and deliver Ancillary Mission Equipment (AME)/Pilot Flight Equipment (PFE) and associated AME/PFE initial spares in support of F-35 Lot 14 aircraft deliveries for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, non-Department of Defense participants and Foreign Military Sales customer's operational aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be complete by September 2023. No funds are obligated at time of award and 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, 05/27/20) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Contract: Lockheed, $16M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $15,989,488 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N00019-20-F-0817) against a previously-issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0008. This order procures support to manage diminishing manufacturing sources in support of the F-35 program for the Air Force, Navy and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be complete by June 2020. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $6,545,775; fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,545,774; and non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $2,897,939 will be obligated at time of award, $6,545,775 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, 05/25/20) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Base shooting terror-related

NAVAL AIR STATION CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The dead suspect in Thursday's shooting at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi was 20-year-old Adam Alsahli of Corpus Christi, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation. Alsahli drove to an entrance at the naval station and shot a security forces member in the chest, hitting the guard in her bulletproof vest and inflicting non-life-threatening injuries. Alsahli then accelerated towards the gate entrance and crashed into a barrier. After exiting the vehicle, he began shooting, and was shot and killed by naval security forces. A preliminary investigation into the shooter identified him as a U.S. resident who was born in Syria, and likely a supporter of Salafi-jihadist ideology, according to one source. Online postings by these accounts expressed support for ISIS and Al Qaeda. FBI officials said earlier the shooting was terror-related. (Sources: multiple, including CNN, NBCNews, 05/21/20) Previous

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Shooter neutralized at Navy base

NAVAL AIR STATION CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - An active shooter incident Thursday morning at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, ended when the shooter was "neutralized." A member of the Naval Security Forces was injured but is in good condition. The shooting unfolded at about 6:15 a.m. local time when the suspect sped through a gate, activating vehicle barriers which stopped the car, according to a defense official. The driver then got out of the car and began shooting and was "neutralized," Navy officials said. The base ordered all facilities to execute lockdown procedures before 6:45 am local time. The base remained closed on Thursday morning as officials worked the scene. (Sources: multiple, including the Independent, ABCNews, NBCNews, CNN, 05/21/20) This is the second shooting incident in less than a year at a Navy base that trains aviators. In December 2019 three sailors were shot dead by a Saudi officer who was training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The gunman was killed.

Two crashes leads to safety pause

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The commander of Eglin Air Force Base said the base will take a “safety pause” on Thursday, after the crash of two fifth-generation fighter jets within days of one another. An F-22 crashed on Eglin’s test and training range Friday morning during a training flight. Four days later an F-35 crashed on the base’s air field. Both pilots safely ejected without significant injuries. Brig. Gen. Scott Cain, commander of the 96th Test Wing, said in a Facebook post Wednesday that the base needs to turn its attention to improving safety. He ordered commanders at all levels to conduct a “virtual safety day” Thursday, in reflection of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Cain also asked the wing’s safety office to prepare a safety briefing to be used across the base. Cain said the investigations into both accidents are still in their early phases. (Source: Air Force Times, 05/20/20)

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Contract: Rockwell, $11.9M

Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded an $11,916,073 firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursable modification (P00101) to exercise the contractor logistics support (CLS) and contractor logistics support performance based incentive options previously awarded on contract FA8678-10-C-0058 to support the sustainment of the Common Range Integrated Instrumentation System (CRIIS) for upgrading the test and evaluation instrumentation at Air Force, Navy and Army test ranges. The objective of the CRIIS CLS is to provide repairs and sustainment management for the CRIIS equipment while verifying sustainment system performance specification requirements. CLS will ensure availability and maintainability of CRIIS equipment at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Edwards AFB, Calif.; Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md.; White Sands Missile Range, N.M.; Nevada Test and Training Range, Nev.; Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, Calif.; and Naval Air Station, Point Mugu, Calif. The contracting action is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Work will be performed at Rockwell Collins facilities; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Richardson, Texas, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2025. Fiscal 2020 and 2021 Department of Defense Central Test and Evaluation Investment Program research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,279,875 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $340,594,567. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin AFB, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/20/20)

Contract: Raytheon, $10.5M

Raytheon Co., Keyport, Wash., is awarded a $10,480,184 modification to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity requirements contract N61331-17-D-0001 to exercise options for maintenance and support for the AN/AQS-20 Sonar Mine Detecting Set. The AN/AQS-20 is a towed, mine hunting and identification system for program executive office, unmanned and small combatants. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I. (65%); Keyport, Wash. (30%); and Panama City, Fla. (5%). This option exercise extends the period of performance and allows for continuing support including but not limited to: repair; overhauls and other scheduled maintenance; hardware and software maintenance; tracking and resolution of obsolescence issues; technology improvements; reliability and maintainability improvements; development and incorporation of change notices and engineering change proposals; test support; engineering services; spares and repair parts; design efforts and hardware upgrades to improve system performance, sustainability, reliability, and other activities in support of the program. Work is expected to be complete by May 2021. No funding will be obligated at the time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, Panama City, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/20/20)

Contract: Multiple, $30M

A-VET/MGC JV LLC, Warner Robins, Ga. (N69450-20-D-0028); CYE Enterprises Inc., Jacksonville, Fla. (N69450-20-D-0029); and Pacific Tech Construction Inc., Kelso, Wash. (N69450-20-D-0030), are awarded $30,000,000 for a design-build and design-bid-build, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award roofing construction contract for projects located primarily within the Florida Panhandle area of responsibility managed by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast. Work will be performed in Pensacola, Fla. (34%); Whiting Field, Fla. (33%); and Panama City, Fla. (33%), and primarily consists of roof system replacements, repairs and maintenance of various types of existing low-slope and steep slope roofing. This includes but not be limited to: modified bitumen; built-up; metal roofing; waterproof roof coatings; asphalt shingles; roof systems flashings and drainage components; and abatement and handling of hazardous/regulated materials (including and not limited to asbestos, lead paint, mold remediation and polychlorinated biphenyl). Single ply roof systems, slate roofing systems and tile roof systems may be included. Projects can be based on design-build, modified design-build or full plans and specifications format. Work is expected to be complete by January 2021. The maximum dollar value for the five-year ordering period for all three contracts combined is $30,000,000. A-VET/MGC JV LLC is awarded the initial task order at $194,733 for Building 3748 roof replacement located at Corry Station, Pensacola, Fla. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of April 2025. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $196,733 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M, N. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, and nine proposals were received. These three contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/20/20)

F-35 crashes, pilot OK

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - For the second time in four days a fifth-generation fighter jet has crashed at Eglin Air Force Base. An F-35A assigned to the 58th Fighter Squadron on a routine night-time training sortie crashed upon landing around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to a media release. The pilot ejected and was taken to the 96th Medical Group Hospital at Eglin, and was released early Wednesday morning, according to 1st Lt. Savannah Stephens, a spokeswoman for the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin. Less than a week ago, and F-22 crashed at the base and the pilot ejected. (Sources: Air Force Times, Business Insider, 05/20/20) Previous

Contract: Applied Systems, $10.6M

Applied Systems Engineering Inc., Niceville, Fla., is awarded a $10,600,000 modification on an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order N001781-70-D-2053 for additional quantities of Advanced Tactical Navigation units as well as various upgrades, repairs and associated support. Work will be performed in Niceville and is expected to be complete by April 2022. This modification raises the contract ceiling to $22,259,073. This modification is being awarded on a sole-source basis in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency (see 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(2)). No funds are being obligated at the time of award, and will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/19/20)

Contract: Ventech, $99M

Ventech Inc., Largo, Md., has been awarded a $99,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for performance of the Base Level Software Support V contract. This contract provides for purchasing of commercial software, software maintenance and bundled maintenance, filing purchases and license information database operations and maintenance, report generation and general support to address software, documentation and licensing issues. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed May 30, 2030. The period of performance for this services contract is for a five year base period with one five year option. This award is the result of competitive acquisition and 18 offers were received. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $106,723 will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Testing Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2486-20-D-0009). (Source: DoD, 05/19/20)

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

A220 line in Mobile opens

JetBlue A220 in new assembly line. Airbus photo
MOBILE, Ala. - Airbus has officially inaugurated production activities in a newly-built 270,000 square-foot A220 Final Assembly Line hangar at its Mobile campus. The new hangar, where both A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft can be assembled, took 18 months to build. It has five primary assembly stations where major airframe component assemblies come together for a completed aircraft in a flowline process. Airbus actually began producing its first A220 aircraft  in Mobile, that plane for Delta, in August 2019 using space in an existing A320 Final Assembly Line hangar and newly built support hangars. With the completion of the new hangar, the Airbus production site in Alabama has now officially doubled in size. Airbus also welcomed the first component assemblies destined to become an A220 for JetBlue. JetBlue is the second customer served by the Mobile team, with its first U.S.-made A220 scheduled for delivery in Q4 2020. “The team is excited to start working in their new facility and to welcome a new customer. It’s a strong endorsement from JetBlue in this challenging time,” said Paul Gaskell, president of A220 USA and head of A220 program in Mobile. Airbus paused work in Mobile in early April but brought workers back in early May. (Source: GCAC. 05/19/20) Previous

Monday, May 18, 2020

FBI gets into terrorist's phones

The Saudi trainee who killed three American sailors and wounded  others in a terror attack in December 2019 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., was in touch with al Qaeda before the attack and well before coming to Pensacola. U.S. investigators uncovered the al Qaeda connection after the FBI broke through the encryption protecting the Saudi attacker's iPhones. Attorney General William Barr discussed the new findings at a news conference Monday. The terrorist, a lieutensnt in the Royal Saudi Air Force who was training to be a pilot, was killed by law enforcement during the attack. Saudi flight students were grounded after the attack, but resumed in February. In the shooting probe, investigators had been stymied by Apple's refusal to help investigators gain access to the terrorist's phone. The government has complained that stronger encryption, without the ability of law enforcement to get court-ordered access to data, endangers the public. (Source: GCAC, 05/18/20) Previous

Friday, May 15, 2020

Contract: PAE Aviation, $158M

PAE Aviation and Technical Services LLC, Arlington, Va., has been awarded a $157,990,274 firm-fixed-price and cost reimbursable contract for performance of the Eglin backshop maintenance services contract. This contract provides for support for repair, maintenance and modification of F-15, F-16, UH1N, C-130 and other required aircraft, including maintaining support equipment and providing crash recovery services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The period of performance includes a 30-day transition period, a one-year base year with six one-year options and an option to extend services for six months. This award is the result of a full and open competitive acquisition and six offers were received. Fiscal 2020 research, test, development and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,098,853 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-20-C-0003). (Source: DoD, 05/15/20)

Contract: Vectrus Systems, $17.4M

Vectrus Systems Corp., Colorado Springs, Colo., has been awarded a $17,382,577 firm-fixed-price modification (A00072) to contract FA3002-17-C-0001 for base operations support services at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Work will be performed at Keesler AFB and is expected to be completed May 31, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $17,365,577 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $78,311,850. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler AFB, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/15/20)

Contract: Raytheon, $17.4M

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $17,354,159 firm-fixed-price modification (P00024) to contract FA8675-18-C-0003 for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile program. This modification provides for procurement of two new final assembly test sets and upgrade of two existing final assembly test sets. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2023. This contract involves unclassified Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Poland, Qatar, Spain and Romania. Fiscal 2019 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $4,589,102; fiscal 2018 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,928,382; and FMS funds in the amount of $2,836,675 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/15/20)

F-22 crashes at Egin, pilot ejects

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — An F-22 fighter jet with the 43rd Fighter Squadron crashed shortly after 9 a.m. Friday on the Eglin Air Force Base reservation. The pilot ejected from the aircraft and was taken to the Eglin hospital, according to Ilka Cole, chief of media operations for the Eglin host unit, 96th Test Wing. The plane went down 12 miles northeast of the main part of the base in a remote part of the Eglin reservation, according to Cole. The Eglin reservation covers hundreds of thousands of acres across Northwest Florida. The F-22 Raptor was on a routine training mission at the time, according to Cole. The plane was not part of a flyover scheduled for Friday morning to honor first responders and hospital personnel in Bay and Gulf counties for their work in the battle against COVID-19. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 05/15/20)

Thursday, May 14, 2020

NASA resumes SLS test work

NASA resumed Green Run testing activities this week on the first flight stage of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with the return of limited crews to perform work at Stennis Space Center (SSC), Miss. Stennis moved to Stage 4 on March 20, with only personnel needed to perform mission-essential activities related to the safety and security of the center allowed on site. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and its Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, which are building SLS, also are in Stage 4. Re-establishing, or “waking up,” the SSC B-2 Test Stand systems in the days ahead includes restoring facility power and controls, as well as ensuring pressurized gas systems are at proper levels for SLS operators to proceed with testing activities. According to Julie Bassler, SLS stages project manager responsible for the core stage work at SSC, Michoud and Marshall, Marshall also is resuming critical flight software and hardware testing. SSC plans for 30 days of limited crew activity on site in anticipation of the center’s transition from Stage 4 to Stage 3. Once that transition occurs, increases to on-site work will continue slowly. The focus then will shift to preparing for the avionics power-up test – the next in a series of core stage Green Run testing milestones. According to Robinson, it’s too early to calculate a precise schedule for the various test milestones. Green Run represents the first top-to-bottom integrated test of all flight core stage systems prior to its maiden Artemis I flight. All testing will be conducted on the B-2 Test Stand in the coming months and will culminate with an eight-minute, full-duration hot fire of the core stage with its four RS-25 engines, as during an actual launch. (Source: NASA, 05/14/20)

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Aviation company won't reopen

Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, the former Star Aviation, is closing down and will not reopen after the COVID-19 epidemic, resulting in the loss of about 80 jobs. The company launched in Mobile, Ala., in 1999 and was acquired by Carlisle in 2016. Star specialized in in-flight entertainment and connectivity. In 2015, Star announced plans to invest $2.35 million to build a new manufacturing space at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, adding 24,000 square feet and as many as 50 jobs to the 18,000 square feet and 85 employees it already had there. At the time, the company also employed about 45 people in Seattle. Scott Selbach, general counsel for Carlisle Companies Inc., confirmed Tuesday that the company was shutting down the former Star Aviation facility in what expected to be a permanent move. The last day of manufacturing will be May 29, he said. (Source: al.com, 05/13/20)

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Contract: UTC, $10.6M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $10,648,976 modification (P00022) to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract N00019-17-C-0020. This modification procures one low rate initial production Lot 11 afloat spares package kit for the Marine Corps in support of the F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft program. Work will be performed in East Hartford (20%); Indianapolis, Ind. (17%); Windsor Lock, Conn. (16%); North Berwick, Maine (14%); Midland, Ga. (7%); Middleton, Conn. (7%); Rockford, Ill. (7%); Phoenix, Ariz. (6%); Bristol, United Kingdom (5%); and Santa Isabel, Israel (1%). Work is expected to be complete by September 2021. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds for $10,648,976 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, 05/12/20) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Contract: Lockheed, $49.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $49,856,351 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00004) to contract FA8682-19-C-0008 to procure additional equipment and tooling needed to increase Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile production. Work will be performed in Orlando and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2023. This award is the result of sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/07/20)

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Contract: CAE USA, $11.2M

CAE USA Inc., Tampa, Fla., was awarded an $11,157,134 firm-fixed-price contract for advanced helicopter flight training support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed at Fort Rucker, Ala., with an estimated completion date of May 15, 2027. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $11,157,134 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity (W9124G-20-C-0008). (Source: DoD, 05/05/20)

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Airbus laying off 14 subcontractors

Airbus is laying off 14 subcontractors in the coming weeks at its engineering center in Mobile, Ala., a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the aerospace industry. Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury had previously said Airbus plans to “right-size” business during a sharp downturn from the pandemic, which he called the “gravest crisis” in the history of the aerospace industry. Kristi Tucker, a spokeswoman for Airbus in Mobile, said the company had to assess the impact of the virus on engineering services and support. She said after the layoff there will be a staff of 185 engineers and support staff at the Mobile Engineering Center. (Source: al.com, 05/01/20) In addition to the engineering center, Airbus has an assembly line for A320 nd A220 jetliners in Mobile, and some 1,000 employees. Previous

Friday, May 1, 2020

Airbus Mobile resumes production

MOBILE, Ala. - Airbus has resumed production at its manufacturing facility in Mobile after a three-week pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Airbus Mobile Final Assembly Line General Manager Daryl Taylor posted on Facebook Wednesday, writing "We’re back! A great day today as Team Mobile restarted production across our work-site following a 3-week pause! We're welcoming back our Red and Blue production shifts, and it's good to see everyone dive back into production after a full 'back to work' orientation. Our Green shift will return on Friday, and of course some of our team mates will continue to work remotely to help promote physical distancing." Airbus builds the A320 and A220 jetliners at its Mobile campus. (Source: GCAC, 05/01/20)

Contract: Lockheed, $129.2M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $129,189,887 modification to a firm-fixed-price delivery order N00019-19-F-2512 against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020. This modification procures the kits required for modification and retrofit activities of delivered Air Force and government of Norway F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. Work will be performed in Nashua, N.H. (85%); Fort Worth, Texas (14%); and Baltimore, Md. (1%). Work is expected to be complete by April 2025. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $107,814,159; and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participant funds in the amount of $21,375,728 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Air Force ($107,814,159; 83%); and non-DOD participants ($21,375,728; 17%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/30/20) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $89.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $89,521,608 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N00019-20-F-0571) against basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0008. This order provides program management, nonrecurring engineering, recurring engineering, site support and touch labor in support of modification and retrofit activities for delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft air systems for the for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be complete by December 2020. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $33,909,821; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $23,817,018; non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $18,707,572; and FMS funds in the amount of $13,087,196 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 Air Force ($33,909,821; 37.9%); Marine Corps (16,993,891; 18.9%); the Navy ($6,823,127; 7.7%); non-DOD participants ($18,707,572; 20.9%); and FMS customers ($13,087,196; 14.6%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/30/20) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Raytheon, $15.6M

Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $15,598,152 firm-fixed price contract modification (P00023) to contract FA8675-18-C-0003 for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile program obsolescence. This modification provides for a life of type procurement of known obsolete components in support of production and sustainment through the program of record. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2025. This contract involves unclassified Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Poland, Qatar, Romania and Spain. Fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds (Air Force) in the amount of $4,574,526; fiscal 2019 weapons procurement funds (Navy) in the amount of $4,978,960; and FMS funds in the amount of $6,044,666 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/30/20)