HCPHC wins award

KILN, Miss. – The Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) recently announced that Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission’s (HCPHC) aerospace strategy project won the 2020 Community Economic Development Award (CEDA). The “Best Practices” program recognizes exceptional contributions of communities in Mississippi for: business retention and expansion; business recruitment; community development; and community involvement. HCPHC invested over $7 million to grow its portfolio of hangars and technology parks to support growth. (Source: HCPHC, 08/18/21)

Contract: CH2M, $9.3M

CH2M Hill Constructors Inc., Englewood, Colo., is awarded a $9,343,200 modification for exercise of two options on a firm-fixed-price task order under a multiple award construction contract for design build hurricane recovery work at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. After award of this modification, the total task order value will be $24,337,800. Work will be performed in Pensacola and is expected to be completed by December 2023. The work to be performed provides for design build Hurricane Sally recovery work for repairs for NAS Pensacola Buildings 3902 and 3903. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,343,200 are obligated on this modification and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N62470-19-D-8024). (Source: DoD, 08/18/21)

Airport runway lighting funded

KILN, Miss. – The Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission recently awarded a $1.7 million contract for runway lighting and electrical improvements at Stennis International Airport. The project includes replacing about 100 existing navigational aid lights from existing incandescent to new LEDs. NAVAID lighting helps pilots identify the airport, the runway and the appropriate flight path. Over 120,000 linear feet of new wire and underground housing will also be installed. The project was awarded to Webster Electric Company, of Collinsville, and is expected to be completed this fall. It was funded by a $1.9 million Federal Aviation Administration grant which also covered engineering fees. (Source: HCPHC, 08/16/21)

Contract: Bertucci, $20M

Bertucci Contracting Co. LLC, New Orleans, La., was awarded a $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract to repair revetments and dikes. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Miss., is the contracting activity (W912EE-21-D-0009). (Source: DoD, 08/16/21)

Contract: PC Mechanical, $62M

PC Mechanical Inc., Santa Maria, Calif., is awarded a $62,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for equipment support services (ESS) supporting the civil engineering support equipment (CESE) at Naval Base Ventura County, Naval Base San Diego, and Naval Construction Battalion Center. Work will be performed in Santa Maria (75%); and Gulfport, Miss. (25%). No task orders are being issued at this time. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with a six-month option. Expected completion date of February 2027. The work to be performed is for ESS on CESE assets in contiguous U.S. locations. The contractor shall provide all labor, training, management, for the inspections, preventative maintenance, refurbishment, repairs, overhauls, upgrades, modernization, modifications, and logistics management information services provided to support of naval expeditionary equipment assets. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $10,000 will be obligated after award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the system for Award Management Contract Opportunities website with one proposal received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N39430-21-D-2207). (Source: DoD, 08/17/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $97.7M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $97,725,718 cost-plus-award-fee modification (P00049) to a previously awarded contract (N0001919C0010). This modification adds scope for the development of the F-35 pilot training device production run-time server for the Navy, Air Force and non-U.S. Department of Defense participants. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (78%) and Fort Worth (22%), and is expected to be completed in August 2025. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,254,062; fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds $5,254,062; and non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $2,314,696 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/17/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

August newsletter available

The latest issue of the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter is now available to download. The cover story focuses on the possibility of a new contest between Boeing and Airbus to build the KC-Y aerial tanker. There's also a profile on a small manufacturer in Holt, Fla., CMI, and a summary of key stories that occurred since the last newsletter in June. The latest version of the newsletter can be downloaded by visiting the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor website. (Source: GCAC, 08/17/21)

Contract: Gulf Coast Electric, $11.3M

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Inc., Wewahitchka, Fla., has been awarded a $11,295,479 modification (P00108) to a 50-year contract (SP0600-10-C-8253) with no option periods for the annual inflation adjustment and hourly inspection charge increases for the electric and water utility systems at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. This is a firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract. Location of performance is Florida, with a May 31, 2061, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2010 through 2061 Air Force operations and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va. (Source: DoD, 08/11/21)

Contract: DCS, $25M

DCS, Corp., Alexandria, Va., is awarded a $25,080,326 modification (P00026) to a previously awarded, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This modification increases the ceiling to address labor cost increases to provide continued systems engineering, analysis, research, development, logistics, configuration and data management services to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s aircraft integrated product teams in support of the development, integration, test, evaluation, and fielding of new and upgraded capabilities to the F/A-18, EA-18G, F-35, AV-8B, AH-1/UH-1 aircraft and unmanned aerial systems for the Navy. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif. (86.5%); Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (7%); Ridgecrest, Calif. (5%); Point Mugu, Calif. (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (0.5%), and is expected to be completed in October 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Point Mugu, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-18-D-0006). (Source: DoD, 08/11/21)

Contract: Choctawhatchee Electric, $25M

Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative Inc., De Funiak Springs, Fla., has been awarded a maximum $25,095,024 modification (P00046) to a 50-year contract (SP0600-16-C-8314) with no option periods for electric operations and maintenance, and the renewal and replacement monthly utility service charge at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This is a fixed-price with economic price-adjustment contract. Location of performance is Florida, with a July 31, 2067, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2067 operation and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va. (Source: DoD, 08/10/21)

Whiting gets first TH-73A

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. - A new Leonardo TH-73A "Thrasher" helicopter landed at Milton's NAS Whiting Field Friday morning in a ceremony attended by some of the base's and the county's top leaders. The helicopter will be assigned to Training Air Wing (TW) 5 and will replace the TH-57B/C Sea Ranger as the undergraduate training helicopter for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The helicopter made the two-day transit to the base from the Leonardo Helicopters facility in Philadelphia, where it was manufactured. The helicopter that landed Friday is the first of 32 TH-73A helicopters that are expected to be delivered to Whiting by the end of 2021. A total of 130 will be delivered by the end of 2024. (Sources: multiple, including Pensacola News Journal, 08/07/21, CNATRA, 08/06/21) Previous related

Contract: Kratos, $338M

Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., Sacramento, Calif., has been awarded a $338,071,466 firm fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee and time-and-material contract for Lots 17-21 production, out-of-warranty-repairs, and contractor logistics support. Work will be performed in Sacramento and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2027. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition, and fiscal 2021 procurement (3010) funds in the amount of $30,499,362 were obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8678-21-D-0001). (Source: DoD, 08/06/21)

Sixth RS-25 test conducted

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted its sixth RS-25 single-engine hot fire Thursday on the A-1 Test Stand at Stennis Space Center in South Mississippi. It was a continuation of its seven-part test series to support development and production of engines for the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on future missions to the Moon. Operators fired the engine for more than eight minutes (500 seconds), the same amount of time RS-25 engines need to fire for launch of the SLS rocket. (Source: NASA/SSC, 08/05/21) Previous

NETPDC has command change

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. – Capt. Willie Brisbane relieved Capt. Brett St. George as commanding officer of Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) during a change of command ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAval Air Station Pensacola July 30, 2021. Commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Rear Adm. Pete Garvin was the guest speaker for the event and highlighted NETPDC’s responsibilities of administering the Navy’s Voluntary Education program, providing resources management to assigned activities, and administering the Navy’s enlisted advancement program. (Source: DVIDS, 07/30/21)

20-year master plan finished

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport reached another milestone on July 28 when at an Airport Authority Board meeting officials announced the facility's master plan update is complete. The 20-year roadmap, which is revamped every five to seven years, includes various renovations and expansions, plans that come as the airport has seen rapid tourism growth this year. The plan awaits final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and Florida Department of Transportation. The airport aims to tackle first renovations to its baggage-claim system and expansions of both customer and aircraft parking lots. Designs for all were approved during Wednesday's meeting. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 08/04/21)

Contract: Multiple, $344.7M

Austal USA, Mobile, Ala. (N00024-21-D-4443); Epsilon Systems Solutions Inc., Portsmouth, Va. (N00024-21-D-4444); and Continental Maritime of San Diego LLC, San Diego, Calif., formerly Huntington Ingalls Industries San Diego Shipyard Inc. (N00024-21-D-4445), are each awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contracts to support sustainment execution efforts for Littoral Combat Ships homeported in San Diego, California (MAC I). The MAC I contracts will have a ceiling of $344,724,287. Delivery orders will be competitively awarded under these contracts, which are to be performed in San Diego (58%); outside the continental U.S. (28%); and other continental U.S. (14%) locations, as appropriate. Each of the contracts has an estimated ordering period of 19 months, which is expected to end in February 2023. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $15,000 ($5,000 minimum guarantee per contract) is being obligated as each contract’s initial delivery order which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured using full and open competition with three offers received via the beta.sam.gov website. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/04/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $66.6M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $66,610,781, fixed-price (incentive) firm target, firm-fixed-price modification (P00056) to a previously awarded contract (N0001917C0001). This modification provides for alternative sources aircraft alignment definitization of material impacts to F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter low rate initial production Lots 12-14 aircraft in support the U.S. government’s decision to establish alternative source suppliers for materials and hardware within the F-35 production line for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Hoogergeide, Netherlands (89%); Laval, Quebec, Canada (9%); and Rancho Dominguez, Calif. (1%), and is expected to be completed in February 2023. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $159,568; fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $8,982,671; fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,688,543; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $12,457,633; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,412,057; and non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $31,910,309 will be obligated at time of award, $15,671,214 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 August 2, 2021) (Source: DoD, 08/04/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $21.8M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification (P00023), increasing the face value of contract FA8682-18-C-0009, Group One Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) development, by $21,781,695. This modification provides for the change in the work and contract type necessary to develop the new air to ground (AGM-158) JASSM B-2 missile variant. Work will take place in Orlando and is expected to be completed by June 28, 2024. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,365,764; and fiscal 2020 other procurement funds in the amount of $8,672,136 are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $235,023,264. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/03/21)

Contract: Seeman Composites, $74.9M

Seemann Composites LLC, Gulfport, Miss., is awarded an $74,922,276 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for design engineering and manufacturing support. Work will be performed in Gulfport (60%); Chesapeake, Va. (20%); and Horsham, Pa. (20%), and is expected to be completed by July 2026. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $18,842 will be obligated at time of award for the first order and not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Beta.Sam.gov website, with three offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Bethesda, Md., is the contracting activity (N0016721D0010). (Source: DoD, 08/02/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $51,8M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $51,793,127 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract. This contract provides for program management support to include development of customer unique capabilities in support of the continued development of the air system for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program for a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (71%); Redondo Beach, Calif. (13%); Melbourne, Fla/ (1%); and various undisclosed locations outside the continental U.S. (15%), and is expected to be completed in January 2024. FMS customer funds in the amount of $18,000,000 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 (N0001921C0040). (Source: DoD, 08/02/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.