Contract: Raytheon, $25.8M

Raytheon Missile Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $25,766,768 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract (FA8675-15-C-0022) for special tooling and test equipment, for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile Lots 28-30 production. Work will be performed in Tucson with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2020. This contract involves foreign military sales to Norway, Japan, Korea, Morocco, Australia, the United Kingdom, Poland, Indonesia, Romania, Spain, Turkey and Qatar. Fiscal 2017 production funds in the amount of $16,691,712 are being obligated at the time of award, and the remaining $9,075,056 is from foreign military sales sources. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/28/17)

Contract: Raytheon, $634.2M

Raytheon Missile Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $634,204,347 fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) production Lot 31. The contract is for the production of the AMRAAM missile and other AMRAAM system items. The AMRAAM system includes the missile, spares and telemetry kits. Work will be performed at Tucson with an expected completion date of Jan. 31, 2020. This contract involves foreign military sales (FMS) to Japan, Korea, Morocco, Poland, Indonesia, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Bahrain and Qatar. Fiscal 2017 production funds in the amount of $409,939,707; fiscal 2017 research and development funds in the amount of $2,955,178; and fiscal operations and maintenance funds of $1,744,172 are being obligated at the time of award, all remaining funding ($219,565,290) is from FMS sources. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-18-C-0003). (Source: DoD, 12/28/17)

Hurlburt CMS gets Silver Star

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Chief Master Sgt. Michael West, a Special Tactics operator with the 24th Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the nation's third highest medal for valor against an enemy of the United States. West was awarded the SSM on Dec. 15 for his actions during the five-day Operation MEDUSA in 2006. West utilized 58 coalition aircraft to deliver 24,000 pounds of precision ordnance to eliminate more than 500 enemy forces, securing the safety of 51 U.S. Spec Ops forces, and 33 coalition partners. West was originally awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions in May 2007, but due to a recent DOD-wide review, his package was resubmitted for an upgrade. (Source: 24th Special Operations Wing, 12/15/17)

Testing a new defense

Test range view from the air.
Air Force photo/Tech Sgt Samantha Mathison

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – A view of the test range at Eglin Air Force Base from a 507th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., Nov. 29, 2017. The crew flew over the range more than 60 times to allow a laser to fire at the recently installed Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure system. The laser was designed to simulate a missle that has targeted the aircraft. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 12/26/17)

Alabama getting F-35

The Alabama Air National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field in Montgomery, Ala. has been selected for a site for a new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter mission. Gov. Kay Ivey said at a news conference Thursday that it was a team effort. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (R-Ala.) said in an e-mail to constituents Dec. 21 that Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson called her to inform her of the Air Force’s decision. The 187th was one of five ANG units on the short list being considered. In choosing Montgomery as one of two bases for the F-35A, it means 1,000 jobs over the next few years, a $70 million up-front investment, and a $24 million annual economic impact to the region. The Truax ANG Station in Madison, Wis., was the other selected site. (Source: Montgomery Advertiser, 12/21/17) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Northrop, $25M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, N.Y., has been awarded a $25,000,000 modification (P00022) to a previously awarded (FA8677-10-D-0006) for weapons planning software. This modification is for the development and sustainment of software for precision guided munition mission planning components. Work will be performed in Bethpage, with an expected completion date of Sept. 28, 2018. This contract involves 21 percent foreign military sales to Canada, Korea, Norway, Singapore, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/21/17)

Contract: Northrop, $110M

Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corp., Redondo Beach, Calif., has been awarded an $110,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the gray wolf science and technology demonstration effort. The contract provides for the design, development, manufacture, and testing of prototype affordable cruise missiles to advance networked collaborative operations technologies for defeat of enemy integrated air defense systems. Work will be performed in Redondo Beach, with an expected completion date of Dec. 17, 2024. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $3,014,590 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and seven offers received. Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8651-18-D-0001). (Awarded Dec. 18, 2017) (Source: DoD, 12/20/17)

Contract: JPATS Logistics, $2.2B

JPATS Logistics Services LLC, Cape Canaveral, Fla., has been awarded a single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a five-year ordering period and a maximum value of $2,200,000,000 for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System T-6 contractor operated and maintained base supply (COMBS) services, which will provide a full spectrum of transparent supply chain management services to support safe, flyable T-6 aircraft to meet users’ daily flight schedules, consistent with Department of Defense and commercial sector best practices in procuring, producing and delivering products and services to customers. These supply chain management activities include, but are not limited to, managing supply and demand, sourcing parts, assembly, disposal, warehousing and inventory tracking, order entry and order management, distribution across all channels, and delivery to the customer. This effort is required in support of COMBS for the Air Force, Navy, and Army T-6A/B/D Texan II aircraft program. Work will be performed at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.; Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla.; Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas; Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.; and U.S. Army Aviation Flight Test Directorate, Redstone, Ala.. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2022. The award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and four offers were received. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance; operations and maintenance (Navy), and operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $10,510,542 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8617-18-D-6213). (Source: DoD, 12/20/17)

Whiting the best

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – Naval Air Station Whiting Field is the recipient of the Installation Excellence Award. On December 18, Commander Naval Installations Command (CNIC) named the winning base, marking the third win over the last four years for NAS Whiting. The award recognizes top Navy commands at shore for their excellence across several categories, including installation management, program excellence, environmental stewardship, mission successes and community outreach. CNIC is the Naval command tasked with overseeing the 69 U.S. Navy shore installations worldwide. NAS Whiting Field, in Milton, was selected as the winner in the small base category (less than 500 personnel) from a field of 32 installations. (Source: NAS Whiting, 12/20/17) The base trains military aviators.

Contract: Infinite, $9.2M

Infinite Energy Construction Inc., Kansas City, Mo., has been awarded a $9,200,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for simplified acquisition of base engineering requirements. The scope of work covered consists of furnishing all plant, labor, materials and equipment, to complete minor construction projects. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with an expected completion date of Jan. 1, 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,000 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and 15 offers were received. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2823-18-D-4000). (Source: DoD, 12/19/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $110M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, has been awarded an $110,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the gray wolf science and technology demonstration effort. The contract provides for the design, development, manufacture, and testing of prototype-affordable cruise missiles to advance networked collaborative operations technologies for defeat of enemy integrated air defense systems. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas, with an expected completion date of Dec. 17, 2022. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $2,814,490 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and seven offers were received. Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8651-18-D-0002). (Source: DoD, 12/18/17)

Contract: Boeing, $18.1M

The Boeing Co., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., has been awarded an $18,100,000 modification (P00010) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (FA8509-16-C-0001) for the integrated sustainment support of the AC-130U gunships. This modification provides for the continuation of services for the development, modification, sustainment and maintenance of the AC-130U gunship. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $55,097,463. Work will be performed in Fort Walton Beach; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan; and Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2018. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,900,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/15/17)  (Note: DoD on 12/19/17 noted the contract was awarded 12/18/17)

Command change scheduled

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – There will be a change of command ceremony Dec. 18 at which Capt. Paul Bowdich accepts command of NAS Whiting Field from Capt. Todd Bahlau. The event is at the Clyde E. Lassen Auditorium at 2 p.m. Under Bahlau, NAS Whiting Field provided air traffic control, emergency fire and rescue services, and runway and grounds maintenance to more than 13,000 acres of property and 4,500 nautical square miles of airspace, supporting the safe execution of 415,239 aircraft flight hours, and four million flight evolutions, as well as classroom and simulator training/support for 3,945 student naval aviators. Bowdich will become the installation’s 42nd commanding officer. A native of Berkley, Mich., he's a 1994 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y., and was designated a Naval aviator in April 1997. (Source: NAS Whiting Field, 12/14/17)

Contract: Raytheon, $8.5M

Raytheon Missile Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded an $8,526,153 fixed-price-incentive-firm target and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00069) to a previously awarded contract (FA8675-15-C-0022) to provide form-fit-function replace hardware assets to include guidance sections and integrated test vehicles under the advanced medium-range air-to-air missile lots 28-30 production. Work will be performed in Tucson with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2019. This contract involves foreign military sales to Japan, Norway, Romania, Turkey and Australia. Fiscal 2017 production funds in the amount of $2,888,509; and fiscal 2017 research and development funds in the amount of $3,813,044 are being obligated at time of award, all remaining funding is from foreign military sales. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/06/17)

Contract: L3 Vertex, $17.4M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $79,387,452 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 Air Force Base, Texas; Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., with an expected completion date of June 7, 2018. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and three offers were received. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,502,988 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker AFB, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8106-18-C-0001). (Source: DoD, 12/08/17)

Contract: L3 Vertex, $10.3M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $10,253,906 firm-fixed-price modification (P00168) to a previously awarded contract (FA8106-09-C-0001) for logistics support of the T-1A aircraft. Services include contractor-operated maintained supply, over and above, on-equipment maintenance, data and field service representatives. Work will be performed at Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas; and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla.; with an expected completion date of March 31, 2018. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,253,906 are being obligated at time of award. Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/06/17)

Contract: Boeing, $10.5M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded a $10,521,827 firm-fixed-price contract for laser small diameter bombs. Work will be performed in St. Louis with an expected completion date of March 6, 2019. Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $10,521,827 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-18-D-0130). (Source: DoD, 12/07/17)

96th Cyberspace Group activated

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The U.S. Air Force’s first and only group dedicated to assessing and addressing digital systems’ operation and security was activated Monday at Eglin Air Force Base. The new 96th Cyberspace Test Group, now part of Eglin’s 96th Test Wing, was formed from the 46th Test Squadron, already at Eglin, along with the 45th Test Squadron, the 47th Cyberspace Test Squadron and a handful of other, smaller units at Air Force bases around the country. Col. Bryan Choi, who has served in a variety of intelligence, test and acquisition assignments, formally took command of the new group. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 12/04/17) Previous

Contract: Lockheed, $23M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $22,999,282 modification (P000012) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-17-C-0045) to procure 53,164 level-of-effort hours to support air system software integration and 53,122 level-of-effort hours to support flight test operations in support of the F-35 aircraft platform for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (40 percent); Palmdale, Calif. (30 percent); and Patuxent River, Md. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in in February 2018. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps); and non-U.S. DoD participant funds in the amount of $22,999,282 will be obligated at time of award, $18,392,066 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (40 percent); U.S. Navy; (20 percent); the Marine Corps (20 percent); and non-U.S. DoD participants (20 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/04/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: L3 Vertex, $37.6M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $37,606,934 not-to-exceed modification (P00022) to a previously awarded firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0011). This modification provides for additional organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance, logistics, and engineering services to support and maintain approximately 200 Navy T-45 Goshawk aircraft, aircraft systems, and related support equipment to support flight and test and evaluation operations. In addition, this modification provides for equipment, tools, direct material, and indirect material in support of Navy T-45 aircraft, aircraft systems, and related support equipment. Work will be performed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas (45.7 percent); NAS Meridian, Miss. (41.7 percent); NAS Pensacola, Fla. (10.1 percent); and NAS Patuxent River, Md. (2.5 percent), and is expected to be completed September 2018. 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 Training System Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/04/17)

Leadership change

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. -- The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Det. Whiting Field held a change of charge ceremony at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field atrium, Dec. 1. Cmdr. Steven Bryant turned over responsibilities of the detachment to Cmdr. Timothy Ryan during the event where Capt. Eric J. Simon, CNATT commanding officer served as the presiding officer. During Bryant's year-long tour, he oversaw the delivery of more than 5,000 hours of naval aviation maintenance, ordnance, and supply training for 400 graduating students. (Source: NNS, 12/01/17)

Contract: Bering Sea Env., $8.9M

Bering Sea Environmental LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded an $8,942,370 modification (P00017) to a previously awarded contract (FA4890-16-C-00017), for Air Combat Command's air combat training system operations and maintenance. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Langley Air Force Base, Va.; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.; Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.; Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.; Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.; Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; Royal Singaporean Air Force Mountain Home and Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England; Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; and Aviano Air Base, Italy, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2020. This modification involves 2 percent foreign military sales to Singapore. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at the time of award. ACC, Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Hampton, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/01/17)

Contract: Cubic, $14.8M

Cubic Defense Applications Inc., San Diego, Calif., has been awarded a $14,823,747 firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable multiyear contract for contractor logistics support. This contract provides for comprehensive, effective, and quality contractor logistics support for the Saudi Arabian P5 combat training system to sustain operational tempos currently located at several bases in Saudi. Work will be performed in Saudi Arabia, with an expected completion date of Feb 28, 2022. This contract involves 100 percent foreign military sales to Saudi Arabia. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $14,823,747 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8678-18-C-0009). (Source: DoD, 12/01/17)

Gunship crew wins Mackay

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Fourteen AC-130U gunship crewmembers provided close-air-support to a U.S. Special Forces team and 43 Afghan soldiers near Kunduz, Afghanistan Nov. 2, 2016. The crew's persistent fire support, presence of mind and courage during two hours of intense combat ultimately saved 50 lives. For their actions the aircrew of the AC-130U gunship known as "Spooky 43" were presented the 2016 Mackay Trophy by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. Wilson at an awards ceremony in Arlington Nov. 29, 2017. The crew is based out of Hurlburt Field, Fla. The Mackay Trophy was first awarded in 1912 and honors the most meritorious Air Force flight of the previous year. (Source: AFNS, 12/01/17)

Contract: UTC, $353.2M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $353,208,847 fixed-price-incentive-firm, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded undefinitized contract (N00019-17-C-0010). This modification provides for performance based logistics sustainment in support of the F-135 propulsion system in support of the F-35 joint strike fighter aircraft for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants and foreign military Sales (FMS) customers. This modification provides for maintenance of support equipment, common program activities, unique and common base recurring sustainment, repair of repairable, field service representatives, common replenishment spares, conventional take-off and landing/carrier variant F-135 unique maintenance services, and short take-off and landing F-135 unique services. Work will be performed in East Hartford (73 percent); Oklahoma City, Okla. (18 percent); Camari, Italy (3 percent); Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (2 percent); Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (1 percent); Hill Air Force Base, Utah (1 percent); Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (1 percent); and Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station, S.C. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2018. Fiscal 2017 aircraft and procurement (Navy and Marine Corp); fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Air Force, Navy, Marine Corp) funds, non-U.S. DoD participants; and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $306,451,000 are being obligated on this award, $97,383,008 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (39 percent); Marine Corps; (29 percent); Navy (7 percent); non-U.S. DoD participants (18 percent); and FMS customers (7 percent), under the FMS Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/30/17)

Whiting energy, water upgrades completed

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast, in partnership with Gulf Power and Siemens, recently completed a $9.8 million Utility Energy Savings Contract (UESC) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field in Milton, Fla. The 13-month project focused on the installation of energy and water conservation upgrades in 58 facilities across the installation. One of the highlights of the project was the creation of a new ‘virtual’ chiller plant. The virtual chiller plant cross-connects the existing chillers in three adjacent facilities that house the installation’s advanced aviation simulators. The design consolidates multiple HVAC components, adding system redundancy while increasing energy efficiency. Excess heat is transported to a heat rejection chiller that recovers the energy and uses it to supplement the buildings’ heating and de-humidification systems. (Source: Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 11/08/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $37.7M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $37,716,883 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-15-C-0003) to exercise an option for software conversions for structure and systems datasets in support of Lot 10 production for the F-35 joint strike fighter. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (58 percent); and Samlesbury, United Kingdom (42 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Navy and Marine Corps); fiscal 2017 (Air Force and Navy); and non-DoD participants funds in the amount of $37,716,883 are being obligated at time of award, $7,540,359 of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: Do, 11/27/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Kaman, $85.2M

Kaman Precision Products, Orlando, Fla.; Middletown, Conn., has been awarded a $85,169,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee contract for delivery of lot 13 of the joint programmable fuze, FMU-52 and corresponding production, test and engineering support. Work will be performed in Orlando and Middletown with an expected completion date of Feb. 28, 2019. This contract involves 26 percent foreign military sales to Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. Fiscal 2017 procurement funds in the amount of $85,169,000 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA868118C0009). (Source: DoD, 11/27/17)

Contract: Raytheon, $59.7M

Raytheon Co. - Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $59,725,813 combined firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursable contract for Enhanced Paveway II's support equipment and support hours. Work will be performed at Tucson, with an expected completion date of Feb. 28, 2019. This was a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2016 and 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $59,725,813 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-18-C-0010). (Source: DoD, 11/22/17)

Martin nominated for promotion

Air Force Col. Michael E. Martin has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Martin is currently serving as the commander, 24th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. His was among a series of appointments made by the president and announced last week by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. (Source: DoD, 11/16/17)

Whittenberger picked for promotion

Air Force Col. William W. Whittenberger Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Whittenberger is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the director of strategic plans, programs and requirements, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. His was among a series of appointments made by the president and announced today by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. (Source: DoD, 11/15/17)

V-22 fleet tops 400,000 flight hours

The Bell Boeing V-22 fleet of tiltrotor aircraft, including both CV-22 and MV-22 variants, has surpassed the 400,000-flight hour milestone, Bell Helicopter and Boeing said today. The V-22 Osprey has been continuously deployed since entering service in 2007 with the United States Marine Corps and Air Force Special Operations Command in 2009. It has seen extensive action in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as part of a U.S. Central Command Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force supporting a long-range rapid reaction/crisis response force. The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is a joint service, multirole combat aircraft that uses tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. With its nacelles and rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, its nacelles can be rotated to transition the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight. (Source: Boeing, 11/14/17) The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command is headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Contract: Boeing, $11.3M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded an $11,266,057 modification (P00176) to a previously awarded contract (FA8678-10-C-0100) for QF-16 full-scale aerial target lot 5B. Work will be performed in St. Louis, with an estimated completion date of April 27, 2021. Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $11,266,057 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/13/17)

Contract: Bell-Boeing, $10M

Bell-Boeing JPO, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded $10,056,839 for modification P00008 to a previously issued cost-plus-fixed-fee task order 0112, placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-12-G-0006. This modification provides for field representative and logistics support services in support of the V-22 aircraft for the government of Japan. Work will be performed at Camp Kisarazu, Japan (85 percent); Philadelphia, Pa. (11 percent); and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (4 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2019. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $10,056,839 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, 11/13/17)

Blue Angels get new leader

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. – Capt. Ryan Bernacchi turned over command of the Navy Blue Angels to Cmdr. Eric Doyle at a ceremony Sunday at the Blue Angels Atrium inside the National Naval Aviation Museum. About 500 people, including former Blue Angels commanding officers, team members and other naval aviation leaders, attended the event. The 2018 Blue Angels will head to El Centro, Calif., for the winter and return to Pensacola in March. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 11/13/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $34.6M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $34,622,661 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for weapons capabilities technology maturation and risk reduction pre-engineering, manufacturing and development activities for dual-capability F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft and small-diameter bomb 2 (SDB-II) in support of the Marine Corps and Air Force. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in July 2018. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $6,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award, all 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 (N00019-18-C-1004). (Source: DoD, 11/09/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Norway gets F-35 mission data file

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 53rd Electronic Warfare Group’s Partner Support Complex delivered the F-35 mission data file to Norway Oct. 26. This is the first overseas delivery of Block 3F mission data to a foreign nation and was accomplished in anticipation of Norway’s first F-35s, which arrived last week and will be marked by a Nov.10 ceremony there. The delivery of Block 3F mission data enables the F-35 to accomplish its primary missions of air interdiction, close air support, and suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses. Mission data files enable the aircraft to know what threats to search for and when, providing the F-35 its means of deciphering the environment. The men and women of the PSC are charged with programing this essential mission data software for eight F-35 partner nations, to include Norway, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Denmark. (Source: 53rd Wing, 11/08/17) Previous related

Contract: Reliance Test, $48M

Reliance Test & Technology, Crestview, Fla., has been awarded a $48,000,000 modification (P00022) to a previously awarded contract (FA2486-16-C-0002) for Eglin operation and maintenance services. The modification increases the government-provided value of cost-reimbursable, contractor-acquired property for contract line item number 0005. Work will be performed at Eglin test and training complex, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with an expected completion date of Sept. 30 2026. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $48,000,000 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Nov. 7, 2017) (Source: DoD, 11/08/17)

Contract: Raytheon, $17.3M

Raytheon Co. Missile Systems Division, Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a $17,255,491 modification (P00009) to a previously awarded contract (FA8675-15-C-0004) for High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile Targeting System (HTS) contractor logistics support (CLS) services. The contract modification provides for HTS pod CLS depot repairs and sustainment activities. Work will be performed in Tucson, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2018. Fiscal year 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $12,825,015 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/06/17)

PNS sets record; gets new route

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Pensacola International Airport (PNS) reaches a new all-time high serving 1,668,897 passengers during fiscal year 2017 (October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017). That’s the highest count in a decade. A year before the Great Recession, the airport’s last passenger record was in FY07 when the airport served a total of 1,660,545 passengers. In addition to the record, PNS announced a second daily non-stop flight to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) aboard American Airlines will be added to the flight schedule in the spring. Beginning April 3, 2018, passengers will have the option of booking a morning nonstop flight to DCA, in addition to the current afternoon non-stop flight. (Source: City of Pensacola, 11/03/17)

AF awards F-35 programmers

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The 53rd Wing’s 513th Electronic Warfare Squadron was awarded on Oct. 25 the Outstanding Scientist/Engineer Team of 2017 for their work on the F-35A Initial Operational Capability delivery at Eglin Air Force Base. This Air Force Science, Technology, Engineering and Math annual award recognizes the efforts and achievements of scientists and engineers who make significant contributions to technology and engineering. For the last seven years, 513th EWS airmen and sailors of the F-35’s U.S. Reprogramming Laboratory have been doing just that. Supercomputers, referred to as sensor fusion, make up the F-35’s brain. That brain provides the fighter with unique capabilities, making it more lethal, survivable and adaptable than any fighter aircraft on Earth, according to the Secretary of Air Force Public Affairs. However, without 513th EWS personnel inputting critical mission data into the F-35, sensor fusion wouldn’t work as intended. The aircraft wouldn’t know what threats to search for or when. In the electronic warfare world, engineers refer to this ability to understand the world, the ability to sift through stimuli and make informed decisions about how to react, as mission data software. This software helps compile countless pieces of information about the environment the F-35 will fly into. It also creates within the F-35’s brain the means of deciphering that environment. The men and women of the 513th EWS program this essential mission data software, thus teaching the F-35 how to distinguish between stimuli and making it efficient, intelligent and lethal. (Source: 53rd Wing Public Affairs, 11/01/17) Background story, "Putting the fight in the F-35," Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter, April 2015, p. 1-2.

New air service at VPS

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – In May, travel between Okaloosa County and the nation’s capital will be easier for hundreds of military contractors and active duty personnel. The first non-stop American Airlines flights between Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) and Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport will take off 11:05 a.m. May 4, according to a news release from the county. An earlier flight is scheduled to depart Washington D.C. at 8:45 a.m. the same day, with arrival in Okaloosa County expected at 10:07 a.m., the release said. The two flights will run daily. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 11/01/17) The airport is located at Eglin Air Force Base.

Contract: UTC, $19.3M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $19,266,207 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee and fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract (N00019-15-C-0004). This modification provides for procurement of extra-long-lead items in support of the low-rate initial production Lot XII F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft production. The extra-long-lead items include group hardware supporting the Lot XII delivery of conventional take-off and landing propulsion systems for the Air Force, Navy, non-Department of Defense (non-DoD) participants, and foreign military sales (FMS) customers, as well as group hardware supporting the Lot XII delivery of short take-off and vertical landing propulsion systems for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in East Hartford (67 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (26.5 percent); and Bristol, United Kingdom (6.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2019. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps), non-DoD participant, and FMS funds in the amount of $19,266,207, are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Marine Corps (88.04 percent); non-DoD participants (9.86 percent); Air Force (1.49 percent); FMS (0.41 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program; and Navy d.0 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/01/17) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Multiple, $8.3B

Numerous companies, including UTS Systems LLC, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (W911QY-18-D-0161), will share in an $8,276,161,000 hybrid (cost, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive, and fixed-price-redetermination) contract for Joint Enterprise Research, Development, Acquisition and Production and Procurement program to support research and development of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives defense systems, capabilities, equipment, supplies and material. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 178 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 3, 2027. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Natick, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/01/17)

Eglin conducting tests

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group is conducting operations from Nov. 1-3 and Nov. 6-8 in the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay as part of a Weapon System Evaluation Program. Between 8 a.m. and noon jets will be releasing munitions about 20 miles south of Destin in the Gulf of Mexico. The test are being conducted within a cleared safety range. Between 1-5 p.m., about 30 boats traveling in formation will transverse between the Mid-Bay Bridge and the U.S. Highway 331 Bridge, including 10-to-20 miles south of Destin in the Gulf of Mexico, according to base officials. The boat formation will be used as visual targets by military aircraft flying over the area. Some boats will have fake deck guns and rocket launcher tubes, but no live weapons or ammunition will be involved. The boats also will be using marine flares as visual markers. (Source: News Herald, 10/27/17)

Cyber test group to stand up

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The Air Force recently approved a new group standup as part of the 96th Test Wing. The 96th Cyberspace Test Group will be formed from the existing 46th Test Squadron, located here, and other test units at six separate geographic locations throughout the U.S. The new group will include three subordinate squadrons: the 45th Test Squadron, 46th Test Squadron and the 47th Cyberspace Test Squadron. Approximately 19 of 50 new positions are projected to be added to the group here over the next five years. In addition, a business and logistics division will be established here to provide program management, budget and finance, as well as logistics, security and information technology functions. The change brings current AFTC cyberspace test capabilities under a single command structure of the newly formed group, but leaves all the current jobs, missions and assets in place at their current operating locations. The group’s formal activation ceremony is scheduled for December. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 10/26/17)

GAO: F-35 hurt by parts issue

The Pentagon is accelerating production of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 jet even though the planes already delivered are facing “significantly longer repair times” than planned because maintenance facilities are six years behind schedule, according to a draft audit. The Government Accountability Office, Congress’s watchdog agency, found the time to repair a part has averaged 172 days, twice the program’s objective. The shortages are “degrading readiness” because the fighter jets “were unable to fly about 22 percent of the time” from January through August for lack of needed parts. (Source: Bloomberg, 10/23/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Aviation museum among top 20

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola was named one of the Top 25 museums across the globe by TripAdvisor as part of its 2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards. The NNAM ranked No. 16 on the list that included such well-known museums as the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The rankings are based on quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for museums worldwide gathered by TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. (Source: EW Bullock, 10/12/17) The 350,000-square-foot museum on 37 acres has a variety of attractions and more than 150 military aircraft representing the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

NASA awards construction contracts

NASA has awarded 24 Multiple Award Construction Contract Two (MACC-II) contracts to 20 small businesses and four large firms for general construction services at NASA's Stennis Space Center and several other agency locations. It has an anticipated value not to exceed $3 billion during an eight-year ordering period. MACC-II project work includes, but is not limited to, alteration, modification, maintenance and repair, demolition, design-build and new construction of buildings, facilities and real property at Stennis; NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, including White Sands Test Facility near Las Cruces, N.M.; NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Fla.; and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., including Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Businesses in the Gulf Coast region awarded contracts are Healtheon and Pontchartrain Partners, both of New Orleans; ESA South Inc., Cantonment, Fla.; Orocon Construction and WG Yates & Sons Construction Co., both of Biloxi, Miss.; Drace Construction Corp., Ocean Springs, Miss.; CCI Energy and Construction Services, Shalimar, Fla.; and MOWA Barlovento JV-2, Gautier, Miss. (Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire, 10/24/17)

Contract: Aermor, $93.5M

Aermor LLC, Virginia Beach, Va.; American Systems Corp., Chantilly, Va.; and Qualis Corp., Huntsville, Ala., have been awarded a $93,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center test services. The contractors will provide advisory and assistance services in support of operational test and evaluation that include a broad range of engineering, technical, and analytical services. Work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.; Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.; Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Everett, Wash.; Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; and Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and is expected to be complete by Oct. 19, 2022. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with three offers received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $30,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA7046-18-D-0001, FA7046-18-D-0002, FA7046-18-D-0003). (Source: DoD, 10/20/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $11.6M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $11,566,000 for cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized delivery order 0144 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides support for the first of class flying trials and the release of the military permit to fly for F-35B aircraft to operate from Queen Elizabeth class carriers in support of the government of the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (68 percent); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (26 percent); Orlando, Fla. (3 percent); and Patuxent River, Md. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2018. International partner funds in the amount of $5,783,000 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, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/17/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Airport gets new service

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Frontier Airlines today announced it will begin service from Pensacola International Airport (PNS) this spring with nonstop, low-cost flights to Denver International Airport (DEN) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) as part of its nationwide expansion. Service to Denver will begin April 22, 2018 while service to Chicago O’Hare is scheduled to begin May 12, 2018. “This is a huge win for Pensacola and I look forward to a long-term partnership and additional growth opportunities with Frontier Airlines,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. (Source: City of Pensacola, 10/17/17)

VTMAE plans info session

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- VT MAE will host an information session Oct. 27 at 9:00 a.m. regarding its current operations, upcoming hiring needs, employment application procedures, and available subcontracting opportunities at its new aircraft maintenance facility being built at Pensacola International Airport. The information session is at the Pensacola State College Hagler Auditorium, which is Building 2, 1000 College Blvd. in Pensacola. The event is for subcontractors and those seeking employment opportunities. (Source: VTMAE via City of Pensacola, 10/17/16)

Contract: Reliance, $27.3M

Reliance Test & Technology, Crestview, Fla., has been awarded a $27,255,000 modification (P00021) for Eglin operation and maintenance services. This contract modification increases the value of cost-type contract line item numbers. Work will be performed at Eglin Test and Training Complex, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2026. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $7,661,368 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-16-C-0002). (Source: DoD, 10/16/17

Contract: DCS, $207.6M

DCS Corp., Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $207,596,336 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide system engineering, analysis, research, development, logistics, and configuration and data management services to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s aircraft integrated pProduct teams, which are critical in the development, integration, test, evaluation, and fielding of new and upgraded capabilities to Naval aircraft, such as the F/A-18, EA-18G, F-35, AV-8B, AH-1/UH-1, and unmanned aerial systems. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif. (86.5 percent); Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (7 percent); Ridgecrest, Calif. (5 percent); Point Mugu, Calif. (1 percent); Cherry Point, N.C. (0.2 percent); Yuma, Ariz. (0.2 percent); and Patuxent River, Md. (0.1 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2022. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $200,000 will be obligated at time of award; all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic proposal as a 100 percent small business set-aside; two offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, is the contracting activity (N68936-18-D-0006). (Source: DoD, 10/04/17)

Contract: COLSA, $56.2M

COLSA Corp., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $56,190,669 modification (P00023) for technical and management advisory services command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and cyber support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.; Gunter Annex, Ala.; Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.; Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; Scott Air Force Base, Ill.; Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Langley Air Force Base, Va.; and San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30 2018. This modification includes foreign military sales support. Fiscal 2018 research, development, production, operations, and maintenance funds in the amount of $14,141,221 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-16-F-0031). (Source: DoD, 10/02/17)

Contract: QuantiTech, $39.6M

QuantiTech, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $39,557,675 modification (P00045) for technical and management advisory services range support. The contractor will provide additional diverse research, development, test, evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn.; Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.; Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2018. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research, development, production, operations, and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,416,813 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-16-F-0034). (Source: DoD, 10/02/17)

Contract: Torch, $34.6M

Torch Technologies Inc., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $34,628,375 modification (P00037) for technical and management advisory services armament support. The contractor will provide additional diverse research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Kirkland Air Force Base, N.M.; and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2018. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research, development, production, operations, and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,165,187 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-16-F-0030). (Source: DoD, 10/02/17)

Contract: Bevilacqua, $31.2M

Bevilacqua Research Corp., Huntsville, Ala.. has been awarded a $31,176,259 modification (P00034) for technical and management advisory services platforms support. The contractor will provide additional diverse research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Duke Field, Fla.; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.; and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30 2018. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research, development, procurement, operations, and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,682,995 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-16-F-0033). (Source: DoD, 10/02/17)

Contract: Boeing, $68.5M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded $68,535,986 modification P00006 to a previously awarded firm-price-incentive contract (N00019-17-C-0003). This modification provides for the procurement of the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G structural repair manual. Work will be performed in St. Louis (62 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (32 percent); and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (6 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2021. Fiscal 2015 and 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $68,535,986 are being obligated at time of award, $63,966,920 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 on Sept. 27, 2017. (Source: DoD, 09/28/17)

Contract: Fluor, $14.4M

Fluor Federal Solutions LLC, Greenville, S.C., is being awarded a $14,425,542 modification under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N69450-07-D-0770) to exercise option 10 for base operations support services at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and outlying areas of Saufley Field, Corry Station, and Bronson Field. The work to be performed provides for all management, supervision, labor, equipment, materials, supplies, and tools necessary to perform facilities management, facilities investment, facility maintenance services (non-family housing), pest control, utility plant and distribution system operations and maintenance (chiller, electrical, gas, wastewater, steam and water), environmental services, and base support vehicles and equipment. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $272,144,614. Work will be performed in Pensacola and work is expected to be completed March 2018. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2018 Navy working capital funds; and fiscal 2018 defense health program funds in the amount of $12,751,529 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the option period. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/28/17)

Contract: Northrop, $12M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum, Md., is being awarded $12,000,000 for firm-fixed-price job order N0016417FW174 under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N0016415GWS82 for spare parts to support organic depot repairs of the AN/ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures system. The AN/ALQ-240 provides rapid detection, classification and geographical location of ground-based radar systems to provide situational awareness to the Navy’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The P-8A also includes capabilities such as long-range anti-submarine, anti-surface, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of broad-area maritime and littoral operations. Work will be performed in Linthicum (75 percent); San Jose, Calif. (10 percent); Ashburn, Va. (5 percent); Baltimore, Md. (5 percent); and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by April 2020. Fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $12,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/28/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $22M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $22,006,763 modification (P00002) to previously awarded contract for academic and simulator formal training and instruction. The contractor will provide aircrew instruction, contractor logistics support, training systems support center, courseware, and cybersecurity. Work will be performed at Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.; Harrisburg Air National Guard Base, Pa.; and Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom; and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2018. No funds are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8621-17-C-0048). (Source: DoD, 09/28/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $24.3M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Baltimore, Md., is being awarded a $24,306,079 firm-fixed-price modification under a previously awarded contract (N00024-15-C-5332) to exercise options for vertical launching system modules and associated equipment with the MK 41 vertical launch system. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind. (32 percent); Baltimore, Md. (20 percent); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (15 percent); Johnstown, Pa. (12 percent); Farmingdale, N.Y. (9 percent); Saginaw, Mich. (5 percent); Orlando, Fla. (4 percent); and Waverly, Iowa (3 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2022. Fiscal 2017 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2016 defense wide procurement funding in the amount of $24,306,079 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/17)

Contract: SURVICE, $10M

The SURVICE Engineering Co. LLC, Belcamp, Md., is being awarded a $9,982,045 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to perform research and development analysis for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in the areas of air weapons systems survivability and lethality, test and analysis support, modeling and simulation (M&S), and M&S verification, validation and accreditation. Work will be performed in Dayton, Ohio (40 percent); Ridgecrest, Calif. (30 percent); Aberdeen, Md. (20 percent); and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2022. Fiscal 2016 working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $112,621, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic proposal as a 100 percent small business set-aside; two offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-17-D-0028). (Source: DoD, 09/27/17)

Contract: RT&T, $8.7M

Reliance Test & Technology, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., has been awarded an approximately $8,700,000 modification (P00019) to previously awarded contract for Eglin Air Force Base operation and maintenance support service. The contract modification increases government-provided values of cost reimbursable contractor acquired property supporting the test and training complex. Work will be performed in Ft. Walton Beach and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2026. Fiscal 2017 research and development funds in the amount of $8,700,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2486-16-C-0002). (Source: DoD, 09/27/17)

Contract: Cubic, $61M

Cubic Global Defense, San Diego, Calif., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $61,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for P5 combat training system/tactical combat training system updates. The contract includes, but is not limited to, modifications to ensure the P5 system and supporting infrastructure meets or exceeds dynamic emerging government requirements. Work will be performed in San Diego and Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and will be completed Sept. 30, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Funds from spectrum relocation fund in the amount of $4,600,000 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8678-17-D-0034). (Source: DoD, 09/27/17)

Contract: Raytheon, $450M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $450,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) II integrated engineering change proposal contract. The contract provides for design, development, integration, test and production engineering for changes to the SDB II technical and production baseline. Work will be performed in Tucson, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. No funds are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8672-17-D-0004). (Source: DoD, 09/27/17)

SR EDO wins awards

The Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office received three Excellence in Economic Development Awards for 2017 from the International Economic Development Council during the IEDC Annual Conference Sept. 17-20 in Toronto. One was a gold award for its aviation industry brochure in the category of special purpose print brochure, which details Santa Rosa County's advantages to companies in the aviation, aerospace, and related industries. Key sections cover the area's advantages in terms of workforce, including retired military personnel, transportation, and available sites. The office won a silver award for its Career Pathways website, a project in the category of special purpose website, designed to provide students guidance on local career opportunities. The EDO also won a bronze award in the category of special purpose website, for SantaRosaAviation.com, a micro-site showcasing the county's advantages to companies in the aviation, aerospace, and related industries. (Source: Santa Rosa County, 09/27/17)

Contract: multiple, $998M

Signalink Inc., Madison, Ala. (FA2487-18-D-4000); Corvid Technologies LLC., Mooresville, N.C. (FA2487-18-D-4100); Maden Technologies - Maden Tech Consulting Inc., Arlington, Va. (FA2487-18-D-4200); Intuitive Research and Technology Corp., Huntsville, Ala. (FA2487-18-D-4300); Wavelink Inc., Huntsville, Ala. (FA2487-18-D-4400); Cummings Aerospace Inc., Huntsville, Ala. (FA2487-18-D-4500); Radiance Technologies Inc., Ala. (FA2487-18-D-4600); Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Va. (FA2487-18-D-4700); IERUS Technologies Inc., Alabama (FA2487-18-D-4800); Dynetics Inc., Huntsville, Ala. (FA2487-18-D-4900); Trident Research LLC., Austin, Texas (FA2487-18-D-5000); Georgia Technical Research Institute, Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Atlanta, Ga. (FA2487-18-D-5100); Raytheon Co., Indianapolis, Ind. (FA2487-18-D-5200); and RT Logic, Colorado Springs, Colo. (FA2487-18-D-5300); have been awarded a shared ceiling, multiple award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts in the amount of $998,000,000. Contractor will provide research, development, test and evaluation of weapon systems, subsystems, and components. Work will be performed at each contractor’s facilities. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 14 offers were awarded. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $14,000 - $1,000 per delivery order, per company are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/26/17)

Contract: Choctawhatchee, $60.2M

Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative Inc., De Funiak Springs, Fla., has been awarded a $60,191,903 modification (P00003) to a 50-year contract (SP0600-16-C-8314) with no option periods for additional utility services for the electric system 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 2017 through 2067 Air Force operations and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va. (Source: DoD, 09/26/17)

AC-130J nearly combat-ready

The Air Force plans to declare its new AC-130J “Ghostrider” gunship ready for combat operations by the end of September. But it won’t deploy into to a war zone for a couple of more years, according to Lt. Gen. Marshall “Brad” Webb, head of Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla. He told reporters at the Air Force Association’s annual conference in National Harbor, Md., that the delay is because of the high pace of operational missions abroad, which makes in more difficult to train special operators on the new gunship’s new weapon system. The AC-130J, designed for close-air support, is armed with a 30mm GAU-23/A cannon and suite of precision-guided munitions that include the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb and AGM-176 Griffin missile, and a 105mm M102 howitzer system, which can fire 10 50-pound shells a minute. The weapons systems are governed by modular Precision Strike Package. As of April 2017, AFSOC was exploring the possibility of a directed-energy laser system designed to knock out enemy electronics and disable critical infrastructure. (Sources: multiple, including DoDBuzz, Flightglobal, ExecutiveGov, National Interest, 09/21/17)

Digital navigation aid tested

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 2 recently evaluated new, fully digitized navigation charts to streamline mission planning initiatives for the military. It’s the first major upgrade to the charts in some 30 years. AFOTEC completed a successful operational test on a digitized navigation chart prototype in 2016, and the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency asked AFOTEC evaluate three new digitized charts for use by the Air Force and other military branches. The military uses navigation charts for mission planning and flying navigation routes. Over six weeks, Detachment 2 tested the new charts at nine military installations across the U.S., including at Eglin, using 16 different airframes. The new charts will be available for military operations as early as 2019. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 09/21/17)

Eglin team goes to sea

Crew and F-35 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln.
Air Force photo

The Air Force’s 33rd Maintenance Squadron provided training and support to F-35C Lightning II operations aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln from Aug. 30 to Sept. 7, 2017. Two airmen and two sailors from the aerospace ground equipment flight and the wheel and tire shop qualified Abraham Lincoln sailors to operate F-35 support equipment, bringing the U.S. Navy one step closer to initial operations capability. With this training, the Abraham Lincoln's aviation structural mechanics are now qualified to tear down, inspect, clean, rebuild and service wheel assemblies. “We are the most qualified unit to (train these sailors),” said Staff Sgt. Mark Gower, 33rd MXS wheel and tire technician. “We have been working with this jet the longest because the 33rd Fighter Wing was the first unit to receive the F-35 from the test community.” (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 09/19/17)

How Rucker coped with Irma

FORT RUCKER, Ala. – Like other military bases with expensive aircraft, Fort Rucker officials had to decide earlier this month when Hurricane Irma was started tracking up the west coast of Florida whether to evacuate helicopters or dismantle the blades and put them in a hangar. It was a situation that changed day to day, but in the end no aircraft were damaged and training was allowed to continue after the storm passed. Fort Rucker, in southeast Alabama near Enterprise and Dothan, is the only Army unit that trains aviators – some 4,000 each year from 20 countries. (Source: Rotor & Wing International, 09/19/17) Note: The Navy also trains military helicopter pilots at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, southwest of Fort Rucker in Milton, Fla.

Contract: Jacobs, $480M

Jacobs Technology Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is awarded a competitive, single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for test, evaluation and certification support services. The face value of this action is $480,000,000 (contract ceiling). The minimum guarantee of $10,000 will be satisfied through the issuance of Task Order 0001, which will coincide with contract award and will be funded by fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation appropriations. Primary performance will be at Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Joint Interoperability Test Command Headquarters, Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; and DISA Headquarters, Ft. Meade, Md., with incidental performance at other locations worldwide. Proposals were solicited via FedBizOpps and three proposals were received. The period of performance for the base period is Sept. 21, 2017 through Sept. 20, 2019 with three, one-year option periods and one six-month option period through March 20, 2023. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is the contracting activity. (HC1028-17-D-0006). (Source: DoD, 09/19/17) (DoD reported 09/21/17 that the award was mistakenly announced 09/19/17 and should have been announced 09/21/17)

Hurlburt maintainers win award

The 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group at Hurlburt Field, Fla., was among the winners of the 2017 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards. The awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding achievements in weapon systems and military equipment maintenance. The Hurlburt team was one of two units to win in the large field-level category. Four other awards were given in the medium and small categories. One of the six organizations will be selected as winner of the Phoenix Award, given to the best of the best field-level maintenance units. (Source: DoD, 09/19/17)

Contract: Harris, $11.3M

Harris Corp., Colorado Springs, Colo., has been awarded an $11,277,688 modification (P00766) to previously awarded contract for Eglin Beam Steer Sustainment Project Beam Steering Calibrate and Monitor Console Replacement project. Contractor will improve the sustainment posture of the project for the Eglin Army and Navy fixed position ground radar search AN/FPS-85 radar, which includes the design, procurement, fabrication, integration, installation, and testing to ensure supportability through 2030 and the development and installation of a temporary Y Switch. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 13, 2019. Fiscal 2017 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1 1,277,688 are being obligated at time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Peterson Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (F19628-02-C-0010). (Source: DoD, 09/14/17)

Training wing getting new leader

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – Col. David Morris will assume command of Training Air Wing 5 during a change of command ceremony at the Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola. He replaces Navy Captain Mark Murray during the Friday 2 p.m. ceremony. Murray will retire from naval service after a 26-year career. Morris, a former member of the Blue Angels who was a prior enlisted Marine, was designated a Naval Aviator in March 1996. In August 2000, he reported to the Blue Angels to fly "Fat Albert," the squadron's C-130. He comes to NAS Whiting Field from duty at the Pentagon. Morris will now be responsible for an estimated 43 percent of the Chief of Naval Air Training Command's total flight time and over 14 percent of Navy and Marine Corps' flight time worldwide. Over 1,200 personnel complete their essential flight training through TRAWING -5 annually. Capt. Douglas Rosa will become the new Deputy Commodore of TRAWING-5. (Source: Whiting Field, 09/12/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $8.8M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $8,769,892 for modification P00048 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-15-C-0114) for recurring logistics services of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter in support of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-Department of Defense participants, and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Support to be provided includes delivery of material (26,171 items) for depot stand-up and activation. The material delivered supports the Electro-Optical Targeting System for the F-35. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in in September 2019. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force (45 percent); Marine Corps (24 percent); Navy (13 percent); non-DoD participants (14 percent); and FMS customers (4 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/13/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Land deal delayed

PENSACOLA, Fla. – County leaders say a land swap involving Escambia County and the Navy will likely be delayed another two years because of issues with the grass on the land being prepared for the Navy. The Navy requires two years of ground covering growth before it can use it as an outlying field. The county bought the grass seed but the grading wasn’t ready in time, officials said. The county wants to use land in Beulah, the current site of the Navy’s Outlying Field 8, as a commercial park. The Navy agreed to swap the land for a 650-acre site, currently called Outlying Field X, in neighboring Santa Rosa County that is now owned by Escambia County. The county hopes to build on the success of Navy Federal’s large campus in Beulah. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 09/13/17)

Staubach and NASP football

Say the name Roger Staubach and you think Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl and Hall of Fame. But what’s lesser known is that between his time in the Navy and his time with the Cowboys, he was a quarterback for the Pensacola Goshawks, a team fielded by Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., that played mid-level college opponents. (Source: Whiting Tower, 08/25/17)

Whiting once housed German POWs

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – Whiting Field has been an integral part of the nation’s defense for three-quarters of a century, first as an Auxiliary Air Station and then as a Naval Air Station. But one of its lesser-known roles was housing German prisoners of war in the closing months of World War II. The prisoners were sent to Whiting from Fort Rucker, Ala., and were used to help complete the installation’s framework. (Source: Whiting Tower, 08/25/17)

Contract: DynCorp Int., $160.4M

DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $160,405,017 for modification 00032 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable contract (N00019-15-D-0003) for organizational, intermediate, and depot-level maintenance and logistics support for 16 T-34 Mentor, 54 T-44 Pegasus, and 287 T-6 Texan aircraft. Work will be performed at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas (50 percent); Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla. (39 percent); Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. (8 percent); and various locations throughout the U.S. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2018. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/11/17) (Note: DoD corrected the amount of the contract 10/17/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $8.5M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $8,461,238 for modification to previously issued delivery order N0001917F0108 placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020 for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. This modification procures additional verification and validation system support for country-specific mission data files for the foreign military sales customer’s operational aircraft. Work will be performed in Point Mugu, Calif. (75 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (25 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/11/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Engility, $49M

Engility Corporation, Andover, Mass., has been awarded a $49,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide research and development for Kinetic Kill Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) Simulation Technology for Advanced Research. This contract provides for the development of multi-spectral and multi-modal phenomenology modeling capabilities, to advance the start-of-the-art of HWIL test technology and to perform a critical role in the research, development and transition of Air Force munitions through the use of integrated guidance simulation. The location of performance is Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with the ordering period expected to be complete by Aug. 31, 2022. This is a competitive award under broad agency announcement FA8651-17-S-0064, and fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $150,300 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA8651-17-D-0096). (Source: DoD, 09/08/17)

Contract: Raytheon, $8M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded an $8,078,874 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00010) to previously awarded contract for field team support services for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) development test mission support including, test planning, test operations, test reporting, and telemetry analysis. This contract modification provides for exercise of the first option, for an additional 12 months of services to support ground tests, captive flight tests, and live fire tests conducted for developmental purposes, up to and including operational test readiness reviews. The effort also encompasses management and maintenance of AMRAAM separation test vehicles and other assets used for the test programs. The work performed under this option is expected to be complete by Sept. 5, 2018. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-16-C-0067). (Source: DoD, 09/06/17)

Contract: Raytheon, $38.6M

Raytheon Missiles Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $38,600,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the System Improvement Program 3- Engineering Manufacturing, Development. This contract provides an incremental software solution for AIM-120D missiles to improve its performance against rapidly advancing threats. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Jan. 5, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-17-C-0001). (Awarded Sept. 5, 2017). (Source: DoD, 09/06/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $900M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., has been awarded an approximately $900,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Long Range Standoff weapon's technology maturation and risk reduction acquisition phase. The contract supports replacement of the AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be completed by 2022. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Delivered Capabilities Directorate, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/23/17)

Contract: Raytheon, $900M

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded an approximately $900,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Long Range Standoff weapon's technology maturation and risk reduction acquisition phase. The contract supports replacement of the AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona and is expected to be completed by 2022. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Delivered Capabilities Directorate, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/23/17)

Contract: L3 Vertex, $173M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded $172,984,042 for modification P00017 to exercise an option to a previously awarded firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0011). This option provides for organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance, logistics, and engineering to support and maintain 201 Navy T-45 Goshawk aircraft, aircraft systems, and related support equipment to support flight and test and evaluation operations. Work will be performed at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas (45.7 percent); NAS Meridian, Miss. (41.7 percent); Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. (10.1 percent); and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. (2.5 percent), and is expected to be completed September 2018. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/23/17)

Contract: Multiple, $95M

Ashford Leebcor JV LLC, Williamsburg, Va. (N40085-17-D-0357); Civil Works Contracting LLC, Wilmington, N.C. (N40085-17-D-0358); Green-Simmons Co. Inc., Pensacola, Fla. (N40085-17-D-0359); Rand Enterprises Inc., Newport News, Va. (N40085-17-D-0360); SmartATI-KMK JV, Rochester, N.H. (N40085-17-D-0361); and Tikigaq Construction LLC, Wasilla, Alaska (N40085-17-D-0362), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award, design-build, design-bid-build construction contract for construction projects within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic Hampton Roads Integrated Product Team (IPT) area of responsibility (AOR). The maximum dollar value including the base period and four option years for all five contracts combined is $95,000,000. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, new construction, renovation, alteration, and repairs for general construction projects. Types of facilities include, but are not limited to warehouses, training facilities, personnel support and service facilities, housing facilities, etc. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. Ashford Leebcor JV LLC is being awarded task order 0001 at $594,683 for the track data coordinator trainer space renovation, Building 586 at Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex, Virginia Beach, Va.. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by March 2018. All work on this contract will be performed in the NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Hampton Roads IPT AOR, Va.. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of August 2022. Fiscal 2017 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $619,683 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy) funding. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 19 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/23/17)

Switch flipped on solar facilities

Officials marked the completion of the three largest combined solar facilities on Defense Department property in a ceremonial flipping of the switch Tuesday. Executives of Gulf Power, Coronal Energy, the Air Force and Navy were on hand at Naval Air Station Pensacola’s Naval Outlying Landing Field Saufley for the event. Ground was broken in November 2016 for the project that spans 940 acres across three Navy and Air Force sites in Northwest Florida. Saufley’s solar array site is a 50 megawatt solar-generating facility. The other two sites are at Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s Outlying Landing Field Holley (40 megawatts) and Eglin Air Force Base (30 megawatts). Combined the three sites have about 1.5 million solar panels capable of generating up to 120 megawatts of electricity. The projects became operational earlier this summer. (Source: GCAC, 08/21/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $427M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded not-to-exceed $427,088,637 for undefinitized order N0001917F0027 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides for the procurement of ancillary military equipment and pilot flight equipment for low rate initial production Lot 11 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Inglewood, Calif. (60 percent); White Plains, N.Y. (25 percent); St. Petersburg, Fla. (5 percent); Orlando, Fla. (5 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (5 percent). Work is expected to be completed in December 2020. This order combines purchases for Air Force (36 percent); Marine Corps (20 percent); Navy (12 percent); non-DoD participants (19 percent); and FMS customers (13 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/21/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $53.5M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $53,494,475 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N0001917F0266 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides for supplies and services in support of the F-35 Lightning II milestone event capabilities, including retrofit modification kits and installation services for the Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, and non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in July 2021 for DoD customers and September 2025 for non-DoD participants. This order combines purchases for the Marine Corps (50 percent); Air Force (21 percent); Navy (18 percent); and non-DoD participants (11 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/18/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: CACH-INC, $14.9M

CACI-INC, Chantilly, Va., has been awarded a $14,940,526 face value contract for the modification and configuration on new commercial software for NexGen requirements. Fiscal 2017 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,654,981 will be obligated at time of award. Work will be performed in Panama City, Fla.; Beavercreek, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; Niceville, Fla.; Raleigh, N.C.; Palm City, Fla.; Fair Haven, N.J., and is expected to be completed March 12, 2019. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex, Montgomery, Ala., is the contracting activity (FA8771-17-F-0024). (Awarded Aug. 16, 2017) (Source: DoD, 08/17/17)

Contract: Raytheon, $104.9M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $104,860,386 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Griffin Missiles. This contract provides for delivery of all variants of Griffin standoff precision guided munitions and corresponding production, test and engineering support. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2018. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-17-D-0005). (Source: DoD, 08/17/17)

Airport sets another record

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Pensacola International Airport has set another all-time monthly record number of passengers in July, with a total of 175,814 individuals arriving and departing the facility. It’s an increase of 13 percent over July 2016. Overall, Pensacola International Airport is up some 4 percent in total passengers for the fiscal year over the same period last year. (Source: City of Pensacola, 08/16/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $8B

Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control, Lexington, Ky., has been awarded an $8,000,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Special Operations Forces Global Logistics Support Services (SOF GLSS) requirement. The SOF GLSS contract shall provide non-personal, global logistics support services and expertise to maintain program support and Enterprise management functions for Program Executive Office of the Special Operations Forces Support Activity. Work will be performed at Bluegrass Station, Lexington; Bluegrass Army Depot, Richmond, Ky; Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; and Crestview, Fla., as well as multiple customer locations both inside and outside the continental U.S. U.S. Special Operations Command Contracting office, Tampa, Fla., is the contracting activity (H92254-17-D-0001). (Source: DoD, 08/11/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $9.4M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $9,419,067 cost-plus-fixed-fee, undefinitized order (N00019-17-F-1633) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020) for the F-35 fighter program milestone event capabilities, including retrofit modification kits and installation services. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in April 2019. This order combines purchases for Navy (49 percent); non-DoD participants (24 percent); Air Force (14 percent); and Marine Corps (13 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/08/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $28.8M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $28,784,100 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order 5523 issued against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides for supplies and services in support of the F-35 Lightning II milestone event capabilities, including retrofit modification kits and installation services for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in July 2020. This order combines purchases for the Air Force (45 percent), Marine Corps (30 percent); Navy (18 percent); and non-U.S. DoD participants (7 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/07/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Three named in sailor of quarter honors

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – Three sailors were chosen as Sailors of the Quarter by Naval Air Station Whiting Field. Chosen for the third quarter of FY 2017 were Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Bryan Nutter was named Sailor of the Quarter, Master at Arms 2nd Class Sebastian Rivera was named Junior Sailor of the Quarter and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Martheen Morales was named Blue Jacket of the Quarter. Nutter serves as fire captain at Navy Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Santa Rosa, managing six fire-fighters and two emergency vehicles. Rivera serves as a Patrol Officer for Whiting Field and Morales serves as an E-28 operator, supply petty officer, hazmat petty officer and calibration petty officer. (Source: NAS Whiting Field, 08/03/17)

Raytheon STEM exhibit arriving

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – An interactive traveling exhibit that helps children have fun with math – MathAlive! – opens Saturday at the Emerald Coast Science Center. Presented by Raytheon to military family communities nationwide, the exhibit is designed to show the connection of math to many of the things they love, including music, sports, movies, games and more. The hope is to inspire young people in science, technology, engineering and math fields. The U.S. continues to fall short in ensuring there are enough future workers to fill the demand. MathAlive! will be presented at the Emerald Coast Science Center through Sept. 10 and is included with general admission. The museum is offering free admittance to active duty military and their families. (Source: PRNewswire, 08/01/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $211.2M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $211,200,000 for modification P00017 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-16-C-0003). This modification provides for the procurement of production non-recurring special tooling and special test equipment that are required to meet current and future F-35 production rates. Work will be performed Fort Worth, Texas (29.73 percent); El Segundo, Calif., (21.65 percent); Nashua, N.H. (19.60 percent); Orlando, Fla. (11.33 percent); and other locations in the U.S. (9.17 percent); Samlesbury, UK, (4.20 percent); Turin, Italy (1.83 percent); and other outside-of-the-continental U.S. locations (2.49 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2021. This contract combines purchases of the Air Force (35.2 percent); Navy (17.6 percent); and Marine Corps (17.6 percent); non-DoD Participants (16 percent); and FMS (13.6 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/31/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Raytheon, $7.3M

Raytheon, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $7,288,591 modification (P00003) to previously awarded contract for GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II F-16 integration. The contract modification is for weapon integration support, travel, and integration-related hardware. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2021. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Direct Attack International Branch, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-16-C-0147). (Source: DoD, 07/28/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $218.7M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $218,729,862 for modification P0004 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-17-C-0045) for recurring logistics support and sustainment services for F-35 aircraft in support of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants, and foreign military sales customers. Sustainment 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 (46 percent); Orlando, Fla. (32 percent); Warton, UK (9 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (7 percent); and Greenville, S.C. (6 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2018. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/28/17) Note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.