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September 18, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - September 17, 2019

AIR FORCE

The Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $1,084,529,525 modification (P00017) to previously awarded contract FA8802-19-C-0001 for systems engineering and integration support for the National Space Community. This contract modification provides for the exercise of Option Year One for fiscal 2020 services being procured under the multiple year contract. Work will be performed at El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $2,158,348,065. Fiscal 2020 research and development funds are being used and no funds are being obligated at the time of the award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, El Segundo, California, is the contracting activity.

Semper Tek Inc., Lexington, Kentucky (FA8501-19-D-A010); Construction Services Group Inc., Charleston, South Carolina (FA8501-19-D-A011); Kmk Construction Inc., Jacksonville, Florida (FA8501-19-D-A012); Charlton Enterprise Inc., Folkston, Georgia (FA8501-19-D-A013); and York-Brawley JV LLC, Yorktown, Virginia (FA8501-19-D-A014), have been awarded a maximum value of $95,000,000, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, civil engineer multiple award construction contract. This contract supports operational design and construction contract efforts to provide 78th Civil Engineering Group the capability to have design and construction maintained in a short time frame. Work will be performed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by March 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 20 offers were received. No funds have been obligated to the contract; task orders will be funded with operations and maintenance funds. The Air Force Material Command Operational Contracting, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia is the contracting activity.

Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Georgia, has been awarded a $31,899,999 firm-fixed-price task order against contract FA8134-19-D-0001 for the Gulfstream aircraft order and contractor logistic support (CLS) for Philippines Air Force. This order is for the purchase of one Gulfstream aircraft, parts, tooling and two years of CLS for sustainment of the aircraft. Work will be performed at Manila, Philippines, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2022. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. This contract involves 100% foreign military sales to the Philippines. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $2,070,000,000. Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $31,899,999 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8124-19-F-2500).

Major Tool and Machine Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $9,339,200 firm-fixed-price contract for low rate initial production modification (PZ0001) to previously awarded contract FA8681-19-C-0013 for the BLU-111 warhead. This modification provides for the definitization for a quantity of BLU-111 warheads produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 procurement funds in the amount of $9,339,200 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics – Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Garland, Texas, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $9,691,384 firm-fixed-price contract for low rate initial production modification (PZ0001) to previously awarded contract FA8681-19-C-0015 for the BLU-111 warhead. This modification provides for the definitization for a quantity of BLU-111 warheads produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Garland, Texas, and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 procurement funds in the amount of $9,691,384 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Alliant TechSystems Operations LLC – ATK Tactical Propulsion and Control, Rocket Center, West Virginia, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $8,762,690 firm-fixed-price contract for low rate initial production modification (PZ0001) to previously awarded contract FA8681-19-C-0016 for the BLU-111 warhead. This modification provides for the definitization for a quantity of BLU-111 warheads produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Rocket Center, West Virginia, and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 ammunition procurement funds in the amount of $8,762,690 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Enfield Enterprises Inc., Springfield, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $7,221,081 requirements contract for the replacement of Halon and electrical at Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility. This contract consists of furnishing all plant, labor, materials and equipment, and performing all operations in connection with the replacement of Halon and electrical at Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in accordance with the specifications and drawings. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be completed by May 26, 2020. This award was the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2019 3600 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA2823-19-C-A044).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Alaska Structures Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona, has been awarded a maximum $200,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for commercial shelters. This is a one-year base contract with three one-year option periods. Locations of performance are Arizona and New Mexico, with a Sept. 25, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-1197).

DJ Engineering Inc.,* Augusta, Kansas, has been awarded an estimated $26,174,400 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for A-10 elevators. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Kansas, with a Sept. 16, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Ogden, Utah (SPRHA4-19-D-0004).

W K Containers Inc.,* Mill Valley, California, has been awarded a maximum $7,007,122 fixed-price contract for commercial shipping and storage containers. This was a competitive acquisition with six offers received. This is a one-year contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are California and Korea, with a March 16, 2020, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE8ED-19-C-0008).

NAVY

BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair (BAE), San Diego, California, was awarded an $86,117,104 firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of USS Decatur (DDG 73) fiscal 2019 extended dry-docking selected restricted availability (EDSRA). This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of USS Decatur. This is a Chief of Naval Operations scheduled EDSRA. The purpose is to maintain, modernize and repair USS Decatur. This is a "long-term" availability and was solicited on a coast-wide (West Coast) basis without limiting the place of performance to the vessel's homeport. BAE will provide the facilities and human resources capable of completing, coordinating, and integrating multiple areas of ship maintenance, repair and modernization for USS Decatur. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $88,816,552. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $86,117,104 was obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $72,807,997 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This requirement was competitively solicited using full and open competition via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-4455). (Awarded Sept. 7, 2019)

BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair (BAE), San Diego, California, was awarded an $84,595,351firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of USS Stethem (DDG 63) fiscal 2019 extended dry-docking selected restricted availability (EDSRA). This is a Chief of Naval Operations scheduled EDSRA. This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization, and repair of the USS Stethem. This is a "long-term" availability and was solicited on a coast-wide (West Coast) basis without limiting the place of performance to the vessel's homeport. BAE will provide the facilities and human resources capable of completing, coordinating, and integrating multiple areas of ship maintenance, repair and modernization for USS Stethem. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $96,183,466. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $84,595,351 was obligated at time of award, and funding in the amount of $72,805,698 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This requirement was competitively solicited using full and open competition via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-4459). (Awarded Sept. 7, 2019)

CH2M HILL Inc., Englewood, Colorado, is awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering (A-E) contract with a maximum amount of $75,000,000 for A-E services involving preparation of studies, plans, specifications, design, reports, cost estimates and all associated engineering services in support of Navy and other Department of Defense (DoD) environmental compliance programs for Navy, Marine Corps and other DoD installations and federal agencies. No task orders are being issued at this time. The work to be performed provides services for, but not limited to, petroleum storage tank and assets compliance, oil preparedness and planning compliance, air quality and Clean Air Act compliance, Safe Drinking Water Act compliance, Clean Water Act compliance (storm water), Clean Water Act Compliance (wastewater) and waste management. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within, but not limited to, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic area of responsibility including California (20%); Virginia (20%); North Carolina (20%); Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (15%); Florida (5%); Maryland (5%); Washington (5%); Georgia (5%); and Texas (5%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of September 2024. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance, (Navy) (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $10,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M, N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-19-D-4015).

AH/BC Navy JV LLC, Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering (A-E) contract with a maximum amount of $60,000,000 for compliance with Safe Water Act (SDWA), Clean Water Act (CWA) compliance program and all other environmental media regulations to support Navy, Marine Corps, other Department of Defense (DoD) installations and federal agencies worldwide. The work to be performed provides for support of compliance with the SDWA and CWA compliance program and all other environmental media regulations as required. The intent of this contract is to provide comprehensive A-E services to various Navy and other DoD installations/organizations worldwide in order to meet statutory compliance requirements for all applicable overseas environmental baseline guidance document, final governing standards, DoD, federal, state, local and installation-specific environmental laws, regulations, and guidance. This support includes preparation of studies, plans, specifications, design documents, reports, cost estimates and all associated engineering work including, but not limited to, work in SDWA compliance, storm water pollution prevention plans and CWA compliance, industrial pre-treatment/wastewater treatment plans and permit compliance, laboratory work and other miscellaneous environmental compliance services. No task orders are being issued at this time. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within, but not limited to, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic area of responsibility including, California (15%); Virginia (10%); North Carolina (10%); Florida (10%); Maryland (5%); Washington (5%); Georgia (5%); Far East Asia (5%); and Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (35%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of September 2024. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance, (Navy) (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $10,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M, N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-19-D-4001).

General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California, is awarded a $21,150,803 firm-fixed-price delivery order from multiple-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00024-16-D-4418 for a selected restricted availability on USS Stockdale (DDG 106) to execute depot-level maintenance, alterations and modifications that will update and improve the ship's military and technical capabilities. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by May 2020. This delivery order includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $21,328,830 and be complete by May 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $21,150,803 will be obligated at time of award and expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This delivery order was competitively procured with one request for proposal solicited and three offers received via all eligible multiple award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contractors in the San Diego, California, area. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded an $11,414,936 modification (P00004) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-18-C-1057). This modification exercises an option for Phase 1 design maturity, analysis and test planning for the Stand-off Land Attack Missile – Expanded Response production for the government of Saudi Arabia under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Act. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (37%); Indianapolis, Indiana (30%); Melbourne, Florida (10%); Pontiac, Michigan (10%); Middletown, Connecticut (7%); Black Mountain, North Carolina (2%); South Pasadena, California (1%); Albuquerque, New Mexico (1%); Stillwater, Oklahoma (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (1%). Work is expected to be completed in October 2019. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $11,414,936 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Briartek Inc.,* Alexandria, Virginia (N64498-19-D-4033), was awarded an $11,233,400 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with provisions for cost-plus-fixed-fee services and firm-fixed-price supplies to support Man Overboard Indicators (MOBI) ship installations. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia (30%); San Diego, California (30%); Mayport, Florida (5%), Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (5%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (5%); Marinette, Wisconsin (5%), Everett, Washington (5%); Bremerton, Washington (5%); Yokosuka, Japan (5%); and Sasebo, Japan (5%), and is expected to be completed by September 2024. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding in the total amount of $37,967 was obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this contract was not competitively procured (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 13, 2019)

The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is awarded a $10,849,103 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-17-C-6307) for engineering services in support of the Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) program. Engineering services under the existing contract will be used to further develop and study additional capabilities, payloads, operational uses, and deployment scenarios for the XLUUV program. Work will be performed in Huntington Beach, California, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $374,638 will be obligated at time of award and $192,415 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.

United States Marine Inc.,* Gulfport, Mississippi, is awarded a $9,510,838 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-19-C-2226) in support of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for eight 11 meter Naval Special Warfare rigid-hull inflatable boats, eight forward looking infrared systems, ship spare parts and other technical assistance for the Egyptian navy. Work will be performed in Gulfport, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by December 2020. Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $9,510,838 will be obligated at time of award and contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4), this contract was not competitively procured: international agreement. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.

Modern International Inc.,* Barrigada, Guam, is awarded a firm-fixed-price task order (N40192-19-F-4384) at $9,503,702 under an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award design-build construction contract to repair the aqueous film forming foam and sprinkler system at Building 2641, North Ramp, on Andersen Air Force Base. The work to be performed provides for the replacement of the fire and foam pumps, pump controllers, risers, sprinkler piping, heads, fittings, foam holding tanks, trench drains and monitor nozzle system, hose reels, fire suppression, discharge containment system, fire alarms, heat and flame detectors, monitors, mass notification system, electrical wiring and conduits, fuel tanks and containment, fuel piping, lighting fixtures, ceiling tiles and abatement of hazardous materials. Work will be performed in Yigo, Guam, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,503,702 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity (N40192-18-D-2801).

ARMY

Four Peaks Environmental Science & Data Solutions,* Wenatchee, Washington (W9127N-19-D-0005); Real Time Research Inc.,* Bend, Oregon (W9127N-19-D-0006); Environmental Assessment Services LLC,* Richland, Washington (W9127N-19-D-0007); R2 Resource Consultants Inc.,* Redmond, Washington (W9127N-19-D-0008): and S P Cramer & Associates Inc.,* Portland, Oregon (W9127N-19-D-0009), will compete for each order of the $40,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for biological and ecological services for studies related to fishery issues. Bids were solicited via the internet with nine received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 16, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, Oregon, is the contracting activity.

Bowhead Mission Solutions LLC,* Springfield, Virginia, was awarded a $33,659,910 modification (KX04) to contract W15P7T-12-D-E010 for software and system engineering services. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc., Kingsport, Tennessee, was awarded a $16,801,065 modification (P00693) to contract DAAA09-98-E-0006 for engineering and design for the Acetic Acid and Acetic Andhydride and Tank Farm Expansion project at Holston Army Ammunition Plant. Work will be performed in Kingsport, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2021 procurement of ammunition, Army funds in the amount of $16,801,065 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $15,001,571 modification (P00036) to contract W58RGZ-18-C-0043 for engineering services. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 17, 2023. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $2,297,086 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Hamilton Sundstrand Corp., Phoenix, Arizona, was awarded a $13,944,038 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance and overhaul, and upgrade and repair of the flight control computer. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 16, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-19-D-0032).

*Small Business

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1963450/source/GovDelivery/

On the same subject

  • Homeland Security announces new first response cyber center

    August 1, 2018 | International, C4ISR

    Homeland Security announces new first response cyber center

    By: Justin Lynch In the face of increasing cyberattacks, the Department of Homeland Security is creating a new center to share threat information with private companies and kicking off a 90 day sprint to identify the country's digital “crown jewels" that may be especially vulnerable, the agency's secretary said July 31. The National Risk Management Center is expected to provide a centralized home where firms and local agencies can turn for cybersecurity solutions. “The next major attack is more likely to reach us online than on an airplane,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. She added that “intruders are in our systems” and “everyone and everything is now a target.” The announcement came during a cybersecurity summit that the Department of Homeland Security hosted in New York City. The event aimed to bridge the gap between the government and some of the top companies in the United States that make up the critical parts of American digital life. It was envisioned as the start of a new relationship between the private and public sector. Nielsen said that the threat center is “driven by industry needs” and is spurred by a ”re-emergence of the nation state threat” and the “hyperconnected environment” of the United States. She said that previously some local governments have called 911 during a cyberattack. In the future, they would call the new cyber center. “Nation-state actors attempt to infiltrate critical infrastructure operations across multiple sectors,” a Homeland Security fact sheet on the new center read. It added there is a “need for an agreed-upon playbook to integrate government and industry response efforts.” The center also provides a playbook for risk management and identifying critical cyber supply chain elements. Although there are already government-backed risk-sharing initiatives, DHS leaders hope that the private sector will be more willing to share their challenges and expertise. Jeanette Manfra, the assistant secretary for the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications at Homeland Security, told reporters that the new center is "going to start small, we don't want to sign up for all sorts of things and then fail.” The hope is for the national counterterrorism center to be able to focus on incident response, and the center announced on Tuesday will focus on identifying national risk. The risk center will pull staff from other parts of government, Manfra said. A leader has not been named, and it has not received an increased budget. Throughout the conference, government officials were eager to entice the private sector to work with the new risk center. It appears that business participation is a necessary condition for the centers' success. The announcement comes just one week after Homeland Security warned that the Russian government is conducting cyberattacks against critical infrastructure sectors that include energy, nuclear, water, aviation and critical manufacturing. “The warning lights are blinking red," Coats said during a July 13 event at the Hudson Institute. Current threat sharing portals have been described as ineffective. The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 already attempted to spur collaboration between the public and private sector. Some experts told Fifth Domain that they did not expect the new portal to be groundbreaking. Only six companies are currently sharing cyberthreats with government, according to Chris Krebs, head of the national protection and programs directorate at Homeland Security. “We have to age to establish a value proposition for an organization to share into the system,” said Krebs. He highlighted better supply chain risk management as an incentive that would set the new center apart from previous intelligence-sharing schemes. Companies can write into their contracts that their vendors must use the threat-sharing portal so they know that contractors are managing third-party risks, Krebs said. At the event in New York City, some of the largest corporations praised the new program while speaking onstage with top government officials. “This was an obvious thing to do for a decade but it didn't happen,” said John Donovan, the chief executive of AT&T. https://www.fifthdomain.com/critical-infrastructure/2018/07/31/homeland-security-announces-new-risk-management-center/

  • Submarine maker to add jobs amid $39 billion backlog in work

    February 2, 2021 | International, Naval

    Submarine maker to add jobs amid $39 billion backlog in work

    By: The Associated Press GROTON, Conn. — General Dynamics Electric Boat plans to add 2,200 jobs this year in Connecticut and Rhode Island as it tackles a $39 billion backlog of work, the submarine maker's top executive said Monday. Kevin Graney, Electric Boat's president, made the announcement during a video briefing for stakeholders. He said the company is facing the largest backlog of work in its history, with orders to build two new ballistic missile submarines and 19 new attack submarines, 11 of which are currently under construction. The company added more than 2,000 jobs a year ago, much of it at the company's Quonset Point site in Rhode Island. The new jobs will include shipyard workers, engineers and support staff, Graney said, and the firm expects to be in a “stable hiring mode pretty much for the next decade.” “We're going to need to sustain the Rhode Island workforce as we grow the Connecticut workforce,” he said. Electric Boat employs more than 17,000 people, including about 12,000 at its Groton shipyard and more than 4,000 in Rhode Island. Congress increased funding for submarine programs from about $11.1 billion during the last fiscal year to $11.6 billion this fiscal year. Members of Connecticut's all-Democrat congressional delegation, who took part in the video conference, said the defense contractor can expect to continue receiving work under the Biden administration. “It may be unmanned as well as manned weapons platforms, but the future of the submarine is critically important,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/02/01/submarine-maker-to-add-jobs-amid-39-billion-backlog-in-work/

  • Britain kicks off competition to manage ground stations for next Skynet satellite program

    September 13, 2019 | International, Aerospace

    Britain kicks off competition to manage ground stations for next Skynet satellite program

    By: Andrew Chuter LONDON — Britain's defense secretary has fired the starting gun on an industry competition to manage the ground station element of the £6 billion Skynet 6 communications satellite program. “I can announce the launch of a new competition for an industry partner to operate and manage the ground stations, infrastructure and technology involved in this [Skynet 6] program,” Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace said in a speech at the DSEI defense exhibition in London Wednesday. The invitation to industry players could see incumbent ground service provider Airbus lose the contract after more than 15 years operating ground stations and satellites in the Skynet 5 private finance initiative deal with the British Ministry of Defence. The ground station service deal with Airbus comes to an end in 2022. Earlier MoD briefings to industry said they envisioned a contract award to the winning bidder around August next year. Julian Knight, head of networks at the MoD's Information Systems and Services organization said the government was about to enter a vital phase of the program. “We are seeking an innovative partner that will ensure effective and consistent defense satellite communications and will look to continually maximize performance and value for money,” he said. “The successful bidder will also negotiate the MoD's access to commercial satellite services, as well as managing the U.K.'s contribution and access to systems owned and operated by the U.K.'s allies,” said Knight. Ken Peterman, president of government systems at Viasat, said he was pleased at the references to commercial capabilities being adopted as part of the program. “ We are very encouraged by today's Skynet 6 announcement as it further demonstrates the value of commercial satellite trajectories and the need for an ecosystem that will allow war fighters to use both commercial and MoD purpose-built capabilities as one seamless enterprise.” It's not clear whether the British intend to use the Skynet 6 ground stations for non-communications satellite applications in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sector. Airbus wasted no time officially declaring it would be bidding for what's known as the service delivery element of the Skynet 6 program, and rivals are expected to follow suit in the next few weeks. “Airbus has an outstanding track record of being the pioneer of secure mil satcoms within a commercial framework....We look forward to offering the MoD a modernized and enhanced service with Skynet 6,” said the European-based company in a statement. Inmarsat, Viasat, Serco, Lockheed Martin UK and others are also expected to submit bids either leading or partnering in competing consortia. A spokeswoman for Lockheed Martin U Kconfirmed the company is “interested in participating” in the service delivery competition. The service delivery element of the program is the first part of a wider Skynet 6 program also planned to include a raft of capabilities to provide next generation non-line of sight communications. The competition for that element, known as enduring capability, is expected to get underway with an invitation to tender in the first quarter of 2020. Some of the same companies interested in the ground station portion of the deal will be pitching for the future capability requirement. Airbus is the main satellite player here but Lockheed Martin has been ramping up its U.K. space credentials and others like Viasat are also rapidly expanding their presence. Airbus, the European space leader, has already secured a contract with the British to provide a new satellite known as Skynet 6A for capabilities to supplement the four Skynet 5 satellites currently in operation. Airbus was selected for 6A without a competition over a year ago, but the deal has yet to be signed. A spokesman for Airbus in the U.K. confirmed the satellite contract had not been sealed but said he was optimistic the deal would be completed by the end of the year. The in service date for the satellite is targeted for mid2025. Beefing up space capabilities has become a top priority for the British and the threat posed by rival nations was referenced by service chiefs speaking at the DSEI show. Wallace referenced it as well. “Today we're having to deal with increasing threats to satellite-based navigation and the need for robust communications has never been more vital," he said. “That's why we're developing Skynet 6, which will give our forces unparalleled capacity to talk to each other in any hostile environment.” The British announced earlier this year they are collaborating with the U.S. on a project known as Artemis, aimed at researching the military potential of launching a constellation of small satellites. The goal is to launch a demonstrator vehicle within 12 months. Small satellite development is pretty much dominated by the British, primarily through the Airbus owned Surrey Satellites Technology. The British are also the first international partner to formally sign up for a little talked about U.S.-led coalition effort called Operation Olympic Defender, aimed at strengthening allies' ability to deter hostile actions by nations like Russia and China. Despite the new urgency to build a space capability, the British have still not published their long awaited space defense strategy detailing how the military intends to develop its space thinking in the decade ahead. Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, who recently took over as the chief of the air staff, declined to say when the document might surface or why its publication has been delayed for more than a year. Industry executives though were more forthcoming. One executive, who asked not to be named, said one of the principal reasons for the delay was the haggling between Joint Forces Command and the Royal Air Force over who would end up controlling Britain's military space activities. https://www.c4isrnet.com/c2-comms/satellites/2019/09/11/britain-kicks-off-competition-to-manage-ground-stations-for-next-skynet-satellite-program/

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