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  October 5, 2023 | International, Land, C4ISR

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  September 24, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - September 23, 2019

  MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Woburn, Massachusetts, is being awarded a modification on indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract HQ0147-18-D-0002. The value of this contract modification is $500,615,405, which increases the total ceiling value from $461,492,695 to $962,108,100. The contractor will continue to perform research and development support for the Army Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance Control Model-2 and Sea-Based X-Band radar. The modification also includes continued product improvement, warfighter support, engineering services, Ballistic Missile Defense System test subject matter experts (SME) support, modeling and simulation SME support, and cybersecurity. No task orders are being issued at this time. The work will continue to be performed in Woburn, Massachusetts. The period of performance remains the same, which is from Nov. 1, 2017, through Oct. 31, 2022, with a one year option. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, has been awarded a maximum $375,792,189 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRPA1-19-F-E31N) against a five year basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0026) for Multi Function Active Sensor Radar Systems for the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system. This was a sole source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a six-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is California, with a Dec. 31, 2025, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2025 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. American Water Operations and Maintenance Inc., Voorhees, New Jersey, has been awarded a $15,934,838 modification (P00116) to a 50-year utilities privatization contract (SP0600-07-C-8254) with no option periods incorporating an increase to the operations, maintenance, renewal and replacement charges for water and wastewater utility service systems. This is a fixed-price prospective redetermination contract. Location of performance is Virginia, with a Dec. 20, 2057, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is operations and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Crane Electronics Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has been awarded an estimated $9,283,185 fixed-price, requirements contract for AN/ALR-56C radar warning receiver low voltage power supplies in support of the F-15 aircraft. This was a sole source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Florida, with a Sept. 18, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is the Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Warner Robins, Georgia (SPRWA1-19-D-0010). Twigg Corp., Martinsville, Indiana, has been awarded a maximum $9,270,251 firm-fixed-price contract for T404 support turbine assemblies. This was a competitive acquisition with two offers received. This is an 11-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Indiana, with a June 19, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPRPA1-19-C-Z059). NAVY Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $352,672,006 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-19-D-0015). This modification increases the ceiling and scope of the contract to include the procurement of Lot 12-14 Generation 3 helmet mounted displays in support of the F-35 Lightning II program. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2020. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is being awarded $227,000,000 for ceiling-priced delivery order N00383-19-F-A34Y under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00383-17-G-A301 for the procurement of main and nose landing gear assemblies in support of the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircrafts. The period of performance for this delivery order begins October 2019 and will be completed by March 2023 with no option periods. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $111,230,000 will be will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole sourced requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. General Electric Co., Lynn, Massachusetts, is being awarded a $219,407,194 modification (PZ0002) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-18-C-1061) to procure 48 F414-GE-400 install engines and engine devices for Lot 23 F/A-18E/F aircraft. Work will be performed in Lynn, Massachusetts (59%); Hooksett, New Hampshire (18%); Rutland, Vermont (12%); and Madisonville, Kentucky (11%), and is expected to be completed in August 2021. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount $219,407,194 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Largo, Florida, is being awarded a $52,857,202 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-5200 to exercise options for design agent and engineering services to support the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) program. This option exercise is for design agent and engineering services to perform advanced studies and integration efforts as well as software sustainment and support. The CEC program provides a sensor network with integrated fire control capability that significantly improves strike force air and missile defense capabilities by coordinating measurement data from strike force air search sensors on CEC-equipped units into a single, integrated real-time, composite track air picture. CEC improves battle force effectiveness by improving overall situational awareness and by enabling longer range, cooperative, multiple, or layered engagement strategies. Work will be performed in Largo, Florida, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy); and Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $7,130,069 will be obligated at time of award, and funds in the amount of $984,939 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Robertson Fuel Systems LLC, Tempe, Arizona, is being awarded a $31,101,308 firm-fixed-price contract to manufacture and deliver eight V-22 mission auxiliary tank systems for extended range of flight requirements in support of V-22 aircraft for the Navy (3); Marine Corps (2); Air Force (1); and the government of Japan (2). Work will be performed in Tempe, Arizona, and is expected to be completed in November 2021. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force and Navy); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $31,101,308 will be obligated at time of award, $14,729,731 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Marine Corps and Navy ($20,702,984; 66%); Air Force ($1,213,255; 4 %); and the government of Japan ($9,185,069; 30%) under the FMS program. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0042). Proaim Americas LLC, Grover, Missouri, is being awarded a $19,979,089 firm-fixed-price contract for Enterprise Ocular Picture Archiving and Communication System (OPACS) on behalf of multiple Department of Defense medical treatment facilities, within and outside the contiguous U.S. This is a five-year single award contract and work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2024. Fiscal 2019 Defense Health Program other procurement funds in the amount of $3,737,387 will be obligated on an initial task order at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a non-competitive sole source procurement in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(c) issued via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one proposal received. The Naval Medical Logistics Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N62645-19-D-5012). Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Liverpool, New York, is being awarded a $17,202,359 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract in support of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program to provide depot level repair capability for the AN/APY-9 radar line replaceable modules (LRMs). This contract provides technical services in support of development of electronic Consolidated Automated Support System (eCASS) compatibility reports and the associated technical data for AN/APY-9 radar avionics LRM. In addition, this contract provides for technical services for development system specifications that define the functional performance requirements for the operational test program sets to test the LRMs on the eCASS. Work will be performed in Liverpool, New York (45%); El Segundo, California (25%); Melbourne, Florida (24%); and Baltimore, Maryland (6%); and is expected to be completed in August 2021. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,202,359 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (N68335-19-C-0248). Sealift Inc., Oyster Bay, New York, is being awarded a $14,608,000 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N3220519C3512) to fund the fifth one-year option period. The option will continue to provide one U.S. flagged vessel (M/V Capt. David I. Lyon) for the transportation and prepositioning of cargo including, but not limited to; hazardous cargoes, explosives, ammunition, vehicular, containerized, and general cargoes, and for military readiness for the Department of the Air Force. The vessel is capable of deployment to worldwide locations. The current contract is approximately 111-day firm period with four one-year option periods, and a 212-day option period. Work will be performed worldwide, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 working capital funds in the amount of $14,608,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. Military Sealift Command, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C3512). BAE Systems, Rockville, Maryland, is being awarded $10,144,531 for firm-fixed-price contract modification P00004 under a previously awarded contract (N00604-18-C-4001) to exercise Option Period Two for munitions handling and management services which includes receiving, storing, segregating, issuing, inspecting, and transporting various types of ammunition, explosives, expendable and technical ordnance material and weapons for Joint Service commands. This contract includes a nine month base period, and four 12-month option periods. The exercise of this option will bring the estimated value of the contract to $25,127,912, and if all options are exercised, it will bring the total value to $45,516,525. Work will be performed in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and work is expected to be completed by September 2020; if all options on the contract are exercised, work will be completed by September 2022. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance funds (Navy) in the full amount of $10,144,531will be obligated once the modification to exercise option year one is awarded, and funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with the solicitation posted to the Federal Business Opportunities and Navy Electronic Commerce Online websites, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. Sealift Inc., Oyster Bay, New York, is being awarded an $8,688,118 modification under a previously awarded, firm-fixed-price contract (N3220515C3201) to fund the fifth one-year option period. The option will continue to provide one U.S. flagged vessel (M/V LTC John D. Page) for the transportation and prepositioning of cargo including, but not limited to, hazardous cargoes, explosives, ammunition, vehicular, containerized, and general cargoes; and for military readiness for the Department of the Army. The vessel is capable of deployment to worldwide locations. The current contract includes a two month firm period of the performance, four one-year option periods, and one nine-month option period. Work will be performed worldwide, and is expected to be completed by July 5, 2020. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 working capital funds in the amount of $8,688,118 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. Military Sealift Command, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220515C3201). Gilbane Federal, Concord, California, is being awarded an $8,644,506 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the maximum dollar value of task order N6247318F5305 under an environmental multiple award contract for radiological confirmation sampling and surveying at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The work to be performed is to provide radiological confirmation investigation, survey, and reporting activities within Parcel C, at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, engineering, materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies and transportation to perform all work described in the request for proposal. After award of this modification, the total cumulative task order value will be $21,002,538. Work will be performed in San Francisco, California, and is expected to be completed by December 2023. Fiscal 2019 base realignment and closure, environmental, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,644,506 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-17-D-0005). Bell-Boeing Joint Program Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $7,985,270 modification (P00095) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-2001). This modification provides for the modification of government furnished tooling as well as the acquisition of new tooling in support of V-22 aircraft production. A total of 47 tooling parts will be procured under this modification. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in September 2021. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $7,985,270 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. ARMY Science and Engineering Services LLC,* Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $54,931,995 modification (P00003) to Foreign Military Sales (Afghanistan) W58RGZ-18-F-0063 for maintenance on UH-60 helicopters. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Work will be performed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 Afghanistan Security Forces funds in the amount of $54,931,995 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Meggitt Defense Systems Inc., Irvine, California, was awarded a $48,563,836 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for development, production, field operations support, installation support, training, cyber security support, systems and spares production and repairs of the Aerial Weapons Scoring System. 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. 8, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-19-D-0010). Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors,* Houma, Louisiana, was awarded a $24,491,400 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement and delivery of a steel barge. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Houma, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of July 19, 2023. Fiscal 2019 Mississippi River and Tributaries funds in the amount of $24,491,400 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (W912BU-19-C-0042). S & E Services Inc.,* Edison, New Jersey, was awarded a $16,526,000 firm-fixed-price contract to construct a new Security Forces and Communications training facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Westhampton Beach, New York, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 11, 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction, Army National Guard funds in the amount of $16,526,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W912PQ-19-C-9001). Lead Builders Inc.,* Thousand Oaks, California, was awarded a $10,655,000 firm-fixed-price contract for building renovation. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,655,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, California, is the contracting activity (W912PL-19-C-0027). Simmonds Precision Products Inc., Vergennes, Vermont, was awarded a $10,155,178 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance and overhaul. 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. 22, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-19-D-0128). CEMS-RS & H JV,* Summerville, South Carolina, was awarded a $9,900,000 firm-fixed-price contract for investigation, construction, renovation, planning and design services. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 23, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-19-D-0007). Colby Co. LLC,* Portland, Maine, was awarded a $9,900,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 23, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-19-D-0012). Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Kansas City, Missouri, was awarded a $9,900,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 23, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-19-D-0011). Lockheed Martin Corp. Rotary and Mission Systems, Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $9,725,000 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Iraq) contract for procurement of Mobile M1A1 Situational Awareness Platoon Mobile Advanced Gunnery training system, mobile pre-brief, after action review capability, spare parts package, installation, on-site testing, training, design, development, test, management, documentation, hardware, software, and spares. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 22, 2021. Fiscal 2010 counter-ISIS train and equip funds in the amount of $9,725,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-19-C-0057). Oracle America Inc., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $7,577,868 firm-fixed-price contract for the Army Corps of Engineers Financial Management System. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Reston, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 22, 2024. Fiscal 2019 revolving; and operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $7,577,868 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alexandria, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W912HQ-19-F-0136). AIR FORCE Herrick Technology Laboratories Inc.,* Manchester, New Hampshire, has been awarded a $40,712,166 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for Spectrum-Agile, Location Aware, Enhanced Electromagnetic Kit (SLEEK) hardware and software. This contract provides for research, develop, integrate, prototype, demonstrate, validate and verify new software capabilities for a software-defined and reprogrammable transceiver that has broad applicability to military-relevant missions. Work will be performed at Germantown, Maryland; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Rome, New York, and is expected to be completed by October 2022. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,500,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-19-C-0530). Cornerstone Construction Services LLC, Woburn, Massachusetts (FA2835-19-D-0007); Maron Construction Co. Inc., Providence, Rhode Island (FA2835-19-D-0008); and Tantara Corp., Worcester, Massachusetts (FA2835-19-D-0009), have been awarded an aggregate, total maximum program/contract ceiling of a $20,000,000 multiple award construction indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. This contract will provide for complex construction projects involving multiple trades that may require detailed engineering design to be performed by registered/licensed engineers and architects. The contractors shall provide all management, labor, material, equipment, transportation, supervision, and architectural engineering services to accomplish simultaneous maintenance, sustainment, repair, and minor construction projects. Work will be performed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts; Hanscom Air Force Base Family Campground, Bedford, Massachusetts; Patriot Golf Course, Bedford, Massachusetts; Sagamore Hill Solar Observatory, Hamilton, Massachusetts; Fourth Cliff Recreation Annex, Humarock, Massachusetts; Cape Cod Air Force Station, Massachusetts; and New Boston Air Force Station, New Hampshire. These awards were the result of a competitive 100% Small Business Set Aside acquisition and 16 offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance in the amount of $5,000 funds to each awardees are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co. Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $16,289,702 agreement for one prototype Phaser high power microwave system. This agreement provides for outside continental U.S. (OCONUS) field assessment for purposes of experimentation. Experimentation includes, but is not limited to 12 months of in-field operation by Air Force personnel against unmanned aerial systems threats. In addition, experimentation includes but is not limited to operator training, in theater maintenance of systems while collecting availability (full mission capable, partial mission capable, non-mission capable), reliability, maintainability and supportability data, and system operation against real-world or simulated hostile vignettes without disrupting other necessary installation operations. The location of performance is OCONUS and is expected to be completed by Dec. 20, 2020. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $16,289,702 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-9-9325). Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $10,942,488 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Technologies for the Mixed-mode Ultra Scaled Integrated Circuits (T-MUSIC) effort. This effort will develop advanced mixed-mode RF components and sub-systems leveraging the T-MUSIC platform. T-MUSIC technology combines advanced silicon-germanium with advanced CMOS to enable ultra-wide bandwidth, high spurious free dynamic range and fine data converter resolution with high effective number of bits beyond current state-of-the-art. Work will be performed at El Segundo, California; Andover, Maryland; and Thousand Oaks, California, and is expected to be completed Dec. 20, 2023. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 18 compliant offers were received. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,318,325 is being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-C-7934). BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire, has been awarded an $8,076,227 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Technologies for Mixed-mode Ultra Scaled Integrated Circuits (T-MUSIC) and the Disruptive SiGe Circuits fabricated Onshore (DiSCO) effort. This effort will develop advanced mixed-mode RF components and sub-systems leveraging the T-MUSIC platform. T-MUSIC technology combines advanced silicon-germanium with advanced CMOS to enable ultra-wide bandwidth, high spurious free dynamic range and fine data converter resolution with high effective number of bits beyond current state-of-the-art. Toward that end, DiSCO will develop critical Department of Defense components and sub-systems to assess advancements derived from T-MUSIC technology. These circuits include Phase-locked Loop, ultra-high speed Divider (200GHz final goal), and high speed, high resolution Analog-to-Digital Converter. In addition, the option phase will develop high speed Direct Digital Synthesis for next generation transmitter technology. Work will be performed at Nashua, New Hampshire and is expected to be completed by Dec. 19, 2023. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 18 offers were received. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $364,723 is being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-C-7935). Communications & Power Industries LLC, Palo Alto, California, has been awarded an $8,058,269 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for Twystron Electron Tube Repair program. This contract provides for teardown, test, evaluation and repair of Twystron electron tubes in support of Unmanned Threat Emitter weapons system. Work will be performed at Palo Alto, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2025. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 working capital funds in the amount of $1,623,488 are obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8250-19-D-0001). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1968631/source/GovDelivery/

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  August 7, 2020 | International, Aerospace

  Awash in technology hook-ups, Team Tempest longs for steady partners

  By: Andrew Chuter LONDON — What few headlines were generated by the recent virtual Farnborough International Air Show centered on Britain's next-generation Tempest fighter and the efforts to build a business case for the program. The real Farnborough air show may have fallen victim to COVID-19, but with the Tempest team scheduled to deliver an outline business case for the next stage of the program to the government later this year the event provided a platform stress the importance of the project to jobs, the technology base and sustainment of operational sovereignty here. Britain launched the effort to look at developing the technologies required to build a sixth-generation combat jet two years ago under the name of Team Tempest, with BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce partnering with the Ministry of Defence in the effort. Since then Sweden and Italy have also been recruited to study potential involvement in future combat air systems development and the Tempest program itself. Neither nation has committed itself yet, though, and a drive also continues to find other potential partners. Opening the virtual show, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace flagged the country's interest in securing the signatures of other nations in development of a future combat aircraft. “The U.K. is keen to see more international partners join us. ... There is room for a broad range of other partnerships,” Wallace said. Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo said in a show webcast a number of countries had shown an interest in the program. Time remains for other partners to join Tempest. You have seen other nations express an interest and we are extremely positive for the future,” Profumo said. Japan, India and Saudi Arabia are among countries that have previously been mentioned as potential partners. It is also too soon to rule out the possibility of a realignment of some description with the rival Franco-German-Spanish future combat air program, said Doug Barrie, the senior air analyst at the International Institute of Strategic Studies think tank in London. “I think there's still a considerable period to go where alignments could change – with the possibility members could join or leave,” he said. Howard Wheeldon, of consultants Wheeldon Strategic Advisory, sees no chance of the two programs merging but reckons national line-ups could change. “I would rule out any thought of a merger between the two European projects, although I would never rule out the possibility of Germany jumping ship,” he said. With or without additional partners, always assuming Swedish and Italian Governments sign up for some sort of deal, Wheeldon reckons the British will stick with Tempest. “While the ideal situation would be an increase in the number of Team Tempest partner nations, such is the importance now being placed on future combat air systems and Team Tempest by the government I take the view that even if no other partners arrive the U.K. will not walk away from Tempest,” he said. For the moment, though, attention is focused on Team Tempest and the progress being made with its current would-be partners to study a potential tie-up around development of future combat air systems for the British and Italian operated Typhoon and Saab Gripen E combat jets and, ultimately, the building of the sixth-generation Tempest to be ready sometime between 2035 and 2040. The British have over 60 combat air technology demonstrations underway co-funded by the government and industry. Talks between the industrial partners of Britain, Italy and Sweden,which had previously been on a bilateral basis, have now been ratcheted up to trilateral discussions, strengthening potential research and development collaborations. “We've made good progress with Saab and Leonardo in identifying shared goals and expertise and through this new framework, we can build on this collaboration to unlock the huge potential across our three nations,” said BAE CEO Charles Woodburn. The three national industries comprise BAE, Leonardo UK, Rolls Royce and MBDA UK from Britain; Leonardo, Elettronica, Avio Aero and MBDA Italia from Italy; and Sweden's Saab and GKN Aerospace Sweden. Additionally, Saab also used the virtual show to announce it was investing £50 million in the creation of a future combat air system hub and other activities in the U.K. The location and timing of the investment have not yet been declared by Saab but there is talk here that the center could be close to BAE's combat jet operations in northwest England. Saab CEO Micael Johansson said the move signaled the company's commitment to combat air development and the growth of its interests in the U.K. Tempest itself didn't rate a mention in the Saab statement, with the company only referring to future combat air system development work. “Saab took the decision to create a new future combat air system centre so that we can further develop the close working relationship with the other future combat air system industrial partners and the U.K. MoD. This emphasizes the importance of both future combat air systems and the U.K. to Saab's future,” said Johansson. The Tempest industrial effort has also been further broadened with the signing up of a clutch of systems suppliers. Bombardier in Northern Ireland, GKN, Martin Baker and Qinetiq, alongside the U.K. arms of Collins Aerospace, GE Aviation and Thales have signed up to collaborate on the demonstration program. So far only Collins Aerospace Systems has declared its hand on the nature of the work they will be undertaking. The company said it had been awarded a contract by BAE to provide advanced actuation capabilities, including for use on Tempest. Separately, GKN Aerospace in Sweden revealed July 22 it is participating in a future fighter engine feasibility study along with Rolls-Royce and Avio Aero of Italy. Richard Aboulafia, vice president at the Teal Group, said progress signing up the systems suppliers was a significant move. “My big take away from virtual Farnborough is that Tempest increasingly looks like a real program, with a very heavy level of involvement from subcontractors, who of course need to start developing systems,” said Aboulafia. Despite the fact COVID-19 has pretty much sucked the life out of the U.K.'s finances for now, the feeling among analysts is that Tempest will survive a potentially perfect storm of severe defense budget restrictions and an integrated defense, security and foreign policy review ordered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and due to report next year. In an opinion piece for the Sunday Telegraph July 26 Defense Secretary Wallace said the Government would be “pivoting away” from traditional equipment capabilities with the armed forces reshaped to operate “much more in the newest domains of space, cyber and sub-sea.” But he also made the point that a sharper technological edge and a relentless focus on innovation was required to outmaneuver adversaries. The policy would unlock opportunities in jobs, skills and in exports, he said. Wheeldon said that sort of language was right out of the Tempest playbook. “The government has made it abundantly clear that it views development of new technologies as being the absolute priority for the U.K. Tempest is not only a test case of that commitment but is also its flagship. Bottom line is my belief that the government is even more behind the program than it was two years ago.,” said Wheeldon. “My sense is that despite the expectation of capability, manning and base cuts emerging from the integrated review process the government will continue to back major development projects such as Team Tempest,” he said. IISS's Barrie reckons that without the need yet for massive spending on the program Tempest and future combat air developments could ride out the COVID-19 storm, and maybe even benefit. “So far the program looks secure-ish, even with the pending outcome of the Integrated Review, given that the near-term levels of investment are manageable. There is also the argument that with the commercial aerospace sector being battered by the pandemic, any support the government could provide to the wider sector would be welcome – the future combat air system provides such a vehicle,” he said. Aboulafia reckons that while there may be a risk of delay it's unlikely the economic impact of COVID-19 on Tempest will be significant. “These programs are certainly at risk of being delayed, but the bulk of the heavy spending bill is due well after the pandemic recovery period, so it's unlikely that this crisis will force any tough decisions. And the whole point of Tempest of course is to avoid getting involved with a program led by France,” he said. Paul Everitt, the CEO of the ADS industry lobby organization, said the future combat air effort fitted the government's plans to boost the manufacturing economy to a tee. “The Tempest program is the government's prosperity agenda in action,” said Everitt. One of the key issues yet to be announced by the British is whether they see Tempest as piloted or optionally piloted. Wallace seemed to signal his preference for an optionally piloted machine when he told virtual-Farnborough viewers that while ninety percent of combat jets are crewed today, he expects a “major reversal of these proportions by 2040.” In a report on Britain's combat air choices released late July, Royal United Services Institute analyst Justin Bronk said the decision was of huge importance for Tempest. “The decision of whether or not to develop a piloted or optionally piloted solution as part of Tempest will have critical implications for the nature, cost implications and minimum viable scale of the program,” he said. “While it remains an operating assumption for many, the outcome of the Team Tempest next-generation combat air development program is not necessarily going to involve a new (optionally) piloted fast jet fleet to directly replace Typhoon. If that ambition is the choice made, it will have major budget implications for an already stretched combat air equipment program between 2024 and 2040,” said the analyst. Bronk says in the report that a decision to go for a piloted Tempest only could have ramifications elsewhere in Britain's combat jet force. “Barring a massive increase in overall defense spending, significant F-35 purchases beyond 2024 remain financially incompatible with a full-scale piloted vehicle-centric Tempest program to replace Typhoon, even if some additional combat air funding can be found,” Bronk warned. The British have pledged to buy 48 F-34Bs by 2024 out of a total commitment for 138 aircraft. https://www.defensenews.com/smr/nato-air-power/2020/08/06/awash-in-technology-hook-ups-team-tempest-longs-for-steady-partners/