November 17, 2020 | International, Aerospace
by Gareth Jennings
Lithuania signed for four Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk transport and utility helicopters on 13 November, the country's Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced.
The USD213 million procurement, which will be paid off over five years, includes additional equipment, spares, and a training, repair, and logistical support package. The US government is providing USD30 million to support the purchase, and has cleared the sale of a further two helicopters should the Lithuanian Armed Forces request them.
“The decision to pass on to a modern western technology that meets all criteria and requirements was made in order to ensure proper readiness of armed forces to face the challenges of modern armed conflicts, as well as excellent compatibility and interoperability with allies. The new platform will fully substitute for the [Mil] Mi-8Ts currently used by the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The Soviet-made helicopter fleet is in its thirties, and its airworthiness has come to the deadline, its operation is also difficult: expensive maintenance, prone to failures, risky repair because of complicated provision of spares from Russia,” the MND said.
News of the contract came some four months after the US State Department approved the sale to Lithuania of six Black Hawks for USD380 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notification on 6 July followed an announcement by the MND in late 2019 that the country was to begin negotiations with the US government to acquire the Black Hawks to replace three Soviet-made Mi-8 ‘Hips' and three French-built Aerospatiale AS365 N3+ Dauphins.
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/lithuania-signs-for-black-hawk-helos
November 21, 2023 | International, Naval
Not a soldier but a data scientist, Martell headed machine-learning at companies including LinkedIn, Dropbox and Lyft before taking the job last year.
March 29, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence
ARMY Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $1,135,410,156 modification (P00010) to Foreign Military Sales (Poland, Bahrain and Romania) contract W31P4Q-18-C-0049 for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket systems full rate production. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 foreign military sales; and other procurement, Army funds in the combined amount of $1,082,536,179 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a $113,806,534 firm-fixed-price contract for computing services. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of March 28, 2024. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $16,062,071 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-19-F-0028). General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, St. Petersburg, Florida, was awarded a $58,911,077 modification (P00019) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0024 to procure 120mm M1002 new production cartridges and 120mm M865 recap cartridges for 120mm tank training ammunition. Work will be performed in St. Petersburg, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 12, 2021. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $58,911,077 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Northrup Grumman Innovation Systems, Plymouth, Minnesota, was awarded a $36,815,048 modification (P00011) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0025 to procure 120mm tank training ammunition M1002 new production cartridges and 120mm tank training ammunition M865 recapitalized cartridges. Work will be performed in Plymouth, Minnesota, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $36,815,048 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Odyssey International Inc.,* Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $19,832,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a replacement air traffic control tower and base operations complex. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 27, 2020. Fiscal 2016 and 2019 military construction funds in the amount of $19,832,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Georgia, is the contracting activity (W912HN-19-C-3005). Professional Contract Services Inc., Austin, Texas, was awarded a $17,285,295 modification (P00017) to contract W91151-16-D-0101 for full food and dining facility attendant support services. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2020. U.S. Army Mission Installation Contracting Command, Fort Hood, Texas, is the contracting activity. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $15,580,588 modification (P00159) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 to incorporate Engineering Change Proposal OSKW8215R1 low velocity aerial delivery A1 transmission support plate, mid-power pack, and mounts, rails and mid-power pack into the baseline configuration of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle family of vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2021. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army; procurement Marine Corps; research, development, test and evaluation; Navy procurement; and Air Force procurement funds in the amount of $15,580,588 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. CACI-ISS Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $15,000,000 modification (P00012) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0029 to provide planning, analytical, operational and technical services. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of March 26, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $15,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., San Jose, California, was awarded a $9,323,130 modification (P00097) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0099 for systems technical support and sustainment systems technical support services, consisting of engineering, logistics, and fielding support for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle family of vehicles, the Multiple Launch Rocket System Carrier, and the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier family of vehicles. Work will be performed in Killeen, Texas; and El Paso, Texas, with an estimated completion date of July, 8, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $9,323,130 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. NAVY CGI Federal Inc., Fairfax, Virginia, is awarded a $222,875,514 firm-fixed-price, fixed-price incentive firm target, firm-fixed-price level of effort, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost reimbursement contract (N00039-19-C-0004) to provide Electronic Procurement System (ePS), a contract writing system to the Department of the Navy with standardized, comprehensive, end-to-end contract management of services, supplies, construction and grants. ePS will provide the flexibility to interface with Navy, Department of Defense and federal electronic systems as needed to meet the requirements of all stakeholders, and as defined in statutes, regulations and approved business practices. Work will be performed in Washington, District of Columbia, and is expected to be completed in March 2029. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,859,946 will be obligated at time of award, with $3,962,974 of the fiscal 2018 funds expiring at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was competitively procured via Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command e-Commerce and Federal Business Opportunities websites, with six offers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Environmental Chemical Corp., Burlingame, California, is awarded a $121,682,327 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the hurricane recovery efforts at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The work to be performed includes roof repairs, internal and external building repairs, and civil repairs. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $144,008,671. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and is expected to be completed by August 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $121,682,327 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-13-D-6020). Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, El Segundo, California, is awarded a $57,980,007 long-term requirements contract for repair of 25 weapon repairable assemblies for the APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar system used on the F/A-18 aircraft. The contract includes a three-year base period with two one-year options, which, if exercised, would bring the total value of the contract to an estimated $98,637,530 based on estimated quantities. Work will be performed in Forest, Mississippi, and work is expected to be completed by March 2022; if all options are exercised, work will be completed by March 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Working capital funds (Navy) will be obligated as individual orders are issued. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-sourced, non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304(C)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-19-D-UP01). Cardno TEC-Leidos LLC JV, Charlottesville, Virginia, is awarded a $50,000,000 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for services to support the Tactical Training Theater Assessment and Planning program, and it is intended to ensure the sustainability of Navy training ranges and operating areas to support warfighter readiness around the world. The contract requires the services of environmental engineering and military operations specialists, and the use of engineering and biological sciences and principles and methods of engineering analysis. Work under this contract will be performed in the geographic regions of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic's area of responsibility (AOR) and the adjacent waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, including the continental U.S., the Caribbean, Europe, and North Africa. Work will be primarily performed within NAVFAC Atlantic's AOR, which includes, but is not limited to, Virginia (50 percent); California (20 percent); Florida (20 percent); and Washington (10 percent). Work may also be added and performed anywhere outside of NAVFAC Atlantic's AOR, as required by the government, and is expected to be completed by March 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $10,000 for the minimum guarantee are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one proposal received. NAVFAC Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-19-D-4009). The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is awarded a $46,700,000 fixed-priced-incentive modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-6307 for the Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) program. The Feb. 13, 2019, contract announcement for the XLUUV program occurred while source selection was ongoing, and therefore the specific contract award amount was considered source selection sensitive information and was not made public. This contract modification award completes the XLUUV competition and brings the total awarded amount for five XLUUVs and associated support elements to $274,400,000. Work will be performed in Huntington Beach, California (29 percent); Virginia Beach, Virginia (27 percent); Waukesha, Wisconsin (8 percent); East Aurora, New York (7 percent); Concord, Massachusetts (7 percent); Camden, New Jersey (5 percent); Smithfield, Pennsylvania (4 percent); Attleboro, Massachusetts (3 percent); City of Industry, California (3 percent); El Cajon, California (3 percent); Fairfield, New Jersey (2 percent); Ontario, California (1 percent); and Farmingdale, New York (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2022. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,000,000 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, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Starwin Industries Inc.,* Dayton, Ohio (N00164-19-D-WS21); Garrity Tool Co. LLC,* Indianapolis, Indiana (N00164-19-D-WS33); Loughmiller Machine, Tool & Design Inc.,* Loogootee, Indiana (N00164-19-D-WS34); D-J Engineering Inc.,* Augusta, Kansas (N00164-19-D-WS35); MSP Aviation Inc.,* Bloomington, Indiana (N00164-19-D-WS36); and Integrity Defense Services Inc.,* Springville, Indiana (N00164-19-D-WS37); and Middletown Composites Inc.,* Berea, Kentucky (N00164-19-D-WS38), are each awarded a combined aggregate not-to-exceed $35,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract with a five-year ordering period to procure machined parts or composite components in support of build-to-print machine shop requirements for supplies related to EA-6B, EA-18G and P-8A aircraft components, as well as various other related platforms. These seven small businesses will have the opportunity to propose on individual delivery orders throughout the five-year ordering period of the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. Work will be performed at each of the contractors' facilities per delivery order and is expected to be completed in April 2024. Percentage breakdown of work is to be determined. Navy Working Capital Funding in the amount of $10,000 will be obligated concurrently to each awardee upon award of the initial delivery orders and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with eight offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity. Ocean Construction Services Inc.,* Virginia Beach, Virginia (N40080-17-D-0008); Edifice LLC.,* Beltsville, Maryland (N40080-17-D-0009); Hascon LLC.,* Columbia, Maryland (N40080-17-D-0010); Pinnacle Construction and Development Group Inc.,* Cleveland, Ohio (N40080-17-D-0011); Reilly Construction Inc.,* Chantilly, Virginia (N40080-17-D-0012); and Tuckman-Barbee Construction Co. Inc.,* Upper Marlboro, Maryland (N40080-17-D-0013), are awarded a combined $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded indefinite contract to exercise Option Two for construction projects for general and administrative facilities located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington area of responsibility (AOR). After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $122,000,000. Work will be performed at various administrative facilities within the NAVFAC Washington AOR, including but not limited to, Maryland, Washington, District of Columbia, and Virginia, and is expected to be completed by March 2020. Task orders will be primarily funded by fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy and Marine Corps); and fiscal 2019 Navy working capital funds. NAVFAC Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Blue Rock Structures Inc.,* Pollocksville, North Carolina, is awarded a $9,207,530 firm-fixed-price task order N4008519F5128 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-16-D-6300) for interior and exterior repairs to building AS515 at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The work provides new architectural finishes, new electrical system, new telecommunication system, new plumbing, new HVAC system, new membrane roof, and incidental-related work. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and is expected to be completed by May 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $9,207,530 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Peraton Inc., Annapolis, Maryland, is awarded an $8,543,905 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00174-11-D-0002 to extend the ordering period and exercise Option Year VIII for the procurement and support of the Transmitting Set, Countermeasures AN/PLT-4 to support explosive ordnance disposal personnel. The AN/PLT-4 is a man-portable system in support of the Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal (JSEOD) Counter-Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare program. Work will be performed in Annapolis, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by March 2020. No funds are being obligated at the time of this action. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE L-3 Technologies, Greenville, Texas, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $142,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized contract action for the procurement of Group B material and the Ground System Integration Lab. Work will be performed in Greenville, Texas, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2023. This contract involves 100 percent foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $69,580,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-16-G-3027/FA8620-19-F-4872). Vectrus Systems Corp., Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, has been awarded a $23,609,858 fixed-price incentive modification (P00050) to previously awarded contract FA3002-17-C-0009 for base operations support. This modification provides for the exercise of Option Two. Work will be performed at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama, and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value to $86,319,044. The 42nd Contracting Squadron, Montgomery, Alabama, is the contracting activity. DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded an $18,578,053 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for J85 engine maintenance. This contract provides for managing the full cycle of production by planning, scheduling, directing, and controlling all maintenance on jet engines and support equipment, as well as monitoring serviceable base stock levels and target serviceable requirements of each customer. Work will be performed at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2020. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. The Air Force Installation Contracting Agency, 338th Specialized Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-19-D-A004). BlueForce Inc., Hampton, Virginia, has been awarded a $12,325,425 firm-fixed-price task order for the Royal Saudi Air Force English Language Training outside the continental U.S. program. Work will be performed at King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Saudi Arabia, and is expected to be complete by Jan. 3, 2024. This contract involves 100 percent foreign military sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Foreign Military Sales funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The 338th Specialized Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-19-F-A045). L-3 Communications, Greenville, Texas, has been awarded an $11,465,007 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the procurement of Ground System Development and Integration. Work will be performed in Greenville, Texas, and is expected to be complete by Nov. 30, 2022. This contract involves 100 percent foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-16-G-3027/FA8620-19-F-4836). CAE USA Inc., Tampa, Florida, has been awarded a $7,245,585 firm-fixed-price modification (P00144) to previously awarded contract FA8223-10-C-0013 for support of the KC-135 Aircrew Training System. This modification provides for collective bargaining agreement wage adjustments resulting from Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act, and brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $464,618,081. Work will be performed at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma; Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana; MacDill AFB, Florida; Pittsburgh Air National Guard Base, Pennsylvania; Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio; Scott AFB, Illinois; Fairchild AFB, Washington; Milwaukee ANGB, Wisconsin; March AFB, California; and Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Work is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,245,585 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity. U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Leading Technology Composites Inc., Wichita, Kansas, was awarded a $50,000,000 ceiling increase to an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract (H92222-14-D-0061-P00005) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the purchase of SOF Personal Equipment Advance Requirements Tactical Standalone (SPEAR) and Modular Supplemental Armor Protection (MASP) ballistic plates. The estimated total contract value is $175,000,000. No money was obligated at the time of award. The work will be performed in Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 27, 2020. This contract was awarded in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Authority (FAR) 6.302-1, “Other than Full and Open Competition, Only one Responsible Source”. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY GTA Containers Inc.,* South Bend, Indiana (SPE8EG-19-D-0105); Apex Pinnacle, Corp.,* Binghamton, New York (SPE8EG-19-D-0106); MPC Containment Systems LLC,* Chicago, Illinois (SPE8EG-19-D-0107); Avon Engineered Fabrications (AEF),* Picayune, Mississippi (SPE8EG-19-D-0108); and North American Fuel Tank,* Mansfield, Texas (SPE8EG-19-D-0109), are sharing a maximum $47,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPE8EG-18-R-0008 for tank fabrication berm liners. This was a competitive acquisition with seven offers received. These are one-year base contracts with four one-year option periods. Locations of performance are Indiana, New York, Illinois, Mississippi, and Texas with a March 26, 2024, performance completion date. Using military services are Navy and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2019 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Meridian Airport Authority, doing business as Meridian Aviation, Meridian, Mississippi, has been awarded a maximum $18,062,977 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for fuel. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a 46-month contract with one six-month option period. Location of performance is Mississippi, with a March 31, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE607-1-D-0029). DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Virginia, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract modification on March 27, 2019, to exercise Option Year Four of task order HC1013-15-A-0004-0001. This task order was previously awarded under the competitive blanket purchase agreement against General Services Administration's Information Technology Schedule 70 contract for Air Force Air Defense Communications Services. The face value of this action is $7,200,000, funded by fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds. The total cumulative value of the order is $21,367,054. Performance is throughout the continental U.S., as well as Alaska, Hawaii and Guam. The period of performance for this action is April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity (HC1013-15-A-0004-0001 23). *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1797925/
June 23, 2021 | International, Aerospace
As is the case with other large military investments awaiting a decision, the aircraft acquisition would exceed current budget projections here.