July 15, 2024 | International, Aerospace, C4ISR
October 10, 2023 | International, Aerospace, Security
The Honourable Minister Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, will travel to Brussels, Belgium on October 11 and 12 to meet with allies and partners.
October 29, 2018 | International, Aerospace
By: Jeff Martin The KC-135 refueling tanker and the C-130J airlifter will be the next two aircraft to be part of the Air Force's predictive maintenance program, part of the service's effort to do maintenance before airplanes break--and improve mission capable and availability rates, according to Air Mobility Command's logistics director. "The bottom line is to get to where we are scheduling all of our maintenance, rather than reacting to the maintenance,' said Brig. Gen. Steven Blaymaier, who oversees Air Mobility Command's logistics, engineering and force protection, in an interview at the 2018 Airlift Tanker Association symposium outside Dallas, Texas. “We want our units to achieve their mission-capable rates on a sustained basis.” According to the latest available data, from FY2017, the KC-135 fleet had, on average, a 74 percent mission capable rate, and the C-130J fleet had a 77 percent mission capable rate. As for the rest of the mobility fleet, by that same data, the C-5M fleet stood at 60 percent, the C-130H fleet was at 73 percent, and the C-17 fleet was at 84 percent mission capable. The concept, known as conditions based maintenance, has already been rolled out to the C-5 fleet within AMC, and the B-1 fleet in Air Force Global Strike Command. It uses algorithms based on reams of data to create models to predict when a part might break, rather than waiting for it to fail. Its a standard practice in the commercial aviation industry, and is now making its way into the Air Force. Blaymaier says the KC-135 fleet will join the program in spring of 2019, and the C-130J fleet will follow in the summer. Blaymaier also added that the other aircraft in AMC's fleet would be joining the program eventually, like the C-17 and KC-10. “They're all in work at their program offices right now,” he said. “What we learn from C-5 will be incorporated into the other aircraft.” Blaymaier also said the Air Force was modelling their effort after Delta Airlines's Tech Ops division's procedures, and that the service was at the beginning or “crawl stage” of the process. He also noted that Delta took “eight years” to get achieve the results they were looking for, and that the Air Force was working on that path. In September, Lt. Gen. Robert McMurray, commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center, told Defense News that the conditions-based maintenance program was critical to increasing the readiness of the Air Force's aircraft. "Given the aging fleet situation that we have, we probably need to be using data better to take care of it — which is a drive toward what most everyone right now is saying is the right way to manage fleet sustainment, which is through condition-based maintenance and data analytics,” he said at the time. Another benefit Blaymaier described was that the service will be able to track maintenance needs by individual aircraft, rather than by a general fleet-wide standard. That could reduce time in depots and increase mission capable rates, a top priority of senior Pentagon leaders. “As we move forward with conditions based maintenance plus (CBM+) and predictive analytics, we'll be able to know by tail number which parts are going to fail on certain aircraft," he said."It'll be much more surgical [and] operational." Blaymaier added that while the transition to conditions based maintenance might be a long journey, it would lead to huge benefits for the Air Force. “Ultimately we want to achieve those aircraft availability standards that we established for each of our fleets that are required to meet our wartime taskings,” he said. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/airlift-tanker-annual/2018/10/27/kc-135s-and-c-130js-are-the-next-aircraft-to-enter-the-air-forces-data-driven-maintenance-program
March 1, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence
NAVY DZSP 21 LLC, Marlton, New Jersey, is awarded a $106,378,427 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for base operations support services at Joint Region Marianas, Guam. The work to be performed provides for facility and base operating support for the following services: management and administration, port operations, ordnance, material management, facility management, sustainment, restoration and modernization, electrical, wastewater, steam, hot water and demineralized water, potable water, transportation, and environmental. Work will be performed at various locations on the island of Guam and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 working capital funds (Navy and Defense); fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation Air Force working capital funds; fiscal 2019 and 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy, Air Force, Defense); fiscal 2019 family housing operations and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps, Army, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard); fiscal 2019 health program funds (Defense); and fiscal 2019 commissary agency (Defense) contract funds in the amount of $106,378,427, of which $96,495,650 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and $9,882,777 are subject to the availability of funds. This contract was issued as a sole-source procurement under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Agency requirements. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-19-C-1175). Micro Systems Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is awarded a $22,986,171 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for production, repairs services and associated ancillary equipment for the systems for Naval Target Control Block II and III in support of Navy aerial targets. Work will be performed in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and is expected to be completed in February 2024. Fiscal 2018 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,219,199 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001919D0020). L-3 KEO, Northampton, Massachusetts, is awarded a $19,299,276 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-6252 to exercise options for the production of the Universal Modular Mast. The Universal Modular Mast serves as a lifting mechanism for Virginia class mast payloads. Work will be performed in Bologna, Italy (74 percent); and Northampton, Massachusetts (26 percent), and is expected to be complete by August 2021. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $19,299,276 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. Leidos Corp., Reston, Virginia, is awarded an $11,560,339 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to procure non-recurring engineering efforts to analyze, define and document system and subsystem requirements for capability enhancements to integrate the adaptive radar countermeasures program on the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia (50 percent); Clifton, New Jersey (25 percent); Goleta, California (10 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (10 percent); Raleigh, North Carolina (3 percent); and Huntsville, Alabama (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,560,339 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0051). Clark Nexsen-CH2m Hill JV Norfolk, Englewood, Colorado, is awarded a $9,500,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for architect-engineering services design projects located throughout the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) area of responsibility worldwide (AOR). The primary tasks anticipated under this contract include DD Form 1391 documentation, design-build request for proposals, plans, specifications, cost estimates, related studies, field investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, program management, conceptual designs, soil borings, hazardous materials identification, energy computation, life safety code studies, interior space comprehensive planning/design, conceptual designs, value engineering, other associated engineering services, shop drawing review, as-built drawing preparation, operation and maintenance support information, commissioning, and construction inspection and engineering consultation services during construction. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $24,500,000. Critical projects are planned to be performed in the NAVFAC AOR worldwide, including but not limited to, Djibouti (53 percent); Italy (30 percent); Spain (12 percent); and Greece (5 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of November 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy). Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-17-D-5004). DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded $8,893,970 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0002419F5617 under previously-awarded contract N00024-15-D-5201 for 18 Technology Insertion 16 air-cooled Common Processing System cabinets and two remote access servers. The Common Processing System provides the computer processing and memory, data storage and extraction and input/output interfaces to support host software applications of Navy combat systems. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by March 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,893,970 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. Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Co., Chandler, Arizona, is awarded an $8,892,173 firm-fixed-price modification under previously-awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00174-17-D-0016 to exercise an option for development, product improvement and prototyping support of various aircrew escape systems managed under the Joint Program Office for Cartridge Actuated Device/Propellant Actuated Device Tri-Service Charter. This requirement is for engineering, technical, administrative and programmatic management support for total life cycle management of the various aircrew escape systems. Work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by January 2020. No additional funds will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a $24,968,022 modification (P00031) to previously awarded contract HR0011-16-F-0005 for Enterprise Support Services. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $95,553,943 from $70,585,921. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an expected completion date of May 2020. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $24,632,633 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, has been awarded a $19,459,236 firm-fixed-price delivery order (FA8504-19-F-0008-P00001) to previously awarded contract FA8504-17-D-0002 for C-130J Propulsion long-term sustainment. This delivery order provides for funding Option II flying hours. Work will be performed primarily at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and also at various locations that support C-130J Propulsion long-term sustainment. Work is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award, and this order brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $90,165,776. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins AFB, Georgia, is the contracting activity. Textron Defense Systems, Wilmington, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $15,956,064 firm-fixed-price modification (P00009) to previously awarded contract FA8204-14-D-0001 for the MK12A Mod 5 F Midsection remanufacturing program. This modification extends the ordering period of the original requirements contract by five years. Work is being performed at Wilmington, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by March 5, 2025. No funds are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity. LoadPath, LLC, Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been awarded a $14,899,737 ceiling cost-reimbursement contract for Advanced Spacecraft Systems with Integrated Structural Thermal Technologies (ASSISTT). This contract provides for the advancement of the technology and scientific knowledge in the areas of deployable structures, thermal systems, RF antenna structures, integrated structural sensing, and advanced manufacturing. Work will be performed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is expected to be complete by Feb. 28, 2024. This contract was the result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $440,670 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-19-C-0002). Engineered Arresting Systems Corp., doing business as Zodiac Arresting Systems America, Aston, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $9,679,711 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the Textile Aircraft Arresting Systems (TAAS) This contract provides for the production of the TAAS, a onetime emergency use overrun aircraft arresting system designed for use with tail hook equipped fighter aircraft, or non-hook equipped aircraft when couples with a net barrier engaging system. Work will be performed in Merpins, France, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 28, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition, and no funds were obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8533-17-D-0001). (Awarded Sept. 29, 2017) ARMY Next-CEI JV LLC,* Honolulu, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0002); R&I Construction Inc.,* Aiea, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0003); D&D Construction Inc.,* Waipahu, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0004); and Amethyst Builders LLC,* Ewa Beach, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0005), will compete for each order of the $16,800,000 firm-fixed-price contract for sustainment, restoration and modernization. Thirty bids were solicited with 19 bids received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2024. U.S. Army 413th Combat Support Battalion, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Silver Oak Leaf, Inc.,** Alpharetta, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $16,074,375 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for blouses and trousers for the Type III, Navy Working Uniform. This was a competitive acquisition with six responses received. This is an 18-month base contract with three one-year option periods. Location of performance is Puerto Rico and Georgia, with a Feb. 24, 2021, estimated performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-1135). * Small Business **Service-disabled veteran-owned small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1766751/