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By: Sebastian Sprenger COLOGNE, Germany — The European Commission has awarded Estonia and the country's robotics company Milrem a grant to lead the way on a standard architecture for military unmanned ground vehicles, the company announced. The deal, worth close to $40 million and signed Dec. 11, formally kicks off a pan-European development for a new generation of battlefield ground robots. Named Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System, or iMUGS, the project uses Milrem's THeMIS vehicle as a reference platform for creating a “standardized European-wide ecosystem for aerial and ground platforms,” according to the company. Also covered by the project is relevant technology in the fields of command and control, communications, sensors, payloads, and algorithms. The connection to the European Union's coffers comes through the bloc's European Defence Industrial Development Programme. Besides Estonia as the lead, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia and Spain also are part of the iMUGS group, adding a combined €2 million (U.S. $2.4 million) to the effort. The countries each bring their relevant national companies to the table, including Safran Electronics & Defense, Nexter Systems, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Diehl Defence, and Bittium Wireless. “Estonia has the honor and a great responsibility taking the lead in this project as nothing on a similar scale has been conducted before,” said Martin Jõesaar, chief of the project office in the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment. “Our goal is not only making iMUGS a one-time effort, but to build it into a base project for future developments. Our long-term goal is that each of the modular systems built will pave a way for further innovation in its field.” While the sums involved in iMUGS are relatively small in the world of defense programs, the effort has the potential to shape the European market for military robotic vehicles. The initiative is a prime example of defense companies like Milrem, some of them years ago, sensing a chance to position their own offerings firmly in the thicket of European defense priorities. But the THeMIS robot is not the only game in town. Rheinmetall is equally trying to position its unmanned portfolio in the European market, even without EU backing. In the case of its Mission Master vehicle, the intellectual property belongs to the company's Canadian division, which makes support through EU channels tricky. Still, the vehicle is being tried by the land forces of several countries on the European continent. According to Milrem, European countries are expected to need thousands of ground robots during the next 10-15 years, creating a market valued in the billions of euros. “With seven participating nations and key industrial players, the unmanned ground system developed during iMUGS is expected to become the preferred European solution for integrating into armed units,” the company claims. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/12/16/european-union-awards-grant-to-forge-unmanned-ground-vehicle-standard/

ARMY Honeywell International, Phoenix, Arizona, was awarded a $1,105,100,580 modification (P00002) to contract W56HZV-20-D-0062 for the Automotive Gas Turbine 1500 engine program. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2025. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $40,717,442 modification (P00054) to contract W58RGZ-16-C-0023 for a Longbow Crew Trainer and spares. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2025. Fiscal 2010 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $40,717,442 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. L3 Technologies Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, was awarded a $29,197,837 firm-fixed-price contract for the manned/unmanned teaming hardware, as well as technical and engineering support, for the Apache helicopter. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2023. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Army) funds; and 2022 Foreign Military Sales (Morocco, Netherlands, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom) funds in the amount of $29,197,837 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-21-F-0144). CORRECTION: The $837,591,519 multiple award contract announced on Dec. 16, 2020, to Central Lake Armor Express,* Central Lake, Michigan (W91CRB-21-D-0004); Bethel Industries Inc.,* Jersey City, New Jersey (W91CRB-21-D-0005); Carter Enterprises LLC,* Brooklyn, New York (W91CRB-21-D-0006); Point Blank Enterprises Inc., Pompano Beach, Florida (W91CRB-21-D-0007); and Slate Solutions Inc.,* Sunrise, Florida (W91CRB-21-D-0008), for the Soldier Protection System was actually awarded today, Dec. 17, 2020. NAVY Perspecta Enterprise Solutions LLC, Herndon, Virginia, is awarded a $797,344,313 modification to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00039-13-D-0013 for the existing Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN). The total cumulative value of this contract is an estimated $6,661,441,247. The contract modification is for services provided under NGEN support for approximately 400,000 seats representing more than 650,000 Navy and Marine Corps users at more than 2,500 locations. NGEN provides net centric data and information technology services for comprehensive, end-to-end information services through a common computing and communication environment to Navy and Marine Corps military, civilian and contractor users. The services provided under NGEN are enterprise services; network services; voice, video and data services; information security services; support services; and testing services. Work will be performed throughout the U.S. with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2021. No additional funding will be placed on contract or obligated at the time of modification award. Contract funds will be obligated on individual task orders and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract modification will add four option periods under the base NGEN contract with a potential period of performance of nine months if all options are exercised. This contract modification was not competitively procured because it is a sole-source acquisition pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), one source or limited sources (Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1). The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems Inc., Braintree, Massachusetts, is awarded a $186,411,242 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the AN/SLQ-25E ‘NIXIE' electro-acoustic towed torpedo countermeasure system. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $268,514,278. Work will be performed in Braintree, Massachusetts (58%); Manchester, New Hampshire (25%); Lititz, Pennsylvania (13%); and Huntington Beach, California (4%), and is expected to be completed by December 2026. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) $2,200,000 funding will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, Keyport, Washington, is the contracting activity (N00253-20-D-0002). Blue Rock Structures Inc.,* Pollocksville, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6300); Daniels & Daniels Construction Co., Inc.,* Goldsboro, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6301); Joyce & Associates Construction Inc.,* Newport, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6302); Military & Federal Construction Co., Inc.,* Jacksonville, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6303); Quadrant Construction Inc.,* Jacksonville, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6304); and TE Davis Construction Co.,* Jacksonville, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6305), are awarded a $90,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the maximum dollar value of indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contracts for general construction services within the Marine Corps Installations East area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for general construction services including new construction, demolition, repair, total/partial interior/exterior alteration/renovation of buildings, systems and infrastructure and may include civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, communication systems, installation of new or extensions to existing high voltage electrical distribution systems, extensions to the existing high pressure steam distribution systems, extensions to the potable water distribution systems, extensions to the sanitary sewer systems, additional storm water control systems, painting, removal of asbestos materials and lead paint, and incidental related work. After award of this modification, the total maximum dollar value for all six contracts combined will be $429,000,000. Work will be performed at Navy and Marine Corps installations at various locations including, but not limited to, North Carolina (90%); Georgia (3%); South Carolina (3%); Virginia (3%); and other areas of the U.S. (1%), and is expected to be completed by September 2021. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance (Marine Corps); and military construction funds. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded firm-fixed-price task order N62473-21-F-4212 at $53,611,262 under a multiple award construction contract for design and construction of a mess hall and consolidated warehouse at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (MCBCP), California. Work will be performed in MCBCP, California, and is expected to be completed by February 2025. The work to be performed provides for constructing a dining facility and a consolidated regimental supply warehouse and the project includes cybersecurity features, paving and site improvements including parking areas, roadways, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, landscaping, trash enclosures and signs. Demolition includes the removal of nine buildings. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $53,611,262 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-18-D-5858). BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair LLC, Jacksonville, Florida, is awarded a $24,681,208 cost-plus-award-fee modification to exercise an option on previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-2320 for the accomplishment of post shakedown availability (PSA). The PSA is for one Freedom variant Littoral Combat Ship. Work will be performed in Mayport, Florida, and is expected to be completed by September 2021. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) ($942,895; 57%); and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) ($711,306; 43%) funding will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. CACI Inc.-Federal, Chantilly, Virginia, is awarded a $20,317,601 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract action in support of acquisition and integrated logistics for the Program Executive Office (PEO), Integrated Warfare Systems (IWS), Front Office (FO). Tasking includes support to the broad areas of acquisition and integrated logistics for the current and future programs and their variants assigned to PEO IWS. Support includes the development and management of cross-program and cross-organization policies and practices for the full range of acquisition and integrated logistics support (ILS). The tasking is integral to the execution of legacy, current and future integrated combat systems, above water sensors, surface ship weapons, air and missile defense systems, undersea warfare systems, command and control systems, unmanned vehicles, navigation systems and human systems integration, as well as training, open architecture, interoperability and joint and coalition initiatives. Tasking includes professional support to PEO IWS FO and IWS directorates for acquisition support and ILS. Work will be performed at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Work is expected to be completed on April 30, 2021. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,003,490 (33%); fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,036,21 (34%); fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,045,541 (12%); fiscal 2020 research development test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,556,168 (17%); and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $378,842 (4%) will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-21-C-B002). Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded firm-fixed-price task order N62478-21-F-4021 at $12,849,000 under a multiple award construction contract for constructing an annex and renovating Building 4100H at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The annex work to be performed provides for constructing a two-story annex to Building 4100H and the work includes foundations, concrete beams, slabs, walls and footings; metal decking and roofing; and mechanical, electrical and communications management systems. The renovation work includes reconfiguring the interior and includes renovation of restroom spaces, replacing all interior finishes throughout the building to include new flooring, ceiling systems and painting interior walls and upgrading the electrical systems. The task order also contains two line items, which, if awarded, would increase cumulative task order value to $13,870,618. Work will be performed in Oahu, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by July 2022. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Air Force Reserve) contracts funds in the amount of $8,552,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Air Force Reserve) contract funds in the amount of $4,297,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Seven proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62478-20-D-4003). Viasat Inc., Duluth, Georgia, is awarded a $10,882,119 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides technical support, non-warranty hardware repair or replacement, obsolescence management, on-site maintenance, preventative maintenance, spare parts and replacement pedestals in support of the pedestal improvement project for the Atlantic Test Range Aircraft Signature and Avionics Measurement branch. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in December 2025. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-21-D-0012). Alan Shintani Inc.,* Waipahu, Hawaii, is awarded firm-fixed-price task order N62478-21-F-4042 at $8,964,485 under a multiple award construction contract for a Navigation, Seamanship and Shiphandling Trainer (NSST) at Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The work to be performed provides for the construction of an NSST and its supporting complement of rooms within an existing hangar building and includes electrical, mechanical, architectural, control system and fire protection work. The task order also contains one line item, which if awarded, would increase the cumulative task order value to $9,040,255. Work will be performed in Oahu, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by February 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,964,485 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Seven proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62478-18-D-4028). AIR FORCE Raytheon Co., Largo, Florida, has been awarded a ceiling of $611,500,000, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable-no-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for command and control switching systems (CCSS). This contract provides electronic digital telecommunications system developed for military command and control. The CCSS is the key component of the Defense Red Switch Network, enabling secure and non-secure voice and data telecommunications at multiple levels, large scale voice conferencing capabilities and is inter-operable with other secure devices. CCSS switches are accredited by the Defense Intelligence Agency for top secret/sensitive compartmentalized information multi-level security. The life-cycle logistics support for operational CCSS provide program management, product configuration management, data management, quality control and assurance, contractor logistics support, spare parts replenishment and management, hardware and software support and engineering and technical services. Work will be performed at multiple government facilities and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2032. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of at least $452,034 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8218-20-D-0001). The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, Laurel, Maryland, has been awarded a $300,000,000 bilateral modification (P00006) to contract FA8819-18-D-0009 for additional engineering support services, systems engineering for complex systems, specialized research and development and other support functions. This modification increases the ceiling of the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract from the previously awarded amount of $186,000,000 to $486,000,000. Work will be performed at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, and is expected to be completed May 10, 2025. The total ceiling of the contract is $486,000,000. Fiscals 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, California, is the contracting activity. Shenandoah Fleet Maintenance and Management LLC, Warrenton, Virginia, has been awarded a $9,384,408 cost-reimbursable definitive contract for Logistics Readiness Squadron/Logistics Readiness Vehicles. This contract provides 866 fleet management and analysis services and scheduled/unscheduled maintenance for approximately 639 vehicles assigned to Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and perform roadside services within the permissible operating distance of 100 miles. Work will be performed at Robins AFB, Georgia, is expected to be completed Jan. 31, 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 12 offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,283,488 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Robins AFB, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8501-21-C-0004). (Awarded Dec. 14, 2020) DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Terma North America Inc., Warner Robins, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $306,480,755 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the production, repair and engineering support of various types of aircraft electronic countermeasure systems. 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 ten-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Georgia, with a Dec. 17, 2030, ordering period end date. Using customers are Air Force and various foreign customers. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2031 defense working capital funds and Foreign Military Sales funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Warner Robins, Georgia (SPRWA1-21-D-0003). Oro Manufacturing Co., Monroe, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $10,608,476 indefinite-quantity, long-term contract for aircraft seat aviation life support equipment. 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 North Carolina, with a Nov. 29, 2025, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2026 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4A7-21-D-0037). (Awarded Dec. 4, 2020) DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE Ernst & Young LLP, Washington, D.C., is being awarded a labor-hour contract option with a maximum value of $33,128,772 for audit services of the Department of the Air Force General Fund and Working Capital Fund financial statements and examination. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., with an expected completion date of Dec 31, 2021. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition for which one quote was received. The contract had a 16-month base period plus three individual one-year option periods with a maximum value of $135,006,112. This award brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $125,830,971. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $33,128,772 are being obligated at the time of this option award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-17-F-0148). KPMG LLP, McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a fixed-price contract option with a maximum value of $12,097,714 for audit services of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works (CW) and Sub-allotted Funds financial statements. Work will be performed in McLean, Virginia, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition for which three quotes were received. The contract had a 12-month base period plus four individual one-year option periods, with a maximum value of $57,693,820. This award brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $45,358,627. Fiscal 2021 USACE CW revolving funds in the amount of $12,097,714 are being obligated at the time of this option award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-18-F-0039). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2450931/source/GovDelivery/

BERLIN (Reuters) - Le gouvernement allemand a acté, mercredi lors de sa réunion hebdomadaire, l'acquisition par l'Etat d'une participation de 25,1% dans l'équipementier de défense Hensoldt, a déclaré à Reuters une source informée du dossier. Reuters, citant plusieurs sources, avait rapporté samedi que Berlin avait l'intention de racheter cette participation au fonds de capital investissement KKR pour 464 millions d'euros. Cette acquisition vise à empêcher un acheteur étranger de prendre le contrôle de cet équipementier, dont les capteurs haute définition équipent notamment les avions de chasse Tornado, ont dit ces sources. Hensoldt, ancienne filiale d'Airbus, s'est introduit en Bourse en septembre. Il fournit aussi des systèmes de radar pour les chasseurs Eurofighter et des périscopes pour les chars Leopard et Puma. KKR, qui a acheté l'équipementier allemand en 2016, contrôle toujours plus de 60% du capital après l'IPO. (Sabine Siebold; version française Bertrand Boucey, Claude Chendjou, édité par Jean-Stéphane Brosse) https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/l-allemagne-a-decide-de-prendre-25-de-l-equipementier-de-defense-hensoldt.N1040944

by Robin Hughes BAE Systems Electronic Systems in Nashua, New Hampshire, in early December disclosed the award from Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control of a USD60 million contract to supply additional seeker systems for the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). LRASM is a joint-service (US Navy: USN/US Air Force: USAF) 2400 lb (1088.6 kg) air-launched high-subsonic conventional precision-guided stand-off anti-ship missile derived from the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range (JASSM-ER) weapon system. The AGM-158C retains the JASSM-ER 1000 lb penetrator/blast fragmentation warhead and enhanced digital anti-jam GPS, but introduces a multimode sensor/seeker package developed by BAE Systems (which combines a passive radio-frequency (RF) long-range sensor for wide area target acquisition and an imaging infrared seeker for terminal targeting), and a weapon data link L-Band Unit (LBU) supplied by ViaSat. The missile has a stated air-launched range of ‘greater than 200 n miles' (370 km). LRASM transitioned from a US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) demonstration activity to a USN Program of Record (POR) in February 2014. The joint service LRASM Deployment Office (LDO) and Lockheed Martin have developed LRASM as the weapon solution to meet the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) Increment 1 requirement. OASuW Increment 1 is an accelerated acquisition programme to procure a limited number of air-launched missiles to address a near-term fleet capability gap – identified under an Urgent Operational Needs Statement (UONS) generated in 2008 by the US Pacific Command – for a flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/bae-systems-awarded-production-contract-for-additional-lrasm-seekers

C'est la première fois que l'Union européenne investit aussi massivement dans le domaine de la Défense. L'argent doit permettre de financer la recherche et le développement de nouvelles technologies militaires en favorisant les coopérations entre industriels de différents pays. En gestation depuis 2016, le fonds européen de Défense (FED) doté de près 8 milliards d'euros (7,953 milliards exactement) sera bientôt une réalité. La Commission européenne a salué, lundi 14 décembre, l'aboutissement des négociations entre les Etats membres et le Parlement européen afin que l'UE dispose enfin d'un budget de soutien à l'innovation en matière de défense. Un vote doit encore avoir lieu au Parlement européen et au Conseil européen afin d'approuver définitivement le texte d'accord. "Il s'agit du tout premier programme financier pluriannuel visant à soutenir la recherche et le développement dans le domaine de la défense dans l'Union", se félicite la Commission. Les 8 milliards d'euros dégagés sur la période 2021-2027 sont toutefois bien en deçà des 13 milliards d'euros prévus à l'origine, d'où le sentiment mitigé de la part de certains industriels de l'armement. Un dispositif spécifique pour les PME Le but du FED est de faire émerger une base industrielle et technologique de défense de dimension européenne en favorisant les rapprochements et les coopérations. Pour prétendre à des financements, les industriels de différents pays devront en effet s'associer en consortium. Les deux tiers du FED seront orientés vers le financement du développement de nouvelles capacités militaires en complément des investissements des Etats membres. L'autre tiers de cette somme servira au financement de projets de recherche collaboratifs. Par ailleurs, les PME qui participeront à des projets de R&D transfrontaliers seront aidées à travers un dispositif spécifique. Ce fonds s'appuie sur l'expérience du programme européen de développement industriel de défense qui avait déjà mobilisé 500 millions d'euros pour 2019 et 2020. Des domaines de recherche prioritaires avaient alors été définis : l'électronique, des métamatériaux, les logiciels cryptés... Ce financement était également ouvert au développement de technologies dans les domaines des drones, des communications par satellites... Mettre fin à l'émiettement des budgets et des initiatives Le FED doit aussi favoriser la création d'une Europe de la Défense et mettre fin à un éparpillement des initiatives et des budgets. Selon l'agence européenne de Défense, 80 % des acquisitions et plus de 90 % des projets de recherche et technologie en matière de sécurité et de défense sont gérés sur une base nationale. Par ailleurs, l'UE dispose de 178 systèmes d'armes différents, contre 30 pour les États-Unis tout comme il existe 17 types de chars de combat en Europe contre un seul aux États-Unis. Ce manque de coopération coûte cher aux Européens. Cela conduirait à une perte pour les Etats membres évaluée entre 25 et 100 milliards d'euros par an ! "Gr'ce à l'acquisition en commun, il serait possible d'économiser jusqu'à 30 % des dépenses annuelles en matière de défense", estime la Commission. https://www.usinenouvelle.com/editorial/a-quoi-serviront-les-8-milliards-d-euros-du-fonds-europeen-de-defense.N1040614

By: The Associated Press STOCKHOLM — Sweden's parliament on Tuesday approved a 40 percent increase in the defense budget for 2021-2025 because of tensions in the Baltic Sea region in recent years, with officials saying Russia is the main reason for the move. The 349-member Riksdag assembly approved the largest hike in 70 years, bringing the annual defense budget by 2025 to 89 billion kronor (U.S. $11 billion). Defence Minister Peter Hultquist told the assembly before the series of votes that “it is the largest investment since the 1950s.” The proposal was put forward in October by Sweden's two-party Social Democrat-Green Party minority government, and it received immediate backing from two smaller opposition groups. The government described it as sending a signal after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, repeated airspace violations by Russian military aircraft in the neighboring Baltics and a military buildup in Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad, which sits across the Baltic Sea from Sweden. “There is much to suggest that Russia's military capabilities in absolute terms will increase throughout the next 10-year period,” the adopted proposal read. The plan will see the armed forces grow from the current 55,000 positions to 90,000 by 2030. Several disbanded regiments will be reestablished and the number of conscripts will increase to 8,000 annually, which is a doubling compared with 2019. The Navy will receive new equipment and there will be upgrades in armament. Sweden currently spends 1.1 percent of gross domestic product on defense. Guidelines issued by NATO, of which Sweden isn't a member, advise that members spend 2 percent, although many do not achieve that target. In December 2017, Sweden decided to establish the nation's first new military regiment since World War II — a unit of 350 soldiers based on the strategically important Baltic Sea island of Gotland. In the same year, Sweden also introduced a selective military draft for men and women, having previously abolished a men-only draft in 2010. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/12/15/sweden-ups-defense-budget-40-due-to-regional-tensions/

By: Joe Gould WASHINGTON ― A bipartisan group of lawmakers has unveiled a $748 billion coronavirus relief proposal that includes an extension of a prized reimbursement program for federal contractors, but without the billions of dollars previously sought by defense firms. Defense officials have warned they will need to tap modernization and readiness funds if Congress does not appropriate at least $10 billion for defense contractors' coronavirus-related expenses, as authorized by Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. However, the new proposal doesn't appropriate funding for the Section 3610 reimbursements. Negotiations on a final relief deal are ongoing, but the package includes a Section 3610 extension through April 30, 2021. The provision applies to all federal agencies, but it has been of particular interest to the Pentagon and defense industry. Added funding could come in the $1.4 trillion omnibus spending package for fiscal 2021, which is expected this week, or it could come with the next Congress and the incoming Biden administration in 2021. The defense industry has of late pushed for the extension of Section 3610 first, over added appropriations. “You have people who can't feed their families, you have people who are going to get evicted, you have people whose unemployment insurance is going to run out. They need Congress to pass this legislation,” Arnold Punaro, National Defense Industrial Association chairman, said of the new bipartisan relief package. “We prefer the defense industry have 3610, and we believe we'll have an opportunity with the new administration to make the case to them that it's still an important provision,” Punaro said, adding that the extension gives the incoming administration time to work on a “much more comprehensive approach.” Fifteen defense companies implored Congress on Friday to extend the program. In a letter to congressional leaders, they argued the extension is needed to maintain national security, but also “thousands of critical employees who would be difficult to replace within the industrial base.” “As COVID-19 rates hit record levels that were unanticipated not only when the CARES Act was enacted but just weeks ago, agencies are shifting work plans, reducing hours and taking other steps to ensure the health and safety of the workforce,” the letter stated. The reimbursement window was extended until Dec. 18 under the continuing resolution Congress passed on Friday. Originally the support was to stop at the end of fiscal 2020 in September. NDIA was among eight trade organizations that signed a Nov. 20 letter to Congress urging an extension of Section 3610. There have been a spate of similar letters from lawmakers to congressional leaders in recent weeks. “The current authority has saved thousands of NASA and defense contractors from being furloughed,” Florida Republican Rep. Bill Posey said in a letter with nine other lawmakers. “If the authority is not extended, many contractors — through no fault of their own — will face dire economic and financial consequences if they are restricted again from conducting their regular work on a NASA center or defense program and may be limited or unable due to the nature of their work to do so through a telework alternative.” Senate Intelligence Committee acting Chairman, Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., pressed congressional leaders earlier this month to extend Section 3610. “Section 3610 has proven to be an important means of providing necessary relief during the pandemic to critical Intelligence Community industry partners ― and particularly to small businesses that provide highly specialized capabilities ― to retain key national security capabilities,” they said in a joint letter. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/12/15/contractor-reimbursement-extension-in-new-covid-19-bill-but-no-new-funding/

By: Jen Judson WASHINGTON — Joint Light Tactical Vehicle-maker Oshkosh Defense announced it has agreed to buy engineering company Pratt Miller, which brings with it artificial intelligence, autonomy and robotics expertise. Oshkosh said in a Dec. 15 news release that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pratt Miller in a cash-free, debt-free purchase price of $115 million. The New Hudson, Michigan-based Pratt Miller will keep its name, team, facilities and branding, according to the statement. The engineering company was founded in 1989 and is becoming known for its robotics capabilities. The firm recently won a U.S. Army contract in a partnership with QinetiQ to provide prototypes of the light variant of its Robotic Combat Vehicle for evaluation. Pratt Miller also won a contract to develop a design to integrate a new weapon system onto a Stryker combat vehicle under the Stryker Medium Caliber Weapons System lethality program. It is partnered with Rafael in the competition in which government testing of offerings is ongoing. The Israeli government recently expressed enthusiastic interest in mating Oshkosh vehicles with Rafael's Iron Dome missile defense system. In addition, Pratt Miller was one of six companies chosen by Army Futures Command to work on ways to improve the currently cumbersome, taxing and sometimes risky munitions resupply system for field artillery units operating M109 Paladin howitzers. “Pratt Miller has made significant advances in dynamic growth areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous and connected systems and electrification,” which puts Oshkosh more into the robotics game than ever before. “We believe combining Pratt Miller's engineering expertise with Oshkosh's innovation and operational strengths will enable us to better serve customers and position our Company for growth,” John Pfeifer, Oshkosh Corporation president and chief operating officer, said in the statement. “Pratt Miller's motorsports heritage has created a culture of speed and agility that has defined our success,” added Matt Carroll, the company's CEO. “Oshkosh is an ideal partner for us to apply that mindset to some of the most significant challenges facing customers today. Together, we expect to grow our decade-long partnership and expand our pipeline of new business opportunities. We look forward to learning from one another and continuing to innovate to bring market-leading products to our customers.” The buy, which is subject to customary closing conditions, should be complete in the first quarter of calendar year 2021, the statement noted. The acquisition also could give Oshkosh more leverage in competitions like JLTV re-compete effort which has recently kicked off and the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle program to replace the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle. A request for proposals for the OMFV program is expected to drop by the end of the week. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/12/15/oshkosh-buys-pratt-miller-for-115m/

AIR FORCE Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a ceiling $900,000,000 firm-fixed-price, time-and-materials, over-and-above, cost-reimbursement contract to stand up a continental U.S.-based contractor facility to perform depot-level maintenance and aircraft modification services in support of the F-16 aircraft. Support will include all aircraft modifications, unplanned drop-in maintenance, time compliance technical orders, scheduled inspections and contract field team support. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,402,952 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8232-21-D-0005). General Atomics Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a $305,188,639 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Reaper (MQ-9) contractor logistics support. This contract provides for program management, contractor filed service representative support, depot repair, depot maintenance, sustaining engineering support, supply and logistics support, configuration management, tech data maintenance, software maintenance and inventory control point/warehouse support for the MQ- 9. Work will be performed in Poway, California, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $65,406,872 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8577-21-C-0001). Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $29,224,207 modification (P00097) to contract FA8705-14-C-0001 for production of initial spares under already established contract line item numbers 0007, 0008, and 0009 for Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2023. Fiscal 2019 other procurement funds in the amount of $4,108,105; and fiscal 2020 other procurement funds in the amount of $25,116,102, are being obligated at time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $588,307,659. The Air Force Material Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. GRP Paving and Construction, Tewskbury, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $25,862,782 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide repair/replacement of roadways, curbing and sidewalks. This will include the required demolition and earthwork at various locations throughout Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts; Sagamore Hill Electronics Research Annex, Hamilton, Massachusetts; Fourth Cliff Recreation Annex, Humarock Massachusetts; Cape Cod Air Force Station, Sagamore, Massachusetts; Patriot Golf Course, Bedford Massachusetts; and New Boston Air Force Station, New Boston, New Hampshire. Work is expected to be completed by December 2025. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,500 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA2835-21-D-0002). The Boeing Co., Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been awarded a $9,156,355 modification (P00005) to contract FA8823-20-C-0001 to exercise an option for systems engineering and sustainment support for the Wideband Global Satellite Communications constellation. Work will primarily be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and this option is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity. NAVY The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $109,155,844 firm-fixed-price order (N61340-21-F-0002) against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0002 to procure P-8A training systems for the government of New Zealand. This order procures one Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) with one OFT Brief/Debrief Station (BDS); one Weapons Tactics Trainers (WTTs) with one WTT BDS; one 10-seat flight management systems trainer electronic classroom; one 10-seat mission systems desktop trainer electronic classroom; one training system support center; one scenario generation station; one virtual maintenance trainer; one maintenance support cabinet; and one 10-seat maintenance electronic classroom. Additionally, this order provides for software, books and other publications, contracts, logistics, engineering and management technical assistance required for the development, production, test and in-country delivery, installation and inspection of the training systems. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (36%); Tampa, Florida (23%); Long Island, New York (12%); Ohakea, New Zealand (10%); San Francisco, California (8%); Huntington Beach, California (5%); Seattle, Washington (3%); and Jacksonville, Florida (3%), and is expected to be completed in January 2024. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $109,155,844 will be obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity. Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc., Monroeville, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $104,518,407 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-2112 for Naval Nuclear Propulsion Components. Work will be performed in Monroeville, Pennsylvania (99%); and Schenectady, New York (1%). Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $47,478,413 (46%); 2020 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $45,375,262 (43%); and 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,664,732 (11%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $82,710,850 cost-plus-fixed fee and cost only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-5501 to exercise the options for Air and Missile Defense Radar AN/SPY-6(V) integration and production support efforts. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts (64%); Kauai, Hawaii (18%); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (8%); Moorestown, New Jersey (7%); Fair Lakes, Virginia (2%); and San Diego, California (less than 1%), and is expected to be completed by December 2021. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,309,691 (47%); 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,846,577 (24%); 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,620,778 (15%); 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,412,405 (9%); 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,587,256 (4%); and 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $50,000 (1%), 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 Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $68,162,655 modification (P00023) to cost-plus-incentive-fee order N00019-19-F-2474 against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020. This modification adds scope to procure additional Technical Refresh 3 (TR3) test assets to allow for test laboratory upgrades and for test aircraft modifications. This modification will result in the procurement and delivery of TR3 system laboratory and flight test assets for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Florida (98%); and Fort Worth, Texas (2%), and is expected to be completed in March 2023. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $21,000,000; fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,000,000; and non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $881,107 will be obligated at time of award, $21,000,000 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. MHI Ship Repair and Services – Norfolk (MHI), Norfolk, Virginia, was awarded a $57,134,922 firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) fiscal 2021 selected restricted availability (SRA). This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51). This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $71,850,462. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by July 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $57,134,922 will be obligated at time of award, and funding in the amount of $51,832,242 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. In an effort to stabilize the industrial base for maintenance, a sole-source justification has been made in the industrial mobilization justification and approval, in accordance with the requirements of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(3). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-21-C-4408). (Awarded Dec. 9, 2020) The Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Mitchell Field, New York, is awarded a $43,591,084 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification (P00011) to previously awarded and announced contract N00030-20-C-0045 for the U.S. and United Kingdom (U.K.) to provide Strategic Weapon System Trident Fleet support, Trident II SSP Shipboard Integration (SSI) Increment 8, SSI Increment 16, Columbia class and U.K. Dreadnought class Navigation Subsystem development efforts. Work will be performed in Mitchell Field, New York (47%); Huntington Beach, California (36%); Clearwater, Florida (9%); Cambridge, Massachusetts (6%); and Hingham, Massachusetts (2%), with an expected completion date of Nov. 30, 2023. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $81,400 will be obligated; and shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $43,509,684 will be obligated. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source acquisition in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and (4). The Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Manu Kai LLC,* Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded $37,000,000 for a bridge contract (N00604-21-D-4009) as a bridge action for previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00604-09-D-0001 with both cost-plus-award-fee and fixed-price-award fee line items for range operations support and base operations support services. This contract includes one three-month performance period with no option periods. Work will be performed at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Island of Kauai, Hawaii. Work begins January 2021, and is expected to be completed by March 2021. Subject to the availability of funds, fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds (Navy) in the amount of $1,700,000 will be obligated at the time of award to fund the contract's minimum amount, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1). The requirement was posted to the Navy Electronic Commerce Online and the beta.SAM.gov websites as a 100% 8(a) set-aside requirement, with one offer received. The Naval Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $36,547,389 modification (P00037) to previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract N00019-18-C-1048. This modification adds scope to provide additional intermediate level maintenance capabilities in support of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the Navy and the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (30.8%); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (30.1%); El Segundo, California (25.5%); Fort Worth, Texas (9.1%); Grand Rapids, Michigan (2.6%); and Endicott, New York (1.9%), and is expected to be completed in October 2023. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $36,547,389, 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. M.C. Dean Inc., Tysons, Virginia (N66001-21-D-0030); Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia (N66001-21-D-0031); Serco Inc., Herndon, Virginia (N66001-21-D-0032); Systems Engineering Support Co., San Diego, California (N66001-21-D-0033); and VT Milcom Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (N66001-21-D-0034), are each awarded an $18,925,685 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple-award contract to provide production management, integration and fabrication and system and component procurement for network integration engineering facility production services. Technical services include basic research, end-to-end system design, prototype development, systems engineering, integration, deployment and life cycle support of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. This one-year contract includes four one-year option periods which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated $116,019,918. All work will be performed in San Diego, California. The period of performance of the base award is from Dec. 11, 2020, through Dec. 10, 2021. If all options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through Dec. 10, 2025. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Fiscal 2021 funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using operation and maintenance (Navy); Department of Defense working capital funds; other procurement (Navy); research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and shipbuilding and conversion (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via a request for proposal (N66001-20-R-0030) published on the beta.SAM.gov website. Six offers were received and five selected for award. The Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. L3 Harris Technologies Inc., Anaheim, California, is awarded a $13,999,957 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification (P00036) for new procurement options under previously awarded and announced contract N00030-18-C-0001. The work will provide services and support for flight test instrumentation (FTI) systems. Work will be performed in Anaheim, California (55%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (28%); Washington, D.C. (6%); Bremerton, Washington (3%); Kings Bay, Georgia (3%); Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom (3%); Laurel, Maryland (1%); and Silverdale, Washington (1%), with an expected completion date of Sept. 1, 2023. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,694,024; fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,647,388; and fiscal 2021 United Kingdom funds in the amount of $1,025,720, are being obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract modification is awarded to the contractor on a sole-source basis under 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and was previously synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (now beta.SAM.gov) website. The Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Scientific Research Corp., Atlanta, Georgia, is awarded a $12,129,112 modification (P00007) to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract N00039-18-D-0006. The modification will allow for the completion of C4I system of systems testing, integration and installation services being performed onboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) under task order N00039-19-F-0017. The ceiling increase will allow for the completion of services onboard CVN 73 during its Chief of Naval Operations-directed refueling and complex overhaul maintenance availability currently ongoing. This action does not extend either the ordering period of contract N00039-18-D-0006 or the current period of performance of the CVN 73 task order N00039-19-F-0017. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia (90%); and Charleston, South Carolina (10%). The current period of performance for the order remains unchanged ending in September 2022. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) in the amount of $6,000,000 will be obligated at time of award of this modification and funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This sole-source modification was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source (Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1). The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. ARMY Manhattan Construction Co., Arlington, Virginia, was awarded an $87,562,320 firm-fixed-price contract for the design-bid-build construction of a 281,075 square-foot operations center building. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work will be performed in Richmond, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 21, 2023. Fiscal 2020 military construction (defense-wide) funds in the amount of $87,562,320 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91236-21-C-2019). Mission Essential LLC, New Albany, Ohio, was awarded a $15,669,134 modification (P00004) to contract W50NH9-20-C-0008 for linguist services in support of U.S. Africa Command. Work will be performed in New Albany, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 14, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $1,470,000 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Textron Aviation Inc., Wichita, Kansas, was awarded an $11,396,670 firm-fixed-price contract for a King Air 250 aircraft. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Wichita, Kansas, with an estimated completion date of June 13, 2022. Fiscal 2021 Foreign Military Sales (Panama) funds in the amount of $11,396,670 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-21-C-0004). SRCTec LLC, Syracuse, New York, was awarded a $9,222,754 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for procurement of hardware and services to address the system sustainment needs for the Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare Duke Family of Systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 10, 2021. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $9,222,754 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56KGY-21-F-0013). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Gexa Energy LP, Houston, Texas (SPE604-21-D-8008, $41,038,553); and TXU Energy Retail Co., Irving, Texas (SPE604-21-D-8010, $14,444,141), have each been awarded a firm-fixed-price, requirements contract under solicitation SPE604-20-R-0409 to supply and deliver retail electricity and ancillary/incidental services. These were competitive acquisitions with six responses received. These are three-year contracts with no option periods. Location of performance is Texas, with a Jan. 31, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Air Force, Navy, Navy Reserves, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Air National Guard, and Department of Agriculture. Using customers are solely responsible to fund this contract and vary in appropriation type and fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. DEFENSE COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY AGENCY iWorks Corp., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $16,686,139 firm-fixed-price contract (HS0021-21-C-0002) for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). The contract provides for seamlessly vetting personnel for access, preserving the adjudicative decision and identifying and mitigating insider threat risk. Work will be performed in and around Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. This contract will be funded with fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds. The anticipated period of performance includes one 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods. The estimated lifecycle award value is $86,835,820. This requirement was synopsized on the government-wide point of entry website as a single-award, small business set-aside on Nov. 20, 2018. As a result, all small businesses were solicited and four offers were received. DCSA Acquisition and Contracting, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2444963/source/GovDelivery/