19 novembre 2021 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
Contracts for November 18, 2021
Today
16 juillet 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
Defense execs press lead lawmakers for COVID reimbursements
By: Joe Gould
WASHINGTON ― Eighty defense industry executives have written to top congressional leaders to ask for emergency appropriations to reimburse defense contractors' coronavirus-related costs.
Led by the Aerospace Industries Association, which represents 300 large and small suppliers to the Department of Defense, the letter called for, “an appropriate level of funding for these reimbursements and respectfully request your support of the Department of Defense's request for emergency funding.”
The letter was one of two this week to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., their minority party counterparts and the leaders of the defense committees. The other letter came Wednesday from the Professional Services Council, which represents more than 400 government contracting firms.
Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act allows firms serving the federal government to seek reimbursement for pandemic-related expenses, but Congress hasn't passed corresponding appropriations. Defense officials have said they need roughly $10 billion and that without added funding from Congress, the Pentagon would have to dip into modernization and readiness funds.
Both the PSC and the defense executives called for an extension of the 3610 authorities beyond their Sept. 30 expiration date, to Dec. 31.
While federal civilian workers and uniformed personnel will be paid whether they can come to work or not, that's not often the case for contractors, Berteau said. Contractors need the 3610 reimbursements to hold onto highly skilled workers, many with high-level security clearances.
“Failure to sustain the employees in that workforce will lead to negative impacts on the agencies which they support as well as on the workers themselves, their families, and their employer companies,” the PSC's president and CEO, David Berteau, said in its letter. “Such a failure could also lead to furloughs and layoffs that would further damage an already faltering economy. Extending Section 3610 authorities will help prevent these negative consequences.”
The defense execs, in their letter, said their firms face COVID-19-related costs associated with “travel restrictions, facility closures, social distancing within facilities, enhanced cleaning measures, the purchase of personal protective and sterilization equipment, and costs associated with supply chain disruptions.”
The pandemic has created weapons program slowdowns, temporary factory closures and cash flow problems, particularly for smaller firms. The Pentagon was been working in close communication to respond to the problems, largely by making billions of dollars in advance payment to contractors.
The AIA-led letter asked for consideration for the Defense Department's request for emergency funding as congressional leaders draft their next tranche of coronavirus aid.
“Absorbing the magnitude of the Department's estimated costs without appropriations would threaten recent improvements to readiness, jeopardize critical defense sector jobs which have helped stabilize communities across the country during the pandemic, and further erode the domestic supply base,” the letter reads.
“During a period of massive unemployment, the defense industrial base has risen to the challenge and gone above and beyond to keep essential manufacturing sites safe and open, and to ensure critical national security programs are not delayed indefinitely. The defense industrial base continues to be an economic driver during a period when many elements of commercial industry have been shaken by the pandemic.”
The advocates appear to face an uphill battle in Congress, where Republicans in particular are skeptical of new deficit spending after already approving aid packages worth trillions. McConnell outlined a proposal last week that made no mention of defense spending or Section 3610.
The House Appropriations Committee passed a fiscal 2021 defense spending bill Tuesday that included $758 billion, which is far less than the figure the Pentagon is seeking. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash. ― has said repeatedly that the Defense Department should draw from its existing budget.
A smaller group of top defense firms sent similar letters last week to Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord and acting White House budget chief Russell Vought last week warning a defense budget disruption would lead to “significant job losses in pivotal states.”
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2 octobre 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité, Autre défense
Contract Awards by US Department of Defense – October 1, 2020
U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND The Federal Express Team, Memphis, Tennessee, has been awarded a modification (P00005) on contract HTC7111-8-D-CC37 in the estimated amount of $1,630,630,000. Team members include American Airlines Inc., Fort Worth, Texas; Amerijet International Inc., Miami, Florida; Atlas Air Inc., Purchase, New York; Federal Express Corp., Memphis, Tennessee; Polar Air Cargo Worldwide Inc., Purchase, New York; Eastern Airlines LLC, Wayne, Pennsylvania; and Hawaiian Airlines Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii. The modification provides continued international long-range and short-range charter airlift services for the Department of Defense. The option period of performance is from Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2021 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $3,261,260,000 from $1,630,630,000. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. The Patriot Team, Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been awarded a modification on contract HTC711-18-D-CC39 in the estimated amount of $1,447,524,000. Team members include ABX Air Inc., Wilmington, Ohio; Air Transport International Inc., Wilmington, Ohio; JetBlue Airways Corp., Long Island City, New York; Kalitta Air LLC, Ypsilanti, Michigan; Northern Air Cargo LLC, Anchorage, Alaska; Omni Air International LLC, Tulsa, Okla.; United Airlines Inc., Chicago, Illinois; United Parcel Service Co., Louisville, Kentucky; and Western Global Airlines LLC, Estero, Florida. The modification provides continued international long-range and short-range charter airlift services for the Department of Defense. The option period of performance is from Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2021 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $2,895,048,000 from $1,447,524,000. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. National Air Cargo Group Inc., Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a modification (P00006) on contract HTC711-18-D-CC40 in the estimated amount of $110,406,000. The modification provides continued international long-range and short-range charter airlift services for the Department of Defense. The option period of performance is from Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2021 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $220,812,000 from $110,406,000. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Sun Country Inc., doing business as Sun Country Airlines, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract HTC711-20-D-CC08 with an estimated amount of $59,112,000. This International Charter Airlift Services contract is in support of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet and provides international long-range and short-range charter airlift services for the Department of Defense. Work will be performed globally. The option period of performance is from Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2021 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award. The U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Delta Air Lines Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, has been awarded a modification (P00005) on contract HTC711-18-D-CC41 in the estimated amount of $28,026,000. The modification provides continued international long-range and short-range charter airlift services for the Department of Defense. The option period of performance is from Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2021 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $56,052,000 from $28,026,000. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Phoenix Air Group, Inc., Cartersville, Georgia, has been awarded a modification (P00004) to task order HTC711-19-F-1554 in the amount of $7,051,282. This modification provides continued chartered passenger airlift services to the Naval Air Warfare Center. Work will be performed in Point Mugu, San Nicolas Island, and China Lake, California. The option period of performance is from Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2021 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the task order to $18,350,249 from $11,298,967. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. NAVY Ambyth Shipping Micronesia Inc., Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (N68171-21-D-0001); American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc., Parsippany, New Jersey (N68171-21-D-0002); Bahrain Fujairah Marine Services, Manama, Bahrain (N68171-21-D-0003); Black Bull Group Inc., Miami, Florida (N68171-21-D-0004); Bahrain Maritime & Mercantile International BSC, Sitra, Kingdom of Bahrain (N68171-21-D-0005); Cox Logistics, Juffair, Kingdom of Bahrain (N68171-21-D-0016); Crane Worldwide, Houston, Texas (N68171-21-D-0007); Crowley Government Services Inc., Jacksonville, Florida (N68171-21-D-0008); DaeKee Global Co. Ltd., Pusan, South Korea (N68171-21-D-0009); Downie Jones Ship Stores, Bulimba, Queensland, Australia (N68171-21-D-0010); Downie Jones Ship Stores Ltd., Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong (N68171-21-D-0011); EMS Shipping & Trading GmbH, Leer (Ostfriesland), Niedersachsen, Germany (N68171-21-D-0012); Global Defense Logistics SRL, Constanta, Romania (N68171-21-D-0013); Global Maritime Logistics Support Inc., Olongapo City, Philippines (N68171-21-D-0014); Global Support Inc., Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan (N68171-21-D-0015); Inchcape Shipping Services Dubai LLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (N68171-21-D-0017); Kentucky Defense Services LLC, Covington, Kentucky (N68171-21-D-0018); Multinational Logistic Services Ltd., Gziza, Malta (N68171-21-D-0020); Multinational Logistic Services USA, Longmeadow, Massachusetts (N68171-21-D-0021); National Alliance Management LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada (N68171-21-D-0022); OPS Corp., Pusan, South Korea (N68171-21-D-0023); Parsh Marine (S) Pte. Ltd., Singapore (N68171-21-D-0024); Qube Ports Pty. Ltd., Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (N68171-21-D-0025); Rio Logistics (S) Pte. Ltd., Singapore, Singapore (N68171-21-D-0026); Royal Cargo Inc., Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines (N68171-21-D-0027); Shipping Consultants Associated Ltd., Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom (N68171-21-D-0028); Seabulk Towing Inc. (doing business as Seabulk Logistics Services), Fort Lauderdale, Florida (N68171-21-D-0029); Seaway Filipinas Logistics Inc., Zambales, Zambales, Philippines (N68171-21-D-0031); Stirling Advanced Logistical Services, Amman, Jordan (N68171-21-D-0032); Toll Remote Logistics Pty. Ltd., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (N68171-21-D-0033); Tsui Wah Ferry Services Co. Ltd., Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong (N68171-21-D-0034); and Waypoint LLC, Brookings, South Dakota (N68171-21-D-0035), are awarded an estimated $1,061,000,000 multiple award of firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts to provide husbanding, management and integration services consisting of general charter and hire, utilities, force protection, communications and land transportation services to support maritime forces of the Department of Defense, other U.S. government agencies, and other nations to include Navy Ships, Marine Corps, Military Sealift Command (MSC), Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other foreign vessels participating in U.S. military or NATO exercises and missions. The contracts will run concurrently and will include a five-year base ordering period with one five-year option with individual requirements performed under task orders when specific dates and locations are identified. If the option period is exercised, the total estimated value of the contracts combined will have a ceiling value of $2,122,000,000. The ordering period of the contract is expected to be completed by October 2025; if all options are exercised, the ordering period will be completed by October 2030. Work will be performed in thirty geographic regions: United Arab Emirates (14%); Philippines (10%); Djibouti (7%); Eastern U.S. and U.S. territories (6%); Southeastern Asia 2 (5%); Indian Ocean (5%); South Korea (5%); South America (5%); Singapore (4%); Western California (4%); Southeastern Asia 1 (3%); Bahrain (3%); Oman (3%); Oceania (2%); China and Russia (2%); United Kingdom/Western Europe (North Sea) (2%); Italy (2%); Eastern Europe/Black Sea (2%); Western Europe (Mediterranean) (2%); Northern Atlantic (2%); Panama (2%); North America (2%); Japan (1%); Greece (1%); Africa (1%); Middle East (1%); Central America (1%); Caribbean and Bermuda (1%); Eastern U.S. territories (1%); and Western U.S. territories (1%). Due to the fact that the specific requirements for husbanding support cannot be predicted at this time, more specific information about where the work will be performed cannot be currently provided. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $96,000 will be obligated ($3,000 on each of the 32 contracts to fund the contracts' minimum amounts) and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Additional funds will be obligated at the task order level with the appropriate fiscal year funding as issued by the main type commanders for each area of responsibility. Typical funding issued by each of the customers include operations and maintenance (Navy) funds from U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and working capital funds (Navy) from MSC. The requirement was competitively procured for the award of multiple contracts with the solicitation posted on beta.SAM.gov, Navy Electronic Commerce Online (NECO) and Euro NECO with 36 offers received. The Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, Sigonella, Naples Detachment, Italy, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, is awarded a $94,022,896 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for airborne capabilities integration, including but not limited to sensors, communications systems, weapons systems and control technologies for a variety of manned and unmanned airborne platforms in support of the Airborne Systems Integration Division. Work will be performed in Saint Inigoes, Maryland (39%); Lexington Park, Maryland (29%); Patuxent River, Maryland (17%); Hollywood, Maryland (8%); Yuma, Arizona (4%); and California, Maryland (3%), and is expected to be completed in October 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 competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; four offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Command Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-21-D-0001). Systems Planning and Analysis Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, is awarded an $85,377,546 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the acquisition of technical services, program support, assessments, special studies and systems engineering for the Trident II Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Strategic Weapons system. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Virginia (86%); and Strategic Systems Programs Headquarters, Washington, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. (14%), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2025. Subject to availability of funding, fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,168,031 will be obligated on base award. This contract was a sole-source acquisition in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00030-21-C-6019). The Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Mitchell Field, New York, is awarded a $68,603,033 cost plus incentive fee and cost plus fixed fee contract modification (P00005) to previously awarded and announced contract N00030-20-C-0045 for the U.S. and United Kingdom 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 Mitchel 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, 2022. Subject to the availability of funding, fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $42,869,626; fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $4,247,698; and United Kingdom funds in the amount of $21,485,709, will be obligated at time of award. 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). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is awarded a $59,097,371 cost-plus-incentive-fee, and cost plus fixed-fee level of effort contract (N00030-21-C-6002) to provide the U.S. and United Kingdom Trident II (D5) maintenance, rebuilding and technical services in support of the Navigation subsystem. Work will be performed at Huntington Beach, California (63%); and Heath, Ohio (13%), along with field engineering conducted at Puget Sound, Washington (4%); Heath, Ohio (4%); Mitchell Field, New York (4%); Norfolk, Virginia (4%); Kings Bay, Georgia (4%); Port Canaveral, Florida (2%), and Faslane, Scotland (2%). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2022 (inclusive of all option periods). United Kingdom funds in the amount of $893,383 are being obligated on this award. Subject to the availability of funds, fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $27,877,125 will be obligated. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source acquisition pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.- Marine Systems (NGSC-MS), Sunnyvale, California, is awarded a $29,541,061 cost-plus incentive-fee contract (N00030-21-C-1010) for fiscal 2021 ongoing support of the Trident II (D-5) deployed SSBN and the SSGN Underwater Launcher Systems (ULS), NGSC-MS will provide technical engineering support and integration for D5, and SSGN Attack Weapon System (AWS). This support provides field services at sites and shipyards. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California (52%); Bangor, Washington (18%); Kings Bay, Georgia (14%); Rocket Center West Virginia (7%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (4%); St. Charles, Missouri (3%); and Camarillo, California (2%). The base year performance period is Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2021. Subject to availability of funds, fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $29,541,061 will be obligated on this award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract includes firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee option contract line items. The contract was not competitively procured. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Bothell, Washington, was awarded a not-to-exceed $24,072,455 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of gas generators for use in the suppression system onboard the V-22 aircraft to provide explosion/fire suppression capabilities. The contract will include a three-year base ordering period with no options. Work will be performed in Moses Lake, Washington, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. This effort combines purchases with procurement and ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) funds (82.9%); ammunition (Air Force) funds (14.7%); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funding (Japan) (2.4%) under the FMS program. Funds in the amount of $7,802,197 will be issued for delivery order N00104-20-F-B501 that will be awarded concurrently with the contract and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One source was solicited for this non-competitive requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. The Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00104-20-D-B501). (Awarded Sept. 29, 2020) Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $22,614,979 combination cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, and firm-fixed-price type contract. The contract is for the First Article testing and production of the All Up Round MK 28 MOD 2 Exercise and MK 29 MOD 0 Warshot fuel tank assemblies for the MK 48 heavyweight torpedo, engineering services with associated other direct costs and contract data requirements list in support of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport Undersea Warfare Systems. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $142,265,948. Work will be performed in Bedford, Indiana (90%); and Middleton, Rhode Island (10%), and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales/Armament Cooperative Program funds in the amount of $19,639,611 (87%); fiscal 2017 Navy Replace in Kind funds in the amount of $2,354,790 (10%); and fiscal 2020 Navy Replace in Kind funds in the amount of $620,578 (3%), 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 one offer received. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, Keyport, Washington, is the contracting activity (N00253-20-C-0010). (Awarded Sept. 30, 2020) FLIR Surveillance Inc., Wilsonville, Oregon, is awarded a $14,565,377 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a five-year ordering period for BRITE Star Block II systems, repair actions, data, provision item order, training and engineering services. Work will be performed in Wilsonville, Oregon, and is expected to be completed by September 2025. This contract includes purchases for the Czech Republic under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. FMS Czech Republic funding in the amount of $8,179,077 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of 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, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-20-D-JQ51). AIR FORCE The Boeing Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $298,369,312 firm-fixed-price contract for the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications program. This contract provides a prototype payload to develop hardware and software. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be complete by May 2025. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $29,447,172 are being obligated at the time of award. The U.S. Space Force, Space and Missile Systems Center, Development Corps, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8808-20-C-0047). (Awarded Sept. 30, 2020) DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $70,743,464 modification (P00042) to previously awarded contract FA4890-17-C-0005 for Air Force Central Command War Reserve Materiel (WRM). This modification provides for the exercise of Option Year Four for WRM services being provided under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; Kuwait; Oman; Qatar; and the United Arab Emirates, and is expected to be complete by September 2021. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $326,492,114. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $69,799,021 are being obligated at the time of award. Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Gryphon Technologies L.C., Washington, D.C., has been awarded a $49,149,327 hybrid firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee with a cost reimbursable line item, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the processing, analysis and quantitative evaluation of environmental samples and other associated services in support of the Air Force Technical Applications Center's (AFTAC) mission. This contract also analyzes calibration samples and conducts studies on analytical techniques, instrumentation and data handling advancements. Work will be performed in Sunol, California, and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2028. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $4,119,773 are being obligated at the time of award. Headquarters Air Combat Command, Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA7022-21-D-0001). Dark Wolf Solutions LLC, Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a $9,087,314 firm-fixed-price task order for cyber innovation services. This contract provides for software penetration testing and adversarial assessment. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed April 11, 2022. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $539,203 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews – Naval Air Facility, Maryland, is the contracting activity (FA7014-21-F-0012). The Boeing Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $7,176,568 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00121) to previously awarded Wideband Global Satellite Communication (SATCOM) (WGS) Block II follow-on contract FA8808-10-C-0001. This contract modification provides for the acquisition of engineering support for a hosted payload accommodation effort. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed December 2021. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $2,514,827,988. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,916,699 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY UPDATE: Federal-Fabrics-Fibers Inc.,* Lowell, Massachusetts (SPE1C1-21-D-1400), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for commercial shelters issued against solicitation SPE1C1-18-R-0003 and awarded May 10, 2019. * Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2369073/source/GovDelivery/
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19 juin 2019 | International, Aérospatial
US Air Force looks to fast track cash to Kratos Defense for more Valkyrie drones
By: Valerie Insinna LE BOURGET, France — Things are looking up for Kratos Defense's XQ-58A Valkyrie drone. Fresh off its second flight, the U.S. Air Force is considering buying 20-30 aircraft for further experimentation, the service's acquisition executive said Monday. “I'm now looking at ways to do that and what the cost will be,” Will Roper told reporters on the sidelines of Paris Air Show, saying that the Air Force is looking for prototyping funds that it can access for a rapid procurement of those aircraft. The XQ-5A Valkyrie is an “attritable” drone, the word the military uses for an asset that can be reused but is cheap enough that a commander could use them aggressively and would expect — and be comfortable with — some losses in combat. What sets Valkyrie apart is not only its low price point, which Kratos estimates will be $2 million per copy in a production run of 100 jets or more, but also the aircraft's near supersonic speed, long endurance and maneuverability, which could make it a formidable partner for manned fighter jets. Once the Air Force buys additional Valkyrie drones, the idea would be to pair those unmanned aircraft with manned fighter jets. “Depending on what comes out of that campaign, the idea would be to look and do a program of record. You'd want to start spiraling the development,” Roper said. A decision on starting a program could be made as soon as fiscal 2021, and from there it would be only two to three years to begin production and fielding aircraft, he said. “I am really pleased we're getting strong buy-in, strong appetite at the pointy end for attritable systems by our pilots.” Roper's comments come after another milestone for the Valkyrie — the second flight demo, held June 11 at Yuma Proving Grounds. According to a Kratos release, the aircraft completed unspecified objectives over a 71 minute test. “With this most recent milestone, the readiness of the XQ-58A is accelerating and increasing the near-term application opportunities for the system,” said Steve Fendley, the company's president of its unmanned systems division. “I am extremely proud of our development, production, and test teams who continue to deliver successful results, in record time, on our comprehensive system level efforts — rare within the aerospace and defense industry." The Air Force Research Laboratory is partnered with Kratos to develop Valkyrie through the Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator program, the service's effort to field a “Loyal Wingman”-style drone that can be flown alongside a fighter jet or other combat aircraft in manned-unmanned teams. But Roper has alluded to even more ambitious plans for Valkyrie or other attritable drones like it. Not only does the Air Force want to add sensors and weapons to Valkyrie, but it wants to implant artificial intelligence in the drone so that it can train and learn alongside pilots, eventually growing in skill and becoming able to respond independently to threats. Roper calls that effort “Skyborg” and in May told Defense News that the service was considering how to incorporate it with manned fighters like the F-35 and the F-15EX. “I don't want this to just be a laboratory project that lives and dies there in a petri dish. I want this to become a program,” he told reporters in March. “I want to see real, operational demonstrations within a couple years. And I will push them to be faster than that.” https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/paris-air-show/2019/06/17/us-air-force-looking-to-fast-track-cash-to-kratos-defense-for-additional-valkyrie-drones/