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  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - October 1, 2018

  ARMY Lockheed Martin, Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $631,757,949 fixed-price-incentive Foreign Military Sales (Netherlands and Japan) contract to procure a variety of Hellfire II missile variants in containers. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 foreign military sales; and other procurement, Army funds in the combined amount of $631,757,949 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-15-C-0130). CACI-ISS Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $126,799,620 modification (P00044) to contract W15QKN-15-C-0049 for training, sustainment and deployment of the Integrated Personnel and Pay System. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $12,140,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. Alion Science and Technology Corp., was awarded a $49,873,115 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to increase knowledge and understanding of state-of-the art technologies and techniques suitable to developing the agile and adaptive capabilities needed to ensure the success of the future Army. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in McLean, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 29, 2021. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,130,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911NF-18-C-0090). Greenman-Pedersen Inc., Babylon, New York, was awarded a $49,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract for resident engineer and inspection services for the East River Bridges Program. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 27, 2028. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-18-D-0003). Nordic PCL Construction Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded a $41,476,374 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of an F-22 Fighter Alert Facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2016 military construction funds in the amount of $41,476,374 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (W9128A-18-C-0009). Altus LLC,* Darlington, Maryland (W91CRB-19-D-0001); Applied Research Associates Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico (W91CRB-19-D-0002); Joint Research and Development Inc.,* Stafford, Virginia (W91CRB-19-D-0003); and SURVICE Engineer Co. LLC,* Belcamp, Maryland (W91CRB-19-D-0004), will compete for each order of the $48,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for performance of analytical services associated with target descriptions, vulnerability, survivability and weapons effectiveness studies, and support to current operations. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, was awarded a $37,701,755 firm-fixed-price contract for tank engine parts for the AGT-1500 tank engine. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Phoenix, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $37,701,755 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, Kansas, is the contracting activity (W912JC-19-C-5707). Raytheon IDS, Andover, Massachusetts, was awarded a $35,000,000 firm-fixed-price domestic and Foreign Military Sales (Taiwan) contract for Sweep 9 modification kits. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 28, 2022. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $35,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-18-C-0112). Ames Construction Inc., Burnsville, Minnesota, was awarded a $34,775,560 firm-fixed-price contract for fish bypass channel and replacement weir at Lower Yellowstone River Intake. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Glendive, Montana, with an estimated completion date of March 19, 2021. Fiscal 2015 and 2018 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $22,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-18-C-0031). MOCA Systems, Boston, Massachusetts (W912DQ-18-D-7000); Accura Engineering and Consulting Services Inc.,* Atlanta, Georgia (W912DQ-18-D-7001); and Crawford Consulting Services,* East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (W912DQ-18-D-7002), will compete for each order of the $28,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect-engineering services for construction management services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 14 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 28, 2027. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Missouri, is the contracting activity. Sheffield Korte Team LLC,* Lawton, Oklahoma, was awarded a $27,227,500 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of an Army Reserve Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Fort Lewis, Washington, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 1, 2020. Fiscal 2018 military construction; and operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $27,227,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky, is the contracting activity (W912QR-18-C-0040). Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, was awarded a $23,013,694 firm-fixed-price contract for tank engine parts for the AGT-1500 tank engine. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Phoenix, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $23,013,694 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, Kansas, is the contracting activity (W912JC-19-C-5704). exp Federal Inc.,* Chicago, Illinois, was awarded a $16,128,727 firm-fixed-price contract to supply and install a pulse generating system, a pulse generating control system, a power monitoring system and a pulse generating cooling system as part of an integrated system at the Permanent Barrier I Aquatic Nuisance Species. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Romeoville, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2018 civil works funds in the amount of $16,128,727 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W912P6-18-C-0021). Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $12,500,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for development, test, and purchase of Counter Unmanned Aerial System solutions. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QX-18-D-0008). Navqsys LLC,* Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, was awarded a $10,514,449 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for expertise in program of record requirements, engineering requirements development, implementation management, logistics coordination, supply chain management, technical documentation, operational reporting, issue resolution, site surveys, contract preparation, execution management and budgetary planning and execution. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 27, 2022. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $10,514,449 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56KGY-18-C-0008). Emerson Construction Co. Inc.,* Temple, Texas, was awarded a $10,453,000 firm-fixed-price contract to construct a new standard design Supply Storage Activity Warehouse. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Fort Hood, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 4, 2021. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $10,453,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-18-C-0078). Terra Construction Inc.,* Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was awarded a $9,854,000 firm-fixed-price contract to renovate and repair Buildings 3426, 3427 and 3428 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. Work will be performed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, with an estimated completion date of Sept, 21, 2020. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $10,447,648 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (W912BV-18-F-0185). Emerson Construction Co. Inc.,* Temple, Texas, was awarded a $10,453,000 firm-fixed-price contract to construct a new standard design Supply Storage Activity Warehouse. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Fort Hood, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 4, 2021. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $9,854,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-18-C-0079). K-W Construction,* San Marcos, Texas, was awarded a $9,515,500 firm-fixed-price contract for renovations of Building B44 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $9,515,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-18-C-0100). CORRECTION: A Sept. 28, 2018, announcement that Norfolk Dredging Co., Chesapeake, Virginia, was awarded an $11,311,500 firm-fixed-price contract (W912BU-18-C-0047) for maintenance dredging of the Delaware River is incorrect. That contracts has not yet been awarded. U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND Nine companies have been awarded task orders under the following International Charter Airlift Services in Support of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet contracts: HTC711-18-D-CC37 -- Atlas Air Inc., Purchase, New York (HTC711-19-F-1000; $231,789,791); Federal Express, Memphis, Tennessee (HTC711-19-F-1001; $34,326,712); HTC711-18-D-CC39 -- ABX Air,* Wilmington, Ohio (HTC711-19-F-1004; $10,694,315): Air Transport International Inc.,* Wilmington, Ohio (HTC711-19-F-1005; $16,873,851); Kalitta Air LLC,* Ypsilanti, Michigan (HTC711-19-F-1006; $160,621,410); Omni Air International Inc.,* Tulsa, Oklahoma (HTC711-19-F-1007; $97,084,582); United Parcel Service Co., Louisville, Kentucky (HTC711-19-F-1008; $14,903,387); Western Global Airlines,* Estero, Florida (HTC711-19-F-1009; $7,495,547); and HTC711-18-D-CC40 -- National Airlines,* Orlando, Florida (HTC711-19-F-1010; $8,110,420). The task orders provide international long-range and short-range charter airlift services for the Department of Defense. Work will be performed globally. The task order period of performance is from Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2019. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2019 Transportation Working Capital Funds. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. International Auto Logistics LLC, Brunswick, Georgia, has been awarded an indefinite-delivery requirements-type, fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract (HTC71119DR001) in the amount of $295,057,155. The contract provides complete transportation and storage services for Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored shipments of privately-owned vehicles (POVs) belonging to military service members and transportation of DoD-sponsored shipments of POVs for DoD civilian employees. Work will be performed at multiple locations inside and outside the continental U.S. The contract base period of performance is from Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2020. Fiscal year 2019 Transportation Working Capital Funds were obligated at award. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Air Transport International has been awarded a task order in the amount of $84,833,663 under fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity with economic price adjustments and incentives contract HTC711-18-D-CC16 for combination passenger and cargo charter airlift services. This contract provides global air charter transportation services utilizing Part 121 aircraft configured to simultaneously transport both passengers and cargo. Services required include full planeload port-to-port airlift transportation services, commercial equivalent economy passenger services, 463L pallet cargo services, and mission coordination. Work will be performed globally. Contract period of performance is Jan. 16, 2018, to Dec. 31, 2021; task order period of performance is Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2019. The cumulative value of the contract has increased to $125,534,228 from $40,700,565. Fiscal 2019 Transportation Working Capital Funds were obligated at time of award. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Illinois, is the contracting activity. International Auto Logistics LLC, Brunswick, Georgia, has been awarded a task order modification P00020, in the amount of $74,743,060, on contract HTC711-14-D-R025. This modification provides continued support of transportation and storage of Department of Defense (DoD)-sponsored shipments of privately-owned vehicles belonging to military service members, and transportation of DoD-sponsored shipments of privately-owned vehicles belonging to DoD civilian employees. Work will be performed at multiple locations within the U.S. and outside the U.S. The option period of performance is Oct. 1, 2018, to Feb. 28, 2019. Fiscal 2019 Transportation Working Capital Funds were obligated at award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $837,708,354 from $762,965,293. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Affigent LLC, Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a firm-fixed-price task order (HTC71118FD112) in the amount of $12,637,147. The contract provides Oracle annual license maintenance and support renewal to the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) TCJ6. This renewal is for Oracle annual maintenance and support for USTRANSCOM and its component commands, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Air Mobility Command, Military Sealift Command and Joint Enabling Capabilities Command. Work will be performed in Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. The contract period of performance is from Oct.1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 Transportation Working Capital Operating Funds were obligated at award. USTRANSCOM, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Technical Services Inc., Herndon, Virginia, was awarded an $11,816,167 modification exercising the third option period on task order HTC711-16-F-D011. The modification provides continued non-personal advisory and assistance service for consulting and planning of acquisition and life cycle phases of supply value chain systems in support of U.S. Transportation Command and other associated supporting organizations. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $39,936,618 from $28,120,451. Work will be performed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Performance is from Oct. 1, 2018, through Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 Transportation Working Capital Funds have been obligated. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Illinois, is the contracting activity. AMYX Inc.,* Reston, Virginia, has been awarded a $10,836,764 modification on GSA One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract GSA00Q14OADS103, exercising the second option period on task order HTC711-17-F-D001 for continued non-personal advisory and assistance service support providing functional, engineering and resource management services for entire acquisition life cycles, information technology systems supported and in support of the U.S. Transportation Command and other associated supporting organizations. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $28,567,462 from $17,730,698. Work will be performed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Performance is from Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 Transportation Working Capital Funds will be obligated. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Tapestry Solutions Inc., San Diego, California, has been awarded an $8,229,223 modification (P00015) exercising the fourth option period under a firm-fixed-price contract HTC711-15-C-D001with cost-plus-fixed-fee, labor hour and cost reimbursable contract line items. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $27,367,062 from $19,137,840. This contract provides Integrated Computerized Deployment System sustainment and modifications to implement software solutions in support of Department of Defense transportation requirements. Work will be performed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, as well as at the contractor's offsite facility in San Diego, California. The option period of performance is Oct. 1, 2018, through Sept. 30, 2019. This support is funded by fiscal 2019 Transportation Working Capital Funds. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Illinois, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE M1 Support Services LP, Denton, Texas, has been awarded a $71,318,065 modification (A00039) to previously awarded contract FA3002-16-C-0006 for aircraft maintenance services. This modification exercises the third option period of a seven-year, firm-fixed price contract for T-6, T-38 undergraduate pilot training, and T-38 Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals aircraft maintenance services. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $202,434,619. Work will be performed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds the full amount being obligated at the time of award. The 82nd Contracting Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity. COLSA Corp., Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded a $69,618,375 modification (P00039) to contract FA2486-16-F-0031 for Technical and Management Advisory Services Command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR)/cyber support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts; Gunter Annex, Alabama; Patrick AFB, Florida; Edwards AFB, California; Scott AFB, Illinois; Robins AFB, Georgia; Beale AFB, California; Hill AFB, Utah; Langley AFB, Virginia; and San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. This modification involves foreign military sales to Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Morocco, NATO, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds; production funds; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $17,165,708 will be obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $183,437,730. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, Florida, is the contracting activity. DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $68,254,084 modification (P00023) to contract FA4890-17-C-0005 for Air Force Central Command War Reserve Materiel. Work will be performed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Unite Arab Emirates. The contract modification provides for the exercise of option year two period of performance (Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2019) for services being provided under the basic contract. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $66,698,421 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $168,357,739. Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity. M1 Support Services, Denton, Texas, has been awarded a $12,047,564 modification (A00032) to contract FA3002-15-C-0006 for trainer maintenance services. Work will be performed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2019. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $76,720,526. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,023,939 will be obligated at the time of award. The 82nd Contracting Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas, is the administrative contracting activity. Enhanced Veterans Solutions Inc., Springfield, Virginia, has been awarded a $10,196,413 unilateral modification (P00035) to previously awarded contract FA4452-15-C-0001 for Communication, Operation & Maintenance Functions II support. This modification provides for the funding of the fourth option of a multiple year contract, and brings the total cumulative face value of contract to $38,391,010. Work will be performed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, and is expected to be complete by Oct. 1, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds; and transportation working capital funds in the amount of $10,196,413 are being obligated at time of award. The 763rd Specialized Contracting Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Tapestry Solutions, San Diego, California, has been awarded an $8,538,289 unilateral modification (P00022) to previously awarded contract FA4452-15-C-0003 for sustainment and integration support for the Mobility Enterprise Information Service. This modification provides for the funding of the fourth option of a multiple year contract, and brings the total cumulative face value of contract to $45,271,093. Work will be performed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal year 2019 transportation working capital funds in the amount of $8,538,289 are being obligated at the time of award. The 763rd Specialized Contracting Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. TFOM-HHS Group JV, Austin, Texas, has been awarded an $8,182,232 for Healthcare Aseptic Management Services. The contract provides for medical aseptic housekeeping, waste management, and linen management. These services constitute the enterprise-level Healthcare Aseptic Management Services requirement for the Air Force Medical Service as directed by the Healthcare Aseptic Management Services Requirement Approval Document. Work will be performed in the Southwest Region of the U.S. The award includes a transition period from Feb. 14, 2019, to March 31, 2019, funded with fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds. A base period plus five option periods will follow the transition period from June 1, 2019, to Feb. 13, 2025. The base period will be funded incrementally using fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 11 offers were received. The 773rd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA8052-18-C-0008). InfoReliance Corp., Fairfax, Virginia, has been awarded a $7,865,267 unilateral modification (P00004) to previously awarded contract FA4452-18-F-0003 for the Global Air Transportation Execution System. This modification provides for the funding of the first option of a multiple year contract, and brings the total cumulative face value of contract to $15,561,738. Work will be performed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 transportation working capital funds in the amount of $7,865,267 are being obligated at time of award. The 763rd Specialized Contracting Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. NAVY Custom Mechanical Systems Corp.,* Bargersville, Indiana, was awarded $34,685,621 for firm-fixed-price task order N4425518F4438 under a previously awarded, multiple award construction contract (N44255-17-D-4034) for the construction of a low rise, steel framed, blast hardened reinforced concrete masonry waterfront support facility and the construction of an upland general purpose storage facility at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. This project will consolidate operations on the pier, expand shops and expand upland capabilities closer to the point of use. The increased capability minimizes the time and resources required to coordinate production workers, tools, and equipment. Work will be performed in Bangor, Washington, and is expected to be completed by June 2021. Fiscal 2017 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $34,685,621 are obligated on this award; of which $13,178,808 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Washington, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 29, 2018) Hornbeck Offshore Operators LLC, Covington, Louisiana, was being awarded a $33,619,420 modification to the fixed-price portion of a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N6238715C2507) to exercise a one-year option period for the operation and maintenance of four modified offshore-supply vessels identified as T-AGSEs serving as blocking vessels in support of the Navy. The contract includes a 215-day base period, nine one-year option periods and one 150-day option period. Work for this option period will be performed at sea worldwide, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Working capital funds (Navy and Transportation) funds in the amount of $33,619,420 are obligated at the time of award. The funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 29, 2018) Ocean Ships Inc.,* Houston, Texas, was awarded a $32,745,387 firm-fixed-price contract for the operation and maintenance of the Oceanographic Survey (T-AGS) fleet of vessels. This contract includes four 12-month option periods, one 150-day option period and one 215-day option period, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $176,193,231. Work will be performed at sea worldwide and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2019. Working capital funds in the amount of $32,745,387 are obligated for fiscal 2019 and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was awarded as a small business set aside. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220517C3100). (Awarded Sept. 29, 2018) The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is awarded a $26,663,956 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide the U.S. and United Kingdom Trident II (D5) maintenance and rebuilding and technical services in support of the Navigation subsystem. Work will be performed in Huntington Beach, California (75.0 percent); and Heath, Ohio (25.0 percent), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2020. United Kingdom funds in the amount of $1,512,629 are being obligated on this award. Subject to the availability of funding, fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $25,151,327 will be obligated. Funds in the amount of $25,151,327 will expire at the end of fiscal 2019. This contract was a sole-source acquisition pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1)&(4). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N-00030-19-C-0002). Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $22,733,022 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-14-C-5315 for engineering services, travel, and other direct costs in support of AN/SPY-6 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) low-rate initial production. The AMDR suite is being developed to fulfill Integrated Air and Missile Defense requirements for multiple ship classes. This suite consists of an S-Band radar (AMDR-S), an X-band radar and a Radar Suite Controller. AMDR will provide multi-mission capabilities, simultaneously supporting long range, exoatmospheric detection, tracking and discrimination of ballistic missiles, as well as Area and Self Defense against air and surface threats. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by November 2018. Fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2018 research, development, technology and evaluation funding the amount of $13,057,902 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Systems Application and Technologies Inc., Largo, Maryland, is awarded $20,489,591 for modification P00050 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-15-C-0036) to procure continued support services to include the design, development, procurement, building, installation, test, evaluation, calibration, modification, operation and maintenance on aircraft and engines for the Air Vehicle Modification and Instrumentation Department in support of the Navy, and other government and commercial customers. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (95 percent); China Lake, California (2.5 percent); and Point Mugu, California (2.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2019. Working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,100,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, is awarded a $19,645,973 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide logistics engineering and integration support of the U.S. Ohio-class and UK Vanguard-class Strategic Weapon System (SWS) platforms, including support of future concepts. Work will be performed in Saint Mary's, Georgia (47.9 percent); Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (30.9 percent); Rockville, Maryland (11.7 percent); Silverdale, Washington (3.2 percent); Portsmouth, Virginia (1.1 percent); Mount Dora, Florida (1.1 percent); New Market, Maryland (1.1 percent); Carlisle, Pennsylvania (1.0 percent); Mooresboro, North Carolina (1.0 percent); and Mesa, Arizona (1.0 percent), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. United Kingdom funds, in the amount of $3,466,833, are being obligated on this award. Subject to the availability of funding, fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $15,779,579; and fiscal 2019 research development test and evaluation (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $399,561 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)&(4). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N-00030-19-C-0007). Lightforce USA Inc.,* Orofina, Idaho, is awarded a $15,760,499 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the production of Squad-Variable Powered Scopes (S-VPS) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. This procurement is for the S-VPS, spare parts and training. The S-VPS is a low-profile, wide-field-of-view, passive scope for near-range engagements out to and beyond the maximum effective range of the weapon system, for small arms employed by special operations forces. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $21,172,435. Work will be performed in Orofino, Idaho, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 procurement (Defense-wide) funding in the amount of $1,512,000 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 five offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-19-D-JQ31). The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, Massachusetts, is awarded a $13,380,171 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide research into the applications of technologies to meet guidance requirements for operations on the Common Missile Compartment for the U.S. Columbia-class program and the United Kingdom Dreadnought-class program; provide specialized technical knowledge and support for the hypersonic guidance, navigation and control application; provide technical and engineering services to support the Guidance, Navigation and Control system that will support the Navy's hypersonic flight experiments. Work will be performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts (81 percent); and El Segundo, California (19 percent), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. Subject to the availability of funds, fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $13,380,171 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)&(4). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00030-19-C-0001). Systems Planning and Analysis Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, is awarded an $11,053,897 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for program management and financial support of the Trident II (D5) Strategic Weapons System life extension program and future concepts, including the Common Missile Compartment. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Virginia (82 percent); Washington, District of Columbia (15 percent); Greenville, South Carolina (2 percent); and Orlando, Florida (1 percent), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. Subject to availability of funding, fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,299,018; and fiscal 2019 research development test and evaluation, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $2,754,880 will be obligated. This contract was a sole-source acquisition in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N-00030-19-C-0032). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Melbourne, Florida, is awarded $10,833,190 for modification P00062 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-13-C-9999). This modification provides non-recurring and recurring engineering support to incorporate crew comfort provisions on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft in support of the government of Japan. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Florida (76.13 percent); St. Augustine, Florida (21.89 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (1.98 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2020. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $10,833,190 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Knowledge Management Inc., Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, was awarded a ceiling $10,000,000 firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity task order contract to support the Marine Corps Training Command, Center for Distance Education and Training (CDET). This effort is to provide interactive multimedia instructional support services for the Marine Corps Training Command CDET. These objectives include: 1) initial project assessment; 2) front end analysis; 3) design product; 4) development product; and 5) post-production courseware updates in support of CDET's interactive multimedia design needs for the Marine Corps. This contract includes five 12-month ordering periods with an aggregate ceiling value of $10,000,000. The majority of the work will be performed at the contractor's facilities, and work is expected to be completed by September 2023. This is a non- severable service contract in which each deliverable procured at the task order will include a delivery date. No funds were obligated at the time of award. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance will be obligated on task orders as they are issued. This contract was set aside to small businesses and competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 16 offers received in response to this solicitation. The Marine Corps Installations Command, National Capital Region, Regional Contracting Office, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M00264-18-D-0004). (Awarded Sept. 25, 2018) Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Syracuse, New York, was awarded a $9,591,348 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-6247) for the procurement of electronic warfare AN/BLQ-10 kits and spares. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York (99 percent); and Manassas, Virginia (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2015 and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) in the amount of $9,591,348 will be obligated at time of award, and no funding will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 28, 2018) Mnemonics Inc.,* Melbourne, Florida, is awarded a $7,654,967 firm-fixed-price contract to procure 109 radio frequency blanking units and associated special test equipment in support of F/A-18E/F/G aircraft production and the retrofit of all existing EA-18G aircraft. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Florida, and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $7,654,967 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This award combines purchases for the Navy ($5,167,003; 67 percent); and FMS ($2,287,964; 33 percent). This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0017). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio, has been awarded an estimated $26,448,587 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract for tires used in the Global Tire Program. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. This acquisition was limited to approved sources with one response received. Location of performance is Ohio, with a Nov. 30, 2021, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-18-D-0127). (Awarded Sept. 30, 2018) Kearfott Corp.,* Black Mountain, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $17,185,308 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for actuators. This is a five-year contract with no options. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Locations of performance are North Carolina and Alabama, with a Sept. 30, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA1-18-D-0216). Kearfott Corp.,* Black Mountain, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $15,540,500 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for roll trim servos. This is a five-year contract with no options. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Sept. 30, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA1-18-D-0223). CORRECTION: The contract announced on Sept. 28, 2018, for American States Utility Services Inc., Fredericksburg, Virginia, (SP0600-17-C-8328, modification P00004) was announced with incorrect obligation amounts. The correct value for the modification is $80,107,521, which increases the obligated value from $5,554,732 to $5,966,669. *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1650440/source/GovDelivery/

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  21 décembre 2020 | International, Aérospatial, C4ISR

  The military is scrambling to understand the aviation crash risk from a new 5G sale

  By: Valerie Insinna and Aaron Mehta WASHINGTON — As part of a broader move to boost the 5G industry in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission on Dec. 8 began auctioning a portion of C-band electromagnetic spectrum, a move the committee's chairman, Ajit Pai, celebrated as “a big day for American consumers and U.S. leadership in 5G.” But, in the weeks leading up to the auction, more than a dozen commercial aviation groups warned the sale could, as one study put it, lead to “catastrophic failures” with the potential for “multiple fatalities.” At the core of the concerns are radar altimeters, a critical piece of aviation technology used by military, commercial and civil aircraft of all types — including helicopters and unmanned aerial systems — to measure the distance between an aircraft and the ground. The aviation groups worry that 5G operations on the spectrum sold by the FCC could cause interference that would provide inaccurate readings on altimeters or cause their failure outright, in essence leaving pilots unaware of how far they are from the ground and potentially leading to crashes over the United States. According to a memo obtained by Defense News, those concerns are shared by the head of the Federal Aviation Administration and the number two at the Department of Transportation, who are calling on the FCC to pause the sale so the safety issue can be studied more closely. The FCC, in turn, has said its own technical studies show little to no risk involved and it intends to continue moving forward. Now, with the auction underway, the Defense Department is scrambling to catch up. The Pentagon has yet to determine the effect on military aircraft and has not established a formal position on the sale, with officials rushing behind the scenes to set up meetings and understand the potential long-term impacts. A Pentagon official, in response to questions from Defense News, would only say the department's policy board on federal aviation and aviation cyber initiative task force — an interagency organization led by the FAA — are reviewing reports by industry groups about the risk of 5G interference. Senior leaders from the Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security, and the aviation cyber initiative plan to meet Dec. 21 “to discuss findings and to establish an interagency way ahead to validate and respond to these reports,” the official stated. Among those expected to attend are Brig. Gen. Robert Barrie Jr., the official who manages Army aviation assets; Brig. Gen. Eric DeLange, director of the Air Force cyberspace operations and warfighter communications office; and several cyber experts from the FAA and DHS. Perhaps most notably, Honeywell Industries, a key producer of radar altimeters, has also been invited to discuss possible alternatives to current systems — a sign that the defense industry is taking the issue seriously. Honeywell declined to comment. If the spectrum sale continues, some experts are warning a best case scenario may be that the department has to spend millions of dollars and thousands of man hours to design, procure and install new radar altimeters across the military's fleet of airborne systems. The worst case? As one senior government official with experience in aviation said, “There will be accidents, property's going to be destroyed and people are going to die.” The ongoing dispute Under the Trump administration, the FCC has focused on the sale of spectrum in order to goose the nascent 5G industry, which administration officials see as a driver for American economic growth. Branded as the 5G FAST Plan, the commission has moved quickly to sell C-band spectrum. This particular auction involves spectrum in the 3.7–3.98 GHz frequency, with the hope of selling more than 5,000 new flexible-use overlay licenses. Satellite operators using the C-Band have agreed to repack their operations out of the band's lower 300 megahertz (3.7-4.0 GHz) into the upper 200 megahertz (4.0-4.2 GHz), in two stages. They expect to complete the move in December 2023. As of Dec. 17, more than 50 bidders had reportedly put forth over $15 billion in offers for the spectrum rights. Currently, the 3.7–3.98 GHz frequency portion of the C-Band is relatively quiet, occupied predominantly by low-powered satellites. For decades, this made the neighboring 4.2-4.4 GHz frequency a perfect place for the operation of radar altimeters, which are also called radio altimeters. But that frequency may not stay quiet for long. Once 5G telecommunications are introduced in the 3.7-3.98 portion of the band, there is a “major risk” that those systems will create “harmful interference” to radar altimeters, according to an October study from the RTCA, a trade organization that works with the FAA to develop safety standards. “The results of the study performed clearly indicate that this risk is widespread and has the potential for broad impacts to aviation operations in the United States, including the possibility of catastrophic failures leading to multiple fatalities, in the absence of appropriate mitigations,” the RTCA stated in its report. Research for the report was conducted by the Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute, a cooperative research organization based out of Texas A&M University. Radio altimeters are critical during landings, once an aircraft moves below 2,500 feet from the ground. At that point, no other instruments provide an accurate measurement of a plane's distance from the ground. “It's so important to have an accurate reading, because if it's a bad reading it could lead to the airplane doing something you don't want it to do.” explained Terry McVenes, the RTCA president and chief executive. McVenes is a former Boeing safety executive with 30 years' experience in the commercial aviation industry. “If your airplane thought it was 1,000 feet above the ground but was only 50 feet above the ground, well... you could have a problem,” he said. The trade group filed the report with the FCC in early October, and shortly afterward met with an FCC engineering team. But since then, “We've heard nothing back from the FCC, had no other direct interactions with them” outside the official filling process, he said. The release of the study triggered a last-minute request by 12 trade groups, including the Aerospace Industries Association, which represents military aviation companies, to consider mitigation efforts based on the report. The groups called the findings “the most comprehensive analysis and assessment to date on this subject, based on the best assumptions, parameters, and data... It has been peer reviewed for accuracy and validity and should not be dismissed by the Commission.” The report has also gained the attention of Steven Bradbury, the acting deputy secretary for transportation, and Steve Dickson, the FAA administrator, who in a Dec. 1 letter obtained by Defense News warned that the spectrum sale could specifically damage both the Terrain Awareness Warning System, a major safety function for aircraft, and Autoland features relied on for pilots when landing a plane. “Given the scope of the safety risk, and based upon our current knowledge, it is unclear what measures will be necessary to ensure safe operations in the [National Aerospace System], or how long it will take to implement such measures,” the two leaders wrote. “Depending upon the results of further analysis, it may be appropriate to place restrictions on certain types of operations, which would reduce access to core airports in the U.S. and, thus, reduce the capacity and efficiency” of commercial aviation. That letter, sent to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, was requested to be added to the FCC's public docket. However, the letter has not been posted to the FCC's public docket as of press time. The FCC and supporters of expanding 5G argue that the concerns are overblown. “In the C-Band Order, the Commission concluded that our rules would protect radio altimeters used by aircraft, and we continue to have no reason to believe that 5G operations in the C-Band will cause harmful interference to radio altimeters,” Will Wiquist, a spokesman for the FCC, said in a statement. “Among other things, these altimeters operate with more than 200 megahertz of separation from the C-band spectrum to be auctioned, more protection than is afforded in some other countries. “Moreover, the RTCA report was prepared outside of the joint aviation/wireless industry group that was set up at the Commission's request and is not a consensus position of that group. Indeed, at least one other member of that multi-stakeholder group has expressed significant concerns with the study and several of its assumptions, and the Commission's experts have concerns with this study as well.” The member group that expressed concerns about the study is the wireless trade association CTIA, which in December filled with the FCC a document that called the findings “lacking and unreliable” and “unsound and unsupported.” Among the specific concerns raised by CTIA were that altimeter requirements used in the report were overly stringent, that it did not break down results by altimeter brand and model, and that the report relied on “unrealistic” scenarios during testing. McVenes said RTCA is open to conducting the research again if presented with new data to work with, but has yet to see that information from CTIA or the FCC. Risks to military aviation Although the RTCA study looked exclusively at civil and commercial aircraft, almost all military aircraft are equipped with radar altimeters that are very similar to their commercial counterparts, said the senior government official. Defense News granted anonymity for this official to speak candidly about the risks to pilot safety. While radar altimeters made for military aircraft are sometimes built to slightly more stringent requirements — having the ability to function in extremely cold or hot environments, for instance, or to withstand higher gravitational forces — they still reside on the same portion of the spectrum as commercial ones and are vulnerable to the same interference, the senior government official said. The cargo planes and aerial refueling tankers operated by the Air Force's Air Mobility Command would be most hindered by the interference produced by 5G due to their similarities to commercial aircraft, said Mike Holmes, a retired Air Force four-star general and former head of Air Combat Command. Holmes reviewed the RTCA report at Defense News' request. Many of the Air Force's mobility assets are either based on commercial passenger jets, such as the Boeing 767-derived KC-46 tanker, or are equipped with commercial off-the-shelf avionics. As such, certain mobility aircraft are approved to conduct landings in bad weather conditions when the pilot has to rely on the aircraft's instruments — such as the radar altimeter — instead of visual cues. “You wouldn't be able to fly that approach if your radar altimeter was being interfered with and you couldn't get a good signal,” Holmes said. “For the military...you'd probably divert someplace else.” For tactical aircraft, the bigger concern would be low-level flights over terrain such as mountains. Fighter pilots use their radar altimeters when flying close to the ground to evade enemy radar or surface-to-air threats. However, Holmes noted that not all fighter jets — such as the 1970s era F-15C — have radar altimeters, and that pilots would still be able to rely on visual cues. Still, he said, if a radar altimeter is offering faulty information due to interference, that could lull pilots into a false sense of security about how far they are from the ground. “Part of [the problem] is going to be trying to know whether you're getting interference or not,” he said. The senior government official noted that the special operations community could be particularly hurt by 5G interference. Certain aircrews of platforms, such as the C-130 or C-17, receive specific training to fly special operations low level missions, which involve flying close to the ground and inserting or extracting special operators, and those training missions may become more difficult to execute if 5G interference is a problem. This training “is often executed under the cover of darkness. Depth and obstacle perception can be hindered in darkness due to the human eye's cell structure,” the official said. “Night vision goggles provide compensation but still limit the pilot's situational awareness.” If the sales go through, the military will likely have to modify or replace its altimeters to meet whatever new safety standards the FAA eventually approves to mitigate the risks of 5G interference, Holmes said. “If you go ahead and give up this part of the spectrum, the interference will drive changes that have to be made either to modify the equipment that is being used for 5G, to modify the equipment that are on airplanes, or to modify the procedures that determine how you use that equipment,” Holmes said. Replacing or modifying altimeters will take time and funding — two commodities defense experts predict will be in short supply over the coming years — as defense budgets flatten. In the near term, Holmes projects the services will change their training practices to eliminate any added risk to pilots caused by altimeter interference, such as restricting pilots of certain aircraft from landing in bad weather or ensuring that pilots of fighter aircraft take off with enough fuel so that they can divert to another airport if their radar altimeter no longer works. In short, the military will have to give up money, time and effectiveness to fix the problem. “The outcome would be lack of efficiency. You wouldn't fly [certain] approaches in bad weather. So there would be times you couldn't go do what you were [planning on] doing, whether that's moving passengers or cargo in the civilian world or whether that was passengers or cargo in the military,” Holmes said. “But ultimately, I would think the impact is going to be greater on the commercial airline world than it was on the military world.” A billion dollar problem While the satellite operators who currently operate within 3.7-3.98 GHz will receive some proceeds of the sale, allowing them to move to another portion of the spectrum, no funding is set to be given to the civil, commercial and government entities that rely on radar altimeters for safe aerospace operations. As a result, it is likely that the U.S. military will have to replace “many or most” of the radar altimeters currently onboard its airplanes, helicopters and drones, the senior government official said. And because radar altimeters have all been developed to operate on the same portion of the spectrum, there is no off-the-shelf replacement already on the market for which interference wouldn't be a concern. On the commercial side, McVenes said if industry has to replace altimeters across its fleet, a price tag of “several billion dollars is probably on the low estimate.” That price tag could well jump for the military side, given the complexity of work on military systems - it is easier to swap out a part on a commercial plane than a stealth-coated fighter - and the infamous prices of defense procurement. Meanwhile, the Defense Department could need to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into the engineering work necessary to develop new altimeters, procuring those systems, testing and recertifying each platform for normal operations, and finally, installing the new hardware on potentially hundreds or thousands of aircraft across the military's inventory. “It will take many years, if not decades,” the senior government official said. In the two months since the report was released, industry has jockeyed to get more time to study the issue and to put measures in place to mitigate the risks. In a Nov. 17 letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Aerospace Industries Association and 13 other aerospace trade groups implored members of Congress to take action to protect the frequency bands used by radar altimeters. “We are concerned that without this congressional intervention to understand potential implications and ramifications, decisions will be made with a frightening lack of understanding of aviation requirements,” the groups stated. Help from Congress seemingly came Dec. 7, when Rep. Peter DeFazio, the Oregon Democrat who leads the House committee, sent a letter to FCC Chairman Pai calling for the commission to postpone the sale. “These RTCA findings are alarming; they not only align with earlier research identifying harmful effects of 5G networks to radio altimeters, but they reflect a clear need for the FCC to return to the drawing board with this premature plan,” he wrote. “There is no question that additional study is needed to understand the full extent and severity of 5G interference with radio altimeters and whether any mitigations are feasible — or even possible — to ensure flight safety. “We must never take a chance with aviation safety — and at no point should commercial interests be placed above it.” A day later, the FCC pressed forward with the auction. https://www.defensenews.com/2020/12/21/the-military-is-scrambling-to-understand-the-aviation-crash-risk-from-a-new-5g-sale