F/A-18Es over Afghanistan
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It’s a seemingly small change. Allow US Navy F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets to cruise between 29,000 and 41,000 feet, where the thinner air would save the US Navy several million dollars per year in fuel costs – $250,000 for each of their qualifying Super Hornet squadrons. Unfortunately, that’s where passenger airliners fly, an altitude band called “Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum” (RVSM) airspace. Even worse, in 2005, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reacted to congestion by reducing RVSM separation, but compensated by requiring dual-altimetry systems to minimize the odds of catastrophic error. That rule neatly eliminated almost all military fighter jets.

A US NAVAIR release describes the 3-year process that led to RVSM airspace certification for the 340 Super Hornets produced in Production Lot 22 and beyond. Certification efforts for other Hornet family aircraft are also proceeding, including the F/A-18F-derived EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, and smaller Navy/USMC F/A-18 A+, C, and D Hornets.

Fill ‘Er Up
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The Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) in Ft Belvoir, VA, has awarded up to $904 million in fuel contracts to 7 firms.

The fixed price with economic price adjustment contracts are for aviation and other types of fuel for delivery in the USA as well as Pakistan and Afghanistan. DESC is part of the US Defense Logistics Agency.

And the winners are…

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Valero Marketing and Supply in San Antonio, TX won a maximum $230.5 million fixed-price-with-economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for aviation fuel. The other location of performance besides San Antonio is Benicia, CA.

The original proposal was Web solicited with 19 responses received by the Defense Energy Support Center at Fort Belvoir, VA (SP0600-09-D-0498). The date of performance completion is Oct 30/10.

Off we go…
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DWG & Associates in Colorado Springs, CO received a $40 million modified contract for simplified acquisition of base engineer requirements (SABER) at the US Air Force Academy. At this time, $100,000 has been obligated. 10th Contracting Squadron, US Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, CO manages the contract (FA700-09-D-0020). The SABER contract is a comprehensive general construction contract to support maintenance, repair and construction requirements.

According to DWG & Associates, the USAF Academy uses the SABER contract to fulfill engineering requirements on a variety of projects, ranging from small renovations to large scale infrastructure needs involving pipelines, electrical substations, and life safety issues. The company expects a large part of this contract modification to involve energy use reduction and modernization.

Solar Farm at Nellis AFB
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The US Air Force Academy is having a 3 megawatt solar farm built on its campus in Colorado Springs, CO to provide solar electricity to the educational complex. Currently, all of the academy’s electricity comes from external sources.

USAFA’s 10th Contracting Squadron awarded a $18.3 million contract (FA700-09-F-0023) to Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) to provide renewable photovoltaic solar electrical energy through construction of the solar farm.

The CSU sent an interoffice memorandum to the Colorado Springs mayor and city council about talks it was having with the USAFA concerning the solar farm…

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Craney Island Fuel Terminal
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Mid Eastern Builders in Chesapeake, VA won a $36.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for replacement of fuel storage tanks at Craney Island Fuel Terminal in Portsmouth, VA. Mid Eastern Builders will demolition the 19 aged bulk storage tanks and build 6 new tanks.

The company expects to complete the work by August 2012. The contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 6 proposals received by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic in Norfolk, VA (N40085-09-C-5037). According to Globalsecurity.org, Craney Island Fuel Terminal is the US Navy’s largest fuel facility in the United States…

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GE Aviation Systems in Vandalia, OH received a maximum $5.1 million firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract to supply aviation ground power unit (AGPU) generators for U.S. Army helicopters. The award is for new generators to replace original units with more power capability and longer life characteristics, according to GE Aviation.

There was originally 1 proposal solicited for the contract with 1 response. The date of performance completion is July 31/13. The Defense Logistics Agency (DSCR-AHB) at Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the contract (SPRRA1-09-D-0016).

DID has more on the AGPU and the type of helicopters that use it…

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Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) awarded 5 companies firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contracts for assessment, repair, and construction of petroleum, oils and lubricant (POL) fuel systems at various U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) locations worldwide.

The value for all the contracts combined is $70 million. The contracts also include unexercised options, which if exercised would increase their cumulative value to $350 million.

DID has more on the winning companies and the contract numbers…

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Under Construction
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A half dozen U.S. small businesses in California and Hawaii were awarded a firm-fixed-price with award fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contracts for construction projects at U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) installations worldwide.

The companies will carry out new construction, repairs, demolition, and renovation, including utilities and waterfront work; construction of medical facilities (hospitals, medical clinics, and/or dental clinics); and possibly energy and water conservation projects. The maximum dollar value for all 6 contracts combined is $400 million.

DID has a complete list of the companies and the contract numbers…

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A Look Inside Fuel Supplies
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International Oil Trading Co. (IOTC) in Boca Raton, FL won a maximum $1 billion fixed-price with economic price adjustment, requirements type contract to provide JP8 jet fuel, diesel fuel, and gasoline to U.S. troops in Iraq. The locations being supplied are Al Asad Air Base 180 km west of Baghdad and just south of Haditha, Victory Base Camp around Baghdad International Airport, Trebil on the Jordanian border, and Camp Korean Village near Ar-Rutbah, along the highway that connects the Jordanian border to Baghdad.

The original proposal was Web solicited with 6 responses received by the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, VA (SP0600-09-D-0515). The date of performance completion is Dec 31/11.

This same firm is involved in a controversy generated last year by a Jordanian lawsuit, and congressional investigation of its contracts…

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