USAF Awards MPEC-I & II for Mission Planning Electronics & Support

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In some core ways, mission planning hasn’t changed all that much since World War 2. The technology has changed radically, however, and now involves loading computerized data sets into mission planning systems, with data showing up on moving map displays for use and even pre-flight rehearsal. In June 2010, the 951st ELSG/PK at Hanscom Air […]
MPS

In some core ways, mission planning hasn’t changed all that much since World War 2. The technology has changed radically, however, and now involves loading computerized data sets into mission planning systems, with data showing up on moving map displays for use and even pre-flight rehearsal. In June 2010, the 951st ELSG/PK at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA handed out a 10-year, $919.6 million multiple-award contract called Mission Planning Enterprise Contract-II (MPEC-II).

The USAF began the original MPEC program in 2004, to shift from existing USAF, Navy and Army systems into a single Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS). The USAF is moving to JMPS from its PC-based PFPS(Portable Flight Planning System) and Unix-based MPS(Mission Planning System), while the Navy will move from its TAMPS(Tactical Aircraft Mission Planning Systems) and the Army from its MPS(Mission Planning System).

MPEC-II extends that effort. Major MPEC I/II awards, and some delivery order examples, include:

Contracts & Key Events

F-15E Drops Mk-80s

F-15E: Mission executed.
(click to view full)

These are generally multiple-award contracts. Winning firms compete for task orders over the contract’s lifetime, involving software development, software and hardware integration, and ongoing maintenance services. Note that this coverage is not comprehensive – it is designed to be illustrative only.

March 24/11: Northrop Grumman announces that it received a delivery order worth up to $26 million under the Mission Planning Enterprise Contract II (MPEC-II) to provide B-1 bomber aircraft mission planning capability related to the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) platform. Under the delivery order, Northrop Grumman will develop, maintain and integrate planning components unique to B-1 bomber missions into JMPS and integrate with other mission planning environment components necessary for the capability.

June 7/10: MPEC-II announced, as the 951st ELSG/PK at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA hands out a 10-year, $919.6 million multiple-award contract called Mission Planning Enterprise Contract-II (MPEC-II). Winning firms include:

* Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in Herndon, VA (FA8720-10-D-0001)
* Boeing Co. in Saint Louis, MO (8720-10-d-0002); see release
* DCS Corp. in Alexandria, VA (FA8720-10-D-0003)
* BAE Systems National Security Solutions Inc. in San Diego, CA (FA8720-10-D-0004)
* Lockheed Martin Corp. in Owego, NY (FA8720-10-D-0005)

May 30/06: An example of an MPEC a delivery order. Boeing announces a $13.2 million MPEC delivery order to develop the F-15’s Suite 6 mission planning software, and integrate it into the USAF’s F-15 fleet. Boeing previously received a contract under MPEC to develop the F-15 Suite 5 follow-on mission planning software, which is scheduled to enter service in March 2007. To date, Boeing has received 7 MPEC orders totaling more than $165 million.

May 2/05: An example of an MPEC a delivery order. The USAF issues a $23 million Framework 1.3/1.4 delivery order to Northrop Grumman (FA8720-04-D-0004) and Boeing (FA8720-04-D-0005), to adapt its Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), add new mission-planning capabilities, and migrate JMPS toward a service-oriented architecture with expanded Web services. This evolving technology will enable JMPS to interoperate better with existing command-and-control systems. Northrop Grumman is teamed with Boeing Integrated Defense Systems on the delivery order.

Framework 1.3/1.4 is particularly significant to Northrop Grumman because the software forms the core underlying architecture on which software “plug-ins” that create complete mission-planning systems must conform. Northrop Grumman developed Frameworks 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 on previous Navy, USAF, and Army contracts. Work will be performed at the Northrop Grumman location in San Pedro, CA, and Boeing’s facilities in Wichita, KS, and St. Louis, MO. NGC release.

April 18/05: Science Applications International Corp. in San Diego, CA wins a maximum $184.7 million indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity System Engineering Integration Contract (SEIC). SAIC’s team will work with the Mission Planning Enterprise Contract (MPEC) team to build upon the tools and solutions from the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), and converge the existing 40+ Mission Planning systems into a common Mission Planning Environment for the American military. The SEIC will be the systems integrator across all platforms and services, and evolve JMPS as it adds capability and users.

The SEIC strategy utilizes a single award cost plus award fee contract with a 12-year period of performance, which overlaps the MPEC 5-year contract and its follow on contract. The Air Force can issue delivery orders totaling up to the maximum amount, plus options that would raise the total to $219.2 million. The initial award is $8.7 million. Solicitation began December 2004, negotiations were completed March 2005, and work will be complete by September 2016. The Headquarters Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA manages this contract (FA8720-05-C-0004, 0005).

Work will be performed at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, MA; in Orlando, FL; and in Fort Walton Beach, FL. SAIC team members include:

* OASIS Systems in Bedford, MA
* Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, WA
* ARINC in Annapolis, MD
* Robbins-Gioia in Alexandria, VA
* Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) in Alexandria, VA
* Syracuse Research Corporation (SRC) in Syracuse, NY
* All Points Logistics in Gainesville, GA
* Solidus Technical Solutions in Leominster, MA
* SRA International in Fairfax, VA
* Data Management Services Joint Venture (DMSJV) in Silver Springs MD
* Westech International in Albuquerque, NM

See also SAIC release.

Nov 4/04: The Headquarters Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, MA announces the initial winners of the Mission Planning Enterprise Contract. The total amount to be awarded under this multi-award, indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity umbrella contract is up to $2 billion. Actual awards will involve competed delivery orders under this umbrella, from:

* BAE Systems Mission Solutions in San Diego, CA (FA8720-04-D-0002), performance in San Diego, CA (50%) and Nashua, NH (50%)
* TYBRIN Corp. in Fort Walton Beach, FL (FA8720-04-D-0003)
* Northrop Grumman Defense Mission Systems in Reston, VA (FA8720-04-D-0004), performance in San Pedro, CA (100%). See release.
* The Boeing Co. in Wichita, KS (FA8720-04-D-0005)
* Lockheed Martin Corp. in Colorado Springs, CO (FA8720-04-D-0006). See page, release.

This work will be complete by November 2009. Solicitation began in February 2004, and negotiations were completed in September 2004.

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