Boeing plans to eliminate its Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS) division, folding it into a new Satellite Development Center under Boeing’s Space and Intelligence Systems. Boeing has formed component-provision alliances with IBM and Alcatel Space for processors, routers, channelizers and steerable antennas as part of its policy of reducing in-house activity to focus on key competencies. The move will separate the struggling commercial satellite business from Boeing’s growing government-satellite work. The company continues to believe that the U.S. government satellite market will grow from $7.5 billion in 2003 to about $17 billion in 2013.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space Co. of King of Prussia, PA received a $25.9M cost-plus incentive-fee contract to modify Minuteman III (MMIII) Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. The Safety Enhanced Re-entry Vehicle (SERV) Support Equipment program will design an MMIII retrofit that would allow it to carry newer MK21 nuclear warheads from the soon-to-be-retired “MX” Peacekeeper missile, replacing the MK12RV warheads presently in use on the Minuteman fleet.
These efforts are part of a broader modernization program, including efforts aimed at ensuring the older MMIII missiles have a new rocket fuel that conforms to Environmental Protection Agency guidelines when launched. The SERV Support Equipment program will be carried out at Vandenberg Air Force Base, with depot support at Hill Air Force Base. This work will be complete by August 2007. The Headquarters Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, UT issued the contract (FA8204-05-C-0005).
The Marine Corps Systems Command of Quantico, VA has exercised an option, and awarded Oshkosh Truck Corp. of Oshkosh, WI an additional $22.5 million fixed price delivery order for an additional 124 Armor Kits to be installed on the Marines’ 7-ton MTVR trucks. The original order had been $144 million to supply 796 kits. The majority of the work for the ECP-59 MTVR armor hardware will be performed by Plasan Sasa in Israel (75 percent); however, the raw material hardware will come from various steel manufacturers throughout the United States (approx. 20-34 percent), and work is expected to be completed in December 2005.
Sprint Communications Co. LP, Reston, Va., won an $8.7M firm-fixed price contract to provide a long-term lease of one OC-12 circuit between Misawa, Japan, and Andersen, Guam. The period of performance will be 12 years for the long-term lease. The requirement was solicited under full and open competition, and the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization-Pacific, Pearl Harbor, HI issued the contract (SPCC W 40012).
General Electric Aircraft Engines of Lynn, MA won a $34 modification involving depot material support and support equipment to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-99-C-1175) for supporting the F414-GE-400 jet engine that powers the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The contract covers traditional Government/Industry Logistics Support (GILS), enhanced by elements of performance-based material management support. Work will be performed in Lynn, Mass. (90 percent), Vineland, N.J. (6 percent), and at various locations throughout the United States (4 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2005. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD issued the contract.
Radix Technologies Inc. of Mountain View, CA received a $25M not-to-exceed, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a Phase III Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program contract for Topic N99-189 entitled “Small Global Positioning System Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna for Aircraft.” The idea is to create a receiver for aircraft using a pattern antenna that’s small, controlled, and has effective anti-jamming capabilities but isn’t too expensive. Work will be performed in Mountain View, CA, and is expected to be completed in March 2010. This contract was competitively procured using an SBIR Program Solicitation under Topic N99-189 and 10 offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J. issued the contract (# N68335-05-D-0004).
L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, Greenville, TX received a not-to-exceed value of $16.3M firm-fixed-price, time and materials contract to conduct Enhanced Special Structural Inspections (ESSIs) and Center Wing Replacement on P-3 patrol aircraft. High fatigue areas were discovered during P-3 Service Life Assessment Program fatigue testing, and the ESSIs are needed to determine exactly what needs to be replaced. Work will be performed in Greenville, TX, and is expected to be completed in December 2007. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD issued the contract (# N00019-05-C-0038).
The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, NJ recently announced two contracts, one covering hardware and support and the other covering advanced network protocols research. Small Business category qualifier Datapath Inc. of Norcross, GA received a $28.6M firm-fixed-price contract, covering hardware, training, testing, and on-site contractor support. This sole source contract (W15P7T-05-C-G203) was initiated on Feb. 15, 2005, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2005. Electronics Command also awarded Telcordia Technologies, Inc. of Piscataway, NJ $2.4M of their $10.4M cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to support advanced network technologies research. The technical term for the program is the Situation-Aware Protocols In Edge Network Technologies Program (W15P7T-05-C-R402). Work will be performed in Piscataway, N.J. (56 percent) and Falls Church, Va. (44 percent), and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2009. There were an unknown number of bids solicited via the Internet on Dec. 14, 2004, and one bid was received.
Systems and Materials Research Consultancy (SMRC) of Spicewood, TX, won a not to exceed $12M Phase III, Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program contract for Topic N99-050 entitled “Advanced Methods for Detection of Aircraft Corrosion under Paint and Appliques.” The objective is to develop a microwave corrosion detector prototype as a compact inspection tool for aircraft structures at a cost that is significantly less than competing Nondestructive Evaluation technologies, while demonstrating that the approach satisfies environmental considerations. Work will be performed in Spicewood, Texas, and is expected to be completed in February 2010. This contract was competitively procured using SBIR Program Solicitation under Topic N99-050 and nineteen offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J. issued the contract (N68335-05-D-0002).
Integral Systems of Lanham, MD is being awarded a $23.8M cost-plus award-fee contract to provide for first developmental step (Spiral 1) of a system to detect, characterize, report on, and assess any attacks on U.S. owned, operated or used satellite communications. The Rapid Attack Identification Detection Reporting System program will include a suite of RF interference sensors, geolocation equipment, and centralized control. Solicitation began October 2004, and this work will be complete by March 2007. The Headquarters Space and Missile Systems Center of Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA issued the contract (FA8819-05-C0018).
