GA-Tupelo 55% of $36M pact

General Atomics, San Diego, California, is awarded a $36,426,662 firm-fixed-price modification (P00062) to a previously awarded contract (N0001914C0037). This modification procures 18 Advanced Arresting Gear Water Twister (WT) Mod-II shipsets for the Navy Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers 78, 79, and 80. Additionally, this modification provides for the development of logistics support products and the execution of engineering change proposals related to WT Mod-II as approved by the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program Decentralized Change Control Board. Work will be performed in Tupelo, Mississippi (55.8%); San Diego, California (26.1%); Chicago, Illinois (3.6%); Cleveland, Ohio (2.8%); Dayton, Ohio (2.2%); Spring Gove, Illinois (2.1%); Placentia, California (1.3%); Malvern, Pennsylvania (1.3%); Birmingham, Alabama (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (3.8%), and is expected to be completed in August 2024. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $14,470,000; fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,696,726; and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,952,732 will be obligated at time of award, $1,952,732 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 04/30/21)

La. firms part of $750M contract

ABBA Construction Inc., Jacksonville, Florida (FA2521-21-D-0004); Alen Construction Group, Davie, Florida (FA2521-21-D-0005); APC Construction, Harvey, Louisiana (FA2521-21-D-0006); CORE Engineering & Construction Inc., Winter Park, Florida (FA2521-21-D-0007); Doyon Management Services LLC, Federal Way, Washington (FA2521-21-D-0008); General Mechanical Corp (Oneida), Daytona Beach, Florida (FA2521-21-D-0009); Healtheon Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana (FA2521-21-D-0010); Ivey’s Construction Inc., Merritt Island, Florida  (FA2521-21-D-0011); Justin J. Reeves LLC, Houma, Louisiana (FA2521-21-D-0012); and Klutina Rivers Construction/AHTNA-CDM JV, Irvine, California (FA2521-21-D-0013), have each been awarded a ceiling $750,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for installation infrastructure repair and/or construction. These contracts provide for a full range of design, construction and engineering activities necessary to meet Space Force and other customer requirements. Work will be performed at Patrick Space Force Base (SFB), Florida; Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida; Kennedy Space Center, Florida; and other 45th Space Wing units geographically separated throughout Florida. Work is expected to be completed May 2, 2031. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 59 offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,000 per contract are being obligated at the time of award. The 45th Contracting Squadron, Patrick SFB, Florida, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 04/30/21)

Anderson takes helm at 50th FTS

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Lt. Col. Nathaniel Wilds relinquished command of the 50th Flying Training Squadron to incoming commander, Lt. Col. Paul Anderson, at a change of command ceremony April 30. Anderson is an experienced fighter pilot flying jets such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-5 and T-38C Talon. He was the previous director of operations at the 50th FTS. The 50th FTS, known as the striking snakes, is the initial gateway to combat aviation for student pilots going through the advanced phase of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at CAFB. (Source: CAFB 04/30/21)

MS county baffles health officials

Adams County, Miss., has averaged nearly six times the state average of incidence of new COVID-19 coronavirus cases. “This pandemic is not over,” Dr. Lee England told The Natchez Democrat newspaper. “I’ve been personally looking for another wave to come through with the British variant in the county. … I don’t know if that is what may have caused it.” The “it” England referred to is a late-week spike in cases in Adams County, located about 70 mi9les SSW of Vicksburg, Miss. The Mississippi State Department of Health reported a total of 741 new cases reported across the state in the last three days. Adams County’s 94 COVID-19 cases made up more than 12.7 percent of the new cases. The county makes up a little more than 1 percent of state’s population. (Source: Magnolia State 04/30/21)

Marad grants to GC small shipyards

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (Marad) announced April 26 it had awarded $19.6M in grants to 31 small shipyards in 15 states – including four Gulf Coast ones - through its Small Shipyard Grant Program. The funds are designed to assist small shipyards to modernize, increase productivity, and expand local employment while competing in the global marketplace. Smaller shipyards are essential parts of the maritime industrial base that employ thousands of people. The program supports economic competitiveness through grants that can be used to purchase equipment or train employees. The list of small shipyards in Alabama include: Master Boat Builders Inc., Coden, will receive $497,464 to support the purchase of two 30-ton mobile cranes and two extendable boom forklifts; Steiner Shipbuilding., Bayou La Batre, will receive $419,507 to support the purchase of a forklift, 300-ton press brake, manlift, and other equipment that will improve the efficiency of ship construction and repair activities at the facility. In NW Florida, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Panama City, will receive $522,318 to support the purchase of several pieces of equipment that will improve the efficiency of ship construction and repair activities at the facility. In Louisiana, Bollinger Marine Fabricators, Amelia, will receive $1,122,216 to support the purchase of a blast and paint plate preservation line machine; C&C Marine and Repair, Belle Chasse, will receive $748,959 in funding to support the purchase of welding enhancements and additional forklifts; Conrad Shipyard, Amelia, will receive $432,376 to support the purchase of two portable shelters for a Fabrication/Pipe work area and a Blast/Paint work area; Gulf Island Shipyards, Houma, will receive $312,802 in funding to add automated pipe spool welding to its pipe spooling/fabrication shop. In Mississippi, Omega Shipyard., Moss Point, will receive $126,105 to support the purchase of a telescoping forklift and blasting pot. (Source: Work Boat 04/26/29) Marad awards $20 million in grants to 31 small shipyards | WorkBoat

La. yard lays keel on hopper dredge

Conrad Shipyard held a keel laying ceremony April 26 for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) Co.'s 6,500-cubic-yard trailing suction hopper dredge at its Amelia, La., shipyard. Delivery is scheduled at the end of the first quarter of 2023. The contract includes an option to build an additional dredge, should market conditions warrant. After delivery in 2023, the vessel will join the firm’s existing 6-dredge hopper fleet, which includes the ATB tug Douglas B. Mackie and 15,000-cubic-yard-capacity barge Ellis Island, which were delivered in the fourth quarter of 2017. (Source: Work Boat 04/26/21)

HII declares quarterly dividend

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced April 29 that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.14 per share, payable on June 11 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 28. (Source: HII 04/29/21)

10 UM seniors to HoF

The University of Mississippi inducted 10 students into the its 2021 Hall of Fame on April 9. It is one of the most prestigious honors a UM student can receive. The inductees were selected by a committee in accordance with policy developed by the Associated Student Body. Selections are based on outstanding contributions in all aspects of campus life. This year’s Hall of Fame members included Shelby D’Amico, a public policy leadership major; Harrison McKinnis, a chemical engineering major; Robert Wasson, a chemical engineering major, all from Madison; Victoria Green, a pharmaceutical sciences major from Canton, Miss.; Asia Harden, an integrated marketing communications major from Greenville, Miss.; Swetha Manivannan, an international studies and Spanish major from Collierville, Tenn.; Joshua Mannery, a political science major from Jackson, Miss.; Gianna Schuetz, a managerial finance and theatre arts major from Huntsville, Ala.; Robert “Cade” Slaughter, a public policy leadership and integrated marketing communications major; and Madison Thornton, a public policy leadership and biological sciences major, both from Hattiesburg. All of the inductees are members of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. (Source: Daily Mississippian 04/28/21) 10 seniors inducted in class of 2021 Hall of Fame – The Daily Mississippian (thedmonline.com)

MSU senior earns biomed award

Mississippi State University biomedical engineering student Kaylee Bundy of Covington, La., has been selected as recipient of the C. William Hall Scholarship from the Society For Biomaterials. Bundy, a senior, was presented the award at the society’s virtual meeting on April 22. Bundy earned the award based on her scholastic achievement and stated objectives for future research. During her time at MSU, Bundy spent much time researching with LaShan Simpson, an associate professor of agricultural & biological engineering at the Bagley College of Engineering. (Source: MSU 04/29/21) Biomedical engineering student wins national award (msstate.edu)

RS-25 burn test at Stennis

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted a long-duration RS-25 single-engine test April 28 continuing its 7-part test series to support development and production of engines for future missions of the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Operators fired the Aerojet Rocketdyne engine for almost 11 minutes on the A-1 Test Stand. RS-25 tests at Stennis Space Center are conducted by an integrated team, including NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Syncom Space Services, the prime contractor of Stennis facilities and operations. (Source: NASA/SSC, 04/28/21)

Amazon to build 2nd ops in MS

Amazon and Marshall County, Miss., are on the go-and-grow plan. The company announced last week it will open a second fulfillment center in the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park. Amazon’s initial facility reported employment of 1,241 last quarter, said Justin Hall, executive director of the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority. The new operation will employ “hundreds,” according to a press release from Amazon. The second operation will occupy a Panattoni Development Company speculative building under construction at the intersection of Gateway Global Drive and Highway 302, across from McCormick. Unlike Amazon’s other facility, Hall said this one will be bigger – more than 1M square feet - for shipping customer items like furniture, mattresses, kayaks, grills and exercise equipment. Hall said the project is on fast track, and is tentatively schedule to be completed in the fall. (Source: The South Reporter 04/29/21) Amazon picks Marshall, again | The South Reporter

Southern Co., MSU collaboration

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Southern Company, HQ'd out of Atlanta, and Mississippi State University announced a collaboration effort to expand the energy company’s use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to map critical infrastructure, assess weather-related damage and conduct routine utility inspections. The collaboration between the firm and MSU's Raspet Flight Research Laboratory will enable the use of larger, more sophisticated UAS in pursuing beyond visual line of sight operations approval from the FAA for the energy company’s inspection and mapping efforts. (Source: MSU 04/29/21) Southern Company, MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Lab partner to expand UAS use | Mississippi State University (msstate.edu)

Ex-Sen. Nelson to lead NASA

Former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) was confirmed as the new director of NASA in a unanimous Senate vote April 29. Nelson, who once flew on the space shuttle when he was in the U.S. House of Representatives, takes over for interim administrator Steve Jurczyk. Nelson, 78, lost out in his re-election bid to the Senate in 2018 to then Gov. Rick Scott. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/29/21) Gulf Coast Note: NASA has operations in Bay St. Louis, Miss., and New Orleans.

McCall new Navy Region SE head

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Rear Adm. Wesley McCall has come back to Jacksonville as the new director of Navy Region Southeast's 16 installations across 12 states and Cuba, including Naval Air Station Meridian and NCBC Gulfport, Miss.; and NAS/JRB New Orleans. McCall assumes command after most recently serving as an executive assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy in Washington, D.C. (Source: Stars and Stripes 04/29/21) New admiral returns to Jacksonville to Navy Region Southeast helm - U.S. - Stripes

CNO: Surprise plan for LCS

WASHINGTON - The Navy plans to put its Naval Strike Missile (NSM) on 31 of its 35 Littoral Combat Ship(s) within the next year and a half, while adding an anti-submarine module on 15; and 15 others with anti-mine warfare capabilities. The quickened pace of upgrades – which will depend on funding - is a sign that the sea-service's concern about being outgunned by the Chinese surface and submarine fleets. CNO Adm. Mike Gilday presented testimony to the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, which was his strongest words about the LCS fleet. LCS has struggled to find its spot in the fleet after its original plugged-in mission modules failed to develop. But CNO told the committee April 29 that “we’re very bullish on LCS” moving forward. However, the Freedom class LCS has major propulsion problems. The Navy stopped accepting delivery of those Lockheed Martin-built LCS while the company fixes the issue on all 16 ships. The FY 2022 defense budget is not expected until at least May. Although, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed said his committee won’t begin markups until July, a delay usually done in May. The delay will leave the month of May open for hearings. (Source: Breaking Defense 04/29/21) Senate work on the annual defense authorization bill will be delayed until mid-summer because of the ongoing wait for President Joe Biden’s federal budget outline, a delay that could complicate a host of military personnel policy and procurement plans. GULF COAST NOTE: The Independence class LCS is built by Austal USA's shipyards in Mobile, Ala.  Navy Unveils Surprise Plan For Littoral Combat Ships « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary

UAV hits LCS-18 on maiden voyage

An MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the USS Charleston (LCS-18) after taking off from the ship on April 27, the Navy announced. The UAV was operating from the ship around 9:40 a.m. when the collision happened in the Western Pacific, according to a 3rd Fleet news release. The UAV fell into the sea and was not recovered. “The mishap damaged a safety net on the ship and struck the hull. Damage to the ship is being assessed, but appears limited to an area above the waterline.” No one was injured, and the ship continued to operate after the event. The MQ-8B Fire Scout is assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, based out of Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., and operates as part of a manned-unmanned team of Fire Scouts and MH-60s as part of the LCS surface warfare mission package. USS Charleston, on its maiden voyage, was operating on its way to Guam when the Fire Scout mishap occurred. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship was built at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. (Source: USNI News 04/27/21) MQ-8B Fire Scout Crashes Into Littoral Combat Ship USS Charleston On Deployment - USNI News

WH nominates Kendall for SECAF

WASHINGTON - The White House officially nominated Frank Kendall on April 27 to serve as Secretary of the Air Force, and Gina Ortiz Jones for undersecretary of the Air Force. Kendall, who served in the Army and is a human rights attorney, is best known as the Pentagon’s top acquisition official during the Obama administration (2012-16). Although Kendall served in the Army, most of his work centered on Air Force and aerospace programs. Jones, who served in the AF from 2003-06 as an intelligence officer, deployed to Iraq. In 2008, she moved to the Defense Intelligence Agency. Jones ran for Congress in 2018 and 2020 as the Democrat nominee for Texas’ 23rd congressional district, but lost to Republican contenders twice. A Filipino American, Jones has in the past talked about the challenges of being gay while serving under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military policy. If confirmed, she would become the first woman of color to become the undersecretary of the Air Force. (Source: Defense News 04/27/21) Biden to nominate Frank Kendall as Air Force secretary (defensenews.com)

Navy contract work for MS, NOLA

*BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Minneapolis, Minnesota, is awarded a $19,395,557 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-only contract (N00024-21-C-5393) for MK 41 Vertical Launching System mechanical design agent services to provide design and system engineering support, logistics, and ship/missile integration services. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $164,527,911. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (86%); and the governments of Japan (11%); Finland (1%); Germany (1%); and the Republic of Korea (1%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minnesota (42%); Norfolk, Virginia (18%); San Diego, California (18%); Aberdeen, South Dakota (9%); Bath, Maine (6%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (6%); and Redzikowo, Poland (1%), and is expected to be completed by April 2022. If all options are exercised, work will continue through April 2026. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,088,275 (39%); fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,000,000 (37%); Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Japan funds in the amount $773,665 (14%); and fiscal 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $500,000 (10%), 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 beta.sam.gov website, with two offers received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. 

*Bell Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $7,999,391 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides engineering and technical field services for the H-1 aircraft to include airframes, avionics, electrical power plant systems and associated equipment, on and off-site proficiency training, technical and unusually complex technical guidance in support of the Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Center. Work will be performed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey (50%); New Orleans, Louisiana (25%); and Kaneohe, Hawaii (25%), and is expected to be completed in April 2026. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity. 

*Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. LLC, Houston, Texas, was awarded a $23,952,225 firm-fixed-price contract for dredging various harbors on the Mississippi River. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 30, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis, Tennessee, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 04/28/21)

Miss. rejects community appeal

The State of Mississippi’s environmental quality department rejected an appeal to halt a military storage development project near North Gulfport despite fears it may cause chemical contamination in a predominantly Black community. The department’s permit board rejected the appeal of residents, a church and a non-profit organization on April 23 following testimony from the area citizens and the Mississippi State Port Authority, which is overseeing the project. The decision allows MSPA to move forward with storage on 16 acres of a former fertilizer plant that operated in the early 20th century. It was not immediately clear when construction would begin. (Source: Magnolia State 04/26/32) Mississippi rejects appeal to halt military storage project despite chemical contamination concerns - Magnolia State Live | Magnolia State Live

Five MSUM grads to be honored

Five soon-to-be graduating seniors at Mississippi State University-Meridian are to be recognized as outstanding students at the spring 2021 commencement ceremonies on May 3 in the Riley Center on campus. They are among 116 students who are receiving diplomas. The five honorees are: 

*April Bonner of Meridian, Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the Division of Arts and Sciences and recipient of the Dennis J. Mitchell Award of Excellence. The 39-year-old mother of two will begin the Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education degree program at MSU-Meridian, and will start a new career at Southeast Lauderdale Middle School in the Lauderdale County.

*Jason Holland of Philadelphia, Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the Division of Business. He is a business administration major with a concentration in healthcare administration. A few months after taking classes at MSUM he was offered a job as director of radiology at Neshoba General Hospital. 

*Q’Essence Walker of Florence, Outstanding Graduate Student for the Division of Business. Walker is a marketing consultant for her family’s consulting and event services business. She plans to expand that business using the new skills and information she’s learned at Mississippi State, as well as drawing on her undergraduate communication degree. 

*Brittney Harrison of Meridian, Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the Division of Education. An elementary education major, Riley Scholar and highest honor graduate (summa cum laude), she also is a Stephen D. Lee Scholar earning a 4.0 GPA throughout college. 

*Elizabeth Bennett of Meridian, Outstanding Graduate Student for the Division of Education. Bennett worked in accounting for a few years, but the desire to teach led her back to Mississippi State and into the classroom as a fifth-grade inclusion teacher at Northeast Lauderdale Middle School. (Source: Meridian Star 04/26/21)

CMSD audit IDs potential savings

The Columbus (Miss.) Municipal School District (CMSD) released the results of an independent audit on April 22 that identifies opportunities for potential savings of up to $3.2M, primarily in the areas of software programs, bus operations, maintenance and purchasing policies. The CMSD board requested the State Auditor’s Office to conduct the performance audit in 2018 as part of the board's five-year plan. The auditor’s office partnered with educational firm Glimpse K12 to look at the district’s efficiency for 2018-19 and 2019-20, according to a press release from the state auditor's office. It was good timing, according to CMSD Board President Yvonne Cox, since the board is preparing for the 2021-22 school budget. The audit’s range of potential savings reflects the disruption caused by COVID-19. But, she believes there is some good information in the findings to assist the board with spending taxpayer monies "more wisely and effectively.” Glimpse K12 used data provided by CMSD to measure expenditures against school districts from the region and nation. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 04/25/21) CMSD to consider up to $3.2M in budget cuts - The Dispatch (cdispatch.com)

New WTC NOLA board members

*The World Trade Center New Orleans has named to its board of directors Paul Aucoin, executive director of the Port of South Louisiana; Michael Hecht, president and chief executive officer of Greater New Orleans Inc.; Heather Hohensee, government and public affairs director of Tellurian Inc.; and Dolph Parro, executive vice president at Republic National Distributing Co. 

*Paul Danos, owner/president/CEO of Danos in Gray, La., has been elected as vice chair of the National Ocean Industries Association board of directors. (Source: NOLA.com 04/25/21)

GTCS change of command

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Cadets from the local Golden Triangle Composite Squadron (GTCS) of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) held a change of command ceremony April 15 at the base chapel. Cadet Major Hunter Chunn, cadet commander could not attend due to COVID-19 restrictions, however, cadet Chief Master Sgt. Dakota Oswalt, stood in his place to relinquish command to the incoming cadet commander, cadet 2nd Lt. Matthew Carden. There are Civil Air Patrol Wings in every state. In Mississippi, there are 112 cadets and 300 senior members, according to Lt. Corey Goodwin, GTCS commander. Nationally, there are nearly 21,000 cadets and 33,000 senior members in numerous squadrons servicing the communities, state, and nation as volunteers. (Source: CAFB 04/20/21) GTR CAP assigns new commander > Air Education and Training Command > Article Display (af.mil)

10-digital dialing for North MS

JACKSON, Miss. - Ten-digit dialing is coming to northern Mississippi this year. Customers in the 662 area code will have to start dialing that code along with the seven-digit phone number to complete local calls. The change will enable a new suicide prevention hotline. Beginning April 24, customers can begin dialing 10 digits in the 662 code. That includes people in Southaven, Oxford, Tupelo, Columbus, Starkville, Greenwood and Greenville. If a customer only dials seven digits, a call will still go through. Starting Oct. 24, 10 digits will be mandatory and a call won't be completed without the area code. Somos Inc., which administers the North American area code plan, made the announcement last week. The north Mississippi region is among 82 area codes nationwide making room for the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which begins operation in July 2022. (Source: The AP 04/23/21) 10-Digit Phone Dialing Coming to Northern Mississippi | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

AF retirement home on lockdown

The Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Miss., is back under lockdown after six fully vaccinated residents have recently tested positive for COVID-19. WLOX News in Biloxi is reporting the recent outbreak of virus cases. The Gulfport campus has been closed to visitors. The home was closed to visitors in 2020 and the beginning of 2021 because of the pandemic. According to Armed Forces Retirement Home public affairs officer Christopher Kelly, residents and staff at the facility will be tested for at least the next two weeks. Residents returning to campus will be required to quarantine. The home will also begin performing contact tracing, providing additional cleaning, to help reduce the spread of the virus. (Source: WLOX 04/22/21)

DDG 123 christening at HII

The Navy will christen its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the future USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), during a 6:30 p.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, April 24, in Pascagoula, Miss. The ship's namesake, Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee, served as the second Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps in 1911, and was also the first living woman recipient of the Navy Cross. When she entered naval service in 1908, she was one of the first 20 women, known as the “Sacred Twenty,” to join the newly established Navy Nurse Corps and contributed her nursing skills to the Navy during WWI. The Honorable Ray Mabus, 75th Secretary of the Navy, will deliver the christening ceremony's principal address. Mabus is also the former governor of Mississippui. (Source: DoD 04/23/21) NNavy to Christen Guided-Missile Destroyer Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee > U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE > Release

USS Mobile commissioning May 22

MOBILE, Alabama - The future USS Mobile (LCS 26), the Navy’s newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), will be commissioned May 22 at 10:00 a.m. (CT) in Mobile, Alabama, at the Austal USA Shipyard. (Source: US Navy 04/21/21) Future USS Mobile (LCS 26) Set for Namesake City Commissioning > United States Navy > display-pressreleases

Pasco 'skitter' control gets 2 H125s

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Pasco County (Fla.) Mosquito Control District in Florida has a new weapon in its fight against those pesky bloodsuckers - two new Airbus H125 helicopters. Pasco County is home to roughly 45 different species of mosquitoes, and aerial spraying is one of the most effective ways to fight mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile and Zika viruses. The H125 is the helicopter of choice for mosquito control. There are 13 H125s in Florida alone. Brevard County operate two H125, Lee County operates six, Florida Keys (Monroe County) operates two, and Charlotte County also operates one H125, which also serves the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Pasco County has also entrusted Airbus with a full nose-to-tail HCare support contract for the H125 fleet. The five-year agreement covers both H125 helicopters for unscheduled parts removals. (Source: AHI 04/19/21) Pasco County, Florida receives 2 new H125s to combat mosquitoes - Press Release - Airbus US

Mobile harbor widening contract

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. LLC, Houston, Texas, was awarded a $53,910,509 firm-fixed-price contract to deepen and widen Mobile (Ala.) Harbor. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Irvington, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 18, 2022. Fiscal 2020 civil construction funds; and fiscal 2021 civil operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $53,910,509 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Alabama, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 04/21/21)

HII's $11M mod LCS pact

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded an $11,458,592 cost-plus-award-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-19-C-4313) to exercise options for the accomplishment of the Planning Yard Services for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) in-service ships. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (81%); Hampton, Virginia (17%); San Diego, California (1%); and Jacksonville, Florida (1%), and is expected to be completed by April, 2022. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $9,721,115 (84.9%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,737,437 (15.1%) will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 04/21/21)

Bollinger acquires Gulf Island yard

LOCKPORT, La. - Bollinger Shipyards, a privately-held designer and builder of steel military and commercial vessels for 75 years, announced April 19 it has acquired Gulf Island Fabrication’s shipyard on 437-acre waterfront facilities in Houma, La., expanding Bollinger’s new construction and repair capacity that is designed to serve its key defense and commercial customers. Customers include the Coast Guard, Navy, General Dynamics-Electric Boat in Connecticut, and non-defense and commercial customers servicing energy production to dredging. Gulf Island has been building the Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS) for the Navy and Regional Class Research Vessels for the National Science Foundation and Oregon State University. These projects conveyed with the transaction. (Source: Bollinger 04/19/21) Bollinger Shipyards Acquires Gulf Island Fabrication’s Shipyard Facilities

HII, GA-Tupelo Navy contracts

*Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, was awarded a $35,673,147 cost-plus-award-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-2312 to exercise options for accomplishment of follow yard services for the DDG 51 class destroyer program. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (98%); Washington, D.C. (1%); and Bath, Maine (1%), and is expected to be completed by April 2022. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,746,939 (39%); fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,561,905 (28%); fiscal 2015 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,164,626 (26%); and fiscal 2014 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,390,476 (7%) 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, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 16, 2021)

*General Atomics, San Diego, California, is awarded an $11,434,125 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price order (N0001921F0818) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001916G0006). This order provides support services for advanced arresting gear (AAG) depot planning Phase II efforts, to include logistics support, supportability analysis, maintenance planning, reliability maintenance, support equipment recommendations, program development and post production support, provisioning data, packaging requirements identification, and technical manual development as it directly correlates to AAG depot planning for the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78); and USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). Work will be performed in San Diego, California (98.11%); Lakehurst, New Jersey (1.65%); and Tupelo, Mississippi (0.24%), and is expected to be completed in February 2024. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,932,360; and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,501,765 will be obligated at time of award, $1,501,765 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 04/20/21)

HII $107M contract

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $107,194,022 not-to-exceed, undefinized contract action for long lead-time material (LLTM) in support of one Amphibious Assault Ship Replacement (LHA(R)) Flight 1 Ship (LHA 9). This action will be the fifth increment of LLTM awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries under contract N00024-20-C-2437. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (50%); Kingsford, Michigan (15%); Saratoga Springs, New York (12%); Brunswick, Georgia (9%); Knoxville, Tennessee (5%); Chesapeake, Virginia (4%); Wellsville, New York (3%); and North Tonawanda, New York (2%). Work is expected to be completed by April 2024. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $80,395,516 will be obligated at award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The obligation amount represents 75% of the not-to-exceed price, in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 217.7404-4 limitations on obligations. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this contract was not competitively procured — only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 04/19/21)

EMCC: New deans of instruction

East Mississippi Community College has promoted Dr. Michael Busby and Dr. Jairus Johnson to fill two dean of instruction positions. Busby is in charge of overall instruction at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus and the Lion Hills Center. Johnson performs the same functions at the college’s Scooba campus. Johnson has worked at EMCC as a biology instructor since 2004. In 2007, he assumed the additional role of Mathematics and Science Division chair. The York, Ala., native earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of West Alabama, where he also completed his Master of Arts in Teaching. He earned his doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. Busby has worked at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus since 2016. Prior to that, he worked as an instructor and administrator for Mississippi State University. Busby was born and raised in West Point, Miss. He attended Itawamba Community College to play tennis, but transferred to Mississippi State where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business. He went on to earn both a master’s degree in Education and a doctorate in Instructional Systems and Workforce Development from MSU. (Source: EMCC 04/15/21)

LCS 24 commissioning live stream

The Navy’s newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Oakland (LCS 24), will be commissioned at 12 noon (CST) April 17 from Oakland, California. The commissioning ceremony will be live-streamed starting at 11:55 a.m. CST) via https://allhands.navy.mil/Live-Stream. Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Harker will deliver the principal address. Ms. Kate Brandt, Google Sustainability Officer, is the ship’s sponsor. Cmdr. Francisco X. Garza, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, is the ship’s commanding officer. LCS 24 was built by Austal USA/General Dynamics in Mobile, Alabama. USS Oakland will be homeported at Naval Base San Diego. (Source: DoD 04/16/21)

$25.4M Penguin pact for Hancock

Penguin Computing Inc., Fremont, California, was awarded a $25,480,000 firm-fixed-price contract for commercially-available, production-grade, high-performance computer systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Hancock, Mississippi, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 12, 2026. Fiscal 2021 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $25,480,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.  (Source: DoD 04/16/21)

Support services for Navy NOLA

Amentum Services Inc., Germantown, Maryland, is awarded a $16,445,246 modification (P00076) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N6833517C0272). This modification exercises an option to provide maintenance support services for 15 Fleet Readiness Centers, Aviation Support Equipment Divisions. Work will be performed in Solomons, Maryland (16%); North Island, California (12%); Cherry Point, North Carolina (10%); Portsmouth, Virginia (9%); El Centro, California (8%); Jacksonville, Florida (7%); Lemoore, California (7%); Beaufort, South Carolina (5%); Jacksonville, Florida (5%); Fort Worth, Texas (5%); New Orleans, Louisiana (5%); C, El Salvador (4%); Yorktown, Virginia (3%); North Island, California (2%); and Whidbey Island, Washington (2%), and is expected to be completed in April 2022. Fiscal 2021 Navy operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,900,000 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 04/15/21)

*JAR Assets LLC, Mandeville, Louisiana, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract in the estimated amount of $11,112,000 for scheduled fuel barge transportation service. The location of performance is the U.S. Gulf Coast Region. The contract period of performance is from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 14, 2021) (Source: DoD 04/15/21)