Contour Airlines to serve Greenville

Contour Airlines and Greenville, Miss., officials announced Aug. 11 that the airlines has been selected the new essential service carrier for the Mid-Delta Regional Airport. On Oct. 1, the airlines will begin offering a daily flight to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. The airlines will additionally be offering five days a week service to Nashville - except Tuesdays and Saturdays. (Source: Delta Democrat-Times 08/11/21) Greenville airport expected to soar with Contour Airlines | Delta Democrat-Times (ddtonline.com)

McKelip to lead COD-Stennis

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Mississippi native and Louisiana resident Rodney McKelip was appointed to lead NASA’s Center Operations Directorate at Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss. McKelip's appointment was made possible after achieving federal Senior Executive Service (SES) status. His role as director of the directorate was effective Aug. 11. Prior to his appointment, he served as deputy director since March 2019 and acting director since January. NASA’s mission to Mars begins in New Orleans. (Source: WGNO 08/16/21)

Navy med team deploys to La.

One of five Department of Defense medical assistance teams will be deployed to Lafayette, La., according to Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby, in response to the latest coronavirus surge and at FEMA’s request. DoD identified five medical teams to support efforts around the nation. Each team will have about 20 Navy medical personnel, including doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists, and will support Ochsner Lafayette General hospital in Lafayette. OLG currently has more than 150 COVID-19 patients. A U.S. official told ABC News that the troops are expected to arrive Aug. 18. (Source: KATC 08/17/21) Federal emergency team headed to Lafayette (katc.com)

$9.9M Vertex mod contract

Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Mississippi, is awarded a $9,918,884 modification (P00008) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N0001917C0080). This modification exercises an option to provide organizational and intermediate depot maintenance, logistics and supply support for three KC-130J aircraft for the government of Kuwait. Additionally, this modification provides limited repair of common support equipment. Work will be performed in Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base, Kuwait, and is expected to be completed in August 2022. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $9,918,884 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 08/17/21)

DoD regional contracts 08/17

 *Bertucci Contracting Co. LLC, New Orleans, Louisiana, was awarded a $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract to repair revetments and dikes. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Mississippi, is the contracting activity.

 

*PC Mechanical Inc., Santa Maria, California, is awarded a $62,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for equipment support services (ESS) supporting the civil engineering support equipment (CESE) at Naval Base Ventura County, Naval Base San Diego, and Naval Construction Battalion Center. Work will be performed in Santa Maria, California (75%); and Gulfport, Mississippi (25%). No task orders are being issued at this time. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with a six-month option. Expected completion date of February 2027. The work to be performed is for ESS on CESE assets in contiguous U.S. locations. The contractor shall provide all labor, training, management, for the inspections, preventative maintenance, refurbishment, repairs, overhauls, upgrades, modernization, modifications, and logistics management information services provided to support of naval expeditionary equipment assets. Fiscal 2021 Navy operation and maintenance contract funds in the amount of $10,000 will be obligated after award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by Navy operations and maintenance. This contract was competitively procured via the system for Award Management Contract Opportunities website with one proposal received. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 08/17/21)

Navigation measures on LMR

Vessel Traffic Service-Lower Mississippi River, in accordance with the Navigation Safety and federal regulations, will establish a series of VTS measures for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) from Mile Marker 9.0 to MM 10.3 on Aug. 17 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. These measures are needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the installation of a submerged dredge pipeline across the river in the vicinity of Spanish Pass Mississippi River Navigation Channel Crossing. The closure does not restrict vessel traffic entering/exiting the LMR at MM 10.4 (The Jump).) VTS, an entity within the U.S. Coast Guard, provides active monitoring and navigational advice for vessels in particularly confined and busy waterways. Alternate date is Aug. 19. (Source: Coast Guard advisory 08/13/21) MSIB Vol XXI Issue 051 Temporary Closure MM 9.0 – MM 10.3 AHP LMR (govdelivery.com)

East, West coast MROs for Austal

MOBILE, Ala. – The U.S. Navy awarded Austal USA a sustainment execution contract (SEC) Aug. 4 for repair, maintenance and modernization (MRO) of all Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) homeported in San Diego. This includes all Austal-built Independence-variant LCS as well as the west-coast based Freedom-variant LCS. Nine days later, the Navy awarded Austal a an SEC for repair, maintenance, and modernization for all Littoral Combat Ships homeported in Mayport, Fla. (Source: Austal USA 08/2021) Press Releases | Austal: Corporate=

HII wagering on unmanned systems

WASHINGTON - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is taking a large wager on unmanned systems, primarily for the Defense Department. What makes Ingalls different over the past two years is efforts to carve itself out a piece of the pie in a crowded unmanned systems market. The impetus, Duane Fotheringham, president of the company’s unmanned systems group, told Defense News, is simple: The Navy’s focus is changing and HII’s going to follow. The Navy’s intent, through its Distributed Maritime Operations agenda, is to have unmanned as a significant part of its future fleet, he said. As the Navy pushes its strategy, some defense firms may find competition in a vast market of smaller businesses that have spent time and resources to perfect technologies the Navy needs; and smaller shipyards for contracts. In recent years, HII has made acquisitions and investments, as well as partnerships, outside of its key shipyards in Virginia and Pascagoula, Miss. Among HII acquisitions is Hydroid, a small autonomous maritime vehicle design firm; the autonomy business unit of Spatial Integrated Systems that is subcontracting for Louisiana-based Metal Shark on the Marines’ Long-Range Unmanned Surface Vehicle. These moves reach beyond capital warship production into unmanned markets. Bringing smaller, and often non-traditional, contractors into the base has been a key focus for DoD. Not long after buying Hydroid, HII made an equity investment into Sea Machines of Boston, a firm experienced with unmanned maritime technology, but largely focused on the commercial sector. HII’s endeavors into unmanned are not just a bet against its industrial competition, but that the Navy can persuade Congress to fund its unmanned efforts at a pace and scale the Navy needs for future war-fighting. (Source: Breaking Defense 08/16/21) HII Is Making Its Play For Unmanned Systems - Breaking Defense Breaking Defense - Defense

Bollinger picks up 4 more FRCs

The U.S. Coast Guard has exercised a contract option to award Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards for four more Sentinel‐Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC). This option brings the total number of FRCs builds to 64 since the program’s inception. The CG has commissioned 43 into service. Bollinger is using a proven parent craft design based on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708. “We’re incredibly proud of the work we do … and we’re especially proud of our long history supporting the U.S. Coast Guard that stretches nearly four decades,” said shipyard President/CEO Ben Bordelon. All four FRCs will be built at Bollinger’s Lockport, La., facility and are scheduled for delivery to the Coast Guard between Fall 2024 and Summer 2025. (Source: Bollinger Shipyards 08/10/21) U.S. Coast Guard Awards Four More Fast Response Cutters to Bollinger Shipyards

Census: Small biz survey Phase 6

The U.S. Census Bureau announced the beginning of data collection for Phase 6 of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). The experimental survey was designed/launched in April 2020 to measure temporal economic trends in the nation’s small businesses and to provide insight into the impact of the pandemic response in the U.S. New content that has been added in Phase 6 covers difficulties hiring employees, new workplace norms, changes in demand for goods or services, and price changes from suppliers. In addition, Phase 6 will also include content from previous phases. The SBPS takes only minutes to complete. Each week, it will be sent to about 100,000 small businesses. Over the course of nine weeks, nearly a million small businesses will receive an invitation to participate. The data, which will be posted weekly Aug. 26 to Oct. 21, will include estimates for all 50 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. (Source: US Census Bureau 08/16/21) Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 6 Begins (census.gov)

More MS schools shut down

Mississippi public schools are struggling with COVID-19 and decision-making whether to begin person-to-person instruction for the upcoming school year. On Aug. 15, the Hancock County School District voted to shut down for East Hancock Elementary and Hancock Middle schools for 14 days, and transition to virtual learning. Sunday’s announcement means four of the district’s six campuses have closed due to COVID-19 outbreaks since Aug, 3. Last week, officials with the Pearl River County School District voted to close all of its campuses and switch to virtual learning effective Aug. 16. (Source:  Magnolia State Live 08/15/21)

Learn to fly Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. - Ever dream of piloting an airplane? On Aug. 19, you can learn about it at the inaugural Aviation Day at Tupelo Aviation, the fixed-base operator adjacent to the Tupelo Regional Airport at 105 Lemons Drive from 5-7 p.m. Steve Shaffer, founder of Learn To Fly Tupelo says there will be plenty to do and see, including information on how to get your private pilot's license, and meet with local instructors. More information is available at Learn To Fly in Tupelo MS. Aircraft Rental. Flight Training and Instructor. (learntoflytupelo.com)

Coming: GCAC August newsletter

The August issue of the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor (GCAC) Newsletter will publish next week. The cover story focuses on the expected battle between Airbus and Boeing to build the KC-Y aerial "bridge tanker". Boeing will offer a modified version of its current KC-46, while Airbus will offer the A330 MRRT. A lot has happened since the first battle between the two to build the replacement for the KC-135. When the contract was awarded to Boeing in 2011, Mobile, Ala., had no aircraft assembly lines. Now the Port City is home to two - the A320 and A220. Finally, we take a look at some of the key stories that developed in the region since June, including the new training helicopter that was delivered to NAS Whiting Field, Fla., the latest engine test at Stennis Space Center, Miss., and developments designed to create a business park at the Michoud Assembly Facility in East New Orleans. The newsletter can be read at GCAC's website. gulf coast aerospace corridor - home

Lanane to command TAW-1

Capt. Robert T. Lanane II became commodore of Training Air Wing 1 at NAS Meridian, Miss., on Aug. 13 during a change of command ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, outgoing commodore Capt. Tracey J. Gendreau, retired from naval service. Lanane is a native of Gettysburg, Pa., and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He received his commission through Officer Candidate School in 1999 and earned his Wings of Gold in 2001 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, Miss. As squadron commander of VFA-136, he led the “Knighthawks” during its 2015 combat deployment aboard aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (Source: WTOK/CNATRA 08/13/21) Training Air Wing One | Leadership (navy.mil) TAW-1's mission of is to provide newly designated aviators to the fleet for further training in operational combat aircraft. The Commander's specific mission is to supervise, coordinate, and administer the student pilot academic and flight-training program - training international military aviators from such nations as France, Italy, and Spain.

DoD regional contracts 8/13

*Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama (N00024-21-D-4459); Colonna’s Shipyard Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-21-D-4460); East Coast Repair & Fabrication LLC, Portsmouth, Virginia (N00024-21-D-4461); Epsilon Systems Solutions Inc., Portsmouth, Virginia (N00024-21-D-4462); General Dynamics NASSCO-Mayport, Jacksonville, Florida (N00024-21-D-4463); North Florida Shipyards Inc., Jacksonville, Florida (N00024-21-D-4464); and Tecnico Corp.,* Chesapeake, Virginia (N00024-21-D-4465), are awarded a combined $965,030,816 maximum ceiling value, firm-fixed price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract (MAC II) to support sustainment execution efforts for littoral combat ships homeported in Mayport, Florida. These efforts consist of chief of naval operations dry docking selected restricted availabilities and selected restricted availabilities, continuous maintenance, emergent maintenance, ship assessments, preventative/planned maintenance, facilities maintenance, and corrosion control in the contiguous U.S.; and continuous maintenance, emergent maintenance, preventative/planned maintenance, facilities maintenance, and corrosion control, outside the continental U.S. Delivery orders will be competitively awarded under these contracts, which are expected to be performed in Mayport, Florida (58%); outside the continental U.S. (28%); and other contiguous U.S. (14%) locations as appropriate. Each contract has an estimated ordering period of five years, which is expected to end in August 2026. Fiscal 2021 Navy operation and maintenance funding in the amount of $70,000 ($10,000 minimum guarantee per contract) is being obligated at each contract’s initial delivery order and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured using full and open competition with 16 offers received via the beta.sam.gov website. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

* Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded an $18,270,800 firm-fixed-price contract for furnishing a fully crewed and equipped hydraulic pipeline cutterhead dredge for the removal and disposal of shoal material. 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 31, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (Source: DoD 08/13/21)

Neshoba leading in COVID cases

JACKSON, Miss. - Rural east central Mississippi is being overcome by COVID-19 cases, two weeks after the Philadelphia-based group hosted the Neshoba County Fair that brought thousands of people shoulder-to-shoulder. As of Aug. 13, Neshoba County had the highest per-capita COVID-19 caseload in Mississippi and the 55th highest among all counties in the United States, according to the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 case tracker. Lee McCall, CEO of the Neshoba General Hospital, posted on Twitter to challenge Gov. Tate Reeves to step up and show leadership. (“@tatereeves" hospitals and healthcare workers need you to help us. Where are you?”) “We are overwhelmed ... and understaffed to safely care for our patients. ... we are all at our breaking point.” Mississippi broke its single-day record of new COVID-19 cases three times this week, with more than 12,000 total cases. On Aug. 12, the state broke its records for patients hospitalized and patients in ICUs with COVID-19. (Source: The AP 08/13/21) Major COVID outbreak comes after Neshoba County Fair in Mississippi (clarionledger.com)

Plaquemines Port jumps first

The Plaquemines (Parish, La.) Port, and its representatives, bought 1,000 acres of land and 8,200 feet of Mississippi River frontage on the West Bank of the Mississippi River about 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. The business move gave a jump on its “rival” at Port NOLA for a proposed gateway container ship terminal. Port NOLA was in the planning stage of building a terminal at Violet, La., but the St. Bernard Parish Council voted, at the behest of angry residents, against that proposal. Plaquemines Port is among the largest in the world for moving bulk cargo – such as agricultural products, oil, and petrochemicals. However, global shipping has been moving toward containerized cargo. Several Gulf of Mexico ports – like Houston and Mobile, Ala. - have been making moves to cut into the market for a piece of the pie. (Source: NOLA.com 08/13/21) In race for container terminal, Plaquemines Port gets a jump on Port of New Orleans | Business News | nola.com

MSPA board meeting Aug. 26

The Mississippi State Port Authority board of commissioners is scheduled to meet on Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. at the Port’s Administrative Office on the 14th floor of the Hancock Bank Plaza, located at 2510 14th Street in Gulfport. Meeting times are subject to change. Please visit the Calendar of Events page for the most up-to-date information. Board meetings are open to the public. (Source: MSPA 08/21)

Economic benes of Gulf O&G

A study from Energy & Industrial Advisory Partners (EIAP) details the diversity of companies and the multitude of jobs involved in exploration, development, and production of offshore oil and natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico. The study, “The Gulf of Mexico Oil & Gas Project Lifecycle: Building an American Energy & Economic Anchor,” describes the 30-year lifecycle of each offshore O&G project and how it serves as an economic engine with high-paying jobs. The multitude and diversity of U.S. offshore oil and gas jobs begin well before any lease sale, according to National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito. Jobs and spending for offshore O&G projects begin well before a lease is signed with the U.S. government and continues through decommissioning. The continued pause of Gulf of Mexico lease sales removes a critical revenue stream, but also puts jobs and billions of dollars of investment at risk, the study said. There are more than 200 different types of jobs identified in the EIAP study. Average annual wages for those jobs is $69,650. The GoM supported more than 345,000 jobs in 2019. The numbers are projected upward to over 400,000 jobs if the right government policies are in place. (Source: Work Boat 08/12/21) Download the report at Microsoft Word - The Gulf of Mexico Oil & Gas Project Lifecycle (noia.org)

HII names Norris to gov't affairs role

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced Aug. 12 today Jack Norris has been named director of state and local government affairs. Norris will lead all state and local government relations efforts in support of Ingalls’ strategic goals and will collaborate with community and economic development partners. Prior to joining Ingalls, Norris led program management activities for Covington Civil and Environmental in support of the state of Mississippi’s RESTORE Act coastal restoration program. (Source: HII 08/12/21) https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/file/jack-norris.