Boeing [BA] yesterday said it will lead an industry team as prime contractor to compete for the Air Force Launch Test Range System Integrated Support Contract (LISC).
The contract will consolidate existing operations and maintenance, systems engineering and sustainment work at the United States’ Eastern and Western Ranges into a single contract.
The 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., operates the Eastern Range that includes Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, while the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., operates the Western Range.
Greg Pavlovich, a retired brigadier general and former commander of the 45th Space Wing, will serve as general manager and lead the Boeing LISC pursuit, the company said in a statement.
Pavlovich was among the first Air Force officials to advocate launch range consolidation as an effective way to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. “Mission success is job one, and that’s becoming more difficult to achieve for the customer as budget pressures intensify and priorities change…in this cost-conscious world, it is imperative that we embrace increased efficiencies, and yet remain responsive to keep the launch ranges 100 percent mission-ready. Boeing understands the mission-critical nature of the ranges and that reliable range infrastructure depends on rigorous life cycle management for sustainable and affordable mission support.”
Joining Pavlovich are former Eastern Range Executive Director Bob Fore and the former Western Range Lead Engineer Nick Pelster. Both will serve as senior systems engineers on the Boeing LISC team.
“Reducing the cost of range operations takes innovation, organizational agility, and a leadership team that is fully aligned to the customer’s vision,” said Joe Shaheen, director of the Infrastructure & Range Services program area of Boeing’s Defense & Government Services division. “Boeing has successfully demonstrated this performance model in numerous areas over many years, including the consolidation of operations and maintenance, engineering, supply-chain management, and infrastructure services for programs and customers from the Air Force to the Intelligence Community.”
Boeing will serve as the prime contractor, leading a team that includes SAIC [SAI]; LJT & Associates Inc.; and Global AOC World Services LLC.