Capitol Hill Week Ahead. The Democratic and Republican Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1 will kick off a busy week in politics as the House returns to the Hill. After two weeks away, HASC will get back to business with a slew of hearings. On Tuesday, HASC will host outgoing commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan Gen. John Campbell. The following day, the committee continues its acquisition reform hearings, with a panel of former Pentagon officials scheduled to testify about best practices for starting weapons programs.
JLTV Record. The Army requests a weeklong extension to the deadline set by the federal claims court for it to file the complete administrative record of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program. In its court filing seeking the extension, the Army indicated that Lockheed Martin, which is suing over its loss to Oshkosh does not object to the extension.
… Extensive Reasoning. The Army says the blizzard that shut down the federal federal government for three days this week is partially to blame for its inability to compile the administrative record, which is to be filed with the court by Feb. 1. Another contributing factor is the unimaginable size of the document, which is “significantly larger” than any document the Army’s Justice Department lawyers have ever filed, court records say. “We anticipate that the record will be several hundred thousand pages long and the Army has provided more than 10,000 individual files for inclusion in the record.” For showing good cause, the request is granted. The Army has until Feb. 8 to file the record.
New M&A Thresholds. The Federal Trade Commission says the new minimum threshold for reporting acquisitions requiring review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust law is $78.2 million, $1.9 million below the current threshold. The new threshold goes into effect on Feb. 25. When HSR became law in 1976, the minimum threshold for reporting acquisition activity was $50 million and the law was amended in 2000 to require annual adjustment to the threshold based on change in the gross national product. By the way, the filing fees for reporting a deal that meets the threshold range from a low of $45,000 to $280,000 depending on the size of the transaction, the FTC says.
Precision Castparts to Berkshire. Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway holding and management company on Friday completed its $37.2 billion acquisition of aerospace and defense complex metal components manufacturer Precision Castparts. The value of the deal includes PCC’s outstanding debt and $235 per share all-cash transaction.
Final Booster BAA Contract. The Air Force awards Northrop Grumman its 10th and final Booster Propulsion Technology Maturation Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) contract, according to a service statement. The $7 million contract is for “duct-cooled, carbon silicon carbide (C/SiC) thrust chamber technology” to demonstrate both new manufacturing technology and a new nozzle cooling approach that will lead to a lighter combustion chamber design that is less expensive to produce. The Air Force targets completion of this contract for Jan. 26, 2018. The Booster Propulsion Technology Maturation BAA solicitation supports technology maturation and risk reduction for rocket propulsion system development. The Air Force awards 10 total contracts totaling approximately $35 million for the solicitation.
GPS IIF-12 Launch Delay. The Air Force and United Launch Alliance (ULA) delay the GPS IIF-12 launch until no earlier than Feb. 5 after addressing concerns over the integrity of electrical connectors on the Atlas V booster, according to a ULA statement. The launch had originally been delayed one day to Feb. 4 to evaluate these electrical connector concerns. Launch will take place at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. GPS IIF-12 is the final satellite in the IIF constellation. 
JPSS Contracts. NASA sole sources Exelis and Raytheon contracts as part of Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Polar Follow-On missions, according to company statements. NASA awards Exelis a $316 million cost-plus-award-fee contract modification for two Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) instruments for flight on the Polar Follow-On/JPSS-3 and -4 missions. This extends Exelis’ period of performance to 18 months after the launch of JPSS-4. NASA awards Raytheon a $564 million contract modification for two Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensors for use in Polar Follow-On/JPSS-3 and -4. These are the fourth and fifth VIIRS units Raytheon has been contracted to build. The company has delivered a second VIIRS sensor for JPSS-1, scheduled for a 2017 launch, and is currently building a third VIIRS unit for JPSS-2, planned for launch in 2021. Exelis is a division of Harris.
NanoRacks/Millennium. Millennium Space Systems inks a contract with NanoRacks to launch its ALTAIR-1 Pathfinder satellite into low earth orbit this summer via cargo resupply to the International Space Station (ISS), according to a Millennium statement. The ALTAIR platform will demonstrate and flight-qualify key technologies developed in house by Millennium in guidance, navigation and control; avionics and flight computing; advanced onboard processing; electrical power and distribution and software defined radio communications.
F-35 AIM-9X. A F-35 launches a AIM-9X Sidewinder missile for the first time over the Pacific Sea Test Range, Calif., according to an Air Force statement. The missile was launched at 6,000 feet. The test paves the way for the F-35 to utilize the weapon’s high off-boresight and targeting capabilities, increasing lethality in the visual arena. The AIM-9X is an advanced infrared missile and the newest of the Sidewinder family of short-range air-to-air missiles carried on a wide range of fighter jets. Raytheon develops the Sidewinder.
RPA SAA RFI. The Air Force seeks information from industry on existing and emerging developmental, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) or government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) technology solutions to address the requirements for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) sense and avoid (SAA), according to a notice posted on Federal Business Opportunities (FBO). RPA SAA capabilities must enable RPAs to maintain safe separation to include avoiding collisions as well as safely integrate with other airspace users across the full range of operations in global airspace environments. Responses are due Feb. 15. Federal aviation rules require the pilot to “see and avoid” other traffic. Because RPAs have no onboard pilot, RPAs require a SAA capability which enables the RPA to operate safely in airspace with other users. The SAA capability must be able to provide safe-separation to include avoiding collisions.
P-8 Sale. Boeing lands a $2.4 billion modification to a previously awarded fixed-price, incentive-firm contract for the sale of 20 P-8A Poseidon maritime multi-mission aircraft. The Navy will procure 16 Lot III full-rate production planes for about $2 billion, and Australia will procure four for $417 million. The award also provides funds for obsolescence monitoring efforts, change assessment and integrated baseline/ program management reviews. The P-8 will replace the P-3 Orion and will conduct missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and maritime patrol. “We continue to hear feedback from our Navy customer about the incredible capabilities of the P-8A,” James Dodd, Boeing vice president and program manager of P-8 programs, says in a statement. “The deployed squadrons tell us it’s exceeding expectations–we’re looking forward to providing even more capability to the fleet and to Australia.”
Data Support Contract. The Navy awards Accenture Federal Services, CACI Enterprise Solutions, CGI Federal, Deloitte Consulting, Alexandria, ECS Federal, IBM, Leidos and Main Sail an estimated $147 million multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price task orders contract for process improvement, reengineering, management and data support services. The contract will support Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) efforts to improve data governance and analysis, business process re-engineering and management, and business system engineering and integration. Each contract includes a yearlong base period and four 12-month options. If all options are exercised, the contract has a ceiling value of $809 million and work will be completed by July 2020.
Amphib Maintenance. BAE Systems picks up a $26 million modification to a previously awarded contract for repairs to the USS Anchorage (LPD-23) during a selected restricted availability. The availability includes planning and execution of depot-level maintenance and modifications to improve the ship’s capabilities. Work will be performed in San Diego and is expected to wrap up by Oct. 2016.
Hornet Repair Contract. The Navy awards Boeing a $22 million firm-fixed price delivery order to repair F/A-18 fighter jet parts. Work is expected to be complete by December 2018. The company also receives a $9 million modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for calendar year 2016 F/A-18 A-F aircraft program management, logistics, and engineering services for the Switzerland, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, and Spain.
Osprey Test Contract. Bell-Boeing nabs a $20 million cost-plus- fixed-fee modification to a previously issued delivery order placed against a basic ordering agreement for the MV-22 Osprey in use by the Marine Corps. The modification exercises an option for flight test support, including test planning and execution, flight clearances and technical reviews. Work is expected to be compete December 2016.
Cruiser Modernization. The Navy awards BAE Systems a $14 million firm-fixed-price contract for USS Normandy (CG-60) selected restricted availability. The work involves repairs, planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, and modifications that will update and improve the ship’s military and technical capabilities. If executed, options would bring this contract up to $15 million. Work is expected to be complete in November 2016.
Oiler Maintenance. Detyens Shipyards gets an $11 million firm-fixed-price contract for 71-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry docking of USNS Laramie (T-AO 203). According to the contract announcement, the work will include general services; clean and gas free tanks; ballast tank blast and paint; cargo tank blast and paint; main mast preservation; expansion joint structural steel replacement; port and starboard main engine 72,000-hour overhaul; starboard main engine coupling replacement; life boat hook replacement; drydocking; underwater hull blast and paint; propeller maintenance and repair; and underway replenishment blocks and sheaves. Work is expected to be completed by June 2016.
Zika, Bird Flu Concerns. The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, co-chaired by former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge (R) and Sen. Joeseph Lieberman (I/D-Conn.), is expressing concern with the emerging infectious diseases that threaten the United States, the Zika virus and avian influenza. The two statesmen are encouraged that the Center for Disease Control is conducting aggressive surveillance and education related to Zika but warn that “we still lack rapid diagnostic, vaccines, or treatments.” They also note that while the Agriculture Department has been aggressive in monitoring avian flu in Midwest poultry farms that a vaccine has been developed for, it’s unknown whether the vaccine will work against a new strain of bird flu that hit in Indiana this month.
DigitalGlobe Customer Commitment. DigitalGlobe, a provider of commercial high-resolution earth observations, announces its third customer commitment for direct access capacity on the WorldView-4 satellite. The satellite is expected to begin commercial operations in early 2017 following a September 2017 launch. About 60 percent of $355 million in contracts and letter of intent for capacity on the WorldView-3 and -4 satellites is under firm contract. WorldView-4 revenue is expected to start to be recognized in the first quarter of 2017. The contracts and intent letters come from international defense and intelligence customers.
Airbus CTO Out. Airbus Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Jean Botti plans to leave the company in April 2016 to pursue a career opportunity outside the aerospace industry, the company says. Botti joined Airbus in 2006 after previously serving at Delphi Corporation. At Airbus Botti is known for pushing the E-Fan all-electric aircraft. Botti’s successor is the subject of a comprehensive review to define a new mission and perimeter for the corporate technical office function.
CRS Cyber Summary. A new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report is released, summarizing and listing cybersecurity legislation and hearings from 2012 to the present as well as relevant executive orders and presidential directives.
Safe Guns. The Army’s Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) Joint Service Small Arms Program, which manages requirements for development, coordination and procurement of guns and ammunition, begins looking at new technologies to reduce accidental discharge and unauthorized use of firearms. Created in 2004, part of its mission is referred to as “harmonizing” rather than standardizing weapons because each service has its own preferences and needs. The new study was launched as a result of firearm-safety initiative announced by President Barack Obama. A specific research plan is expected by April.
Soldier Cost. The average cost for operations and support per active-duty soldier has increased from $58,000 per year in 1980 to about $153,000 per soldier in 2015, according to the Association of the U.S. Army. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects slower growth in per-soldier costs. It estimates the cost will be $162,000 per soldier for 2016 and will increase to $168,000 by 2020, a hike of just $1,500 a year.