NS&D Monitor
12/12/2014
IN THE NNSA
The National Nuclear Security Administration was ranked 288th out of 314 federal agency subgroups in this year’s list of the best federal agencies to work for, compiled by the by the Partnership for Public Service and released this week. The NNSA was ranked 58th in pay, but 279th in effective leadership, 298th in strategic management, 284th in innovation, and 298th in performance-based rewards and advancement. DOE was ranked 21st out of 25 mid-size federal agencies.
IN THE INDUSTRY
Former Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration official Scott Samuelson is joining Longenecker & Associates as a senior associate. Samuelson retired from federal service after more than 30 years last month, most recently serving as a senior advisor within the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Acquisition and Project Management. His previous positions included stints as manager of the DOE Office of River Protection at Hanford, and as federal project director for the National Ignition Facility. “I’ve known and worked with Scott for more than 20 years,” Longenecker & Associates President John Longenecker said in a statement. “His experience in addressing the key challenges in every complex project will be a great asset to our team and our clients.”
The Air Force announced on Dec. 10 that it has awarded General Electric a $7.6 million firm-fixed-price requirements contract for contractor engineering and technical services in support of GE engines, including the F101-GE-102 that powers the B-1 bomber. “Contractor engineering and technical services will be provided by the original manufacturer to elevate the skills and abilities of Air Force military and civilian personnel so that they may become self-sufficient in system maintenance,” the award announcement states. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2016. The contract involves foreign military sales, and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. $1.8 million in Fiscal Year 2015 operations and maintenance funds and $303,852 in RY 2015 working capital funds are being obligated on task orders at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
The Air Force announced on Dec. 3 that it has awarded ASRC Federal Space and Defense an estimated $21.7 million firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm target, and cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for launch services mission assurance (LSMA). ASRC will sustain excess ballistic missile solid rocket motors and perform independent verification and validation (IV&V) functions in control systems, aerodynamics, aero-thermal modeling, structural analysis, propulsion systems (solid, liquid, and hybrid), electrical and software engineering. While the initial awarded contract value is $4.1 million, missions IV&V missions may be acquired at any time throughout the initial performance period of the contract up to an estimated value of $21.7 million. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 30, 2021. Space and Missile Systems Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity, and selected ASRC out of three total bidders. $1 million in Fiscal Year 2015 research, development, test and evaluation funding is being obligated at the time of award.
IN CONGRESS
The Republican-led 114th Congress will retain the current chairs of the House Armed Services subcommittees on Strategic Forces, Seapower and Projection Forces, Tactical Air and Land Forces and Readiness. Reps. Mike Rogers (Ala.), J. Randy Forbes (Va.), Mike Turner (Ohio) and Rob Wittman (Va.) will head the respective groups, according to a statement released by incoming HASC Chair Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas). New subcommittee leaders include Rep. Joe Wilson (S.C.) for the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities, Rep. Joe Heck (Nev.) for Subcommittee on Military Personnel, and Rep. Vicki Hartzler (Mo.) for the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
The House Armed Services Committee will welcome six new GOP members next month, according to a Dec. 9 announcement released by incoming HASC Chair Mac Thornberry (R-Texas). Appointments include Reps. Ryan Zinke (Mont.), Sam Graves (Mo.), Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), Martha McSally (Ariz.), Steve Knight (Calif.) and Tom MacArthur (N.J.). "The Armed Services Committee has always taken its constitutional responsibilities to the country and to our men and women in uniform very seriously,” Thornberry said. “With the world growing more dangerous and a shrinking military, we have an enormous task ahead of us. I am very impressed with the qualifications of the new members of the Committee and with their commitment to our national security. I look forward to working with them and all members of the Committee on both sides of the aisle to meet the many challenges we face.”
