Golden Dome Price Tag Spikes

Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed here do not reflect opinions of the Leader’s owners or staff.

NextGov/FCW reports Golden Dome’s official projected price tag just jumped $10 billion to $185 billion, according to GEN Michael Guetlein, the Space Force officer in charge of the sprawling missile defense project. Experts say the real cost is likely to be far, far more.

After US forces struck more than 90 targets on Iran’s Kharg Island on Friday, Central Command announced that the US military has destroyed more than 100 Iranian naval vessels and flown more than 6,000 combat flights during the first 16 days of Operation Epic Fury. The small coral island about 21 miles off Iran’s coast is the primary terminal through which nearly all of Iran’s oil exports pass, reports Stars and Stripes.

Reinforcements are heading to the Iran war, reports Military Times from a Wall Street Journal report that said, DefSec Pete Hegseth approved an amphibious ready group and attached Marine Expeditionary Unit to help combat Iran’s regional attacks. The supplemental forces would include up to 5,000 personnel and several warships, including one with a battalion landing team  of around 1,100 Marines and sailors.

At least five E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control planes arrived Monday night in the Azores, a common stopover to the Middle East. TWZ says adding the sensitive airborne ‘look-down’ radar platform to land-based operations could help spot low-flying Iranian kamikaze drones wreaking havoc on Arab Gulf States. Some Hawkeyes are already supporting air wing operations of the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln.

Neither the US nor Israel seemed close to ending their attacks on Iran is they entered a third week of war, reports TWZ. US President Donald Trump says he is not yet prepared to make a deal with Tehran while Israeli officials say there are still “thousands of targets” to be hit.

It took sailors more than 30 hours last week to extinguish the fire in the main laundry area of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford that has left more than 600 crew members without a bed, reports The New York Times. The ship, carrying 4,500 sailors and fighter pilots, is entering its 10th month of deployment which is expected to extend into May, making an entire year at sea, twice the time of a standard carrier deployment.

The Trump administration is offering a $10 million reward for information on Iranian leaders  reports The Hill. The Rewards for Justice notice lists individuals the administration seeks and also states that any possible informants could be eligible for “relocation.”

Tehran’s de facto closure of the vital the Strait of Hormuz  in retaliation for the US-Israel airstrikes, has caused the largest oil supply disruption in history and soaring global oil prices. Over the weekend, Trump warned European allies of a “very bad” future for NATO if they don’t help the US protect the waterway but met a muted response, reports The Guardian.

Trump on Monday recast his weekend call for allies to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz as a test of loyalty rather than a strategic necessity, reports Military Times. “We don’t need anybody,” Trump said during a press conference. “I’m almost doing it, in some cases, not because we need them, but because I want to find out how they’ll react.”

Italy has announced it will not participate in the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, and has begun withdrawing some of its military personnel from positions in the Middle East as the conflict intensifies, reports Military.com.

India secured the safe transit of two Indian flagged carriers carrying liquified petroleum gas through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, after New Delhi stepped up diplomatic engagement to secure its energy imports, reports Defense News.

French President Emmanuel Macron,Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Norwegian Prime Minster Jonas Gahr Støre were among the European leaders to denounce the Trump administration Friday for temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian oil in an effort to bring down surging energy prices amid the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, reports Politico. “We want to ensure that Russia does not exploit the war in Iran to weaken Ukraine,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Joe Kent, head of the US National Counterterrorism Center, resigned from his post Tuesday writing to the president, “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.” Kent has been a promoter of far-right conspiracy theories, and has referred to Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot participants as “political prisoners.” He also reportedly ordered intelligence analysts to redo a Venezuela-related assessment so that it couldn’t be “used against” President Trump.

The USS Nimitz, the Navy’s oldest aircraft carrier, will serve about 10 months longer than planned, through March 2027, reports Breaking Defense, enabling the Navy to maintain a minimum of 11 active aircraft carriers, as mandated by Congress. The USS John F. Kennedy, the Navy’s next Ford-class aircraft carrier, is scheduled to be delivered and officially commissioned in March 2027.

An 8-page memo, written by Pentagon leaders and combatant commanders, without Stars and Stripes’ input, limits that newspaper’s use of wire services, bars comics and other syndicated features, and states that content must be consistent with “good order and discipline,” borrowing a phrase from the Uniform Code of Military Justice, reports Military.com. The newsroom was also surprised when, in mid-January 2026, the Pentagon posted its intent to alter the newspaper’s “woke distractions” toward “reporting for our warfighters.”

The first field test of Michelangelo, the Italian firm Leonardo’s  “security dome” architecture, will take place in Ukraine by the end of 2026, CEO Roberto Cingolani has announced. The multi-domain structure intends to identify risks from air, land, maritime, and space.  The company plans to launch its constellation by the end of 2027 and 2028, to become  fully operational in 2029 and to begin integration with other tracking and early-warning constellations starting in 2030, reports Space News.

Ukraine is giving international partners and defense companies access to its vast trove of real combat data to train artificial intelligence models for autonomous drone systems — a move Kyiv is calling “the first initiative of its kind in the world,” reports Military Times.

US Army is asking for industry experts to design and create a research and manufacturing center to boost the production of explosives prior to 2031, to be located at Blue Grass Army Depot, KY, reports Defense News. The Army wants to “scale-up and [produce] current and emerging explosives,” according to the Army’s Sources Sought notice, which has a deadline of April 15.

All commissaries will begin charging shoppers for single-use plastic and paper bags on April 6, to encourage more people to bring in reusable bags, the Defense Commissary Agency, reports Stars and Stripes.

Route Fifty says the US Justice Dept. has begun sowing doubt on the security of midterm elections, laying the groundwork for the Trump administration to potentially cast doubt on the results. The Justice Department has sued 29 states and the District of Columbia over their refusal to provide unredacted voter rolls that include the driver’s license and partial Social Security numbers of voters. The department has lost three of those lawsuits so far this year.

Southwest Airlines will drop service from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD) airports in June, slashing 17 routes and focusing its schedule on nearby airports where the carrier has a much larger presence, reports Aviation Week, notably Chicago Midway (MDW),  Baltimore/Washington Marshall (BWI), and Reagan Washington National (DCA).

Contracts awarded in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., March 16-18, 2026:

ARCH Systems LLC, Baltimore, Maryland, was awarded a $21,450,716 firm-fixed-price and time and materials contract for the Kessel Run Enterprise software toolchain requirement. This contract provides for a turnkey software environment solution for authorized personnel directly supporting agile development and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery of software. Work will be performed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by April 2029. This contract was a competitive acquisition and six offers were received. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,500,128 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management Kessel Run, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts is the contracting activity (FA8730-26-F-B001).

LeoLabs Federal Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a $9,872,856 contract modification (P00004) to a previously awarded contract (FA8820-25-C-B004) for Advanced Ultra-High Frequency Phased Array Radar. The modification brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $23,958,909 from $14,086,053. Work will be performed at Chantilly, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 22, 2029. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,922,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space Systems Command Directorate of Contracting, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity.

Chimes DC, Baltimore, Maryland, was awarded a $46,073,926 firm-fixed-price contract for post-wide facilities custodial support services, including all management, tools, equipment, and labor necessary. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 17, 2026. Army 419th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W91247-26-D-A001).

Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia, was awarded a $38,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for mission support for the planning, coordination, and execution of training exercises. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Leavenworth, Kansas, with an estimated completion date of March 3, 2034. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $38,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Field Directorate Office, Fort Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91QF4-26-C-A001).

National Industries for the Blind,** Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $10,085,250 modification (P00010) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-24-D-B015) with four one-year option periods for moisture wicking t-shirts. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Locations of performance are North Carolina and New Jersey, with a March 27, 2027, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-24-D-B015).

Raytheon Co., Sterling, Virginia, is being awarded a $40,254,004 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for operations and maintenance services in support of the relocatable over-the-horizon radar at the Forces Surveillance Support Center, Chesapeake, Virginia. The contract will include a one-year base period of performance and four one-year option period pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-9, which if exercised will bring the total estimated value of the contract to $212,119,774. Work will be completed by April 2027; if all options are exercised, work will be completed by April 2031. Services under the contract will be performed in multiple locations: Chesapeake, Virginia (48%); Freer, Texas (10%); Premont, Texas (10%); New Kent, Virginia (9%); Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico (9%); Vieques Diaz, Puerto Rico (9%); Dallas, Texas (3%); and Fairfax, Virginia (2%). Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,000,000 will be obligated at time of award to incrementally fund the contract’s base period of performance and funds will expire at the end of fiscal 2026. Option periods will be funded with appropriate fiscal year operation and maintenance (Navy) funds. The requirement was competitively procured through the System for Award Management website (Sam.gov) as an unrestricted, competitive procurement with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00189-26-C-Z013).

Defense Maritime Solutions Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia (N6449826D1006); and Bird-Johnson Propeller Co. LLC, Walpole, Massachusetts (N6449826D1005), were awarded a combined $40,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for the procurement of Monobloc propellers and caps. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia; and Walpole, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed in March 2034. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,000 ($500 minimum contract guarantee per awardee) will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the delivery order level as contracting actions occur. This contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management (SAM) website, with two offers received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division is the contracting activity (N6449826D1006 and N6449826D1005). (Awarded March 13, 2026)

Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $16,790,854 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursable contract (N0003926CE001) to provide program management, systems engineering, operations and maintenance, and logistics support services for the portfolio of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Foreign Military Sales (FMS) C4I, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) cases with an option for Surge efforts as well as an option for Communication Security (COMSEC) custodial services. The contract is a one-year base with four one-year option periods. The option periods, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $123,209,148. Work will be predominantly performed outside continental U.S., Saudi Arabia and is expected to be completed in March 2027. If options are exercised, work could continue until March 2031. This contract will utilize FMS funding. The contract was competitively procured via Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment Solicitation Module and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website with three offers received. The Naval Information Warfare Systems System Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting authority.

Federal Prison Industries Inc.,** Washington, D.C., has been awarded a maximum $12,686,400 firm-fixed, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for cold weather carrier canteens. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Mississippi, with a March 16, 2029, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army and Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2029 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-F001).

KBR Wyle Services, LLC, Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $95,119,456 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for digital engineering and enterprise decision support. This contract provides for a comprehensive understanding of the various trade-off decisions during the capability acquisition lifecycle utilizing both software and model-based system engineering. Work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, and is expected to be completed by March 17, 2031. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $561,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Warfare Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-26-C-X006). 

Ashford Leebcor Enterprises IV LLC, Williamsburg, Virgina (N69450-22-D-0002); CCI Solutions LLC, Anchorage, Alaska (N69450-22-D-0003); Dawson Enterprises LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii (N69450-22-D-0004); P&S Construction Inc., North Chelmsford, Massachusetts (N69450-22-D-0005); Southeastern Industrial Barlovento JV-2, Destin, Florida (N69450-22-D-0006); VHB LLC, Boyds, Maryland (N69450-22-D-0007); Walga Ross Group 3, Joplin, Missouri (N69450-22-D-0008); and Webb LLC, Springfield, Virgina (N69450-22-D-0009), are awarded a combined-maximum-value $93,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the capacity of their respective, previously-awarded contracts for general building type projects. Award of this modification brings the total cumulative value for all eight contracts combined to $504,000,000. Work will be performed in Florida (40%); and Georgia (60%), is expected to be completed by November 2026. No funds will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity.

The Boeing Co., Tukwila, Washington, was awarded a $38,670,859 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001926F0190) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0006). This order is to develop and install an updated software load for the Republic of Korea P-8A aircraft. The new software will consist of updated fleet release for the Tactical Open Mission Software version 105K to include diminishing manufacture sources and material shortages improvements, Multi-Static Active Coherent and Harpoon II capabilities. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (45%); Huntington Beach, California (30%); St. Louis, Missouri (10%); Patuxent River, Maryland (10%); and Pohang, South Korea (5%), and is expected to be completed in January 2029. Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $38,670,859 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Awarded on March 13, 2026).

Amentum Services Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, is awarded a $26,257,128 modification to a previously awarded contract (N62742-22-C-3507) for support services to Department of War components. This award brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $156,367,882. Work will be performed primarily in the Philippines, and may include other locations in Southeast Asia, and is expected to be completed by March 2027. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,445,746 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, was awarded a $15,383,494,792 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-17-C-2117) for additional Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines design, class lead yard support and sustainment, integrated enterprise plan initiatives for the class, and submarine industrial base supplier development enhancement efforts to support Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program execution. The industrial base development work is for the furtherance of the Navy’s plan of serial production of Columbia- and Virginia-class attack submarines. Funding is pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2026 (Public Law 119-75). Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (21%); Newport News, Virginia (6%); Sunnyvale, California (5%); Menomonee, Wisconsin (4%); Quonset Point, Rhode Island (4%); Fitchburg, Massachusetts (3%); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3%); Mobile, Alabama (2%); Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (1%); and other locations less than 1% (51%), and is expected to be completed by June 2035. Fiscal 2026 national sea-based deterrence fund funds in the amount of $3,068,073,260 (95%); fiscal 2025 maritime industrial base funds in the amount of $74,000,000 (2%); fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $73,214,000 (2%); and fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,837,000 (<1%), will be obligated at the time of award, of which $3,144,910,260 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.