Phelan Sworn In as New NavSec
John Phelan is sworn in as the 79th secretary of the Navy by Jon Harrison, chief of staff of the Department of the Navy, on March 25, 2025. Phelan took the oath of office at the National Archives following his US Senate confirmation. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st class Jared Mancuso via dvids)
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.
Businessman John Phelan was confirmed to serve as the next secretary of the US Navy, reports Navy Times. Phelan is the seventh non-veteran to serve in the role in the past 70 years. He is the founder of the private investment firm Rugger Management LLC.
DefSec Pete Hegseth terminated more than $580 million in Defense Department contracts, reports The Hill. Some of the slashed grants include those that fund research efforts and other activities in areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion and related social programs, climate change, social science, COVID-19 pandemic response, and other areas “not aligned” with DoD priorities.
Hegseth and other top Trump administration officials allegedly discussed the details of a highly sensitive operation to bomb Houthi targets in Yemen in a group chat earlier this month, reports CBS News via MSN. The group chat on the encrypted commercial messaging app Signal inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief of The Atlantic. The administration is facing criticism over its handling of sensitive information on foreign policy, with the texting mishap raising concerns among national security experts, reports NPR.
On Tuesday, Hegseth and other White House employees denied the accusations that military secrets and classified information were shared outside of secure channels, reports Military Times. The BBC explains what actually is Signal — and how secure or otherwise were the senior politicians’ communications on it?
The National Security Agency had warned of vulnerabilities in the Signal app a month before Houthi strike chat, reports CBS News. A bulletin was sent to NSA employees in February 2025 with the warning.
US Navy and Marine Corps personnel can operate personal social media accounts, so long as they don’t imply their opinions are those of the Defense Department, reports Marine Corps Times. Navy released an administrative order earlier this month, reminding sailors and Marines of the service’s social media guidelines.
Pentagon officials are investigating what they say are leaks of national security information, reports Federal News Network. DoD personnel could face polygraphs in the latest such inquiry by the Trump administration. Hegseth said Friday that there had been “recent unauthorized disclosures” of such information but provided no details about alleged leaks. The Justice Department has announced an investigation into “the selective leak of inaccurate, but nevertheless classified, information” from intelligence agencies about Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang whose members in the US are being targeted for deportation.
DoD is reviewing content that it had recently removed from public military media platforms as part of a broader effort to align with new leadership directives to phase out diversity, equity, and inclusion programming, reports Tampa Free Press on MSN. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell Parnell acknowledged that the mass removal process may have gone too far in some cases.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday afternoon that four US soldiers who went missing while training in Lithuania have died, reports Army Times. The soldiers, part of the Army’s 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were involved in a training accident. No other details were provided.
The US Air Force has begun setting up its first five Deployable Combat Wings, and the service is seeking volunteers to join these units, reports Air & Spaces Forces Magazine. There are assignment opportunities for certain career fields within the five new wings. Officers have until April 2 to apply. Enlisted members will be able to volunteer from April 4 to May 14.
Congress has earmarked $40 million for the US Space Force for commercial surveillance, reconnaissance, and tracking services in the recently passed fiscal 2025 continuing resolution spending bill, reports Space News.
Paychecks for some Veterans Affairs employees owed extra compensation will be shortchanged this week because of ongoing issues with payroll processing systems at the department, reports Military Times. Sources in the department said outages and slowdowns have disrupted the system since late last week.
Michael Kratsios has been confirmed by the US Senate to lead the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, reports The Hill. Kratsios served as Trump’s chief technology officer during his first term. During Kratsios’ confirmation hearing he said it was paramount for the US to continue being the world leader in emerging technologies and showed backing for federal funding for research and development.
US troops deployed to the southern border will be using Strykers and other tactical military vehicles for patrols, reports Task & Purpose. Strykers are eight-wheeled vehicles that can carry up to 11 people and reach a top speed of 60mph, according to the Army.
The US Northern Command announced last weekend that it will deploy another Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the USS Spruance, near the southern border as part of its border security operations, reports Washington Examiner on MSN. The USS Gravely destroyer was also making its way to the Texas Coast from the Middle East to join the operation, reports Texas Standard.
The Naval Air Systems Command’s Leadership Development and Journey Leadership Development programs celebrated more than 200 graduates last week at NAS Pax River, reports The Southern Maryland Chronicle. The event highlighted the command’s commitment to cultivating leadership skills among its civilian and military workforce to support the Navy’s mission.
The new National Medal of Honor Museum opened its doors to the public in Arlington, TX, reports Army Times. The 100,000-square-foot museum contains exhibits such as “More Than a Medal,” which explores the “ordinary lives” of medal recipients and an interactive display featuring interviews with the 61 Medal of Honor recipients living today.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Institute of Politics released the results of its latest poll on Tuesday, Maryland Day. The poll asked Marylanders what they like best about the state. Nearly a quarter said the state’s natural beauty, climate, and weather, and related opportunities for outdoor recreation were their favorite things. Another 15% said the state’s geography and geographic diversity were their favorite. Fourteen percent noted the food and culinary experiences as their favorite.
Washington’s famed cherry blossom trees are making their way toward peak bloom in DC this weekend, reports WTOP News. The National Park Service projects the cherry trees will likely be looking their best from March 28 to 31. But visitors can skip the trip to DC. Blossom lovers can stay closer to home and celebrate the arrival of spring at the 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival at Lexington Manor Passive Park in Lexington Park, reports The BayNet. The family-friendly event will take place from noon to 4pm Saturday, March 29.
Lexington Park legend, handed down from aviator fathers and grandfathers who claim they were there, says the cherry trees were dispersed among the military bases and bore a relationship to the cherry trees from Japan planted around the DC Tidal Basin, the Lexington Park Leader reported in April 2017. The trees were planted in the 1960s along the roads of Lexington Manor, a subdivision of rental homes built two decades before by the Navy as World War II fueled the population boon created by the new Navy base at Patuxent River.
Contracts:
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $238,000,000 undefinitized modification (P00001) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm-target) contract (N0001925C0070). This modification adds scope to procure long lead materials, parts, components, and associated support in support of the F-35 Lot 20 production aircraft for non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) partners and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed Fort Worth, Texas (59%); El Segundo, California (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Cameri, Italy (4%); Orlando, Florida (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); Baltimore, Maryland (3%); San Diego, California (2%); and other various locations outside of the continental US (2%), and is expected to be completed May 2031. FMS customer funds in the amount of $186,800,000 and non-US DOD partner funds in the amount of $51,200,000 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which 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.
DY4 Inc., Ashburn, Virginia, was awarded a $79,900,000 indefinite-quantity/indefinite-delivery contract for high-speed data acquisition systems and support. This contract provides the 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron with ancillary support services. Work will be performed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and is expected to be completed by March 2030. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $30,442 are being obligated at the time of award. The 99th Contracting Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada, is the contracting activity (FA4861-25-D-0002).
Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding is awarded a $951,612,999 fixed-price incentive (firm-target) modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-19-C-2210) for the detail design and construction of the Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC). The PSC’s mission will be to ensure continued access to both polar regions and support the country’s economic, commercial, maritime, and National security needs. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (56%); Boston, Massachusetts (7%); Peoria, Illinois (3%); Crozet, Virginia (3%); Atlanta, Georgia (3%); New Orleans, Louisiana (2%); Chicago, Illinois (2%); Harvey, Louisiana (1%); and other locations at or below 1% (collectively totaling 23%), and is expected to be completed by May 2030. No additional funding will be obligated at the time of award. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.
Accenture Federal Services LLC, Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $336,825,863 cost-plus-fixed-fee, level of effort contract, with cost-reimbursable contract line-item numbers for travel and other direct costs, and a firm-fixed-price contract line-item number for data deliverables. This contract provides for a continuation of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities and the additions of MRO-Supply. Work will be performed at the contractor’s discretion and is expected to be completed by Oct. 7, 2030. Fiscal 2025 capital investment program-supply funds in the amount of $3,576,134 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8770-25-C-B004).
General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, Virginia, was awarded a $15,000,000 contract modification (P00029) to extend the ordering period and ceiling value to a previously awarded competitive, single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (HC1028-15-D-0007) to provide communications systems acquisition, integration, installation, operations, and maintenance in support of US Air Forces Central Command (USAFCENT) deployed mission requirements. The ordering period is extended to Sept. 8, 2025, and the lifecycle value of this contract action is increased by $15,000,000. The total lifecycle value of the contract is $716,000,000. Performance will be at USAFCENT locations throughout Southwest Asia. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. (Awarded on March 24, 2025)
Aptim Federal Services LLC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (FA8903-25-D-0036); Aytekin-Serol Eng. Construction Inc., Mahallesi Seyhan Adana, Turkey (FA8903-25-D-0037); Bristol Communication & Power Systems LLC, Anchorage, Alaska (FA8903-25-D-0038); Catawba Day & Zimmerman LLC, Rock Hill, South Carolina (FA8903-25-D-0039); CMS Corp., Bargersville, Indiana (FA8903-25-D-0040); Coharie Bhate JV LLC (CBJV), Clinton, North Carolina (FA8903-25-D-0041); D7 LLC, doing business as DAWSON, Colorado Springs, Colorado (FA8903-25-D-0042); Environmental Chemical Corp., Burlingame, California (FA8903-25-D-0043); Goshawk LLC, San Antonio, Texas (FA8903-25-D-0044); GY6 LLC, Tamuning, Guam (FA8903-25-D-0045); Insight Environmental, Engineering, and Construction Inc., Brea, California (FA8903-25-D-0046); MEB General Contractors Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia (FA8903-25-D-0047); NOVA Group Inc., Napa, California (FA8903-25-D-0048); Reliable Contracting Group LLC, Louisville, Kentucky (FA8903-25-D-0049); SES Energy Services LLC, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (FA8903-25-D-0050); Silver Mountain Construction LLC, North Las Vegas, Nevada (FA8903-25-D-0051); Tetra Tech Inc., Collinsville, Illinois (FA8903-25-D-0052); Weston Solutions Inc., Chester, Pennsylvania (FA8903-25-D-0053); and WSP USA Environmental & Infrastructure Inc., Blue Bell, Pennsylvania (FA8903-25-D-0054), were awarded a $2,500,000,000 ceiling indefinite-delivery /indefinite-quantity contract vehicle for Department of Defense (DoD) fuels infrastructure maintenance, repair, and construction. This contract provides for any construction of new, additions to, repairs, or upgrades of DOD petroleum, oil, and/or lubricant facilities or infrastructure, fuel facility-related utilities, and physical requirements within the fuel yard. it also provides for a small amount of recurring maintenance related to fuel infrastructure. The location of performance is federal installations worldwide as cited in each individual delivery or task order. The contract is awarded with one two-year ordering period and four options for additional two-year ordering periods. The ordering period is not expected to continue after March 25, 2035. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 23 proposals were received. Fiscal 2025, Defense Logistics Agency working capital reimbursable funds in the amount of $57,000 are being obligated at the time of award divided equally between all offerors. Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, is the contracting activity.
International LLC, Birmingham, Alabama (N62473-21-D-1203); Clark Construction Group – California LP, Irvine, California (N62473-21-D-1204); ECC Infrastructure LLC, Burlingame, California (N62473-21-D-1205); Harper Construction Co. Inc., San Diego, California (N62473-21-D-1206); Heffler Contracting Group, El Cajon, California (N62473-21-D-1207); Korte Construction Co., doing business as The Korte Co., St. Louis, Missouri (N62473-21-D-1208); M.A. Mortenson Co., doing business as M.A. Mortenson Construction, Minneapolis, Minnesota (N62473-21-D-1209); R. A. Burch Construction Co. Inc., Ramona, California (N62473-21-D-1210); RQ Construction LLC, Carlsbad, California (N62473-21-D-1211); Sundt Construction Inc., Tempe, Arizona (N62473-21-D-1212); Walsh Federal LLC, Chicago, Illinois (N62473-21-D-1213); Webcor Construction LP, doing business as Webcor Builders, Alameda, California (N62473-21-D-1214); and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Baltimore, Maryland (N62473-21-D-1215), are awarded a combined $99,000,000 modification to increase the maximum value of a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract for new construction, renovation, and repair of various facilities in the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of operations. The contract consists of a base period of two years and one three-year option period, with a combined maximum dollar value not to exceed $2,795,000,000. Work will be performed in California (87%), Arizona (5%), Nevada (3%), Utah (2%), Colorado (2%), and New Mexico (1%), and is expected to be completed by November 2025. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction Navy, operation and maintenance (O&M) (Navy), or O&M (Marine Corps) funds. No funds will be obligated at time of award. This contract was competitively procured via the sam.gov website, with 28 offers received. NAVFAC Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.
Orbis Sibro Inc., Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina (N3904025D0001); Delphinus Engineering Inc., Eddystone, Pennsylvania (N3904025D0002); QED Systems Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (N3904025D0003); and Mills Marine & Ship Repair LLC, Suffolk, Virginia (N3904025D0004), are being awarded a combined cumulative $242,986,812 in cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide non-nuclear trade labor production support services for upcoming U.S. naval submarine repair and overhaul project availabilities at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. The contract will have a five-year ordering period and a maximum value of $242,986,812 for the total of all awarded. The trade services to be provided under these task orders will cover the following 15 trade skills: marine electrician worker; industrial fire watch/laborer; marine pipefitter; outside marine machinist; marine painter; weight handler (rigger); marine shipfitter; shipwright (staging builder); welder; sheet metal worker; marine insulator (lagger); abrasive blaster; deck tile setter; sound tile setter; and fabric worker. Work will be performed in Kittery, Maine, and is expected to be completed by March 2029. Each vendor will be awarded $1,000 (minimum contract guarantee per awardee) at contract award. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $4,000 ($1,000 minimum guarantee per awarded contract) will be obligated at time of award. All future task orders placed against the contract will utilize funding of the applicable fiscal year in which the task orders are awarded. The contract is being awarded using the policies and procedures in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 15 and 16, contracting by negotiation, as supplemented by the Defense FAR Supplement, and the Navy-Marine Corps FAR Supplement. These contracts were procured competitively via the Government Point of Entry at SAM.gov, with seven offers received. The contract is being awarded as a partial small business set-aside. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine, is the contracting activity.
American Systems Corp., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $26,744,145 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (HT0038-25-C-0005) to provide critical support services to Program Executive Office Defense Healthcare Management Systems (PEO DHMS) and its program offices. These services encompass DevSecOps platform management, operation of the Medical Enterprise Test Innovation Center, test infrastructure management, and Software as a Service. These efforts directly support the development, testing, and deployment of essential software applications and medical devices for PEO DHMS, including MHS GENESIS, Theater Blood, and other critical products. This contract was awarded using direct award procedures in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, Circumstances permitting other than full and open competition. Work will be performed in the US with a completion date of Aug. 26, 2026. This award will be funded by fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance funds. The Defense Health Agency, Defense Healthcare Management Systems Contracting Division, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
AICI-Archirodon JV LLC, McLean, Virginia, was awarded an $8,488,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work will be performed in Kuwait, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 1, 2027. Fiscal 2025 military construction, defense-wide funds in the amount of $8,488,000 were obligated at the time of the award. US Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky, is the contracting activity (W912QR-25-C-0010).
