Prime Contractors News

U.S. Commercial Service previews September 20-22 export forum  The growing demand for marine technologies is generating new export possibilities for U.S. companies. To help American businesses pursue these opportunities, the Department of Commerce is hosting Discover Global Markets: The Blue Economy, in Providence, R.I., Sept. 20-22, 2022. International Trade Specialist Maryanne Burke leads the Marine Technology Team of the International Trade Administration (ITA). Maryanne is part of ITA’s U.S.

The United States' Department of Navy (DoN) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Experimentation Cell (DoN SEC) connects SBIR innovators with the DoN experimentation community to deliver innovative solutions for the warfighter.“Our mission is to support the SBIR community from the first idea to experiment execution by offering beginning-to-end facilitation, mentoring, and training in all aspects of experimentation,” said Scott Bartlett, the DoN SEC program manager,Naval experimentation can validate or inform concepts of operations…

Press coverage of early commercial marine autonomy projects is remarkably broad given the small number of marine industry professionals engaged in bringing these projects to market. The much larger assembly of industry stakeholders are left wondering what marine autonomy means for them. Regulatory, cost, and technical challenges stand in the way of fielding today’s autonomy technologies for most existing fleets and vessel missions. Autonomy is coming whether you’re prepared or not.

Virginia officials have established a well-planned, extensive strategy to build out an offshore wind industry, including wind towers for electricity generation and the supply chain to support that extensive infrastructure and operations. The State’s big picture is ambitious: developing 2,000 MW of offshore wind by 2028.As currently envisioned, VA’s offshore wind development will likely start this year with two 8-megawatt wind turbines 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. This is a Dominion Energy pilot undertaken in partnership with the Danish wind company Orsted.

The Department of the Navy (DoN) Forum for SBIR/STTR Transition (FST) will be held April 10-11, 2019 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Mass., co-hosted by the UMass Lowell Research Institute (UML RI).Lowell’s heart and soul is innovation. It’s a city where some of the first major textile mills opened in the mid-1800s, triggering America’s industrial revolution. Today Lowell is situated in one of the nation’s largest technology clusters. UML RI, located near Hanscom AFB in Lincoln, Mass., is emerging as a leader in bridging the gap between research and solutions that change people’s lives and provide world-class, cutting-edge technology to our warfighters.“This is a significant area for technology and innovation,” said Matthew McSwain, UML RI’s executive director.

Shipbuilder Austal USA announced today it has acquired privately held ElectraWatch, Inc. in an all cash stock purchase. Headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., ElectraWatch develops and deploys portable probe devices that help maintain aluminum structures. According to Austal USA, the acquisition reinforces its position in aluminum ship manufacturing and sustainment and extends its ability to support the U.S. Navy fleet where nearly every ship includes aluminum structures. “The combination of ElectraWatch patented technology along with Austal USA’s advanced ship manufacturing and sustainment expertise reinforces the company’s position as an industry leader to efficiently support the aggressive shipbuilding and sustainment requirements from our U.S.

Acquisition expands operational capabilities to include design and manufacturing and demonstrates commitment to U.S. based manufacturing sector. Moody says that it will provide a broader suite of products for its marine and commercial customer base. JA Moody, a privately held family business with its headquarters in Malvern, PA, that has been distributing valves and actuators to the U.S. DOD and commercial entities for 65 years, today announced that it’s parent company has completed the acquisition of Pima Valve. Pima Valve, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona produces a wide variety of bronze, flanged marine products and is a recognized leader in the commercial and marine valve market for multi-turn product. In 2017 Pima Valve celebrated its 50th year in business.

MacGregor has signed a five-year frame agreement with Teekay Shipping Ltd to provide spare parts, maintenance, training and project support for approximately 115 of Teekay's vessels. The agreement was signed during the second quarter of 2017, and will see MacGregor, part of Cargotec, provide spare parts, maintenance, training and project support for hatch covers, hose-handling cranes, general-purpose cranes, offshore mooring/loading systems, deck machinery winches, steering gear and compressors on board Teekay vessels. “The business relationship with Teekay goes back to Pusnes and Hatlapa brands with separate types of agreements. When discussions first took place it was clear there was a tremendous spread of installed base,” said Steve Goodchild, UK Branch Manager.

Aberdeen-headquartered Hydro Group plc have secured the Company of the Year title at last night’s [Thursday 3 February] Subsea UK Awards. The cable and connector specialist was recognised for its performance in the subsea sector and its significant development to date, as well as its plans for future success and growth, both in the UK and internationally. The annual awards, held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, highlight the achievements of individuals and companies throughout the subsea industry and are the most prestigious awards in the subsea sector. Doug Whyte, managing director at Hydro Group, said: “Being presented with this award is testament to the growth and success the company has achieved over the past three decades.

A unique program of three specialist events for the sub IMO / sub 24 meter professional sector is being held ‘back to back’ at the Grand Harbour in Southampton, U.K. this October. The fast moving workshop style program brings together an international group of experts armed with the latest knowledge to identify problems that affect the maritime sector worldwide – and highlight potential solutions. Event organizer and workshop lead John Haynes said, “We are really pleased with the diversity of high level presenters from military, commercial and SAR backgrounds.

Aberdeen-headquarted subsea cable and connector specialist Hydro Group plc announces multiple Asia Pacific Business Partner agreements as the firm continues strategic growth in the region. As part of international expansion plans in 2013 the firm formed its Singapore based division, Hydro Group Asia, which has shown an annual increase of sales in the region of over £1.5M. The five new Business Partner agreements with Uni-One in Taiwan, ISL in China, Oceanpixel in the Philippines, PT Indonesia in Indonesia and DKHG in Vietnam will aid Hydro Group’s cabling interconnect solutions presence in these important markets. Steve Ang, Hydro Group Asia technical sales manager…

The 2014 Navy Opportunity Forum paired small businesses and researchers with potential partners, funding sources, acquisition professionals and resource sponsors. Companies—small businesses in particular— were able to present their new materials, processes and manufacturing techniques to prime contractors and Navy and Marine Corps program managers. The focus of the event was the Department of the Navy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. It also touched on related programs designed to help small business contribute to the nation’s defense…

In the coming weeks, the Port of Los Angeles will start construction on two major roadway projects that will improve the Harbor I-110 Freeway and nearby surface streets in San Pedro and Wilmington. The work, due to begin in February and extend through fall 2016, will make the Harbor Area safer and easier to navigate for all motorists. “These are significant public works projects that will improve the flow of traffic for thousands of commuters and truck drivers who use these roadways every day,” said Gary Lee Moore, Interim Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. The Port is investing $46.6 million to widen the westbound transition from the SR-47 to the northbound I-110 and reconfigure the I-110/C Street interchange.

Barrett Communications announced the appointment of Joe Mauro as a Business Development Manager with Barrett USA LLC as of October 1, 2013. Joe’s primary role is to look after and develop Barrett Communications’ markets throughout North America, including the management of U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Programs, cooperation and teaming with U.S. Prime Contractors and supporting Barretts’ North American distributor network. Joe has more than 12 years business development and sales experience in the radio communication market and a U.S. Navy tactical communications background.

Minister for Defence David Johnston has announced the award of more than $10.5 million in grants to more than 120 companies under the most recent round of the Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) program. Senator Johnston said the funding would provide more than 1000 individual training opportunities to support Australia’s defence industry in improving the quality and quantity of skills within its workforce. “The Government’s responsibility for national security extends…

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded contracts totaling $14.4 million by prime contractors General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and Huntington Ingalls Industries to supply the steering gear system for three new DDG 51 Class Arleigh Burke destroyers. The steering gear system is vital for the control and maneuverability of the ship and is directly linked to the integrated bridge, as well as the navigation and inertial navigation systems that Northrop Grumman is supplying under separate contracts for the DDG 51 Class destroyers. Northrop Grumman has been the sole provider of the steering gear system for the DDG 51 Class since production began during the 1980s. This contract award brings the program's total to 69 steering systems.

Measurement Technology NW (MTNW) wins US Small Business Administration Excellence Award. The 'Excellence' award was given for supporting Lockheed Martin’s aerostat program with the US Defense Department. This award recognizes small businesses that have excelled in their performance in support of large prime contractors. “MTNW was nominated by Lockheed Martin because we were able to provide industry leading technology at a lower cost and in half the time of previous winch instrumentation and display providers,” said Tom Rezanka, Vice President MTNW.

Mercury Computer Systems' subsidiary KOR Electronics gets a US Navy 5-year basic sole source orderiing agreement (BOA). This BOA supports the continued development of state-of-the-art techniques and target generation capabilities in conjunction with the advanced Digital RF Memory (DRFM) architecture developed under a prior Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II.5 award issued to KOR Electronics. The BOA provides for research and development, production, engineering services and ongoing support and is valued at up to $58M. "This agreement is a perfect example of how the SBIR program can benefit our country's defense and small business," said Kevin Carnino, KOR Electronics President and Chief Executive Officer.

OceanWorks welcomes Keith La Rose to its team in the position of Business Development Manager – Military in Vancouver office. Acting as Business Development Manager for the military industry, Keith’s primary function will be to expand OceanWorks’ penetration of the military market by further raising awareness of the company’s proven custom engineering, standard products, and service capabilities. Throughout his extensive sales career, Keith has held various professional and sales management positions…

In a bid to inform small and medium sized companies to tap into Atlantic Canada's $33-billion naval fleet renewal, the Government has launched the Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan, a long-term strategy that will facilitate the integration of Atlantic Canadian enterprises, including the construction of the Navy’s combat vessels by Irving Shipbuilding of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Plan will evolve as necessary to ensure it continues to address the ongoing needs of small and medium-sized enterprises in Atlantic Canada and their requirement for skilled workers. It will require a close collaboration with all four Atlantic provincial governments…

“It isn’t everyday we get to sign a contract to begin construction of a lead ship, but on Feb. 14, we met in my office and did exactly that, twice! Not one but two lead DDG 1000 ships will now begin construction,” said Rear Adm. Vic Guillory, the director for Surface Warfare. Two identical lead ships will be built by Bath Iron Works (General Dynamics) and Ingalls (Northrop Grumman). Bath Iron Works will build DDG 1000 and Ingalls will build DDG 1001. Other prime contractors include BAE Systems and Raytheon. Delivery of the lead ship is expected in the late 2012 to early 2013 time frame.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) awarded Constructora MECO, S.A. the third of four dry excavation contracts on Dec. 16 to help create an access channel linking the new Pacific locks with the Canal’s existing Gaillard Cut (the narrowest stretch of the Panama Canal). The contracting process began September 30, 2008 when the ACP released its request for proposals (RFP) for the excavation project. On December 4, 2008, the ACP received a total of six bids for the contract. Following a thorough review, the ACP determined that the lowest bidder, Costa Rican firm Constructora MECO, S.A., established in Panama in 1995, met all the requirements in the RFP and awarded it the contract.

The U.S. Navy Program Executive Officers for Submarines, Aircraft Carriers, Integrated Warfare Systems, Ships, and Littoral and Mine Warfare will be hosting a conference for Small Businesses who seek opportunities with the U.S. Navy. The NAVSEA Small Business Conference will take place at California State University in Los Angeles, Calif. on 27 January 2010. This event will provide an unprecedented forum where Small Business owners can connect directly with senior Navy and industry leaders to learn, collaborate, and explore ways in which they can offer their products and services in support of Navy warfare programs. Furthermore, the…