The Air Force is hosting a two-day conference with industry today and tomorrow at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, to discuss the upcoming competitive phase of the C-130 avionics modernization program. According to a Federal Business Opportunities release on Aug. 8, the Air Force plans to discuss with industry the requirements for the C-130 AMP source familiarization phase set forth in a draft solicitation, offering one-on-one sessions with prospective offerors. During the SFP, two competitively selected contractors will each install several AMP kits, which upgrade the cockpits of older model C-130 transports. The SFP is meant to foster competition for the full-rate production and installation portion of the AMP, under which the Air Force currently intends to modernize 222 C-130H2, -H2.5, and -H3 aircraft. Boeing won the AMP outright in 2001, but controversy surrounding the illegal activities of Darleen Druyun, a former senior USAF weapons buyer, caused the service to modify its plans,. While Boeing is developing the AMP kits and will lead the program through low-rate initial production, the remainder will be reopened to competition. John Young, the Pentagon’s acquisition czar, is scheduled to convene a senior level panel in mid October to decide whether to approve the AMP to enter its low-rate production phase. Officials expect to reach a decision on full-rate production and subsequent contract award in January 2012.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
