Contract: Austal USA, $312.9M

Austal USA, Mobile, Ala., is being awarded a $312,939,336 modification to previously awarded contract for the exercise of construction options for ships six and seven of the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) Program. The JHSV will provide high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. Work will be performed in Mobile, Ala. (48 percent); Pittsfield, Mass. (9 percent); Franklin, Mass. (3 percent); Philadelphia, Pa. (3 percent); Henderson, Wash. (3 percent); Atlanta, Ga. (2 percent); Chicago, Ill. (2 percent); Gulfport, Miss. (2 percent); Slidell, La. (1 percent); Iron Mountain, Mich. (1 percent); Houston, Texas (1 percent); Dallas, Texas (1 percent); Chesapeake, Va. (1 percent); Milwaukee, Wis. (1 percent); and Brookfield, Wis. (1 percent), with other efforts performed at various sites throughout the United States (5 percent) and outside the United States (16 percent). Work is expected to be completed by June 2014. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/30/11)

Contract: Lockheed Martin, $13M

Lockheed Martin Corp., MS2, Integrated Defense Technologies, Baltimore, Md., is being awarded a $13,070,102 modification under previously awarded contract for MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) ordnance alteration kits, production support material, interim support parts, and equipment in support of DDG 51-class new construction, and Aegis modernization programs. The MK 41 VLS provides a missile launching system for CG 47- and DDG 51-class surface combatants of the U.S. Navy, surface combatants of allied navies, and Aegis Ashore requirements for Missile Defense Agency's Ground Ballistic Missile Defense Program. It is the primary missile launching system aboard Navy combatants used to store, safe, inventory and launch missiles of various types. Work will be performed in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (18.8 percent,) as well as Baltimore, Md. (29.5 percent); Moorestown, N.J. (11.6 percent); Lewisburg, Tenn. (10.1 percent); Johnstown, Pa. (9.2 percent); Owego, N.Y. (9.0 percent); Simpsonville, S.C. (5.5 percent); Clearwater, Fla. (3.2 percent); and Sterling Heights, Mich. (3.1 percent). Work is expected to be completed by June 2013. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/29/11)

Contract: Lockheed Martin, $7.7M

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $7,680,000 modification to previously awarded contract for management and engineering services to maintain and modify as necessary the design of DDG 51-class combat system compartments and topside arrangements, in support of program executive officer Integrated Warfare Systems. Twenty-two percent of the work will be done in Pascagoula, Miss. Other work will be done in Moorestown, N.J. (37 percent); Bath, Maine (25 percent); San Diego, Calif. (6 percent); Washington, D.C. (5 percent); Norfolk, Va. (3 percent); Port Hueneme, Calif. (1 percent); and Syracuse, N.Y. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2011. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/24/11)

Exports, STEM highlight Mississippi ranking

Among the states, Mississippi ranks No. 5 for export growth, according to the Enterprising States 2011 study just released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Mississippi is also ranked 10th in cost of living, 11th in per capita income growth and higher education efficiency, and 12th in productivity growth and business birth rate. Mississippi is also ranked 20th in science, technology, engineering and math job growth as well as 20th in entrepreneurial activity. (Source: Tcp, 06/23/11) Study: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Exports, STEM highlight Mississippi ranking

Among the states, Mississippi ranks No. 5 for export growth, according to the Enterprising States 2011 study just released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Mississippi is also ranked 10th in cost of living, 11th in per capita income growth and higher education efficiency, and 12th in productivity growth and business birth rate. Mississippi is also ranked 20th in science, technology, engineering and math job growth as well as 20th in entrepreneurial activity. (Source: Tcp, 06/23/11) Study: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

VT Halter eyes expansion

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - VT Halter Marine plans to diversify and expand its Pascagoula shipyard with the addition of a floating dry dock that will let it begin repairing semi-submersible drilling rigs and new Panamax-sized ships. The proposed dock is 715 feet by 389 feet and is L-shaped. It would be placed on the west side of Bayou Casotte, with the existing VT Halter facilities to the north and Signal International to the south. The board of directors still has to give final approval. (Source: Mississippi Press, 06/23/11)

Corrosion found on new LCS

A littoral combat ship built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., will have to be dry-docked to remove water jets that have suffered corrosion, according to a report by Bloomberg. The Navy has discovered "aggressive" corrosion in the propulsion areas of the aluminum-hulled USS Independence. In February, the Navy found another ship in the series, this one built in Wisconsin by a team led by Lockheed Martin, had developed a crack through the hull. (Source: Bloomberg, Mobile Press-Register, 06/17/11)

Contract: Huntington Ingalls

Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a fixed-price-incentive contract for DDG 113 construction, engineering change proposals, and design budgeting requirements. As this award represents the first DDG 51 class ship to be awarded for the continuation of the DDG 51 class program, and there is a competitive solicitation for additional DDG 51 class ships, the contract award amount and percentages of work to be performed in each location for DDG 113 are considered source selection information and will not be made public at this time. Significant work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Walpole, Mass.; Burns Harbor, Ind.; York, Pa.; and Charlottesville, Va. Work is expected to be completed by July 2017. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/15/11)

JHSV module damaged

MOBILE, Ala. - A 50-ton block of the second Joint High Speed Vessel being built at Austal USA broke loose over the weekend, fell three feet and tipped over, the shipbuilder confirmed to Navy Times. The block is one of 44 units that make up a JHSV. The extent of the damage to the module and the cost of repairs are still being assessed. The shipyard is building JHSVs and littoral combat ships. (Source: Navy Times, 06/14/11)

Command at SSC gets new leader

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - A change of command ceremony took place at the Naval Oceanography Operations Command at Stennis Space Center last week. Capt. Van Gurley assumed command, relieving Capt. David J. Walsh, who has commanded since November 2009. Gurley has served two previous tours in Mississippi, and was the first commanding officer of the Naval Oceanography Anti-Submarine Warfare Center from 2006 to 2008. The NOOC, an Echelon IV command of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command at SSC, is comprised of over 1,000 military and civilian personnel located at seven globally distributed subordinate commands supporting every warfare area in the fleet. Rear Adm. Jonathan W. White, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, presided over the ceremony. (Source: NNS, 06/14/11)

Oil impact causes rift

MOBILE, Ala. - Questions about the severity of the Gulf oil spill's environmental impact have divided officials along state lines and are now creating discord even within coastal Alabama. Data collected so far show that the spill's effects have been "minor" east of Louisiana, according to George Crozier, executive director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. But a letter sent by environmental groups to the Obama administration warned of a "growing health crisis." Casi Callaway, whose Mobile Baykeeper group signed on to the letter, said that while it would be irresponsible to "cry wolf," it would also be irresponsible to conclude there's no problem. An estimated 206 million gallons of crude gushed into the Gulf last spring and summer after the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded, killing 11 workers. (Source: Mobile Press Register, 06/12/11)

Data portal earns Gulf Guardian award

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System - Regional Association of College Station Texas will receive a Gulf Guardian Award for 2011 in the partnership category. The awards ceremony will be in conjunction with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Meeting Aug. 3 in New Orleans. The GCOOS Data Portal Project spans the entire Gulf coast and engages people from academia, state and local government and the private sector. The Gulf of Mexico Program initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 to recognize businesses, community groups, individuals, and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. (Source: EPA, 06/09/11)

Taber to work on LCS, JHSV components

MOBILE, Ala. - Taber Extrusions will build components for a littoral combat ship and joint high-speed vessel being built by Austal USA of Mobile, Ala. The work will be done at Taber's two manufacturing facilities, one in Gulfport, Miss., and the other in Russellville, Ark. Austal will use Taber extrusions for decking, superstructure and bulkheads. The work is for the LCS Jackson and JHSV Fortitude. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 06/08/11)

Union gets another shot at Austal

MOBILE, Ala. - A union is getting a third shot to enlist workers at Austal USA's Mobile River shipyard, and an election could come as soon as late July. That's according to a lawyer representing Local 441 of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association. That group has been trying to represent Austal's workforce since 2002. Two previous elections were vacated by federal authorities who found that the company engaged in unfair labor practices with respect to the organizing effort. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 06/05/11)

Contract: Huntington Ingalls, $25.3M

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a contract modification in an amount not-to-exceed $25,300,000 to previously awarded contract for long lead time material for DDG 113. Work will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio (60 percent), and Pascagoula (40 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2011. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/02/11)

Was the dispersant worth it?

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The chemical sprayed in the Gulf to break up the BP oil spill may not have been effective and could be damaging the ecosystem, according to preliminary findings by University of West Florida researchers. When mixed with oil, Corexit is toxic to phytoplankton and bacteria, crucial to the Gulf of Mexico's food chain, said Wade Jeffrey, a UWF biologist with the Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation. BP dumped nearly 2 million gallons of the dispersant in the Gulf, which saw more than 172 million gallons of oil leak into the water in the wake of the April 20 Deepwater Horizon explosion. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 05/31/11)