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byline: Sydney Lake

Fairfax and Prince William federal contractors launch joint venture

Herndon-based systems integration company Tyto Athene LLC and Veterans First Initiative (VFI) LLC of Prince William County have launched a joint venture: Haymarket-based Optima Government Solutions LLC. 

Optima will provide IT services including engineering and systems integration to the U.S. federal government and U.S. Department of Defense. The joint venture is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business joint venture formed through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s All-Small Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP).

In August 2018, Arlington Capital Partners launched Tyto Athene after its $75 million acquisition of Black Box’s government solutions unit.

 

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General Dynamics wins $111.8M Army contract

The U.S. Army awarded the ordnance and tactical systems unit of Reston-based Fortune 100 defense contractor General Dynamics Corp. a $111.8 million contract to provide bomb hardware to the branch, the Department of Defense announced Friday.

Under the contract, General Dynamics will provide general-purpose tritonal bomb hardware, also known as Mk-90 series bomb components.

General Dynamics’ ordnance and tactical systems unit produces forged bomb bodies used in air-dropped weapons for military training and tactical applications.

General Dynamics employs 100,000 people worldwide and reported $39.4 billion in 2019 revenue.

 

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Northrop Grumman wins $236.9M contract modification

The U.S. Navy awarded Falls Church-based Fortune 500 aerospace and defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. a $236.9 million contract modification to manufacture radar systems for the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of Defense announced Friday.

Under the modification, Northrop Grumman will manufacture eight gallium nitride (GaN) active electronically scanned array radar systems. Used on Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) radar systems, these protect Marines from rockets, artillery, mortars, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

In July 2018, Northrop Grumman delivered the first G/ATOR with GaN antenna technology to the Marines and the following year landed a $189 million contract to produce six G/ATORS.

Northrop Grumman employs more than 90,000 people and reported $33.8 billion in 2019 revenue. The company has not yet published its 2020 revenues.

 

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Va. joint venture lands $1B Dept. of Energy contract

The Office of Environmental Management (EM) awarded Herndon-based joint venture SRS Critical Infrastructure Security LLC (SCIS) a 10-year, potential $1 billion contract to provide security services, the Department of Energy announced Friday.

The goal of the contract is to provide security for special nuclear materials under the Safeguards and Security (S&S) program. SCIS includes Securitas CIS Inc., K2 Solutions Inc. Spectra Tech Inc. and System Studies & Simulation Inc. (S3I)/Kachemak Bay Flying Service (KBFS). OLH Inc. is the subcontractor. 

“The S&S program ensures that the department efficiently and effectively meets all its obligations to protect special nuclear material, other nuclear materials, classified matter, sensitive information, government property and the safety and security of employees, contractors and the general public,” according to the Energy Department.

Work will be performed at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina. SCIS will provide services including program management, protective force, physical protection, information security, personnel security, law enforcement, aviation operations and material transportation security and coordination. 

Centerra, a subsidiary of Herndon-based Constellis LLC, currently holds the contract, which will expire on June 7. SCIS will assume the contract at that time.

 

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Serco. Inc. to acquire Reston contractor for $295M

Herndon-based tech company Serco Inc. (a subsidiary of United Kingdom-based Serco Group plc) announced Tuesday it will acquire Reston-based H.I.G. Capital affiliate Whitney, Bradley & Brown for $295 million.

The acquisition, which is expected to close during the second quarter of 2021,will increase Serco’s program management services for the Department of Defense, according to a company statement. 

“This acquisition aligns with our strategy to expand our scope of services with the Air Force, Army, Missile Defense Agency, Office of the Secretary of Defense and other key accounts,” Serco Chairman and CEO Dave Dacquino said in a statement. “WBB brings a physical presence and established customer relationships at strategic locations that fit Serco’s service offering.”

Serco Group plc was founded more than 50 years ago and currently employs more than 40,000 people in 35 countries, 8,000 of whom are employed in the U.S. The company works primarily with federal and local government customers. WBB employs approximately 1,000 people and provides consulting services such as program management, mission performance, advanced analytics and machine learning. The company reported approximately $212 million in 2020 revenue.

“This combination allows us to broaden the solutions we can offer to our existing clients and compete for new sizeable opportunities with a compelling integrated offering,” WBB CEO Robert Olsen said in a statement.

 

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Northam announces $730.2M state revenue forecast increase

Gov. Ralph Northam’s revised budget released Monday shows that the commonwealth expects a $730.2 million increase in this year’s revenues forecast over December 2020, from $46 billion to more than $46.7 billion during the next two years.

“These revised budget numbers tell us that Virginia’s economy continues to thrive, in spite of the pandemic,” Northam said in a statement. “Before the pandemic, we had passed the most progressive budget in Virginia history. These additional dollars help us get back to that historic budget and allow us to move forward with our shared priorities — providing Virginia families and businesses the relief they need to get back on their feet, supporting public schools and giving our public workers a pay raise.”

Estimate for total revenues and transfers for fiscal year 2021 will be increased by $410.1 million while fiscal year 2022 total revenues and transfers will be revised by an extra $320.1 million. Northam said in a letter to the General Assembly Money Committees that the adjustment is based on the trend of actual revenue collections year-to-date and includes a reevaluation of the sales tax forecast.

Total revenue collections rose 6% through January on a fiscal year-to-date basis, which was well ahead of the 1.2% growth forecast, according to figures released Feb. 11.

“Our economy is rebounding and is generating growing revenues to fund services that Virginians expect – from public schools to salaries for public workers and much more,” Northam wrote in his letter released Monday.

 

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Appalachian Power issues RFP for solar, wind projects

Appalachian Power Co. on Monday issued a request for proposals (RFPs) for up to 300 megawatts of solar and/or wind generation resources. 

This is the first in a string of RFPs that the company will issue this year to comply with the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which requires that the company achieve 100% carbon-free energy generation in its Virginia service territory by 2050.

“This is Appalachian Power’s largest request yet in a single year for renewable energy bids,” Appalachian Power President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Beam said in a statement. “We look forward to reviewing the proposals and issuing more requests for bids later this year as we expand our portfolio and reliance on clean energy.”

Under the RFP, Appalachian Power may consider a single project or multiple facilities. Solar projects must be located in Virginia, while wind projects don’t have to be located in Virginia, but it is preferred. 

Appalachian Power is seeking facilities of at least 50 megawatts that can be commercially operational by mid-December 2023. Proposals with an operational date by Dec. 15, 2024, will still be considered, however.

Proposals must be submitted by March 31.

Appalachian Power has more 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. Last year, the company sought a rate increase from the State Corporation Commission, which was denied in November 2020. The company was seeking to increase rates by approximately $10 per month for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.

 

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Virginia’s first JW Marriott hotel coming to Reston

Virginia’s first JW Marriott hotel is coming to Reston, Comstock Holdings Cos. Inc. said Thursday in an announcement about the forthcoming $250 million luxury hotel. 

CRS Hotel LC, one of Comstock’s managed companies, has entered a franchise agreement with Marriott International for the project, which will be part of Reston Station, a 60-acre mixed-use development between Dulles Toll Road and Wiehle Reston-East Metro Station.

The 26-story hotel will include 250 guest rooms and 90 residences and include 15,000 square feet of meeting space, two restaurants and other amenities.

JW Marriott was established in 1984 as Marriott International’s luxury brand, with more than 100 JW Marriott hotels in 36 countries.

“We are thrilled Comstock Cos. has chosen to bring the JW Marriott brand to Reston, in the heart of the Dulles Technology Corridor,” Noah Silverman, chief development officer, North America full-service hotels at Marriott International, said in a statement. “This project will serve as a signature component of the exciting Reston Row development, offering both guests and owners a welcoming luxury experience.”

The Reston Row District at Reston Station will include the hotel, mixed-use buildings, two office towers, a 350-unit apartment building and more than 65,000 square feet of retail space. The initial work on the Reston Row development will be a 2,500-space underground parking garage.

The JW Marriott, to be located at the intersection of Reston Station Boulevard and Wiehle Avenue, is expected to open in 2024 and will be managed by Crescent Hotels & Resorts Management Co.

Comstock Holding Cos. Inc. has developed more than 5 million square feet of mixed-use and transit development in Reston.

 

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Leidos lands $162M FTC contract

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) awarded Reston-based Fortune 500 government contractor Leidos Holdings Inc. a $162 million contract to work on the commission’s Sentinel Network Services (SNS) program.

Under the contract, Leidos will work on gathering complaints and providing information for consumers while offering protection services. The work is being done for the commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP). 

“The SNS program plays a critical role protecting consumers from deceptive and unfair practices in the marketplace,” Leidos Civil Group President Jim Moos said in a statement.  “Through our lead role on this program, Leidos will continue delivering FTC advice to consumers and providing law enforcement access to complaints and investigative tools so they can take action.”

The SNS platform also provides a centralized place for data analytics for use by law enforcement across the world.

With annual revenues of $11.09 billion last year and 37,000 employees, Leidos specializes in technology and engineering services for defense agencies.

 

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Va. General Fund revenue dropped 2.4% in January

Virginia’s General Fund revenue for January 2021 decreased 2.4% compared with January 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday.

Total revenue collections rose 6% through January on a fiscal year-to-date basis, which was well ahead of the 1.2% growth forecast. 

“As we work to put this pandemic behind us, we must stay focused on positioning our commonwealth for broad-based and inclusive growth,” Northam said in a statement. “Our revenue picture remains stable, and I am confident that we can strengthen our cash reserves, provide Virginia families and businesses with the relief they need to get back on their feet, and meet our budget priorities, which includes giving our teachers a pay raise.”

Payroll withholding tax collections fell 12.6% during January, while sales and use tax collections (reflecting December 2020 sales) rose 5.6% in January.

“Collections have been strong for the first seven months of the fiscal year, especially in individual estimated payments, sales and use taxes, corporate income tax and recordation taxes,” Secretary of Finance Aubrey Layne said in a statement. “Besides the normal monthly payroll withholding and sales tax collections, estimated payments from individuals are due in January, making it a significant month for revenue collections.”

Corporate income tax collections increased 39.3% during January compared to January 2020, a jump from $29.8 million to $49.3 million.

 

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