The Air Force has formally released Amendment 5 to its request for proposals on the combat search and rescue helicopter replacement program. It released a draft version in October to provide an opportunity for “face-to-face meetings” to ensure “mutual understanding” on the controversial CSAR-X program, according to an Air Force statement. The three contenders—Boeing, which won the original award last year, Lockheed Martin, and Sikorsky—have until mid-January to submit revised RFPs. This third go-round the door is wide open; the Air Force is allowing competitors to update any portion of their proposals. And, the service has added Army, Navy, and DOD reps to its source selection team. Service officials now don’t expect to make a new contract award before summer.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.