- Federal Contracting received a $54.8 million firm fixed price contract to construct B-21 Raider environmental protection shelters.
- Construction will take place at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, the first operational home of the B-21 Raider.
- The project was awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, using Fiscal Year 2026 defense wide military construction funding.
- New shelters will improve aircraft protection, mission readiness, and maintenance support for the U.S. Air Force’s future stealth bomber fleet.
- The construction is scheduled for completion by October 16, 2028.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District, has awarded Federal Contracting Inc. of Colorado Springs, Colorado, a $54,775,225 firm fixed price military construction contract to build environmental protection shelters for the B-21 Raider West Alert Apron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.
According to the Department of Defense contract announcement, the project was competed through an online solicitation process, attracting three bids. The contract is funded with Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Wide Military Construction appropriations, with all funds obligated at the time of award. Construction is expected to conclude by **October 16, 2028.
The contract represents another milestone in preparing Ellsworth AFB to become the first operational base for the U.S. Air Force’s next generation stealth bomber, supporting both aircraft operations and long term sustainment infrastructure.
Deep Technical & Strategic Context Analysis
Although attention surrounding the B-21 Raider often focuses on the aircraft itself, the supporting infrastructure is equally critical to achieving operational capability. Modern stealth aircraft require highly specialized facilities that protect sensitive radar absorbing materials, mission systems, and low observable coatings from weather exposure while enabling rapid maintenance and sortie generation.
Environmental protection shelters positioned along an alert apron provide covered staging areas where aircraft can undergo inspections, pre flight preparation, and routine servicing while remaining protected from snow, hail, ultraviolet radiation, wind, and other environmental factors that can degrade stealth coatings and increase maintenance demands.
The B-21 Raider, developed by Northrop Grumman, is the centerpiece of the U.S. Air Force’s future long range strike force. Designed as a sixth generation strategic bomber, it combines advanced low observable technology, open mission systems architecture, long range endurance, and the ability to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. Once operational, the bomber will gradually replace portions of the aging B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit fleets while complementing the modernized B-52J Stratofortress.
The investment at Ellsworth reflects the Pentagon’s broader modernization strategy. Military construction projects supporting the B-21 enterprise extend well beyond runways and hangars, encompassing secure communications, nuclear command and control infrastructure, weapons storage, maintenance complexes, and hardened operational facilities necessary for sustained global operations.
From a procurement perspective, this award uses a firm fixed price contract, meaning the contractor assumes the majority of cost risk. Unlike cost reimbursement contracts, the government agrees to pay a predetermined amount regardless of actual construction costs, encouraging efficient project management and predictable budgeting while limiting financial exposure for the Department of Defense.
Contract Breakdown & Details
Contract Overview
- Contractor: Federal Contracting Inc.
- Contract Value: $54,775,225
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price
- Purpose: Design bid build construction of B-21 West Alert Apron environmental protection shelters
- Contract Number: W9128F-26-C-A043
Work Location
- Ellsworth Air Force Base
- South Dakota
Contracting Agency
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Omaha District
- Responsible for military construction supporting Department of Defense infrastructure programs.
Procurement Information
- Solicitation Method: Internet based competitive bidding
- Bids Received: Three
- Awarded Contractor: Federal Contracting Inc.
Funding
- Funding Source: Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Wide Military Construction (MILCON)
- Funds Obligated at Award: 100 percent ($54,775,225)
Estimated Completion
- October 16, 2028
Geographic Work Breakdown
Location Share of Work Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota 100% Multi Agency Funding Breakdown
Funding Agency Share Department of Defense Defense Wide MILCON 100% Why This Contract Matters
Ellsworth Air Force Base is undergoing one of the largest military infrastructure transformations in decades as it prepares to host the first operational B-21 Raider aircraft. While bomber procurement receives significant attention, infrastructure projects such as alert aprons, maintenance facilities, weapons storage areas, and secure support buildings are essential for bringing the fleet into operational service.
Environmental protection shelters will help preserve the aircraft’s low observable characteristics, reduce maintenance downtime, and improve sortie generation rates during severe weather conditions common across the northern Great Plains. These investments also strengthen the long term resilience of the Air Force’s strategic bomber enterprise as the B-21 transitions from development into operational deployment later this decade.
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