Engineered Support Systems, Inc. received a $203.7 million contract with the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) to produce the Load Handling System Modular Fuel Farm (LMFF) bulk fuel storage and distribution system. The firm-fixed price, indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract will be performed over five years, with an initial delivery order of $6.28 million, according to Gerald A. Potthoff, Engineered Support Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The modular fuel farm system design and production team will be led by Engineered Support's wholly-owned subsidiary Systems & Electronics Inc. (SEI), conducting more than 51 percent of the work at its West Plains, Missouri facility, six percent at its St. Louis headquarters with design support from Engineered Support's wholly-owned subsidiary Engineered Air Systems, and 1 percent at Engineered Support's wholly-owned subsidiary Radian Inc., providing logistics support from its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, Potthoff said. The team also includes SEI's strategic partner E. D. Etnyre & Co., projected to contribute 42 percent of the contract work at its Oregon, Illinois facilities.

"Fuel storage and distribution is an essential element of sustainment on the battlefield, and our company is committed to providing the most advanced sustainment solutions possible to our nation's warfighters," Potthoff said. "SEI has the extensive experience and performance track record to make it the perfect anchor for the Engineered Support System team of partners that will execute this program for the Army -- which could involve as many as 191 pump modules and more than 1,600 tank modules. This award exemplifies the capabilities and synergies within the Engineered Support Systems family of companies. We are honored and privileged to have been chosen to develop and produce the next generation fuel storage and distribution system for the US Army," said Potthoff.

The LMFF is a rapidly deployable, highly mobile, modular fuel storage and distribution system. The LMFF is designed for Army Quartermaster personnel to support forward deployed units on the battle field by rapidly establishing fuel retail operations without the need for additional construction equipment. Each system includes 14 2,500 gallon fuel storage modules, and 2 pump filtration modules, that are designed to be readily transported using existing Army transportation equipment. The LMFF will be the primary system for storing and issuing fuel in selected units at the division level and below, and will provide fuel support to all types of vehicles, support equipment, and aircraft. The LMFF is an enabling system for the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) and the Future Combat System (FCS).