U.S. Department of Homeland Security Small Business Achievement Award Recipient

On September 26, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Transportation Security Administration (TSA)/Office of Law Enforcement (OLE)/Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) awarded a contract to Newton Design, LLC in response to a competitive total small business set-aside solicitation. The contract included performance specifications that required multiple Aircraft Simulators to be specifically built to withstand the rigors of a reality-based training environment. In addition, each simulator had to be modular, allowing units to be moved with minimal impact. At the time of contract award, the first delivery order was also issued. This delivery order called for the delivery of several simulators, in a short period of time. These platforms represent modified versions of different style of aircraft.  This delivery order was later modified to include a jet bridge simulator, which connected multiple simulators and provided a realistic training environment. The delivery order further included simulators for multiple locations across the United States.  Two simulators in particular were required to represent a modified, hybrid version of two different aircraft.  Each simulator was outfitted with Closed Circuit Television cameras and microphones. External control stations were also designed to control every aspect of the simulator, to include lighting, sound, and smoke generation; all of which produced a uniquely safe but realistic training environment.

In the spring and summer of 2009, the need arose for an additional simulator design. As a result, on August 3, 2009, FAMS modified the contract to include the new simulator design and issued a delivery order to procure more simulators. Newton Design was being tasked with an intense design and build project that would challenge the company’s entire staff.

Two days after the issuance of the last delivery order, Newton Design suffered a catastrophic fire that completely destroyed one of their two buildings and severely damaged the second. In addition, a nearly complete simulator was totally destroyed in the fire. Three other simulators sustained extensive damage.

Despite the fire, Newton Design remained focused on what had to be done; to rebuild the simulators and deliver the quality product they promised as a part of their proposal.  The community came together during one of Newton Design’s most difficult times.  With assistance from local friends, businesses, and churches, the company resumed work on the project almost immediately, while simultaneously rebuilding their facilities. Employees worked from their homes and out of their vehicles during this trying time. Within three months of the fire, Newton Design had their facilities rebuilt and began to move back into their building.  By the end of July 2010, less than a year after the fire, Newton Design delivered and installed two aircraft simulators and the jet bridge. The hard work and dedication they displayed cannot be completely captured in this document 

Due to a need for additional aircraft simulators, and as a result of being impressed with the quality of work performed by Newton Design, the FAMS decided to procure nine additional simulators in the summer of 2010. In April 2011, DHS presented Newton Design with their Small Business Achievement Award.  DHS stated that throughout the life of the contract, despite the overwhelming adversity facing them, Newton Design consistently displayed a customer-first attitude that all companies should strive to achieve. Their workmanship has been second to none, leaving all those who use the simulators incredibly impressed. DHS went on to say Newton Design is the epitome of the good that can come from small business set-asides and a model of American workmanship.