Tuesday, June 30, 2009

MILITARY CONTRACTS June 30, 2009

U.S. ARMY TANK - AUTOMOTIVE AND ARMAMENTS COMMAND
Oshkosh Corporation., Oshkosh, WI is being awarded a $1,055,910,053 Firm Fixed Priced Delivery Order Number 0002 under Contract W56HZV-09-D-0111 for the purchase of 2,244 MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATVs), Basic Issue Items, Field Service Representative Support, Equipment, Engineering, Authorized Stocking List Parts Packages and Prescribed Load List parts packages. The US Army Tank Automotive Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.

NAVY
General Atomics, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $573,000,000 ceiling priced, undefinitized contract action for the production of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) CVN 78 Shipset. EMALS is the catapult launch system on CVN-78 class aircraft carriers, replacing the steam catapults used on prior generations of aircraft carriers. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., (49 percent); Tupelo, Miss., (19 percent); Mankato, Minn., (12 percent); Waltham, Mass., (4 percent); and various locations across the United States (16 percent), and work is expected to be completed in September 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 602-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-09-C-0573).

DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $45,649,330 modification to previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N62742-08-C-1115) to exercise the second option period to provide support services for Philippines Operations Support in the Republic of the Philippines for the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines. The work to be performed provides for all labor, supervision, management, tools, materials, equipment, facilities, transportation, incidental engineering, and other items necessary to provide support services. The current total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $206,634,712. Work will be performed in the Republic of the Philippines, and work is expected to be completed Jun. 30, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $44,910,868 cost-plus award/fixed-fee contract for combat systems engineering to support the government of Australia under the Foreign Military Sales Program - Case AT-P-LCQ. The government of Australia selected the Navy/Lockheed Martin Aegis Combat System for its Australian Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Program. These requirements include the necessary combat systems engineering, computer program development, ship integration and test logistics technical services, NSCC/CSEDS equipment, and staging support to design and build an Aegis Weapon System (AWS) baseline to support the AWD Program. The AWD AWS baseline will be derived from a technology refreshed variant of the Navy AWS baseline 7 Phase I. This contract will support efforts through Aegis Combat System critical design review (CDR). Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J., (97 percent) and Australia (3 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. This contract was procured under the authority of 10 U.S.C. (c)(4), International Agreement. As such, this procurement was not synopsized in Federal Business Opportunities. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-5104).

American Bridge Co., Richmond, Va., is being awarded a $35,152,446 firm-fixed-price contract for the complete construction of Pier 31 at Naval Submarine Base New London. The work to be performed provides for demolition of the existing pier and construction of Pier 31 to include a pile supported pier with concrete deck, electrical shore power, pier lighting, communications, cable, telephone, lightning protection, water, sewer, compressed air, pure water and oily waste/waste oil piping connections off pier, bitts, jib cranes, retractable craneless brows, rubber faced steel fendering system and specialized equipment. Work will be performed in Groton, Conn., and is expected to be completed by November 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-7011).

Raytheon Co., El Segundo, Calif., is being awarded a $22,584,562 delivery order against a previously issued basic order agreement (N00019-05-G-0008) for the procurement of 151 electro optical sensor unit weapon replaceable assemblies (WRAs) from ATFLIR pods or spare deliveries; 154 laser WRAs from ATFLIR pods or spare deliveries; 154 laser electronic unit WRAs from ATFLIR pods or spare deliveries; 32 visible channel assembly; and 12 visible beam splitter. This effort will include the production, implementation, and ILS efforts and modification labor associated with ATFLIR IR-marker retrofit engineering change proposal in support of the F/A-18. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas, (60 percent); and El Segundo, Calif., (40 percent); and is expected to be completed in July 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $3,242,394 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Brandes Associates, Inc.*, Santa Barbara, Calif., is being awarded a $16,731,943 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to research, design, develop and deliver an Advanced Systems Integration and Operations Center (ASIC) to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD). The ASIC will provide new functionality and network outreach, encompassing network centric warfare and operations, fleet exercise collaboration and support of other country and organization exercises and objectives, support testing and training for the Department of Defense, to include joint service efforts. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif., and is expected to be completed in June 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under an electronic request for proposals as a 100 percent small business set-aside; one offer was received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-09-C-0081).

Oceaneering International Inc., Chesapeake, Va., is being awarded an $11,984,265 firm-fixed-price contract for the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) service life extension program (SLEP) for the LCACs 30 and 56. The LCAC SLEP will extend the service life of LCAC from 20 to 30 years, sustain/enhance craft capability, replace obsolete electronics, repair corrosion damage, reduce life cycle cost by improving reliability and maintainability, increase survivability, and establish a common configuration baseline. The LCAC SLEP scope of effort includes repair and upgrade of the buoyancy box, gas turbine engine replacement, installation of a new skirt, installation of an integrated C4N equipment package, and accomplishment of selected craft alterations and repair work. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $35,227,516. LCACs 59, 62, and 79 are included as option crafts. Work will be performed in Camp Pendleton, Calif., and is expected to be completed by January 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured and advertised via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 24 proposals solicited and four offers received via the Federal Business Opportunities website. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, Calif. ,is the contracting activity (N55236-09-C-0004).

BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $11,717,122 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-05-C-4403) for repairs of the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). The following work items will be accomplished on the ship: replace sewage discharge pumps; install scullery steam condensate drain piping; replace fire retardant plywood on ammunition magazine bulkhead; remove & dispose marine coatings containing heavy metals; replace & test flight deck padeyes; replace ventilation ducting and preheater; repair combination steam exhaust/relief valve; replace lube oil tank, fill connection deck fitting; and other work items to support those mentioned. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by November 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $11,717,122 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Va., is the administrative contracting activity for the contract (N00024-05-C-4403).

The Pennsylvania State University Electro-Optics Center, Freeport, Pa., is being awarded an $11,488,791 cost-plus-fixed fee contract for research, design, development, and delivery of sub-systems for use in the next generation radars and the Common Data Sensor Architecture (CDSA) Program. The CDSA is a centralized system for collecting input information from a variety of sensors and even providing information from one group of sensors to another. Two technologies are fundamental for the CDSA to successfully transition to producible, fielded systems: high voltage/ high power switching devices based on halide chemical vapor deposition; and wavelength division multiplexing. Requirements include prototype sub systems for the NG radar; research into transmit receive module technology; developing optical radar methodologies; analysis of air defense radar including: jamming, radio frequency (RF) transmitting vs. receiving; research for RF propagation, high powered testing, deep level transient spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectroscopy. Work will be performed at Freeport, Pa., (80 percent) and State College, Pa., (20 percent) is expected to be completed in June 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-09-C-GR34).

Douglas E. Barnhart, Inc., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $10,895,718 for firm-fixed price task order #0003 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract (N62473-08-D-8608) for design and construction of a child development center at Naval Base Coronado. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by January 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Sherrick Construction, Inc.*, Nashville, Tenn., is being awarded a $9,666,646 firm-fixed price contract for the design and construction of a new Child Development Center at Naval Support Activity Mid-South. The contract also contains two unexercised options, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $10,292,446. Work will be performed in Millington, Tenn., and is expected to be completed by July 2011. Funds are provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with nine proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Midwest, Great Lakes, Ill., is the contracting activity (N40083-09-C-0011).

BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $8,685,509 firm-fixed-price contract for a 55-calendar-day regular overhaul of Military Sealift Command's fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8). The ship's primary mission is to operate as part of a carrier strike group, providing fuel, ammunition, and dry and refrigerated stores to support U.S. Navy ships at sea. This regular overhaul includes cleaning and inspecting tanks and spaces, underwater hull-cleaning and painting, and numerous inspections and certifications. The contract contains options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $11,684,396. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and the period of performance is for 55 calendar days, commencing on about Aug.1, 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with three offers received. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, a field activity of Military Sealift Command, is the contracting activity (N40442-09-C-2007).

Sundt William Scotsman, a joint venture, Tempe, Ariz., is being awarded an $8,553,732 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed price contract (N62473-08-C-3511) to exercise option 0002 which provides for the furniture, fixtures and equipment/collateral equipment for temporary facilities of administration, billeting, armory, storage and maintenance buildings at Marine Corps Base and Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $81,573,825. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by July 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Straub Construction, Inc., Bonsall, Calif., is being awarded $8,516,000 for firm-fixed price task order #0005 under a multiple award construction contract (N62473-08-D-8616) for design and construction of a consolidated communications/electronic maintenance shop at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by January 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Six proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Archer Western Contractors, Ltd. dba Archer Western, Chicago, Ill., is being awarded $7,730,990 for firm-fixed price task order #0002 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-08-D-9739) for the construction of a child development center at Naval Station Norfolk. The task order also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase the cumulative task order value to $7,758,490. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a $ 7,496,641 fixed-price delivery order #0079 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-04-D-5016) to purchase of 2,980 turret gunners restraint system. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., (70 percent) and Fairfield, Ohio (30 percent), and work for this delivery order is expected to be completed by Mar. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Burns & Roe Services Corp., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $7,038,740 modification under a previously awarded contract (N62470-06-D-4614) to exercise Option 3 for utilities and maintenance services at U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $38,948,784. Work will be performed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and is expected to be completed by June 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering and Acquisition Division, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is the contracting activity.

Sundt William Scotsman, a joint venture, Tempe, Ariz., is being awarded a $6,312,999 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N62473-08-C-3511) to exercise option 0004 which provides for the furniture, fixtures and equipment/collateral equipment for temporary facilities of administration, billeting, armory, storage and maintenance buildings at Marine Corps Base and Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $73,020,093. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by July 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
United States Special Operations Command is increasing the contract maximum order amount on the acquisition, logistics, management and business operations support contract, USZA22-02-D-0014, awarded in December 2001 to Sverdrup Technology Inc., (now Jacobs Technology Inc.). This is a multiple-award, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity term contract with an anticipated period of performance through April 2010 for acquiring intellectual capital support in the areas of system acquisition and development. This action will increase the maximum order amount of one of the multiple-award contracts from $400,000,000 to $460,000,000, with an additional $45,000,000 to $505,000,000, if the government exercises the Extension of Services clause.

AIR FORCE
Raytheon Network Centric Systems, Baltimore, Md., is being awarded a $98,353,091 firm-fixed contract for the production of KIV-77 single function appliqué and the remote form factor units for the Air Force, Army, and Navy. At this time, $15,027,990 has been obligated. Headquarters Cryptologic Program System Group, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA8307-09-D-001).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Liverpool, N.Y., is being award a $76,226,449 firm-fixed contract for a quantity of 17 AN/FPS 117 radar modification kits, site assessments and related training. At this time, $19,474,319 has been obligated. Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity(FA8706-09-C-0001).

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., is modifying a $75,209,000 fixed- price incentive firm contract for Long Lead funding of two Global Hawk Block 30M air vehicles, each including airborne signals intelligence payload and enhanced integrated sensor suite payloads, three Global Hawk 40 air vehicles, each including an MP-RTIP payload , and three ASIP retrofit kits. At this time, $75,209,000 has been obligated. 303rd AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-09-C-4001).

Kaman Precision Products, Inc., Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $52,970,557 firm-fixed contract for joint programmable fuze systems, including the FMU-152 fuze and FZU-55 initiator, of five FMS countries for a quantity of 458 and the Air Force for a quantity of 14,601 each. At this time, $52,970,557 has been obligated. 679th Armament Systems Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (F08626-98-C-0006).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Artcraft Optical Co., Inc., Rochester, N.Y.*, is being awarded a maximum $16,302,804 firm-fixed price, indefinite quantity/indefinite delivery contract for purchase of aircrew spectacle frames. Other location of performance is in New York. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. The original proposal was DIBBS solicited withone one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract includes a base and four one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is Jun. 29, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2DE-09-D-7539).

Geren Makes Ground-level Assessment at Fort Drum

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

June 30, 2009 - When Army Secretary Pete Geren took the job two years ago, his major mission was to take care of the force. It was in that vein that the secretary visited this fort in upstate New York to see what soldiers and their families need and how to make their lives better.

"We know there are stresses -- from repeated deployments, from combat, from separations," the secretary said during an interview. The Army has put programs in place to respond to soldiers' and families' concerns, and now must make them more responsive, he said.

Fort Drum is the home of the 10th Mountain Division. The division headquarters returned in May from a deployment to Iraq. Three of the division's brigade-sized units are currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and another is preparing for deployment to Iraq.

Geren spoke to soldiers rail-loading vehicles for the move. "Some of our soldiers have deployed three or four times," Army Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, the division commander, told him.

Wanting to assess the reintegration process and families' needs, the secretary toured the post and took a look at new single soldier quarters. He toured the Soldier Family Assistance Center and met with Gold Star families -- those who have lost loved ones in combat. He moved on to the 3rd Battalion, 85th Mountain Infantry, where he met with soldiers recovering from wounds. Finally, he visited an innovative program providing mental-health care to soldiers in downtown Watertown.

"You need to get on the ground and speak to soldiers and their families," Geren said. "You cannot stay in Washington and hope to get the information you need."

The meetings with Gold Star families and with wounded warriors were behind closed doors. He said the meetings were constructive and pointed to some areas the service can explore.

At the 3rd Battalion, 85th Mountain Infantry, Army Lt. Col. Patrick Harvey spoke about the growth of the program at Fort Drum. The unit is the only one of the 36 Warrior Transition Units that has a unit designation. "The unit is important in the division's history," Harvey said. "It was the unit of John McGrath -- the only 10th Mountain soldier to receive the Medal of Honor in World War II."

Being in a unit means something to the soldiers, Harvey said. "They know they still belong to the Army. They are still soldiers and we have not forgotten them," he said. The unit is a place for soldiers to heal and get back to their units or begin the transition to civilian life.

The unit has 92 military positions and 45 civilian positions. It includes 17 case managers and, on average, 360 to 380 soldiers with complex medical conditions.

"You do not get assigned here if you have a broken leg," Harvey said. Soldiers have two or three overlying issues in addition to their injuries -- post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries are among the complicating factors.

The unit works well and that comes down to leadership. "All of the squad leaders here are hand-picked by the division command sergeant major," he said. "They are where the rubber meets the road. They are the people who ensure the soldiers in their squads receive the care they need."

In the middle of town is another program aimed at helping soldiers. A road sign at the entrance of the Coleman Avenue clinic says "Dead End," but the Fort Drum/Samaritan Health Clinic at the end of the road can mean a new beginning for soldiers.

The off-post clinic began seeing patients in June 2008. It has a full staff of psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists, plus the administrative help they need. Almost 1,000 soldiers have attended more than 10,000 appointments at the clinic.

The clinic provides individual and group therapy, medication management, alcohol and drug abuse treatment and psychological assessments. All of this is integrated with other treatment options so there is a continuity of care.

"The off-base location helps NCOs and officers in particular seek the care they need," said Dr. Spencer Falcon, the clinic's vice president for medical affairs.

Somehow there is less stigma associated with going to the civilian clinic, officials said, and they hope the partnership can be tried at other posts. Such partnerships also bridge gaps between the civilian and military worlds.

"The American people appreciate their soldiers, but they don't really understand the sacrifices soldiers and their families make every day," Geren said.

'The War will go on, and on and on...'


Sometime toward the end of the movie, Battle of Bulge, the evil Colonel Hessler is tells his naive orderly that if the German offensive succeeds then, 'The war will go on, and on and on!'
American forces have pulled out of Iraqi cities, leaving them to the increasingly competent Iraqi Army and Police. There are still 130,000 American troops in the country, including three Marine Expeditionary Units of the II MEF, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the 25th Infantry Division.


At some point these units, among the best in the American military, will leave, making them eventually, available for deployment elsewhere.

I recall several months ago MSNBC's Mika Berezninski pestering David Frum about our troop's lengthy deployment in Iraq saying, and this is a direct quote, 'they're not ready'.

A flabbergasted Frum asked, 'Ready for what?' and went on to explain that the purpose of a military is not only to be ready to fight a war, but to fight a war, and that is precisely what our troops in Iraq have been doing for more than 6 years.

Critics will say that the adventure in Iraq was a distraction from the War on Terror. That's as asinine as saying the attack on Germany was a distraction from World War Two. Remember, no Nazi planes were at Pearl Harbor.

9/11 was not an isolated incident. Neither are Hamas and Hezbollah's wars on Israel, or Shabab's war on Somalia, or Pakistan's campaign on the northwest, or Iran's quest from the bomb. They are all linked, not only through Iran's extensive terror supporting network, but by ideology. Mullah Omar, Mohammed Aweys, and Sheik Nasrallah all seek to impose the caliphate, just as Germany, Japan, and Italy sought to impose fascism. Our modern enemies can't be treated separately anymore than our Second World War adversaries could.


Stavridis Assumes Top European Command Post From Craddock

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

June 30, 2009 - Adm. James Stavridis today became the first Navy officer to assume the top post at U.S. European Command. Stavridis also will serve as NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe.

Speaking during change-of-command ceremonies at Patch Barracks here, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates praised Stavridis, former commander of U.S. Southern Command, as a visionary leader to carry forward important groundwork laid by the retiring Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock.

"Jim Stavridis is a true sailor-scholar whose strategic vision and diplomatic expertise make him the leader we need at this command at such a critical junction in the history of the transatlantic alliance," Gates said.

Gates called this year's 60th anniversary of NATO an opportunity to take stock of the member nations' shared history, challenges and sacrifices – and their current mission in Afghanistan.

"Today, the transatlantic alliance faces new challenges, and new stresses and strains that will test our credibility, resolve and shared purpose," Gates said. "An alliance that never fired a shot during four decades of the Cold War now has thousands of troops deployed thousands of miles from the heart of Europe, many coming under fire as we stand here today."

Conceding that the outcome and duration of the war in Afghanistan remain uncertain, Gates said he's confident Stavridis "will lead our brave men and women with honor and do right by them, just as General Craddock has over these past three years."

Gates offered high praise for Craddock's accomplishments during the past three years at the helm of Eucom and NATO.

"His tenure since taking command at Eucom and NATO has been one of steady professionalism and forward-thinking leadership during a time of great consequence for the United States and our allies and partners in Europe," Gates said.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shared Gates' assessment of the "simply amazing" evolution within NATO and Eucom under Craddock's leadership.

During Craddock's tenure, NATO became a more expeditionary force, deploying and conducting missions far from its traditional borders, Gates said. Meanwhile, NATO expanded its role in combating nontraditional threats such as narco-trafficking and the proliferation of deadly weapons. Albania and Croatia entered the alliance, and the mission in Kosovo transitioned from United Nations to European Union management. NATO also reformed its command structure and redesigned its response force.

Meanwhile, Craddock assisted in the standup of U.S. Africa Command to focus specifically on the African continent. Mullen recognized Craddock for contributing talent and resources from his own staff to stand up the new command.

But particularly significant, Gates said, has been Craddock's support for the mission in Afghanistan. During the last two years, 36 countries in the Eucom area of responsibility have increased their assistance to NATO's International Security Assistance Force.

"General Craddock accomplished all this while having nearly half of Eucom's forces deployed in direct support of the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan," Gates said.

"The trajectory of General Craddock's career, in many respects, tracks some of the most important missions the U.S. military has undertaken over the past two generations," Gates said. "Through solidarity and steadfastness of purpose – and the service and dedication of millions of allied men and women in uniform like John Craddock – that famous gap to our east was never breached."

Craddock paid tribute to the more then 84,000 servicemembers assigned to Eucom – troops he said "have worked hard day in and day out," setting a standard of excellence for others to follow.

Calling his people "ordinary people doing a hero's job," he told them their contribution has been significant. "You have made a huge difference," he said.

As Stavridis takes the helm at Eucom, Mullen said, he'll bring the same ability to see issues from other culture's perspectives that he demonstrated at Southcom. "He taught commitment by showing commitment to people of the region," he said.

"Partnership is what this command is all about," Stavridis said, noting that the partnership here is built on trust, confidence and shared experience. The challenges facing the region, he added, will only enhance those partnerships.

Stavridis said he was humbled to accept his new post, looking back on the long legacy of generals who have gone before him.

"I can't help but think about the height of the bar I must achieve," he said, joking about his own short stature.

Turning to Craddock, he thanked the general for "walking point" here and at other shared junctures in their careers. "We can only hope to build on what you have accomplished here," he said.

Security Agreement Implementation Announced

The Department of Defense announced today that, in accordance with the security agreement between the United States and Iraq signed last year, U.S. combat forces have left Iraqi cities, villages and localities.

This historic security agreement between the United States and Iraq is indicative of Iraq's confidence, capacity and capability as U.S. combat forces move out of Iraq's urban areas.

At the forefront of creating a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq and developing an environment of political and economic growth, significant investments have been made in infrastructure, training, equipment, essential services, and the institution of rule of law to benefit all Iraqis.

As U.S. combat forces move out of the localities, Iraqi security forces (ISF) are assuming responsibility for security, a significant step for Iraq and a tribute to the tremendous progress made and dedication of the ISF members.

"The United States is committed to full, transparent, and continued implementation of the security agreement in a spirit of partnership with the sovereign nation of Iraq. Iraqi security forces continue to take the lead in the security and stability of Iraq," said Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general, Multi-National Force Iraq. U.S. forces outside urban areas will continue to conduct operations by, with, and through, ISF, focusing on securing Iraqi borders and areas outside the cities. "In order to meet our obligations under the security agreement, some U.S. forces will remain in cities to train, advise, and coordinate with Iraqi security forces, as well as support civil capacity efforts led by the U.S. Mission-Iraq, government of Iraq (GoI) and the United Nations. All U.S. forces retain full authority and ability to protect themselves, Iraqi security forces, and the Iraqi public," said Odierno.

To date, more than 150 U.S. bases have been closed or returned to the GoI since January 2008. U.S. troop strength has decreased to 131,000 from a high of 165,574 in September 2007. Contractors have also decreased from 164,491 to 125,163 today.

Additionally, more than $15 million of property has been transferred to the GoI. The United States will continue to reduce both number of bases and combat forces in 2010 through the end of 2011.

Increased security, improved Iraqi security forces, and continued progress in local and national government capacity has set the conditions for U.S. forces to withdraw from the cities.

Group Plans 'National Day of Awakening' on Mental Health

By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service

June 30, 2009 - A Maryland-based troop-support group is planning a "National Day of Awakening" to highlight the merntal health needs of military families and the services available to them. "We are very excited about this opportunity to raise awareness and awaken the general public to the issues facing our military families," said Barbara Van Dahlen Romberg, founder and president of Give an Hour, which provides free mental health services to redeployed troops. "In addition to a large day-long event in New York City, our goal is to have numerous community events going on simultaneously across the country."

Give an Hour is planning the National Day of Awakening for October, and the New York event will include a gathering of mental health groups that provide services to military families at an outdoor venue. The event will be open to the public, and speakers and musicians will be invited to "entertain, inform and inspire," Romberg said.

Gatherings across the country will include local and national military and veterans groups, corporations, local governments and community groups, she said.

Organizers hope The National Day of Awakening will fulfill several purposes, Romberg said.

"It will continue the critical process of educating all citizens on issues affecting our returning warriors," she explained. "The event will serve to signal a new era of collaboration and coordination among organizations and individuals who have answered the call to serve this population. The event will also awaken all citizens to the huge resources available to servicemembers."

Romberg added the events will provide an immediate focus for the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act for people interested in serving and helping troops and their families. President Barack Obama signed the act into law April 21. Among other provisions, it created the Veterans Corps as a new national service organization.

Army Spc. Jennifer Crane, a combat veteran who uses Give an Hour services, said she is pleased about the October event.

"I served in Afghanistan in 2003," Crane said. "I was diagnosed with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder. Give an Hour has provided me with amazing free mental health care that I so desperately needed. I have been seeking help through them for about a year now, and it has been a wonderful experience. Today, I am a functioning member of society because of them. I know this event will help many other servicemembers and their families."

Rolando J. Díaz, a licensed clinical psychologist, said he joined Give an Hour because he was searching for a way to support servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. He thinks the National Day of Awakening will be a huge success.

"So much of the work of this organization is about creating awareness, not only among providers but also servicemembers – knowing that they can get these services free of charge and that they do not have to feel bad about asking for help," Díaz said. "This is what makes this program work. The National Day of Awakening will be very beneficial. If needed, I plan to participate."

Romberg said she believes the event could have far-reaching implications in assisting military families.

"The National Day of Awakening will be a call to action for all citizens to assist the 1.9 million Americans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and the estimated 20 million directly affected by a loved one's service," she said. "We have the opportunity to unite our country in our concern and compassion for military families."

General Counsel Looking Into 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' Gates Says

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

June 30, 2009 - A day after President Barack Obama reaffirmed his pledge to overturn the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today he has Defense Department lawyers exploring ways to make it more flexible until the law is changed. The law prohibits officials from inquiring into a servicemember's sexual orientation in the absence of statements or acts that indicate the servicemember is homosexual, but allows the services to take action against servicemembers who disclose their homosexuality by word or action.

Gates told reporters traveling with him from U.S. European Command that he talked with the president last week about "how to achieve his objective, which is changing the policy." The issue also came up at last week's Defense Leadership Council, he said.

"And the issue that we face is, How do we begin to do preparations and, simultaneously, the administration move forward in asking the Congress to change the law?" he said.

"What we have is a law, not a policy or regulation," Gates said. "And as I discovered when I got into it, it is a very prescriptive law. It doesn't leave a lot to the imagination or a lot of flexibility. So one of the things we are looking at is, Is there flexibility in how we apply this law?"

Gates cited the example of someone who's been "outed by a third party," possibly the result of blackmail or a jilting.

"Does that force us to take an action?" he questioned. "I don't know the answer to that. I don't want to pretend to. But that is the kind of thing we are looking at."

Gates said he believes there's "at least a more humane way to comply with the law until the law gets changed."

Exactly what that might be is up to legal interpretation, he said. "We have general counsel working on it," he added.

Army Secretary Observes First Day for West Point Class of '13

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

June 30, 2009 - "Cadet Candidate! Walk up to the line! Walk up to the line! Walk up to the line!" A young man wearing black shoes, socks and shorts with a white T-shirt and carrying a barracks bag stuffed with clothes walks toward the line painted on the ground and reports to a U.S. Military Academy cadet wearing a red sash.

It's a high-stress environment as the cadet candidate puts down the barracks bag, salutes and attempts to report.

"Can you not walk up to a line?" the senior cadet bellows. "You missed the line! Go back and do it again!" Some cadet candidates repeat the process five or six times before getting it right.

And if that isn't enough stress, the young men and women are under the observation of Army Secretary Pete Geren.

Geren visited "R Day" at the Military Academy here yesterday. It was the first day for the Class of 2013, and like every class at the academy since its founding in 1802, the cadets got their first taste of life as a "plebe" – a first-year cadet.

"I wanted to come up here and see the process," Geren said during an interview. "It's part of the tradition of West Point, and I wanted to experience that. It helps me better understand those traditions and culture of the academy and the officers who come from here."

Geren met with parents, cadets, cadet candidates and military personnel who helped to process 1,304 young men and women into life at the academy.

The process starts with a briefing at Eisenhower Hall to welcome candidates and parents. An Army officer tells parents what to expect and invites them to tour the campus while their sons and daughters in-process. Cadet Stephanie Whitaker takes over the podium and tells the cadet candidates what to expect. She ends her presentation with, "You have 90 seconds to say your goodbyes." With that, she hits the stopwatch function on her wristwatch.

R-Day begins the process of changing civilians into cadets. They are measured for uniforms, given identification cards, shorn of their hair, assigned to companies and taught to march. At 5:45 p.m., the candidates march to Trophy Point for the Oath Ceremony, with their parents watching.

Geren observed the process and also met with parents and candidates.

"The parents are proud, but they are also very nervous," he said. "But you have to hand it to the young men and women who have volunteered for this experience. There were the most applications for positions at the academy this year than ever before.

"I get annoyed at people who say the economy is the driver in this and in recruiting," he continued. "The Army has made its recruiting goals, and the number of applications was up before the economy crashed."

The West Point cadets are impressive in another way, the secretary said. "The United States is at war, and they know it," he said. "Yet they still step forward. We are a fortunate country to have such people."

New Pacific Strategy Builds on Partnerships, Commander Says

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

June 30, 2009 - Partnership, readiness and presence are the cornerstones of the U.S. Pacific Command's new strategy, its commander said at a meeting of the Atlantic Council think tank here last night. "The guns have largely been silent in our area of responsibility," Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating said. "For that, we're immensely grateful.

"But we wanted to take what got us where we are and try and catapult it five, 10, 20 years into the future," he added. The countries in Pacom's area of responsibility have room for growth, and in some cases, potential for bad behavior, the admiral said. "But in many more cases than not," he said, "[there is opportunity for] cooperating and collaborating to ensure more peace and more stability in the region."

That is why leaders of U.S. Pacific Command, which covers 36 countries accounting for roughly half of Earth's surface, decided a year ago to rewrite its strategy, the admiral said.

Keating described it as an ambitious undertaking. The first tenet, he said, is partnership.

"We're convinced that building upon the very strong bilateral relationships and alliances in our [area of responsibility is essential]," he said, referring to Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan. "Increasingly, we see opportunities for including elements across the dime, so to speak: diplomatic, intelligence, military, energy and the environment.

"We're looking to cobble all this together in an increasingly tightly woven fabric that emphasizes multilateralism and the ability we have as the predominant military power in the region to provide some rudder, some guidance, [and] in some cases, leadership," he added.

Keating used India as an example of an improved partnership. In the mid-1980s, the country's reaction to a visiting U.S. military official was lukewarm at best. A recent visit was completely different, he said.

The Indian government was more willing to talk about engagement and partnership with the United States, and it is participating in military exercises more robustly than before, including a recent trilateral exercise in the Sea of Japan.

"We think that this is a great example of partnership and the benefits we can all derive from increased dialogue, increased cooperation, and increased understanding of what we are all about" in the Pacific area, he said.

As for readiness, having enough forces isn't enough if they can't get out and participate in exercises and respond to the president's or defense secretary's military operational directives, he said.

Keating cited Cobra Gold, an annual exercise in Thailand. For this year's exercise, the 35th in the series, five countries participated and 10 others sent observers, including India and China. Participation has never been more vigorous or spirited, the admiral said.

The "presence" piece of the new strategy exalts the virtue of getting out into the area of responsibility, not conducting business virtually through teleconferencing, secure calls and the like, Keating said.

"You've got to get honest-to-goodness grime underneath your fingernails and work with the folks in this very large area of responsibility," he said, "so that they can develop an intense understanding of what we, the United States of America, offer."

Through understanding of what the United States has to offer, many of the countries in the Pacom area of responsibility have come to view the United States as an indispensable partner, he said.

"We don't necessarily want you with us every minute of every day, in our country, on our soil, in our water, or in the air overhead, but we'd like you nearby," Keating said is the prevailing view in the region. "We want you to be able to come when we need you. We want our young men and women to go to school with you, preferably in the United States."

Keating said he and other Pacific Command leaders hope the new strategy builds a simple, but not easy, way to ensure peace and stability in the region.

New Pacific Strategy Builds on Partnerships, Commander Says

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

June 30, 2009 - Partnership, readiness and presence are the cornerstones of the U.S. Pacific Command's new strategy, its commander said at a meeting of the Atlantic Council think tank here last night. "The guns have largely been silent in our area of responsibility," Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating said. "For that, we're immensely grateful.

"But we wanted to take what got us where we are and try and catapult it five, 10, 20 years into the future," he added. The countries in Pacom's area of responsibility have room for growth, and in some cases, potential for bad behavior, the admiral said. "But in many more cases than not," he said, "[there is opportunity for] cooperating and collaborating to ensure more peace and more stability in the region."

That is why leaders of U.S. Pacific Command, which covers 36 countries accounting for roughly half of Earth's surface, decided a year ago to rewrite its strategy, the admiral said.

Keating described it as an ambitious undertaking. The first tenet, he said, is partnership.

"We're convinced that building upon the very strong bilateral relationships and alliances in our [area of responsibility is essential]," he said, referring to Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan. "Increasingly, we see opportunities for including elements across the dime, so to speak: diplomatic, intelligence, military, energy and the environment.

"We're looking to cobble all this together in an increasingly tightly woven fabric that emphasizes multilateralism and the ability we have as the predominant military power in the region to provide some rudder, some guidance, [and] in some cases, leadership," he added.

Keating used India as an example of an improved partnership. In the mid-1980s, the country's reaction to a visiting U.S. military official was lukewarm at best. A recent visit was completely different, he said.

The Indian government was more willing to talk about engagement and partnership with the United States, and it is participating in military exercises more robustly than before, including a recent trilateral exercise in the Sea of Japan.

"We think that this is a great example of partnership and the benefits we can all derive from increased dialogue, increased cooperation, and increased understanding of what we are all about" in the Pacific area, he said.

As for readiness, having enough forces isn't enough if they can't get out and participate in exercises and respond to the president's or defense secretary's military operational directives, he said.

Keating cited Cobra Gold, an annual exercise in Thailand. For this year's exercise, the 35th in the series, five countries participated and 10 others sent observers, including India and China. Participation has never been more vigorous or spirited, the admiral said.

The "presence" piece of the new strategy exalts the virtue of getting out into the area of responsibility, not conducting business virtually through teleconferencing, secure calls and the like, Keating said.

"You've got to get honest-to-goodness grime underneath your fingernails and work with the folks in this very large area of responsibility," he said, "so that they can develop an intense understanding of what we, the United States of America, offer."

Through understanding of what the United States has to offer, many of the countries in the Pacom area of responsibility have come to view the United States as an indispensable partner, he said.

"We don't necessarily want you with us every minute of every day, in our country, on our soil, in our water, or in the air overhead, but we'd like you nearby," Keating said is the prevailing view in the region. "We want you to be able to come when we need you. We want our young men and women to go to school with you, preferably in the United States."

Keating said he and other Pacific Command leaders hope the new strategy builds a simple, but not easy, way to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Chairman Calls U.S.-Poland Relationship 'Vital'

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

June 29, 2009 - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said his visit today with his Polish counterpart, while "routine," also was one of great importance to the U.S. military. "It's a representation of the strength, commitment, and importance of the relationship to both countries," Mullen said following a military honors ceremony welcoming him to Warsaw.

"This is a vital relationship that from my perspective should continue," he said. "The Polish military has provided great capability and great results in Iraq and does so today in Afghanistan under the auspices of [the International Security Assistance Force.]"

The United States is very committed to its partnership with Poland and the modernization of that country's military, Mullen said.

"We've had good initial discussions today, and throughout the day those discussions will continue to do exactly what General [Franciszek] Gagor spoke of, which is to deepen the relationship," Mullen said. "Thank you for the partnership that is so strong. We look forward to it becoming stronger in the future."

Mullen also praised the "young people" who fulfill the commitments Poland has made in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. "I'm always reminded ... of the young people who make this possible, those who sacrifice and, in cases have ... given their lives, to support what we share in common and what we believe in," he said.

The chairman left here June 24 on a week-long trip that has already taken him to Russia where he spoke with his counterpart, Russian Gen. Nikolai Makarov. He spent today talking with Gagor before departing for his final stop in Germany where he and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will preside over the European Command's change of command ceremony.

Army Gen. John Craddock will turn over EUCOM's reigns to Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis at Husky Field on Patch Barracks tomorrow.

MILITARY CONTRACTS June 29, 2009

AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm-fixed-price contract to the Boeing Co., Wichita, Kan., for $750,000,000. This action is a follow on to the B-52 fleet support contract and will provide recurring and non-recurring engineering services, including drawing and technical data maintenance, systems engineering support, technical analyses, government furnished property maintenance, detailed design engineering system and subsystem integration, hardware and software support, technical order updates, flight safety analyses, reliability and maintainability analyses, ground and flight test support, engineering feasibility studies, material deficiency report analysis, field problem investigation, and in-flight emergency response. At this time, $9,605,869 has been obligated. 327th Aircraft Sustainment Group Contracting Division, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8107-09-D-0001).

The Air Force is awarding a firm-fixed-price contract to Harris Corp., Rochester, N.Y., for $14,820,060. This action provides for the procurement of ancillary items related to single channel handheld radios that are an integral part of the Air Force Joint Tactical Radio System. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. ELSG/PK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8726-09-F-0002).

NAVY
Sauer Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., (N69450-09-D-1277), The Haskell Co., Jacksonville, Fla., (N69450-09-D-1278), Caddell Construction Company Inc., Montgomery, Ala., (N69450-09-D-1279); Roy Anderson Corp., Gulfport, Miss., (N69450-09-D-1280), and PCL Construction Services, Inc., Orlando, Fla., (N69450-09-D-1281), are each being awarded a design-build indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contract for general construction type projects at Department of Defense activities within the NAVFAC Southeast area of responsibility of northern Florida and southern Georgia. The maximum dollar value for all five contracts combined is $250,000,000. The work to be performed provides for general building type projects (new construction, renovation, alteration, and repair of facilities and infrastructure, roofing, demolition, and routine renovation) including but not limited to: (1) aviation and aircraft facilities, (2) marine facilities, (3) barracks and personnel housing facilities, (4) administrative facilities, (5) warehouses and supply facilities, (6) training facilities, (7) personnel support and service facilities, (8) security level facilities, and (9) abatement and handling of hazardous/regulated materials. Projects may also require comprehensive interior design and incorporation of sustainable features. Sauer Inc., is being awarded Task Order #0001 at $6,998,000 for the design and construction of a child development center at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by November 2010. All work on this contract will be performed in, but not limited to, the following locations: Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., (30 percent); Naval Station Mayport, Fla., (30 percent); Naval Support Activity Orlando, Fla., (5 percent); Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., (15 percent); and surrounding Supported Commands in Northern Florida and Southern Georgia, (15 percent). Work may be required in other areas in the area of responsibility of NAVFAC Southeast (5 percent), if deemed necessary. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of June 2014. Contract funds for task order #0001 will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 29 proposals received. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.

Atlantic Contingency Constructors, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a not to exceed $66,434,472 cost reimbursement task order #0011 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62470-06-D-6007) for installation of photovoltaic systems. Photovoltaic systems are intended to generate renewable energy at Navy shore facilities, and will be tied into the electrical distribution grid. Work will be performed in Fla., (50 percent), Miss., (20 percent), and Texas (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2010. Funds are provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Atlantic Contingency Constructors, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a not to exceed $25,754,641 cost reimbursement task order #0012 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62470-06-D-6007) for installation of photovoltaic, solar ventilation preheat, and solar and lighting systems. These systems are intended to primarily generate renewable energy at Navy shore facilities, and will be tied into the electrical distribution grid. Work will be performed in the Norfolk, Va., area, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2010. Funds are provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

JK Hill & Associates, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $13,500,000 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for comprehensive aircraft maintenance and technical support services for Marine Light Attach Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLA/T-303) located at Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Platforms supported are AH-1, HH-1, and UH T/M/S aircraft. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $67,700,000. Work will be performed at Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 30, 2014. Contract funds allocated at time of award will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received in response to the request for proposals. The Regional Contracting Office – MCI-West, Camp Pendleton, Calif., is the contracting activity (M00681-09-D-0009).

Atlantic Contingency Constructors, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a not to exceed $8,590,312 cost reimbursement task order #0010 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62470-06-D-6007) for installation of photovoltaic systems. These systems are intended to generate renewable energy at Navy shore facilities, and will be tied into the electrical distribution grid. Work will be performed in the state of Maryland, (70 percent) and in Washington, D.C., (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2010. Funds are provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Quality Roofers and Guttering, Inc.*, Jacksonville, N.C., is being awarded $7,308,437 for firm-fixed-price task order #0052 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-09-D-7106) for facility and photovoltaic energy upgrades and photovoltaic roofs on Buildings 1116, 1211 and 1212 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for reroofing warehouse buildings with white reflective coatings complete with flashings, walkways and new roof drains; and asbestos abatement of existing roofing materials. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by July 2010. Funds are provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Lifecycle Construction Services*, Washington, D.C., is being awarded $7,085,756 for firm-fixed price task order #0008 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-09-D-5322) for repair HVAC (heating ventilating and air conditioning), mechanical, electrical, roofs and windows at various administration facilities; major interior/exterior repairs to Building 312 and Building 313 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides complete interior and exterior repairs to include new layouts, HVAC systems, electrical and fire protection systems, removal of lead and asbestos and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Six proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $6,460,382 firm-fixed-priced order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-08-G-0016) for services in support of the FY 2009 tactical secure voice cryptographic equipment application implementation, as part of the RT-1939(C)/ARC-210 radio system. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is expected to be completed in July 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

North State Mechanical, Inc.*, Jacksonville, N.C., is being awarded $6,274,035 for firm-fixed price task order #0008 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-09-D-5341) for repair of HVAC (heating ventilating and air conditioning), mechanical, electrical, roofs and windows at various administration facilities; and major interior/exterior repairs in Building 205 and Building 213 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides complete interior and exterior repairs to include new layouts, HVAC systems, electrical and fire protection systems, removal of lead and asbestos and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by March 2012. Funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va. is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded a maximum $44,900,000 firm-fixed-price, sole source contract for depot level reparables in support of the CV-22 aircraft. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 31, 2012. The contracting activity is the DLR Procurement Operations (DSCR-ZC), DLA Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (N00383-03-G-001B-THM4).

ARMY
Raytheon Co., Network Centric Systems, Fort Wayne, Ind., was awarded in Jun. 26, 2009 a $ 21,746,737 cost-plus-fixed-fee and fixed-price contract for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop the generation Network Centric Radio System (NCRS), with additional capabilities and an assured affordable price to the user. DARPA envisions two critical technologies for achieving these new goals: 1) a backbone radio architecture that enables a versatile IP networks and a radio gateway that enable legacy analog and digital communications systems to be internetworked. As with NCRS, the MAINGATE enables heterogeneous groups of radios to be integrated into a heterogeneous network tolerant to high latency and packet loss. The technology development for the program will permit affordable, tactical, real-time, high fidelity video, data, and voice services to be deployed in a network environment to support tactical operations in either maneuver or dismounted operations. A MAINGATE node consists of the gateway hoc network (MANET) IP radio, WAN port, LAN port, and operator console for a recurring production unit cost target (sell price to government) of $ 60, 000 (constant FY09$) per unit for a volume purchase of 1,000 units after the successful satisfaction of the base program objectives. Work is to be performed in Fullerton, Calif., (19.54 percent), Fort Wayne, Ind., (25.88 percent), Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., (7.19 percent), Vienna, Va., (3.20 percent), ! Cambridg e, Md.,(7.02 percent), Columbia, Md., (22.45 percent), and Melbourne, Fla., (14.72 percent), with an estimated completion date of September 2012. Bids solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0083).

Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, Calif., was awarded on Jun. 26, 2009 a $ 12,431,184 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for threat detection alongside or approaching a roadway. Work is to be performed in San Diego, Calif., (26.4 percent) and OCONUS (73.6 percent) with an estimated completion date of Dec. 09, 2011. Bids were solicited using FedBizOpps with one bid received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineer, ERDC Contracting Office, Vicksburg, Miss., is the contracting activity (W912HZ-09-C-0073).

Kipper Tool Co., Gainesville, Ga., was awarded on Jun. 26, 2009 a $ 5,897,268 firm-fixed-price requirement contract for an engineer construction electrician tool kit. Work is to be performed in Gainesville, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 30, 2014. Ten (10) bids solicited with three bids received. TACOM- Rock Island, AMSTA-LC-CTC, Rock Island, Ill. is the contracting activity (DAAE20-03-D-0089).

Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Jun. 26, 2009 a $ 5,738,424 cost-plus-fixed-fee, level-of-effort- contract for FY09 PATRIOT engineering services contract option award for 37,822 man-hours of effort. Work is to be performed in Andover, Mass., (1.05 percent), Huntsville, Ala., (6.18 percent), and Tewksbury, Mass., (92.77 percent) with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2014. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-C-0057).

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Burlington, Vt., was awarded on Jun. 25, 2009 a $ 34,404,153 firm-fixed-price contract for 280 Bradley reactive Armor Skirt Sets for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle System. Work is to be performed in Haifa, Israel (58 percent), Burlington, Vt., (26 percent), Lyndonville, Vt., (13 percent), Stoughton, Mass., (1 percent), St. Paul, Minn., (1 percent), and Saugerties, N.Y., (1 percent) with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2009. One bid solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command Joint Munitions-MA, Picatinny, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-06-C-0143).

Army Armaments Incorporated, Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on Jun. 25, 2009 a $32,079,407 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the modification exercises options for additional engineering services hours for tactical command data link in support of the Shadow 200 unmanned aircraft systems. Work is to be performed in Hunt Valley, Md., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 30, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command/CCAM-AR-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0033).

Honeywell International, Albuquerque, N.M., was awarded on Jun. 25, 2009 a $12,685,932 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for 12 months of contractor logistics support (CLS) with options for unit training and additional 12 months of CLS for the Gasoline Micro Air Vehicle. Work is to be performed in Albuquerque, N.M., with an estimated completion date of Jul. 3, 2011. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center, CCAM-AR-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0094).

Alcatel-Lucent, USA, McLeansville, N.C., was awarded on Jun. 25, 2009 a $ 11,733,246 IDIQ Fair Market contract for the effort to furnish, install, secure, test, document and cutover a turn-key solution to upgrade the existing infracture and facilities at Fort Benning, Ga. Work is to be performed in Fort Benning, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jul. 1, 2013. Ten bids solicited with four bids received. Army Contracting Command, National Capitol Region Contracting Center, Information Technology, E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4), Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-06-D-0026).

Interstate Highway Construction, Inc., Englewood, Colo. was awarded on Jun. 25, 2009 a $8,192,258 firm-fixed-fee contract to design/build for F-35 ramp and security upgrades and main base runway, Phase 4, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Services consist of (1) design and construction of a concrete aircraft parking ramp for eight aircraft to support operational testing of the F-35C aircraft. The parking ramp will include grounding points, tie downs, standard aircraft marking and asphalt shoulders; and (2) main base runway, Phase 4, which completes the repair to the main base runway, approximately 2,000' by 150' at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Work is to be performed in Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 30, 2010. Bids were solicited using fbo.gov and ASFI with four bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Los Angeles, Calif., is the contracting activity (W912PL-09-C0017).

Ultra Electronic, ProLogic, Inc., Fairmont, W.V., was awarded on Jun. 25, 2009 a $6,656,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for effects based operations support systems. Work is to be performed in Fairmont, W.V., (60 percent) and Arlington, Va., (40 percent) with an estimated completion date of Mar. 25, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Army Contracting Command, Joint Munitions & Lethality Contracting Center, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-09-C-0054).

Lifecycle Construction Services, LLC., Washington, D.C., was awarded on Jun. 25, 2009 a $ 6,289,999 firm-fixed-price contract to construct a modified standard design 323 childcare development center and playground to support a full range of daycare, after care, and other associated child support programs. The work will include playgrounds, canopy over sidewalk between facility and bus drop-off, parking, sidewalks, site preparation for surveillance camera system, electrical, natural gas, water and sewer utilities, air conditioning, grading and storm water management structures, tele-communications support, fire and safety alarm systems, and anti-terrorism and force protection measure as appropriate. Work is to be performed in Fort Gordon, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 26, 2010. Six bids solicited with four bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-D-0012).

Alliant Tech Systems, Plymouth, M.N., was awarded on Jun. 25, 2009 a $5,773,379 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for 155mm M549 system development and demonstration award. Work is to be performed in Plymouth, M.N., with an estimated completion of June 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with five bids received. The Army Contracting Command Joint Munitions & Lethality Contracting Center, CCJM-CA, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-06-C-0130).

Sevenson Environmental Services, Inc., Niagara Falls, N.Y., was awarded on Jun. 25, 2009 a $5,284,409 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the remediation of the Blackwater Branch Stream and floodplain, Vineland chemical superfund project, Operable Unit 3, Phase III and IV stream diversion channels, Vineland, N.J. Work is to be performed in Vineland, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-04-D-0023).

IAP Worldwide Services, Irmo, S.C. was awarded on Jun. 24, 2009 a $25,381,780 MATOC firm-fixed-price IDIQ contract for the line haul transportation within Kuwait and Iraq. Work is to be performed in Kuwait/Iraq with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid solicited with one bid received. Army Contracting Command-RICC-CCRC-FJ, Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W912D1-05-D-0011).

LCC-MZT Team 1, Homedale, Idaho was awarded on Jun. 24, 2009 a $8,191,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of an Army Reserve Center, operational maintenance shop and unheated storage building at Hyden Lake, Idaho. Work is to be performed in Hayden Lake, Idaho with an estimated completion date of Dec. 21, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with seven bids received. Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-09-C-0043).

Defense Department and National Institutes of Health Take on Substance Abuse in the Military

By Ian Graham
Special to American Forces Press Service

June 29, 2009 - Improved recognition, treatment and prevention of substance abuse among servicemembers is the focus of a recent collaboration between the Defense Department and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a senior defense official said. "Readiness for the military mission is always our primary reason for existence," said Dr. Michael Kilpatrick, the Military Health System's director of strategic communications. "The health of our men and women in uniform is really critical to sustain that readiness."

Kilpatrick spoke about department programs to prevent substance abuse, provide counseling and study the causes for substance abuse in the military during a June 24 audio webcast, "Armed With Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military."

Dr. Timothy Condon, deputy director of NIDA, joined the show to discuss a NIDA initiative to study substance use and abuse in U.S. military personnel, veterans and their families.

NIDA hosted a public, multi-agency meeting in January to assess understanding and knowledge of substance abuse in the military environment. The agencies identified knowledge gaps, opportunities and possible complications regarding behavioral research and study in the military, Condon said.

"I think this was a very enlightening experience for both those who were part of the armed forces as well as those who were part of the academic community," he said. "There really was a meeting of the minds."

NIDA plans to release a Request for Applications in the next few months, hoping to attract partners interested in studying abuse prevention in the military and among veterans and their families. The request also aims to determine best practices for prevention and treatment of substance abuse and other conditions that may accompany it, such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury. Substance abuse includes alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and misuse of prescription drugs.

Over the past six years, the military has seen an increased operational tempo and increased health screenings before and after deployment. As a result, Kilpatrick said, there is "a larger number of servicemembers taking all types of medications, ... so we have to be very focused on how to prevent misuse" of those drugs.

Each service has its own program tailored to work best for its members. For example, the Army has Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP; the Air Force has Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment, or ADAPT. Both programs emphasize the importance of readiness and servicemembers' personal responsibility to their mission.

Condon noted that because of large number of National Guard and reserve troops being deployed to combat zones, treatment programs offered to active-duty members aren't always available to those returning from war.

A larger problem, he said, is those seeking help often don't share the "whole picture" with their doctor because of stigmas and fear attached to seeking help.

In response to those stigmas, Kilpatrick said, the department has introduced "Real Warriors," a program designed to encourage people to reach out when they need help, rather than hide their problems for fear of being considered weak or unfit for duty.

"One of the issues we need to move past is the stigma that we associate with people who become addicted to drugs," Condon said. "We need to recognize that it's not just weak will and moral fiber, but that there may be some underlying vulnerabilities there."

Kilpatrick stressed the importance of early detection of health issues, both mental and physical. Early detection leads to better outcomes, he said, because it circumvents the desire to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.

"What [self-medication] does is delay the individual from getting to appropriate treatment for the underlying medical problems," Kilpatrick said. "It certainly complicates the situation for everyone."

But the effort is one to be shared by all members of the military – leadership, families and individuals.

"Because the military is a community, medical readiness is a shared responsibility of the military commanders, the military medical personnel and the individual servicemembers," Kilpatrick said. "I like to call it a partnership for health. Each person, each side of that partnership, needs to play its role and work together."

(Ian Graham is attached to the Emerging Media Directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)

Honduras-Based U.S. Troops Not Involved in Coup, Remain Safe

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

June 29, 2009 - American forces stationed in Honduras were not involved in the military coup yesterday and remain safe, a Pentagon official said. Some 50 miles northwest of the capital city of Tegucigalpa, where President Manuel Zelaya was apparently ousted, the situation is calm at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras -- home to a 600-strong U.S. contingent, Pentagon Spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters today.

"The U.S. military is not involved in any of the activities down there and the situation is calm where those forces are located," he said.

In a statement yesterday, President Barack Obama expressed concern at reports of the Honduran military detaining and expelling Zelaya from the country. News reports said the military ouster came in response to Zelaya's attempts to extend his presidential tenure beyond the four-year term limit outlined in the Honduran constitution.

"I am deeply concerned by reports coming out of Honduras regarding the detention and expulsion of President Mel Zelaya," he said. "As the Organization of American States did on Friday, I call on all political and social actors in Honduras to respect democratic norms, the rule of law and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

"Any existing tensions and disputes must be resolved peacefully through dialogue free from any outside interference," Obama added.

The U.S. forces at Soto Cano comprise Joint Task Force Bravo, which supports joint military exercises, enhances regional security initiatives and coordinates humanitarian relief efforts. Whitman said commanders there have taken "force protection measures."

"As the United States is monitoring the situation, (the U.S. forces are) essentially holding fast where they're at," he said.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Naval Leadership: Leadership in Tough Times

Naval Leadership: Leadership in Tough Times

MILITARY CONTRACTS June 26, 2009

NAVY
Nammo Talley Defense Inc., Mesa, Ariz., is being awarded a $136,482,000 ceiling firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract for the procurement of the M72A7 Light Weight Anti-Armor Weapon (LAW) System and Trainers to replenish stockpiles. The M72A7 LAW, Department of Defense Identification Code (DODIC) (HA29) is a man-portable, shoulder launched rocket designed to destroy armored vehicles and covered enemy fighting positions. In addition, the ID/IQ contract also has CLINs (contract line item number) for the purchase of: M72AS LAW trainer rockets, DODIC (HA21); M72AS LAW Inert training rocket, DODIC (HA46); M72AS trainer launchers; M72AS trainer launcher boxes; M72AS trainer launcher cleaning kits; and a CLIN to convert M72A7 LAW launcher to M72AS trainer launchers. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contact to $136,482,000. Work will be performed in Mesa, Ariz. (58.8 percent); Camden, Miss. (13 percent); and Davidsville, Pa. (28.2 percent), and is expected to be completed June 2010 (July 2014 with option years exercised). Co! ntract f unds in the amount of $11,599,495 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured with one proposal solicited and one offer received. Sole source announced via Navy Electronic Commerce Online. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-1062).

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Raleigh, N.C., is being awarded a $15,550,000 firm-fixed-price contract for a new open bay barracks facility at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of the barracks and a battalion aid station, associated storage, utilities, parking, site improvements, built-in equipment requirements, access, and anti-terrorism force protection. Work will be performed in Parris Island, S.C., and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 18 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-09-C-1766).

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Electronic Systems, Linthicum Heights, Md., is being awarded a $10,000,000 firm fixed-price contract for concept studies for the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) S-band and Radar Suite Controller (RSC). AMDR is envisioned as a radar suite containing a S-band radar, a X-band radar and RSC and will be designed to be scalable to accommodate current and future mission requirements for multiple platforms. The AMDR-S will provide volume search, tracking, Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) discrimination and missile communications. The AMDR-X will provide horizon search, precision tracing, missile communication and terminal illumination. The RSC will perform all coordination actions to ensure that both radars operate in concert in a widely diverse environment. The current contract is for the S-band and RSC Concept Studies only. Work will be performed in Linthicum Heights, Md., and is expected to be completed by December 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities and Navy Electronic Commerce Online websites, with three offers received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-! 09-C-539 8).

Lockheed Martin MS2, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $10,000,000 firm fixed price contract for concept studies for the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) S-band and Radar Suite Controller (RSC). AMDR is envisioned as a radar suite containing a S-band radar, a X-band radar and RSC and will be designed to be scalable to accommodate current and future mission requirements for multiple platforms. The AMDR-S will provide volume search, tracking, Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) discrimination and missile communications. The AMDR-X will provide horizon search, precision tracing, missile communication and terminal illumination. The RSC will perform all coordination actions to ensure that both radars operate in concert in a widely diverse environment. The current contract is for the S-band and RSC Concept Studies only. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J., and is expected to be completed by December 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities and Navy Electronic Commerce Online websites, with three offers received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-5312).

Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems (IDS), Sudbury, Mass. is being awarded a $9,909,540 firm-fixed-price contract for concept studies for the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) S-band and Radar Suite Controller (RSC). AMDR is envisioned as a radar suite containing a S-band radar, a X-band radar and RSC and will be designed to be scalable to accommodate current and future mission requirements for multiple platforms. The AMDR-S will provide volume search, tracking, Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) discrimination and missile communications. The AMDR-X will provide horizon search, precision tracing, missile communication and terminal illumination. The RSC will perform all coordination actions to ensure that both radars operate in concert in a widely diverse environment. The current contract is for the S-band and RSC Concept Studies only. Work will be performed in Sudbury, Mass. (94 percent); Fairfax, Va. (4 percent); Bath, Maine (3 percent); Andover, Mass. (3 percent); Tewksbury, Mass. (3 percent); and East Syracuse, N.Y. (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities and Navy Electronic Commerce Online websites, with three offers received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the c! ontracti ng activity (N00024-09-C-5313).

PKL Services Inc.*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $6,300,000 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for aircraft maintenance and technical support services for Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) located at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, Calif. The Squadron is responsible for the management, readiness and operational support of 50 F/A-18 A/B/C/D T/M/S aircraft. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $35,300,000. Work will be performed at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, Calif., and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2014. Contract funds allocated at time of award will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with four offers received in response to the request for proposals. The Regional Contracting Office - MCI-West, Camp Pendleton, Calif., is the contracting activity (M00681-09-D-0008).

EDO Communications and Countermeasures Systems Inc., Thousand Oaks, Calif., is being awarded a $36,329,108 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-6311) for the production and support of 548 JCREW 2.1 Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems to meet urgent Department of Defense (DoD) requirements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Vehicle Mounted CREW systems are one element of the DoD's Joint Counter RCIED Electronic Warfare program. Spiral 2.1 CREW systems are vehicle mounted electronic jammers designed to prevent the initiation of Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices. This contract is for the urgent procurement and support of CREW systems, to be used by forces in each of the military services of the Central Command Area of Responsibility. The Navy manages the joint CREW program for Office of the Secretary of Defense's Joint IED Defeat Organization. Work will be performed in Thousand Oaks, Calif. and is expected to be completed by December 2009. Contract funds in ! the amou nt of $2,574,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Sensor and Antenna Systems, Lansdale Inc., Lansdale, Pa., is being awarded a $32,000,000 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-08-C-0046) for the manufacture and delivery of 37 Full Rate Production II AN/ALQ-99 Low Band Transmitters for the EA-6B Aircraft. Work will be performed in Lansdale, Pa., and is expected to be completed in November 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.

Sundt William Scotsman, a joint venture, Tempe, Ariz., is being awarded a $28,935,155 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed price contract (N62473-08-C-3511) for the exercise of option 0001 which provides for the design and installation of temporary facilities of administration, billeting, armory, storage and maintenance buildings at Marine Corps Base and Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton. The work to be performed under this option provides for design and installation of: (1) an interim administration; (2) an interim billeting; (3) an interim armory; (4) an interim storage; and (5) an interim maintenance facility. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $66,707,094. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by July 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $18,232,373 contract against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for the design, integration and installation for a C-model and D-model Swiss F/A-18 aircraft for the Government of Switzerland under the foreign military sales program. In addition, this effort includes Upgrade 25 Familiarization, Engineering and O-Level Maintenance training. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (60 percent) and Emmen, Switzerland (40 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

ManTech Systems Engineering Corp., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $16,621,252 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-08-D-0008) to exercise an option for the procurement of warfare analysis, modeling and simulation, software development, and analytic program support for the Naval Air Systems Command's Warfare Analysis and Integration Department. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (85 percent) and Lexington Park, Md. (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded a $87,327,441 firm-fixed-price contract for 35 Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems Model A (MTS-A), 25 MTS-B Pre-Production Units including one retrofit gyro and one retrofit imager, and associated MTS-A/B shop replaceable unit spares and containers to support the Predator, Reaper Program. At this time, $14,094,651 has been obligated. 703rd Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (FA8620-06-G-4041)

General Electric Aircraft Engines, Cincinnati, Ohio, is being awarded a $24,524,540 firm-fixed-price contract to provide services life engine program kits and time compliance technical order upgrade kits in support of the upgrade of 12 Egyptian Air Force 110 engines. At this time, $12,262,270 has been obligated. 448 SCMG/PKB, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8122-09-G-0001-0002).

Booz Allen & Hamilton, Inc., Herndon, Va., is being awarded a $18,357,434 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide U.S. Pacific Command/J62 with Information Assurance Net Operations planning and policy development in order to become strategically positioned to maintain a high level of information superiority through the successful integration of its Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence systems. At this time, $330,586 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-98-D-4002).

Remote Inc., Clinton, Tenn., is being awarded a $12,625,035 firm-fixed-price contract to provide for Headquarters Air Combat Command Air Force Explosive Ordinance Counter Improvised Explosive Device mission that requires purchase of 53 robots along with the various accessories and attachments. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. ACC AMIC/PKA, Newport News, Va., is the contracting activity (FA4890-09-F-0013).

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded a $15,725,252 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus award fee contract providing advanced extremely high frequency satellite program in the Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing increased interim contractor sustainment activities for the rest of fiscal 2009 and the first two months of fiscal 2010. The effort includes: additional product integration testing of the mission planning element increment 4 software, the correction of associated deficiency reports, and other additional tasks required to support command and control cut-over activities. At this time, $14,566,254 has been obligated. SMC, MCSW/PKA, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (F04701-02-C-0002, P00360).

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $9,734,960 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract providing a follow-on test and evaluation and captive carry reliability program and will provide support in the performance of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile Intercept Missile (AIM)-120D program. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 695 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-08-C-0050, P00003).

Boeing Satellite Systems Inc., El Segundo, Calif., is being awarded a $6,295,851 modification to a contract providing engineering support for wideband global satellite communications enhancements study. This effort buys 27,335 hours of engineering labor hours, associated material, and other direct costs. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. SMC, MCSW/PK, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8808-06-C-0001, P00050).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Bethel Industries Inc.**, Jersey City, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $14,817,600 firm-fixed-price, total set aside contract for battle uniform coats and trousers. Other locations of performance are in New Jersey, Tennessee and Mississippi. Using service is Air Force. The original proposal was Web solicited with 26 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract includes a base and four one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is September 18, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM1C1-07-D-1502).

Solutions Lucid Group LLC.*, Newcastle, Okla., is being awarded a minimum $5,751,728 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in various locations throughout Oklahoma. Using services are Army and Air Force. The original proposal was Web solicited with 48 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is June 30, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va.