Tuesday, July 07, 2009

'Patriot' Walks for Deployed Troops

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

July 7, 2009 - The best way to show deployed troops you care, says Cody Anderson, is to send them prepaid international phone cards so they can call home to their friends and loved ones. Today, Anderson, 54, of Mineral Bluff, Ga., is wrapping a four-and-a-half-week personal sojourn, walking back and forth from the U.S. Capitol to the White House to raise awareness about the troops and encourage people to donate phone cards for them.

Yesterday, Anderson's walking shoes were showing signs of his 1,000-mile personal walkathon as he plodded back and forth between the two national icons, passing out white business cards to everyone he encountered to promote his cause. "What better cause than to support our troops?" he asked.

Anderson's goal is to generate one international phone card for every servicemember deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I do this because I'm a patriot. I love our country and support our troops," he said. "I figure that this is one thing I can do to make their life a little better."

So six days a week – from 9 each morning to 5 at night -- he has walked nonstop, through rain, blazing heat, aching legs and even on his birthday, July 4, as Independence Day crowds descended on the nation's capital. On Sundays, he took a break to attend church and rest his weary bones.

Anderson is no stranger to unusual ways of showing support for the troops. He did a 45-mile walk between Naples and Fort Myers City, Fla., in December 2003 to encourage people to "adopt" deployed troops by sending cards and letters of encouragement. For several years, he's collected, packed, shipped and delivered care packages and phone cards to troops stationed around the world.

"I love doing this," he said. "We owe our troops so much for what they do for us."

As he conducted his Washington walk, Anderson already had his sights set on his next one: between Atlanta and Fort Benning, Ga.

"I'm going to keep doing whatever I can to get phone cards to the troops," he said. "I'm still at it, working hard."

Obama Proposes New Security Relationship with Russia

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

July 7, 2009 - President Barack Obama today called on current generations free from Cold War antipathy to chart a new course of U.S.-Russian relations that focuses on areas of mutual interests. Addressing an audience at the New Economic School in Moscow, Obama spoke about reducing nuclear arsenals, negotiating a missile defense program in Europe, and security topics such as Afghanistan and NATO.

"Together, we can build a world where people are protected, prosperity is enlarged, and our power truly serves progress," he said. "And it is all in your hands."

On nuclear weapon reduction, Obama noted that he and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev agreed yesterday to reduce U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons stockpiles by up to a third. In a meeting at the Kremlin, the leaders signed a pact to follow up the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as START.

"America has an interest in reversing the spread of nuclear weapons and preventing their use. That is why America is committed to stopping nuclear proliferation, and ultimately seeking a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said. "And while I know this goal won't be met soon, pursuing it provides the legal and moral foundation to prevent the proliferation and eventual use of nuclear weapons."

As the United States and Russia stick to their own commitments, Obama said, they must also hold other nations accountable for meeting their obligations. He warned that Iranian or North Korean nuclear capabilities could spark an arms race in East Asia or the Middle East.

"I'm pleased that President Medvedev and I agreed upon a joint threat assessment of the ballistic missile challenges of the 21st century, including from Iran and North Korea," he said.

But Obama said nuclear nonproliferation is a concern for the international community writ large – an issue that's not solved by singling out individual nations.

"If we fail to stand together, then the [Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty] and the [United Nations] Security Council will lose credibility, and international law will give way to the law of the jungle," he said.

Acknowledging that U.S. plans to configure a missile defense in Europe has been met with opposition in Russia, the president reiterated that the system is designed to defend against an Iranian attack, not to weaken Moscow. He also proposed working with Moscow on creating acceptable missile defense architecture.

"I want us to work together on a missile defense architecture that makes us all safer," he said. "But if the threat from Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs is eliminated, the driving force for missile defense in Europe will be eliminated. That is in our mutual interest."

Speaking about Afghanistan, Obama highlighted another pact signed yesterday – one that permits the United States to transit troops and weapons across Russian territory en route to Afghanistan. The agreement allows for 4,500 flights per year through Russian airspace, and saves the U.S. government $133 million annually in transportation costs while boosting logistical efficiency.

He underscored America's goal in the region: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaida and its allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"I'm pleased that Russia has agreed to allow the United States to supply our coalition forces through your territory," Obama said. "Neither America nor Russia has an interest in an Afghanistan or Pakistan governed by the Taliban.

"It is time to work together on behalf of a different future – a future in which we leave behind the great game of the past and the conflict of the present; a future in which all of us contribute to the security of Central Asia," he said, alluding to the 19th and early 20th century geopolitical competition for Central Asian dominance known as the "Great Game."

Addressing a controversial topic, Obama said state sovereignty must be a cornerstone of international order – a reference to the five-day conflict last August during which Russia invaded an enclave within the borders of the former Soviet satellite of Georgia. The government in Tbilisi is seeking membership to NATO, which would guarantee protection under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which created the alliance. The article states that an attack against one NATO member is an attack against all.

But Obama underscored that NATO, a political and military alliance that came to rise during the Cold War, now seeks collaboration with Russia, not confrontation.

"For any country to become a member of NATO, a majority of its people must choose to, they must undertake reforms, and they must be able to contribute to the alliance's mission," he said. "And let me be clear: NATO seeks collaboration with Russia, not confrontation."

Chairman Cites Dialogue as Key to Middle East Strategy

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

July 7, 2009 - The strategy in the greater Middle East "is not about how many enemy we kill, but about how many civilians we protect," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen made the observation during a talk at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Dialogue and building partnerships across the greater Middle East is the U.S. strategy in the region, Mullen said, citing Iran as a particular challenge in the region. The United States and international community should engage in dialogue with Tehran, the chairman said.

"On the security side, I am very concerned with [Iran's] development of nuclear weapons, their funding and sponsoring of terrorism and focusing that support of Hezbollah and Hamas, and being a destabilizing influence in the region," he said.

The chairman said he believes Iranian possession of nuclear weapons would spur an arms race in the greater Middle East, just as India acquiring nuclear weapons spurred an arms race on the subcontinent. If Iran develops a deliverable nuclear weapon – and the country is building longer-range missiles – then neighboring countries would feel the need to develop their own nuclear arsenals, he explained.

"I don't see a lot of space between where Iran is headed and then potentially what might happen," the admiral said. "There is a great deal that depends on the dialogue and engagement, and I think we ought to do that with all options remaining on the table, including, certainly, the military options."

Terrorists conceivably could get nuclear weapons, and with no "return address" deliver one without fear of mutually assured destruction, Mullen said. "I know al-Qaida still seeks that," he added. "I think our broad-term engagement across the Middle East ... is to create partnerships and dialogue and understanding."

All nations must realize the danger of this proliferation and do everything in their power to ensure it does not happen, he said.

Mullen noted that when he took over as chairman in October 2007, the priority was Iraq. U.S. casualty lists were mounting, and while the "surge" that ultimately improved security had taken place, its full effect had not yet been felt.

Last week was a big week in Iraq, Mullen noted, with the last U.S. combat troops leaving the cities and towns. These troops are now posted outside the cities, on call if their Iraqi allies need them. While some large attacks have taken place, June had the lowest number of attacks since the war began, the chairman said.

Major elections are planned in Iraq at the beginning of next year, and U.S. troops levels will stay at about 130,000 through those elections. After that, commanders expect the force level to drop in the spring to around 35,000 to 50,000, with all U.S. troops coming out of Iraq by the end of 2011, Mullen said.

Iraq poses many political challenges, Mullen acknowledged, but he said he's encouraged by Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Iraq in recent days and the U.S. commitment it represents.

But because Iraq cannot be viewed alone, the chairman said, he has started working on strategic issues pertaining to the broader Middle East. He called that region the most volatile area of the world and said all nations must cooperate to solve its problems. "We must do this across the full spectrum of national and international power," he said.

The main military effort has now shifted to Afghanistan, but also includes Pakistan in any strategic appraisal, Mullen said. Still, he added, the challenges are more than simply Iraq and Afghanistan. From Beirut to Tehran and Islamabad to Gaza, he said, the United States must forge ties with governments and with people.

The United States must "understand how we proceed in the future and how we engage and address the countries that are involved in this," Mullen said.

The chairman said the situation in the region is urgent, but that does not mean the United States can forgo a long-term approach to its relations around the greater Middle East.

"There needs to be a long-term view and an element of patience that recognizes you are not going to solve these things overnight," he said. "Any solution is going to take constant engagement, constant pressure and a comprehensive approach across all aspects of what we do."

In Afghanistan, the new U.S. leaders – Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who recently took command of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan – are working to understand the situation, Mullen said. Additional American troops in the south and east have brought the fight to the enemy. The United States lost seven soldiers in combat in Afghanistan yesterday, and the fight is going to get tougher, he said.

Instilling security, separating terrorists and extremists from the Afghan people, and protecting them from the ravages of war is the counterinsurgency strategy, the chairman said. "But it is just beginning, and we don't know how this will go," he said. "I'm comfortable that strategically we know how to do this."

The effort in Afghanistan is fully resourced, the chairman said. The effort will create the security needed to hold the Taliban out of cleared areas, he said, and will allow the economy and governance portion of the effort to take hold and succeed. The coalition also is working to train Afghan security forces rapidly so they can assume the responsibility for defense of their own country.

The greater Middle East is a vital area to American and international interests, Mullen said. "Responsible leadership throughout the world must generate peaceful outcomes and not ones that generate more conflict with so many challenges in that part of the world," he added.

MILITARY CONTRACTS July 7, 2009

U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
Contract H92222-06-D-0007 with L-3 Global Communications Solutions, Inc., of Victor, N.Y., is being modified to increase the not-to-exceed ceiling from $60,000,000 to $117,000,000. This modification does not change the period of performance or the current negotiated prices. This indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract is for the procurement of satellite communication terminals, including equipment and services such as spares kits, training, and logistical support, in support of USSOCOM Special Operations Forces Deployable Node - Medium program. The work will continue to be performed in Victor. The original contract was awarded through full and open competitive procedures.

NAVY
Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded $39,220,048 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0004 modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of OCONUS field service representatives, new equipment training instructors, CONUS FSR instructors, and senior FSRs. This order is in support of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program. The MRAP vehicles are armored vehicles with blast resistant underbodies designed to protect the crew from mine blasts, fragmentary, and direct fire weapons. Work will be performed in the United States and Iraq, and work is expected to be completed by the end of September 2010. Procurement funds in the amount of $38,068,109 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The base contract was competitively awarded, and the new requirements are sole source additions to the contract. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Trijicon, Inc.*, Wixom, Mich., is being awarded a $33,000,000 not-to-exceed ceiling, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement, delivery, maintenance, and logistical support of the M240B medium machine gun day optic (MDO). The MDO is a magnified day optic that mounts onto the M240B medium machine gun. The MDO is to aid the machine gunner in target detection, recognition, and identification, thereby increasing the combat effectiveness and lethality of the user. This contract is a five-year contract with a minimum buy of 25 MDO systems within the first contract year. Work will be performed in Wixom, Mich., and is expected to be completed by July 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $16,418,551 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with proposals solicited via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online, with two offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity for contract number M67854-09-D-1015.

Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded $9,902,450 for firm-fixed-priced modification to delivery order #0010 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of additional initial sustainment items in support of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) MaxxPro Dash vehicles. Work will be performed in WestPoint, Miss., and work is expected to be completed by the end of December 2009. Procurement funds in the amount of $4,205,473 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Barnhart, Inc., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $8,843,447 for firm-fixed price task order #0003 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-08-D-8614) for design and construction of a large fire crash rescue station at Travis Air Force Base. The task order also contains one unexercised option and one planned modification, which if exercised would increase the cumulative task order value to $10,329,235. Work will be performed in Fairfield, Calif., and is expected to be completed by December 2010. 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.

ARMY
Apptis, Inc., Chantilly, Va., was awarded on Jul. 1, 2009 a $132,891,928 time and material contract for information technology telecommunications support services for worldwide command center upgrades in support of the project manager Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems Command Centers upgrades special project office. Work is to be determined by mission requirements with an estimated completion date of Jun. 30, 2011. Sixteen bids solicited and 3 bids received. Army Contracting Command, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-06-D-0014).

Clark Construction Group, LLC Tampa, Fla. was awarded on June 30, 2009 a $61,068,000 form-fixed-contract for a new 4-story, 257,000 square foot building. The facility will utilize pile and reinforced concrete foundations, steel frame with insulated pre-cast concrete panels, metal decking, standing seam mental roof, raised access flooring throughout, laminated force protection glass, elevators, underground utilities, parking, landscaping, exterior walkways, paving, large entrance plaza, security fencing, backup generator power, uninterruptible power supply system, telecommunication wiring infrastructure, and audio visual infrastructure. Work is to be performed in Macdill Air Force Base, Fla., with an estimated completion date of June 24, 2013. Bids were solicited using Fed Bid Opps with sixteen bids received. Corps of Engineers-Mobile Regional Contracting Center, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-09-C-0031).

Softmart Government Services, Inc., Downing Pa., was awarded on June 30, 2009 a $42,300,300 firm-fixed-price order off of a single award Blanket Purchase Agreement contract. This contract is for the Microsoft Enterprise License Agreement- 2 (MS ELA-2) is for the acquisition of Microsoft (MS) software assurance (SA) and MS software product licenses through an order under the single award MS ELA-2 BPA. The Army has perpetual licenses for all MS software purchased to date and SA for all those licenses. Microsoft SA provides licensed users with the ability to upgrade their current version of Microsoft products as new versions are made available by Microsoft. Work is to be performed worldwide in Continental United States and outside Continental United States locations with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2014. Bids were solicited using GSA e-buy website with four bids received. Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, NCRCC, Information Technology, E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-09-A-004).

Nitek, Inc., Sterling, Va., was awarded in Jun. 30, 2009 a $ 38,218,413 firm-fixed-price contract for 50 Husky Mounted Detection Systems (HMDS), initial spare parts, and HMDS support is for an urgent requirement in support of counter-Improvised Explosive Device (IED) operations in Afghanistan, providing precise marking of the location of buried threats. Executing the undefinitized contract action under urgent and compelling authority substantially reduced the risk to soldiers by providing the enhanced capabilities in an expedited timeframe. Work is to be performed in Sterling, Va., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. Communications-Electronic Command Contracting Center-Washington, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W909MY-09-C-0069).

RQ Construction, Inc. Carlsbad, Calif., was awarded on Jun. 30, 2009 a $35,740,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the design/build of a new single story, pre-engineered, repair facility. This facility will repair a variety of aircraft power components. Work is to be performed in Fort Bliss, Texas with an estimated completion date of Sept. 31, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with sixteen bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District Sacramento, Calif., was the contracting activity (W9123-09-C-0012).

AECOM Government Services Inc., Fort Worth, Texas. was awarded on July 3, 2009 a $28,272,411 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for maintenance and repair of final 2,200 1114 up-armored vehicles for transfer to the Iraqi Army. Work is to be performed in Iraq with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. Rock Island Contracting Center , Rock Island, Ill. is the contracting activity (W52P1J-05-D-0004).

DRS Test & Energy Management, Inc., Huntsville, Ala. was awarded on Jun. 30, 2009 a $26,200,000 firm-fixed-price contract for various hardware kits to support direct support electrical system test sets. Work is to be performed in Huntsville, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Sept 30, 2011. One bids solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC (RI), AMSCC-TAC-ARV-B Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-06-G-0001).

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., San Diego, Calif., was awarded on June 30, 2009 a $ 24,405,260 cost-plus- incentive fee contract for the acquisition of additional extended range multi-purpose unmanned aircraft systems hardware to support Army system integration laboratory and training at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Work is to be performed in San Diego, Calif., (46 percent); Adelanto, Calif., (14 percent); Palmdale, Calif., (8 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (18 percent); Hunt Vallley, Md. (14 percent) with an estimated date of Mar. 31, 2011. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-05-C-0069).

W.M. Jordan Co., Newport News, Va., was awarded on Jul. 1, 2009, a $ 15,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the design-build project for the Center Campus Part 2 at Fort Lee, Virginia. The project includes construction of four ordnance training facilities and associated site work. The building will be comprised of the following spaces: administrative, general instruction, compact item repair instruction; general item repair instruction; vehicle maintenance instruction auto-aided instruction, and organizational storage. Work is to be performed in Fort Lee, Va., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 10, 2010. U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, Norfolk District, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-09-C-0059).

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co., Oakbrook, Ill., was awarded on Jun. 30, 2009 a $14,258,800 construction contract for maintenance dredging Manteo Bay, Orgen Inlet Bridge Vicinity and Ocean Bar, Dare County, N.C. . Work is to be performed in Dare County, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 15, 2009. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-C-0032).

Snap-On Industrial, A Div. of IDSC Holding, LLC, St. Kenosha, Wis., was awarded on Jul. 1, 2009 a $ 12,126,087 IDIQ firm-fixed-price contract to forward repair system tool load. Work is to be performed in Kenosha, Wis., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2014. One bid solicited with one bid received. TACOM Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0157).

R.T. Milord, Co. Bridgeview, Ill., was awarded on Jun. 30, 2009 a $11,997,202 construction, firm-fixed-price contract for earth work for Union Pacific Railroad to build a new main line in order to use their old one to stage deployments faster and more efficiently. Work is to be performed in Fort Riley, Kansas with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with six bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-09-C-4023).

Lecon, Inc., Houston, Texas. was awarded on July 2, 2009 a $ 9,749,995 firm-fixed-price contract for Sims Bayou, Houston, Texas in Harris County, Texas downstream of South Post Oak to Bathurst drive, channel recertification. The work consist of channel excavation, backfill, storm drains, articulated concrete blocks, metal sheet piling, relief wells, sub drainage system, and storm drains. Work is to be performed in Harris County, Texas. with an estimated completion date of Jan. 20, 2011. Sixty-one (61) bids were solicited with nine (9) bids received. U.S.A. Engineer District Galveston, Texas. is the contracting activity (W912HY-09-C-0026).

T.W. Laquay Dredging Inc., Port Lavaca, Texas was awarded on Jul. 1, 2009 a $9,712,080 firm-fixed-price contract for a Houston ship Channel, Texas, Sims to turning basin with light draft in Harris County, Texas, pipeline dredging. The work consists of dredging approximately 981,000 cubic yards of maintenance material, debris removal, drop outlet structure repair, and removal of sunken vessel. Work is to be performed in Harris County, Texas. with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2010. Thirty-three bids solicited and four bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Galveston, Texas is the contracting activity (W912HY-09-C-0024).

Eyak Development Corp., Falls Church, Va., was awarded on July 2, 2009 a $8,892,293 firm-fixed-price contract to procure support for the Automated Neurocognitive Assessment Metrics (ANAM) program office on the performance of baseline neurocognitive testing for deploying service members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines within 12 months prior to deployment platforms, embedded ANAM testing sites, and isolated ANAM testing sites. With the exception of the government furnished items and services identified in the performance work statement, the contractor shall provide the professional, technical, and administrative personnel, services, materials, facilities, and supplies necessary to provide ANAM testing services. The contractor shall provide functional and technical support; training of government personnel to properly administer the ANAM test to service members; data collection and reporting; information management; operational reviews; test results tracking and trending; ANAM reports; and overall maintenance for the ANAM program. Work is to be performed worldwide with an estimated completion date of Jul. 02, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S.A. Medical Command, Center for Health Care Contracting, Fort Sam, Houston Texas is the contracting activity (W81K04-09-C-0002).

L-3 Services, Inc., San Diego, Calif., was awarded on July 2, 2009 a $ 8,554,303 firm-fixed-price, time and material contract for recurring engineering and production unit delta to incorporate a new receiver with satellite on-the-move system capability into the current Prophet Spiral I production systems. Work is to be performed in San Diego, Calif. with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One Sole Source bid was solicited with one bid received . CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., was the contracting activity (DAAB07-01-C-L539).

Military Truck Parts, Inc., Many, La., was awarded on July 2, 2009 a $7,144,364 firm-fixed-contract for 80 each Ford E-350 16-passenger vans, 10 each Ford E-350 8-passenger vans, 10 each Ford E-450 refrigerator vans, 33 diesel engines, square parts, diagnostic tools and training. Work is to be performed in Many, La.,with an estimated completion date of Feb. 2, 2011. One bid solicited with one bid received. TACOM, AMSCC-TAC-ADBA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-C-0493).

Ballistie Recovery Systems, Inc., South Saint Paul, M.N. was awarded on July 1, 2009 a $ 6,103,699 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 1800 each G12 cargo parachutes with an option for an additional quantity of 1500 each NSN 1670-01-065-3755. Work is to be performed in Pinebluff, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 30, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with seven bids received. Research, Development and Engineering Command Contracting Center, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W58P05-09-C-0012).

Gentex Corp., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was awarded on Jun. 29, 2009 a $6,081,302 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for an award of a cost-plus-incentive fee delivery order to design, develop, test, prepare associated documentation and deliver the Joint Services Aircrew Mask-Fixed Wing Joint Strike Fighter Variant Integration. Work is to be performed in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., (95 percent) and Federica, DE (5 percent) with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. One bid solicted with one bid received. U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (FA8902-06-D-0001).

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., Oak Brook, Ill. was awarded on July 2, 2009 a $5,874,741 firm-fixed-price contract for dredging-Brunswick Harbor entrance channel (ARRA funds). Work is to be performed in Brunswick, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2009. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-D-0002).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
McDonnell Douglas Corp., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a maximum $7,900,000 firm-fixed-price, sole source contract for line items to support depot stand up effort. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is July 31, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency (DSCR-ZC), Philadelphia, Pa., (N00383-06-D-0011-TH03).

During his visit to Russia, President Obama has sung Putin's praises (does anyone really believe Medvedev is calling the shots?) and declared that the United States and Russia are "destined to be antagonists."


Russia may have other ideas. Under Putin Russia has begun a military transformation and modernization program which will leave it with a streamlined army of 60 brigades equipped with state of the art T-90 tanks and BMPT fighting vehicles. Russia also plans a massive naval expansion with as many as six aircraft carriers. Most ominously, the Russians are upgrading their strategic rocket forces.
Will's book about the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the Battle of 73 Easting, is called A Line Through the Desert. It may be purchased at Amazon.