Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Face of Defense: Sergeant Diagnoses, Treats Patients

By Air Force Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
Special to American Forces Press Service

Aug. 19, 2009 - Military patients are used to having officers or civilians with doctorates of medicine as their primary care providers; however, patients sometimes take a second or third look when they see enlisted airmen performing diagnosis and providing treatment, functions normally performed by doctors. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Julianne Cacal sometimes gets those looks while performing her job as a 95th Aerospace Medicine Squadron independent duty medical technician, generally known as an "enlisted doctor."

As the only Edwards Air Force Base IDMT, Cacal diagnoses and treats servicemembers all under the license of a supervising doctor.

"Whatever I do, I always have to tell the doctor and make sure my diagnosis and treatment are correct," she said. "I see the patient from start to finish, form a conclusion for diagnosis and treatment, and present it to the doctor. The doctor will either agree with me or make some recommendations."

This is part of the student-teacher relationship between an IDMT and the primary care provider. The doctor trains the IDMT on how to be a "provider."

"Sergeant Cacal has done a great job," said Air Force Capt. (Dr.) Dillard DeHart, a flight surgeon and Cacal's mentor. "She is very enthusiastic about the IDMT program. She handles a lot of the cold- and flu-type illnesses that could occupy most of doctors' time. IDMTs are really very beneficial."

But being an enlisted provider is just one area of IDMT's multifacet of responsibilities. The sergeant also has to perform in other functions, including bioenvironmental, dental, public health, radiology, laboratory and immunizations as well as other medical career fields. With these responsibilities, there is a running joke among medics -- IDMTs are "15 career fields in one."

Cacal's work here is part of her training in preparation for her future deployment. IDMTs have rigorous annual training requirements to maintain their certification. Aside from performing public health and dental functions, these specialized medical technicians also serve as the health care providers when doctors are not available at deployed or remote locations.

"IDMTs are very important in deployed situations," DeHart said. "Some of the units might not have doctors with them. They just deploy with IDMTs. They handle basic problems you see every day on deployed locations. Sometimes, IDMTs are basically the doctor at the remote site. They handle most of the medical needs for that unit."

Cacal served as a regular medic before a retraining program sent her to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for four months of IDMT training.

"I love my job, because I feel special," she said. "It is something I am proud of, because I have made it through the class and now performing my job."

(Air Force Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes serves in the 95th Air Base Wing public affairs office.)

MILITARY CONTRACTS August 19, 2009

NAVY
Lockheed Martin MS2, Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $25,104,813 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207) for Acoustic Rapid Commercial Off-the-Shelf Insertion (A-RCI) Hardware consisting of Virginia Class long lead material and economic order material. A-RCI is a sonar system upgrade that integrates and improves towed array, hull array, sphere array, and other ship sensor processing through rapid insertion of commercial off-the-shelf-based hardware and software. It has already been successfully integrated into the first ten ships of the Virginia Class which have now begun a modernization program and the procurement of new construction systems for the next four ships. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., (62 percent) and Clearwater, Fla., (38 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Temeku Technologies, Inc.*, Herndon, Va., is being awarded a $7,948,728 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of the Flight Deck Lights (FDL) System. The system will provide a suite of lights around, on and near the flight deck and hangar face of the DDG-1000 ship for the U.S. Navy. The FDL System is a portion of the next generation suite of Visual Landing Aids which will be incorporated into the DDG-1000 ship. Work will be performed in Herndon, Va., (60 percent); Bologna, Italy (30 percent); and Point Mugu, Calif., (10 percent,) and is expected to be completed in April 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via electronic request for proposal, with three offers received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-09-C-0425).

GYROCAM Systems LLC, Sarasota, Fla., is being awarded a $5,910,000 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (M67854-07-D-5075) to exercise an option period for the procurement of Spare 360 Camera Systemsfor the MRAP vehicle. 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 Sarasota, Fla., and work is expected to be completed Jul. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

GYROCAM Systems LLC, Sarasota, Fla., is being awarded a $5,910,000 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (M67854-07-D-5075) to exercise an option period for the procurement of Spare 360 Camera Systemsfor the MRAP vehicle. 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 Sarasota, Fla., and is expected to be completed Jul. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

ARMY
Scafar Construction Inc, Newark, N.J., was awarded on Aug.18, 2009 a $11,175,195 firm-fixed-price contract for the Green Brook food damage reduction project. Work is to be performed in Bound Brook, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 27, 2010. Bids were solicited on the FBO as unrestricted competition with five bids received. U.S.A. Engineer District, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-08-C-0025).

Okay Industries Inc., New Britain, Conn., was awarded on Aug. 18, 2009 a $9,714,900 firm-fixed-price contract for the Improved 20 round magazine for a quantity of 1,140,000 each with 100 percent option on support of the M16 Rifle and M4 Carbine. Work is to be performed in New Britain, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2011. One bid solicited with one bid received. TACOM-Rock Island, CCTA-AR-SB, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-09-C-0060).

L-3 Communications / L-3 Fuzing and Ordnance Systems, Camden, N.J, was awarded on Aug. 18, 2009 a $ 7,480,615 firm-fixed-price contract for the award of 2,379 each M935 PD Fuzes, NSN: 1390-01-268-9155, P/N: 9395584, purchased at a unit price of $ 51.99530 each, which is the proposed unit price without First Article. The proposed additional add-on quantity is for the award of 141,492 each M935 Fuzes, NSN: 1390-01-268-9155, P/N: 9395584, purchased at a unit price of $ 51.99530 each, which is the proposed unit price without First Article. First Article Test is waived since L-3 Fuzing and Ordnance Systems is the current producer if the M935 Fuze. Work is to be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio and Camden, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Apr. 18, 2011. Bids were solicited via FedBizOps with two bids received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-07-C-0005).

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Aug. 17, 2009 a $37,699,405 firm-fixed-price contract option for two UH-60M and one HH-60M Helicopters with recurring for ECPs 0613R1 and 0614R1 installed on aircraft and 3 Auxiliary Power Units (APU) Inlet Barrier Filter Kits. Work is to be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center, CCAM-BH-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Diggs Construction, LLC, Wichita, Kan., was awarded on Aug, 17, 2009 a $8,274,600 construction firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of an Army Reserve Center. Work is to be performed in Dodge City, Kan., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 14, 2010. Bids were solicited using FedBizOps Electronic Synopsis with four bids received. USACE, Louisville District Office, CELRLCT-M, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-09-C-0063).

RMA Land Construction, Inc, Anaheim, Calif., was awarded on Aug. 17, 2009 a $7,960,241 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of a single story 23,304 SF Child Development Center at Cannon AFB, Clovis, New Mexico. The facility shall be sized for occupancy by 158 children from infant to preschool ages and shall meet Air Force Child Development and DoD force protection standards as well as applicable codes and standards. Demolition of an existing obsolete 9,000 SF Child Development Center will be accomplished after beneficial occupancy of the new CDC. Work is to be performed in Clovis, N.M., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 22, 2011. Bids were solicited by advertisement at www.fbo.gov as well as open to all small businesses with 8 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District-CESPA-CT, Albuquerque, N.M., is the contracting activity (W912PP-09-C-0023).

Alliant Ammunition and Power Co., LLC Radford, Va., was awarded on Aug. 17, 2009 a $5,797,008 firm-fixed-price, delivery order contract for M1SP-M1MP Propellant, End Use: M67 Propelling charge. NSN: 1376-00-0009-0041 Quantity: 525,833 LBS. Work is to be performed in Radford, Va., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with one bid received. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, CCRC-AR, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-09-G-0002).\

Weeks Marine, Inc., Covington, La., was awarded on Aug. 14, 2009 a $14,877,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and black, Atchafalaya Bar Channel, Maintenance Dredging C/L Sta. 475+00, Non-Continuous (09-2), St. Mary Parish, La. Work is to be performed in St. Mary Parish, La., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 12, 2009. Bids were solicited using the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, New Orleans, La. is the contracting activity (W912P8-09-C-0103).

BAE Systems National Security Solutions, Burlington, Mass., was awarded on Aug. 14, 2009 a $7,010,160 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The purpose of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Urban Reasoning and Geospatial Exploitation Technology URGENT) Phase II Program is to extend accuracy and productivity to human geospatial analysts by advancing the state-of-the-art in automated scene analysis. BAE's design concept proposes to achieve this by fusing Light Detection and Ranging and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data source (sources used to help detect and classify urban geospatial features) for reasoning over scene content, automatically characterizing object attributes and function, and capturing analyst expertise using advanced machine learning approached. As a result, the program aims to achieve a significant reduction on latency between collecting geospatial data and suing it for mission planning, navigation, targeting, etc. Work is to be performed in Burlington, Mass., (93 percent), and Los Angeles, Calif., (7 percent) with an estimated completion date of May 15, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with one bid received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0101).

Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, Calif., was awarded on Aug.14, 2009 a $6,138,668 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The primary objective of Science Applications International Corporation Retriever project is to advance technology development and demonstration programs for location and identification or radio frequency signals. Work is to be performed in Ypsilanti, Mich., (62 percent), Nashua, N.H., (20 percent), Piscataway, N.J., (13 percent), and Vienna, Va., (5percent) with an estimated completion date of May 14, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with thirteen bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0112).

American Ornamental Iron Corp., Saltsburg, Pa., was awarded on Aug. 14, 2009 a $5,629,560 firm-fixed-price contract. Major features of the required work consist of cleaning, sandblasting, and painting three movable-crest tainter gates, two nonoverflow tainter gates, and two emergency bulkhead units at Charleroi Locks and Dam and portions of four non-overflow tainiers gates at Braddock Locks and Dam. The work also includes repair of damaged closure plates on the bottom units of the movable-crest gate with 85-15 zinc-aluminum. The interior of the movable-crest gates have lead-containing primer in some areas. The paint systems to be used are moisture-cure urethane. Work is to be performed in Braddock, Pa., (38 percent) and Charleroi, Pa., (62 percent) with an estimated completion date of Aug. 23, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Pittsburg, Pa., is the contracting activity (W911WN-09-C-0005).

The Korte Co., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded on Aug. 13, 2009 a $24,176,000 firm-fixed-price construction contract for the construction of a two-story standard design company operations facility for the Ranger Support Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Company. Work is to be performed in Fort Lewis, Wash., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 11, 2011. Bids were solicited using www.fbo.gov with nine bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, Seattle, Wash., is the contracting activity (W912DW-09-C-0020).

H & R of Belle Glade, Inc., Belle Glade, Fla. was awarded on Aug.13, 2009 a $6,150,220 firm-fixed-price contract for the Herbert Hoover Dike Reach 1, Abandoned Quarry Backfilling, Palm Beach County, Fla. Work is to be performed in Palm Beach County, Fla., with an estimated completion date of May 25, 2010. One bid solicited with five bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville Fla. is the contracting activity (W912EP-09-C-0041).

AIR FORCE
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded a $9,661,654 cost plus fixed fee contract to provide national security strategic simulations, exercise analysis for the Center for Applied Strategic Leadership, Institute for National Studies, National Defense University. At this time, $275,000 has been obligated. 55TH Contracting Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380).

Company Values Military Experience in Employees

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

Aug. 19, 2009 - At FMC Technologies in Stephenville, Texas, military experience not only is welcomed, but also is highly sought after, a spokesman for the company said. The strong work ethic and discipline gleaned from military service fit perfectly in the subsea oil company's work force, Michael King, the company's public relations manager, said.

FMC's enthusiasm for recruiting former and part-time military members has earned the company recognition as one of the country's most supportive employers of reserve-component troops. FMC is one of 15 recipients this year set to receive the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The Freedom Award is the U.S. government's highest honor given to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Company officials frequently participate in job fairs and career conferences in military communities. They also actively recruit military service academy graduates, regularly attending career conferences at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., King said.

In 2005, FMC employed five service academy graduates. Today, it employs 33. Also, 170 of the company's 4,000 North American employees are former members of the military, while at least 20 are active reserve-component members. Three reservist employees are deployed to Afghanistan, he said.

Both the company and its employees with military experience benefit from the partnership and mutual commitment, King said. With military-experienced employees, FMC gains "dedicated and disciplined employees that are naturally driven," he said.

"For the military person, the structure- and process-driven environment is one that allows for both individual and team success," he added.

FMC also takes pride in knowing it helps to reduce stress servicemembers may otherwise incur transitioning into the civilian work force as well as in juggling part-time military responsibilities, King said.

"The working environment at FMC is one of safety, honesty and high ethics," he said. "These are the same characteristics that describe our military environment. Individuals with a military background, including those being discharged and returning to civilian life, routinely comment on the ease of transition, since FMC possesses many of the disciplines and work ethics that are taught in the military."

The core values of each organization are very similar and complement each other's high performance standards and commitment to responsibility, he said. The individual employee and mission always come first, which translates into steadfast support and encouragement by the company for its reserve-component employees, he said.

FMC puts a great deal of emphasis on the care part-time servicemembers and their families receive when the employee is called away for military duties, King said. FMC compensates the difference between civilian and military pay while employees are mobilized for more than 12 months. Also, family members of such employees receive continuations of their health, dental and life insurance benefits, he added.

"It is only natural that if a military member and his or her family are cared for, that the military member continues to feel a sense of family and belonging to FMC," he said. "When they are deployed, it also offers a level of comfort in knowing that their employer is taking steps to help their family during their departure. This sense of belonging cascades throughout the organization, and is an intrinsic value of FMC."

Defense Department officials established the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve program in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between reserve-component members and their civilian employers, and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.

Gates, Mullen Use New Media to Hear from Troops, Public

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Aug. 19, 2009 - Got questions you'd like to pose directly to the defense secretary or chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff? Now is your chance! Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen have launched interactive, virtual town hall sessions through the Internet.

The initiatives are part of a broad administration effort to connect more closely with the military, the American public and people overseas. The goal, officials explained, is to provide a forum for people to ask questions or offer suggestions or insights and get direct feedback.

The new Defense Department home page that went live this week features a prominently placed "Ask the Secretary" section. Anyone visiting http://www.defense.gov -- military members, American citizens, people overseas -- can submit a question to Gates.

Questions will be accepted for two weeks, then participants in the town hall will have another two weeks to vote on the questions submitted. The secretary will answer the five to 10 questions that top the list.

Meanwhile, Mullen launched an "Ask the Chairman" venue yesterday that enables anyone to pose a question to him via YouTube. The virtual town hall is open to everyone, whether they're in the military or a military family or simply care about military issues, officials said.

Viewers can ask questions about whatever is on their minds -- the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq, what the military is doing for wounded warriors and families, the new Post-9/11 GI Bill or another topic of interest -- by visiting http://www.youtube.com/dodvclips.

"The chairman really wants to have a conversation with the troops akin to the way he does all-hands calls at bases all over the world," Navy Capt. John Kirby, Mullen's public affairs officer, told American Forces Press Service. "He wanted that conversation to be as interactive as possible and reflective of what is on their minds."

Aug. 31 is the deadline to submit video questions. After the deadline, Mullen will watch questions submitted by YouTube viewers, then respond in a podcast, officials said.

Price Floyd, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, said taking advantage of new media tools will enable Pentagon leaders to engage in an important two-way conversation with the public.

"We do live in a democracy, and that feedback from people is important to know what they're thinking, what they believe is important," he said. "It's their national security policy, it's not ours. It's theirs. The president was elected, and he appointed people here at the Defense Department to lead, but it starts with the American people."

The White House is planning a similar interactive venue for President Barack Obama to take questions directly from U.S. troops deployed in the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

(If you have questions or comments about this story, contact the reporter at donna.miles@osd.mil.)