By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2008 - The Defense Department wants servicemembers and their families to be aware of in-house programs that can help them to better manage their money and stay out of debt. For example, the 2-year-old Military Saves program is designed to teach servicemembers and families how to save and invest their hard-earned dollars and stay out of debt, Army Maj. John Johnson, director of the Defense Department's Armed Forces Tax Council, said today during an interview with Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service reporters.
"The whole idea behind it is to encourage people to save," Johnson said, noting this year's Military Saves Week is Feb. 24 through March 2. Military Saves is part of the nationwide America Saves program, he noted.
During Military Saves Week, installations across the country will offer money-management seminars and distribute information to encourage people to save money, Johnson explained.
On a related subject, Johnson noted that servicemembers this year can opt for a split disbursement of their tax refunds, with one portion going into a checking account and another into a savings account.
The military's Thrift Savings Plan program, he said, is another method servicemembers can employ to fatten their savings accounts.
TSP "is really an underutilized benefit," Johnson said. Non-deployed servicemembers can earmark up to $15,500 annually for tax-deferred TSP accounts, he explained, while servicemembers deployed in combat zones can contribute up to $46,000 into their TSP account.
"Everyone should be saving money, anyway. TSP is another option," Johnson said. Starting a TSP account, he said, also provides a lower-cost method of investing, compared to investing in a traditional mutual fund.
In an Army pilot program for enlistees in critical military specialties, the government will match TSP contributions dollar for dollar, up to 3 percent, Johnson reported. The pilot program, he added, also will match 50 cents of each dollar for up to 2 percent of additional TSP contributions.
Enlistees who qualify for this special TSP program should do it, Johnson said. "Otherwise, you're just throwing money away," he added.
The department's financial-management programs assist servicemembers so that they don't have to worry about money issues when they deploy, the major said.
"It's all about readiness," Johnson said.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Troops, Families Can Access Free Tax-Filing Services
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2008 - Rather than paying a tax specialist, servicemembers and their families can obtain free assistance to prepare and file their annual tax returns through a special military program, a Defense Department tax advisor said here today. The military's tax assistance program processes more than 200,000 returns each year, Army Maj. John Johnson, director of the Defense Department's Armed Forces Tax Council, said during an interview with Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service reporters.
"It is just one of the benefits military people have," Johnson said of the program. Participants can visit their installation tax center for free assistance in filling out tax returns, he said, or access the Military OneSource Web site, www.militaryonesource.com.
"You can log on there, online, and also file for free," Johnson said of the Web site. The online tax-filing system on Military OneSource is closed to military retirees, however.
Military members from all service branches sit on the Pentagon's tax council that coordinates the program, Johnson explained.
Free tax-filing assistance services are open to active-duty and reserve component servicemembers, as well as family members and military retirees, Johnson said.
Participants should bring their military-issued identification cards, W-2 Wage and Earnings statements and any other forms or documents required for tax filing, Johnson said. People who believe they may be eligible for tax refunds also should bring their bank account numbers if they'd like the refund direct-deposited into a specific account, Johnson pointed out.
More complicated tax-preparation work involving itemizing of returns for added tax deductions also can be processed for free, although these returns normally require more documentation, he said.
Military members receive many tax benefits, Johnson pointed out. For example, all allowances, including housing, meals, family separation and others, are tax-exempt, he said, as is all military pay for enlisted military members deployed in overseas combat zones. Officers deployed in combat zones, he added, can exclude about $7,000 of their monthly pay for federal taxes.
Servicemembers deployed to combat zones have six months to file their taxes after departing the area, Johnson noted.
Another tax-related benefit for servicemembers deployed to overseas combat zones is the Savings Deposit Program, Johnson said. Under SDP, eligible servicemembers can contribute up to $10,000 into their savings accounts while they're deployed and earn a government-guaranteed 10-percent return on their money, he explained.
"You're not going to beat that," Johnson said of the SDP program.
People with questions about the military's tax filing assistance program can visit the Military OneSource Web site or their installation tax center, he said.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2008 - Rather than paying a tax specialist, servicemembers and their families can obtain free assistance to prepare and file their annual tax returns through a special military program, a Defense Department tax advisor said here today. The military's tax assistance program processes more than 200,000 returns each year, Army Maj. John Johnson, director of the Defense Department's Armed Forces Tax Council, said during an interview with Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service reporters.
"It is just one of the benefits military people have," Johnson said of the program. Participants can visit their installation tax center for free assistance in filling out tax returns, he said, or access the Military OneSource Web site, www.militaryonesource.com.
"You can log on there, online, and also file for free," Johnson said of the Web site. The online tax-filing system on Military OneSource is closed to military retirees, however.
Military members from all service branches sit on the Pentagon's tax council that coordinates the program, Johnson explained.
Free tax-filing assistance services are open to active-duty and reserve component servicemembers, as well as family members and military retirees, Johnson said.
Participants should bring their military-issued identification cards, W-2 Wage and Earnings statements and any other forms or documents required for tax filing, Johnson said. People who believe they may be eligible for tax refunds also should bring their bank account numbers if they'd like the refund direct-deposited into a specific account, Johnson pointed out.
More complicated tax-preparation work involving itemizing of returns for added tax deductions also can be processed for free, although these returns normally require more documentation, he said.
Military members receive many tax benefits, Johnson pointed out. For example, all allowances, including housing, meals, family separation and others, are tax-exempt, he said, as is all military pay for enlisted military members deployed in overseas combat zones. Officers deployed in combat zones, he added, can exclude about $7,000 of their monthly pay for federal taxes.
Servicemembers deployed to combat zones have six months to file their taxes after departing the area, Johnson noted.
Another tax-related benefit for servicemembers deployed to overseas combat zones is the Savings Deposit Program, Johnson said. Under SDP, eligible servicemembers can contribute up to $10,000 into their savings accounts while they're deployed and earn a government-guaranteed 10-percent return on their money, he explained.
"You're not going to beat that," Johnson said of the SDP program.
People with questions about the military's tax filing assistance program can visit the Military OneSource Web site or their installation tax center, he said.
U.S. Commander in South Korea Wants to Examine Tour Lengths
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2008 - The U.S. commander in South Korea wants to re-examine the tour length for personnel assigned to the peninsula. Army Gen. B.B. Bell said in an interview that he will speak with defense leaders this week about making more assignments to Korea accompanied tours.
"We contribute to a continuation of this separation of servicemembers from their families," he said. "Almost 90 percent of my force is still on a one-year unaccompanied tour." Only certain assignments in South Korea are two-year accompanied tours.
The U.S. assignment policy has not changed in South Korea for generations, yet the basis for making the decision for unaccompanied tours has changed tremendously. South Korea has made significant economic progress in the last 30 years and is now the 11th largest economy in the world.
South Korea is a first-world economy with first-world facilities. Thirty years ago, American families would have faced real hardships if they were assigned to Korea, but that is no longer the case, Bell said.
The general said deployments to war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan are adding to the time servicemembers spend away from their families. He told of meeting a young Army captain who had deployed to Iraq, went back to Fort Lewis, Wash., and then received orders for Korea. The officer, now assigned near the demilitarized zone, had a daughter who was 2-and-a-half years old. "He had only seen her for eight months," Bell said. "We can do better than that. We need to look at accompanied tours."
A number of aspects complicate any proposal changing the assignment policy, the general said, and he will discuss the whole situation with senior leaders on the Joint Staff and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. "I am arguing for a slow, but real movement to more accompanied tours over there," he said.
Under agreements with the Republic of Korea, U.S. forces are moving out of camps established at the end of the Korean War in 1953. As the U.S. forces move from the DMZ and from the headquarters in Seoul, U.S. officials have the perfect opportunity to re-examine the short-tour approach to assignments, he said.
There are downsides, the general said. More infrastructure such as schools, clinics, day care centers and shopping facilities, would be needed. Defense leaders would have to determine if troops in South Korea on long tours would be available for deployments out of the country. "The global force pool issue has to be a part of any decision," he said. All these issues would be subject to discussions with South Korean allies.
Families are indirectly telling defense leaders they want the long tours. Spouses are free to travel to Korea already, Bell said.
"Over 2,000 families have traveled there to be with their servicemembers and to connect with servicemembers in spite of the fact that they are not authorized," he said. "They would rather be together as a family with some complexities than spend another year apart. They are speaking with their feet and their passports."
Any change would take years to accomplish, Bell said. It would be hand-in-hand with consolidation of U.S. forces in the country. That movement is proceeding, as South Korea takes on the major portion of the ground defense of the nation.
The stationing of American troops in South Korea was based on the theory that U.S. forces would block the traditional invasion corridors across the DMZ as a signal that the United States was "ready to fight tonight," Bell said.
The western corridor already has been turned over to the South Korean 1st Infantry Division, and the theory now is that American forces would consolidate at main operating bases. The biggest is scheduled to be built in Pyongtaek – out of artillery range, but not missile range, of North Korean forces on the DMZ.
More than 1,000 trucks a day are working at Pyongtaek, adjacent to Camp Humphries, to establish the base.
"This allows us to consolidate, while at the same time doing something that is desperately needed: changing the quality of life for American troops in South Korea," he said.
The move also takes American troops out of high-visibility areas, and places them in areas where training can take place. The move will cost $10 billion, with South Korea paying the lion's share of it.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 30, 2008 - The U.S. commander in South Korea wants to re-examine the tour length for personnel assigned to the peninsula. Army Gen. B.B. Bell said in an interview that he will speak with defense leaders this week about making more assignments to Korea accompanied tours.
"We contribute to a continuation of this separation of servicemembers from their families," he said. "Almost 90 percent of my force is still on a one-year unaccompanied tour." Only certain assignments in South Korea are two-year accompanied tours.
The U.S. assignment policy has not changed in South Korea for generations, yet the basis for making the decision for unaccompanied tours has changed tremendously. South Korea has made significant economic progress in the last 30 years and is now the 11th largest economy in the world.
South Korea is a first-world economy with first-world facilities. Thirty years ago, American families would have faced real hardships if they were assigned to Korea, but that is no longer the case, Bell said.
The general said deployments to war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan are adding to the time servicemembers spend away from their families. He told of meeting a young Army captain who had deployed to Iraq, went back to Fort Lewis, Wash., and then received orders for Korea. The officer, now assigned near the demilitarized zone, had a daughter who was 2-and-a-half years old. "He had only seen her for eight months," Bell said. "We can do better than that. We need to look at accompanied tours."
A number of aspects complicate any proposal changing the assignment policy, the general said, and he will discuss the whole situation with senior leaders on the Joint Staff and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. "I am arguing for a slow, but real movement to more accompanied tours over there," he said.
Under agreements with the Republic of Korea, U.S. forces are moving out of camps established at the end of the Korean War in 1953. As the U.S. forces move from the DMZ and from the headquarters in Seoul, U.S. officials have the perfect opportunity to re-examine the short-tour approach to assignments, he said.
There are downsides, the general said. More infrastructure such as schools, clinics, day care centers and shopping facilities, would be needed. Defense leaders would have to determine if troops in South Korea on long tours would be available for deployments out of the country. "The global force pool issue has to be a part of any decision," he said. All these issues would be subject to discussions with South Korean allies.
Families are indirectly telling defense leaders they want the long tours. Spouses are free to travel to Korea already, Bell said.
"Over 2,000 families have traveled there to be with their servicemembers and to connect with servicemembers in spite of the fact that they are not authorized," he said. "They would rather be together as a family with some complexities than spend another year apart. They are speaking with their feet and their passports."
Any change would take years to accomplish, Bell said. It would be hand-in-hand with consolidation of U.S. forces in the country. That movement is proceeding, as South Korea takes on the major portion of the ground defense of the nation.
The stationing of American troops in South Korea was based on the theory that U.S. forces would block the traditional invasion corridors across the DMZ as a signal that the United States was "ready to fight tonight," Bell said.
The western corridor already has been turned over to the South Korean 1st Infantry Division, and the theory now is that American forces would consolidate at main operating bases. The biggest is scheduled to be built in Pyongtaek – out of artillery range, but not missile range, of North Korean forces on the DMZ.
More than 1,000 trucks a day are working at Pyongtaek, adjacent to Camp Humphries, to establish the base.
"This allows us to consolidate, while at the same time doing something that is desperately needed: changing the quality of life for American troops in South Korea," he said.
The move also takes American troops out of high-visibility areas, and places them in areas where training can take place. The move will cost $10 billion, with South Korea paying the lion's share of it.
Navy Secretary Names Three New Virginia Class Attack Submarines
Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced today the names of three Virginia class submarines -- the Missouri, California and Mississippi.
The selection of Missouri honors the continuous support of the military by the people of the "Show Me State," and its leaders. Designated SSN 780, Missouri is the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state. The last Missouri (BB 63), a U.S. Navy battleship, saw action in World War II, Korean War, and the 1991 Gulf War. Missouri was also the site where Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and many other U.S. and Allied officers, accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945.
The selection of California, designated SSN 781, honors the thousands of men and women from California who serve in today's Armed Forces, and the millions of Californian veterans and their families. As home to major Naval and Marine Corps installations, the selection of California also reflects the tremendous support provided to the Navy and Marine Corps by countless communities across the Golden State. This will be the seventh ship to bear the name California.
The selection of Mississippi, designated SSN 782, is dedicated to the state's long standing tradition of shipbuilding in support of our nation's defense. It also honors the indomitable spirit of the people of Mississippi who have made great strides in recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This fighting spirit will be an inspiration to all sailors who embark aboard Mississippi. There have been four previous ships named Mississippi. The first Mississippi, a side wheeler, served as Commodore Matthew Perry's flagship for his historic voyage to Japan and fought with Admiral Farragut's forces on the Mississippi River during the Civil War.
These next-generation attack submarines will provide the Navy with the capabilities it requires to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.
Missouri, California and Mississippi will be able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; Special Forces delivery and support; and mine delivery and minefield mapping. With enhanced communications connectivity, the submarines also will provide important battle group and joint task force support, with full integration into carrier battle group operations.
The Virginia class is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.
These new, nuclear powered submarines are being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat (Connecticut) and Northrop Grumman Newport News (Virginia). For more information on Virginia class submarines visit: http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=100&ct=4.
The selection of Missouri honors the continuous support of the military by the people of the "Show Me State," and its leaders. Designated SSN 780, Missouri is the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state. The last Missouri (BB 63), a U.S. Navy battleship, saw action in World War II, Korean War, and the 1991 Gulf War. Missouri was also the site where Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and many other U.S. and Allied officers, accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945.
The selection of California, designated SSN 781, honors the thousands of men and women from California who serve in today's Armed Forces, and the millions of Californian veterans and their families. As home to major Naval and Marine Corps installations, the selection of California also reflects the tremendous support provided to the Navy and Marine Corps by countless communities across the Golden State. This will be the seventh ship to bear the name California.
The selection of Mississippi, designated SSN 782, is dedicated to the state's long standing tradition of shipbuilding in support of our nation's defense. It also honors the indomitable spirit of the people of Mississippi who have made great strides in recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This fighting spirit will be an inspiration to all sailors who embark aboard Mississippi. There have been four previous ships named Mississippi. The first Mississippi, a side wheeler, served as Commodore Matthew Perry's flagship for his historic voyage to Japan and fought with Admiral Farragut's forces on the Mississippi River during the Civil War.
These next-generation attack submarines will provide the Navy with the capabilities it requires to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.
Missouri, California and Mississippi will be able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; Special Forces delivery and support; and mine delivery and minefield mapping. With enhanced communications connectivity, the submarines also will provide important battle group and joint task force support, with full integration into carrier battle group operations.
The Virginia class is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.
These new, nuclear powered submarines are being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat (Connecticut) and Northrop Grumman Newport News (Virginia). For more information on Virginia class submarines visit: http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=100&ct=4.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
CONTRACTS - January 30, 2008
NAVY
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $73,707,908 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-08-C-0021) for the system development and demonstration of the Harpoon Block III Missile Program. Work will be performed in St. Charles, Mo., (92.12 percent); Lititz, Penn., (1.93 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (.84 percent); Chatsworth, Calif., (.76 percent); Galena, Kan., (.49 percent); Lowell, Mass., (.42 percent); and various locations across the United States (3.44 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Aug. 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $5,046,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., is being awarded $58,379,171 for delivery order #5005 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract (N00383-06-G-011F) for initial and wholesale spares requirements for various weapons replaceable assemblies (WRAs) used in the development and deployment of the common cockpit and multi-mode radar system for the MH-60R helicopter. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I., and work is expected to be completed by Oct. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Corp. Eagan, Minn., is being awarded a not-to exceed $52,750,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity, cost-plus multiple incentive-fee contract for continued development and maintenance of the Common Submarine Radio Room (CSRR) configuration & maintenance software. This is a follow-on to an existing cost-plus-fixed-fee contract N00039-03-C-0026. Work will be performed in Eagan, Minn., and work is expected to be completed by Jan. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract procured on a sole-source basis under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. This requirement was synopsized on Federal Business Opportunities website on May 31, 2007, under solicitation N00039-07-R-0042. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N00039-08-D-0001).
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $32,000,000 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-07-C-0040) for non-recurring development and integration of the MV-22 Block C Weather Radar Upgrade. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., (90 percent), and Fort Worth, Texas, (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Nov. 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $14,000,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $24,105,723 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order #7029 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract (N00383-06-D-004H) for procurement of newly manufactured spares in support of the F/A-18 C/D flight surface system. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and work is expected to be completed by Mar. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Co. Integrated Defense Systems, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $17,290,472 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-5105) for Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) fiscal year 2008 production of four SSDS MK 2 Tactical Ship Sets and one SSDS Special Study to define engineering changes to the SSDS MK 2 product baseline in support of the LHA 6 Combat System configuration. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
McDonnell Douglas Corp., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $15,441,690 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0004 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract (N00383-07-G-005H) for avionics repair facility support, which provides for repair of various F/A-18 and AV-8B components. Work will be performed in Lemoore, Calif., (57 percent); Cecil Field, Fla., (40 percent); and Philadelphia, Pa., (3 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Sep. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This effort involves a purchase for the U.S. Navy (99 percent) and the Governments of Malaysia, Kuwait and Spain (1 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. This contract was not awarded competitively. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
T.B Penick & Sons, Inc., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $10,353,209 firm-fixed-price contract for the expansion and renovation of Naval Exchange Main Exchange, Building 1512, at Naval Base Ventura County. The contract contains six options totaling $1,958,615, which may be exercised within 90 calendar days, bringing the total contract amount to $12,311,824. Work will be performed in Port Hueneme, Calif., and work is expected to be completed by Aug. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with five proposals solicited and four offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-C-7504).
BAE Systems Technologies, Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded a $10,294,911 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-07-C-0019) to exercise an option for engineering and technical products and services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems. The estimated level of effort for this option is 126,000 man-hours. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., (80 percent), San Diego, Calif. (10 percent), and various shipboard locations (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Jan. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity.
McNally Industries, LLC, Grantsburg, Wis., is being awarded an $8,100,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity order under Basic Ordering Agreement (N63394-08-G-1177) for maintenance, overhaul, repair, upgrade and life cycle maintenance support, including technical engineering services, in support of the MK 6 Ammunition Hoist. This agreement may be extended for two additional years, which would bring the cumulative value of this agreement to $15,100,000. Work will be performed in Grantsburg, Wis., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp. Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $7,500,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-4005) for non-nuclear maintenance and repair support at the Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF), Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn. Under the terms of the contract, Electric Boat will continue to provide services required to support planned and emergent non-nuclear maintenance and repair for operational nuclear submarines, floating dry-docks, support & service craft and other platforms and equipment at the NSSF. Work will be performed in New London, Conn., and work is expected to be completed by Sep. 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $7,500,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Electric Boat Cor. Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $6,228,313 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-2107) for research and development of advanced submarine technologies for current and future submarine platforms. This contract provides for provision of studies to support the manufacturability, maintainability, producibility, reliability, manning, survivability, hull integrity, performance, structural, weight/margin, stability, arrangements, machinery systems, acoustics, hydrodynamics, ship control, logistics, human factors, materials, weapons handling and stowage, submarine safety, and affordability. Work will be performed in Groton, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Innovative Technical Solutions, Inc.*, Walnut Creek, Calif.; TN & Associates*, Milwaukee Wis.; Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, San Diego, Calif.; and AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc., San Diego, Calif., are each being awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity environmental multiple award contract for environmental remediation services on Navy and Marine Corps installations at various locations within the NAVFAC Southwest area of responsibility (AOR). The total amount for all contracts combined is not to exceed $120,000,000 (base period and four option years) with a guaranteed minimum of $25,000 for each contract. Work will be performed at various federal sites within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest AOR including, but not limited to, Calif., (80 percent), Ariz., (10 percent), Ala., (2 percent), Nev., (2 percent), Wash., (2 percent), N. M. (1 percent), Ore., (1 percent), Utah (1 percent), and nationwide (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed Jan. 2009 (Jan. 2013 with options). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured and issued on an unrestricted basis with provisions to reserve two awards to small business concerns. Thirteen proposals were received. These four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contracts. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-D-8813/8814/8815/8816).
DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE
Lockheed Martin Government Services, Inc., Seabrook, Md., was awarded a seventh year option of $27,119,272 as part of contract MDA220-01-D-0002 for management of the Retired and Annuitant pay service formerly managed by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), which was the subject of an A-76 action. The estimated aggregate face value of this contract at time of award was $346,432,288. Primary work is performed at DFAS Cleveland, Ohio and secondary work which includes document scanning and primarily imaging is performed at London, Ky. Under this option work will be performed between Feb. 01, 2008, through Jan. 31, 2009. The DFAS Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (MDA220-01-D-0002).
AIR FORCE
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. Integrated Systems Air Combat Systems of San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a contract for $12,250,000. This effort is for operation of the Global Hawk System in forward theaters of operation, for a classified length of time. The contractor shall also provide mission support plans and identify equipment necessary to support operations for sustained flight operations for the period of time specified on any deployment order. At this time all funds have been obligated. 303AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-08-G-3005 0001).
McDonnell Douglas Corp., A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Boeing Co.of Long Beach, Calif., is being awarded a contract modification for $11,440,306. This contract modification to the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership (GSP) contract to increase funding for FY07 and FY08 Material Improvement Projects (MIPs) for the USAF. The MIP program was established on P00037 based on estimated performance requirements for non-recurring reengineering and retrofit. This estimated annual program does not identify specific MIPs to be performed, just general requirements. At this time $25,000,000 has been obligated. MSW/516 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8614-04-C-2004, P000227).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Coast Produce Co. Los Angeles, Calif.,* is being awarded a maximum $7,787,374.02 fixed price with economic price adjustment, total set aside, indefinite quantity contract for fresh fruit and vegetables support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Navy, Marine Corps, and USDA School Customers. This proposal was originally DIBBS solicited with six responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Jul. 31, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM300-08-D-P020).
Coast Produce Company, Los Angeles, Calif.,* is being awarded a maximum $6,905,308.10 fixed price with economic price adjustment, total set aside, indefinite quantity contract for fresh fruit and vegetables support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and USDA school customers . This proposal was originally DIBBS solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Jul. 31, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-P021).
ARMY
Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Va., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $28, 742,588 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed in Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0016.
Bearing Point, McLean, Va., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008 ,a $21,740,010 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and 17 bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0020.
IBM Global Business Services, Fairfax, Va., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008 a $21,565,874 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0022.
Logistics Management Institute, McLean, Va., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $19,383,840 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0019.
Science Applications International, Inc., Frederick, Md., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $18,237,504 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed in Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007 and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0015.
Clinical Research Management, Inc. Hinckley, Ohio, was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $17,980,152 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0018.
General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Va., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $16,122,790 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0017.
Gaver Technologies Inc. dba GTI Federal, Oakland, Md., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $15,924,899 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0021.
Macaulay-Brown, Inc. Dayton, Ohio, was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $13,895,100 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0014.
L-3 Communications Corporation, Muskegon, Mich., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $8,076,850 firm fixed price contract for remanufacturing Bradley Fighting Vehicle System transmissions with a maximum quantity of 375 each. Work will be performed at Muskegon, Mich., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on May 1, 2007 and one bid was received. The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity W56HZV-08-D-0021.
Alliant Lake City Small Caliber Ammunition Co., LLC, Independence, Mo., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $6,469,412 firm fixed price contract for the following small caliber ammunition items: 7.62 MM All, A151 and A222. Work will be performed in Independence, Mo., and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Jan. 2, 2008, and one bid was received. The U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Missouri 5th District, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity DAA09-99-D-0016.
BAE Systems Land and Armaments, Inc., York, Pa., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $5,729,092 firm fixed price contract for the purchase of 952 Bradley Urban Survivability Kits and Hotbox Restraint Kits. Work will be performed in York, Pa., and expected to be completed by Jul. 30, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 30, 2007, and one bid was received. The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity W56HZV-05-G-0005.
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $73,707,908 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-08-C-0021) for the system development and demonstration of the Harpoon Block III Missile Program. Work will be performed in St. Charles, Mo., (92.12 percent); Lititz, Penn., (1.93 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (.84 percent); Chatsworth, Calif., (.76 percent); Galena, Kan., (.49 percent); Lowell, Mass., (.42 percent); and various locations across the United States (3.44 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Aug. 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $5,046,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., is being awarded $58,379,171 for delivery order #5005 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract (N00383-06-G-011F) for initial and wholesale spares requirements for various weapons replaceable assemblies (WRAs) used in the development and deployment of the common cockpit and multi-mode radar system for the MH-60R helicopter. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I., and work is expected to be completed by Oct. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Corp. Eagan, Minn., is being awarded a not-to exceed $52,750,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity, cost-plus multiple incentive-fee contract for continued development and maintenance of the Common Submarine Radio Room (CSRR) configuration & maintenance software. This is a follow-on to an existing cost-plus-fixed-fee contract N00039-03-C-0026. Work will be performed in Eagan, Minn., and work is expected to be completed by Jan. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract procured on a sole-source basis under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. This requirement was synopsized on Federal Business Opportunities website on May 31, 2007, under solicitation N00039-07-R-0042. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N00039-08-D-0001).
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $32,000,000 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-07-C-0040) for non-recurring development and integration of the MV-22 Block C Weather Radar Upgrade. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., (90 percent), and Fort Worth, Texas, (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Nov. 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $14,000,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $24,105,723 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order #7029 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract (N00383-06-D-004H) for procurement of newly manufactured spares in support of the F/A-18 C/D flight surface system. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and work is expected to be completed by Mar. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Co. Integrated Defense Systems, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $17,290,472 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-5105) for Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) fiscal year 2008 production of four SSDS MK 2 Tactical Ship Sets and one SSDS Special Study to define engineering changes to the SSDS MK 2 product baseline in support of the LHA 6 Combat System configuration. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
McDonnell Douglas Corp., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $15,441,690 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0004 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract (N00383-07-G-005H) for avionics repair facility support, which provides for repair of various F/A-18 and AV-8B components. Work will be performed in Lemoore, Calif., (57 percent); Cecil Field, Fla., (40 percent); and Philadelphia, Pa., (3 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Sep. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This effort involves a purchase for the U.S. Navy (99 percent) and the Governments of Malaysia, Kuwait and Spain (1 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. This contract was not awarded competitively. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
T.B Penick & Sons, Inc., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $10,353,209 firm-fixed-price contract for the expansion and renovation of Naval Exchange Main Exchange, Building 1512, at Naval Base Ventura County. The contract contains six options totaling $1,958,615, which may be exercised within 90 calendar days, bringing the total contract amount to $12,311,824. Work will be performed in Port Hueneme, Calif., and work is expected to be completed by Aug. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with five proposals solicited and four offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-C-7504).
BAE Systems Technologies, Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded a $10,294,911 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-07-C-0019) to exercise an option for engineering and technical products and services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems. The estimated level of effort for this option is 126,000 man-hours. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., (80 percent), San Diego, Calif. (10 percent), and various shipboard locations (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Jan. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity.
McNally Industries, LLC, Grantsburg, Wis., is being awarded an $8,100,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity order under Basic Ordering Agreement (N63394-08-G-1177) for maintenance, overhaul, repair, upgrade and life cycle maintenance support, including technical engineering services, in support of the MK 6 Ammunition Hoist. This agreement may be extended for two additional years, which would bring the cumulative value of this agreement to $15,100,000. Work will be performed in Grantsburg, Wis., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp. Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $7,500,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-4005) for non-nuclear maintenance and repair support at the Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF), Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn. Under the terms of the contract, Electric Boat will continue to provide services required to support planned and emergent non-nuclear maintenance and repair for operational nuclear submarines, floating dry-docks, support & service craft and other platforms and equipment at the NSSF. Work will be performed in New London, Conn., and work is expected to be completed by Sep. 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $7,500,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Electric Boat Cor. Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $6,228,313 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-2107) for research and development of advanced submarine technologies for current and future submarine platforms. This contract provides for provision of studies to support the manufacturability, maintainability, producibility, reliability, manning, survivability, hull integrity, performance, structural, weight/margin, stability, arrangements, machinery systems, acoustics, hydrodynamics, ship control, logistics, human factors, materials, weapons handling and stowage, submarine safety, and affordability. Work will be performed in Groton, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Innovative Technical Solutions, Inc.*, Walnut Creek, Calif.; TN & Associates*, Milwaukee Wis.; Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, San Diego, Calif.; and AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc., San Diego, Calif., are each being awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity environmental multiple award contract for environmental remediation services on Navy and Marine Corps installations at various locations within the NAVFAC Southwest area of responsibility (AOR). The total amount for all contracts combined is not to exceed $120,000,000 (base period and four option years) with a guaranteed minimum of $25,000 for each contract. Work will be performed at various federal sites within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest AOR including, but not limited to, Calif., (80 percent), Ariz., (10 percent), Ala., (2 percent), Nev., (2 percent), Wash., (2 percent), N. M. (1 percent), Ore., (1 percent), Utah (1 percent), and nationwide (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed Jan. 2009 (Jan. 2013 with options). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured and issued on an unrestricted basis with provisions to reserve two awards to small business concerns. Thirteen proposals were received. These four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contracts. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-D-8813/8814/8815/8816).
DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE
Lockheed Martin Government Services, Inc., Seabrook, Md., was awarded a seventh year option of $27,119,272 as part of contract MDA220-01-D-0002 for management of the Retired and Annuitant pay service formerly managed by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), which was the subject of an A-76 action. The estimated aggregate face value of this contract at time of award was $346,432,288. Primary work is performed at DFAS Cleveland, Ohio and secondary work which includes document scanning and primarily imaging is performed at London, Ky. Under this option work will be performed between Feb. 01, 2008, through Jan. 31, 2009. The DFAS Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (MDA220-01-D-0002).
AIR FORCE
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. Integrated Systems Air Combat Systems of San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a contract for $12,250,000. This effort is for operation of the Global Hawk System in forward theaters of operation, for a classified length of time. The contractor shall also provide mission support plans and identify equipment necessary to support operations for sustained flight operations for the period of time specified on any deployment order. At this time all funds have been obligated. 303AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-08-G-3005 0001).
McDonnell Douglas Corp., A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Boeing Co.of Long Beach, Calif., is being awarded a contract modification for $11,440,306. This contract modification to the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership (GSP) contract to increase funding for FY07 and FY08 Material Improvement Projects (MIPs) for the USAF. The MIP program was established on P00037 based on estimated performance requirements for non-recurring reengineering and retrofit. This estimated annual program does not identify specific MIPs to be performed, just general requirements. At this time $25,000,000 has been obligated. MSW/516 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8614-04-C-2004, P000227).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Coast Produce Co. Los Angeles, Calif.,* is being awarded a maximum $7,787,374.02 fixed price with economic price adjustment, total set aside, indefinite quantity contract for fresh fruit and vegetables support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Navy, Marine Corps, and USDA School Customers. This proposal was originally DIBBS solicited with six responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Jul. 31, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM300-08-D-P020).
Coast Produce Company, Los Angeles, Calif.,* is being awarded a maximum $6,905,308.10 fixed price with economic price adjustment, total set aside, indefinite quantity contract for fresh fruit and vegetables support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and USDA school customers . This proposal was originally DIBBS solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Jul. 31, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-P021).
ARMY
Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Va., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $28, 742,588 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed in Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0016.
Bearing Point, McLean, Va., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008 ,a $21,740,010 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and 17 bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0020.
IBM Global Business Services, Fairfax, Va., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008 a $21,565,874 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0022.
Logistics Management Institute, McLean, Va., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $19,383,840 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0019.
Science Applications International, Inc., Frederick, Md., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $18,237,504 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed in Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007 and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0015.
Clinical Research Management, Inc. Hinckley, Ohio, was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $17,980,152 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0018.
General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Va., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $16,122,790 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0017.
Gaver Technologies Inc. dba GTI Federal, Oakland, Md., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $15,924,899 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0021.
Macaulay-Brown, Inc. Dayton, Ohio, was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $13,895,100 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm fixed price contract for support services for Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Work will be performed at Frederick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 31, 2007, and seventeen bids were received. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity W81XWH-08-D-0014.
L-3 Communications Corporation, Muskegon, Mich., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $8,076,850 firm fixed price contract for remanufacturing Bradley Fighting Vehicle System transmissions with a maximum quantity of 375 each. Work will be performed at Muskegon, Mich., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on May 1, 2007 and one bid was received. The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity W56HZV-08-D-0021.
Alliant Lake City Small Caliber Ammunition Co., LLC, Independence, Mo., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $6,469,412 firm fixed price contract for the following small caliber ammunition items: 7.62 MM All, A151 and A222. Work will be performed in Independence, Mo., and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Jan. 2, 2008, and one bid was received. The U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Missouri 5th District, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity DAA09-99-D-0016.
BAE Systems Land and Armaments, Inc., York, Pa., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2008, a $5,729,092 firm fixed price contract for the purchase of 952 Bradley Urban Survivability Kits and Hotbox Restraint Kits. Work will be performed in York, Pa., and expected to be completed by Jul. 30, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Oct. 30, 2007, and one bid was received. The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity W56HZV-05-G-0005.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
America Supports You: Groups Gear Up to Send Valentines to Troops
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2008 - Hearts at home are gearing up to connect with hearts overseas through an America Supports You effort to send valentines to servicemembers. The effort is part of the America Supports You program's calendar that provides a year's worth of ways to show appreciation for U.S. troops and their families. America Supports You is a Defense Department initiative that helps to showcase America's support for the troops and their families.
"Every February, loved ones exchange flowers, candy and cards, but for troops overseas who are separated from the ones they love, Valentine's Day can be hard," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison.
To meet postal deadlines for sending packages overseas, America Supports You home-front groups are gearing up now for February activities. Groups planning to send valentines to troops include Hugs for Soldiers, My Soldier, and Operation Pinecone.
Supporters can learn more about these groups and other groups, as well as find other ideas to support the troops, on the America Supports You Web site, www.americasupportsyou.mil. Organizations sending valentines can be found by clicking on "Letters and Messages."
The America Supports You calendar, which can be downloaded from the "New Year's Resolution" link on the site as a portable document format file or to work with the user's Outlook program, provides a new idea each month for ways to show military men and women support.
Ideas in the calendar include donating to scholarships in March to help military families trying to plan for educational costs, or participating in a "Month of the Military Child" event in April. Organizing a local "America Supports You Freedom Walk" is the suggestion for September. Freedom walks commemorate victims of Sept. 11, 2001, and honor veterans, past and present.
Jan. 29, 2008 - Hearts at home are gearing up to connect with hearts overseas through an America Supports You effort to send valentines to servicemembers. The effort is part of the America Supports You program's calendar that provides a year's worth of ways to show appreciation for U.S. troops and their families. America Supports You is a Defense Department initiative that helps to showcase America's support for the troops and their families.
"Every February, loved ones exchange flowers, candy and cards, but for troops overseas who are separated from the ones they love, Valentine's Day can be hard," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison.
To meet postal deadlines for sending packages overseas, America Supports You home-front groups are gearing up now for February activities. Groups planning to send valentines to troops include Hugs for Soldiers, My Soldier, and Operation Pinecone.
Supporters can learn more about these groups and other groups, as well as find other ideas to support the troops, on the America Supports You Web site, www.americasupportsyou.mil. Organizations sending valentines can be found by clicking on "Letters and Messages."
The America Supports You calendar, which can be downloaded from the "New Year's Resolution" link on the site as a portable document format file or to work with the user's Outlook program, provides a new idea each month for ways to show military men and women support.
Ideas in the calendar include donating to scholarships in March to help military families trying to plan for educational costs, or participating in a "Month of the Military Child" event in April. Organizing a local "America Supports You Freedom Walk" is the suggestion for September. Freedom walks commemorate victims of Sept. 11, 2001, and honor veterans, past and present.
Fiscal 2009 Budget Request Includes $70 Billion for Terror War
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2008 - President Bush is asking Congress to approve $70 billion as partial payment for global war on terrorism operations in his fiscal 2009 defense budget request, Defense Department officials said today. Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said during a news conference that the $70 billion request will fund operations through the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The fiscal 2009 budget request goes to Congress on Feb. 3.
"Why we are submitting just a partial amount is predicated on a couple of things, one of which is the fact that ... we haven't gotten our money that's needed and has been requested for fiscal year '08 yet to fight the global war on terror," he said.
The department is still waiting for Congress to approve $102 billion for this fiscal year, Morrell said. During his State of the Union address last night, President Bush asked Congress to approve the 2008 supplemental funding request quickly.
How much the department will need is based on events on the ground, Morrell said. Trends in Iraq are positive, but Pentagon officials want to hear the reports of Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, Multinational Force Iraq commander; Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, U.S. Central Command chief; and the Joint Chiefs of Staff before making budgeting decisions.
"So we are submitting the $70 billion request with the anticipation that at some point we will go back to the Congress and ask for what else is needed in fiscal year '09," Morrell said.
The $70 billion request is a marker for what the department will need in fiscal 2009, Morrell said. That money should be able to at least handle much of the first quarter of the fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, and then the rest will be executed by a subsequent administration and secretary of defense, he noted.
"But we will likely come back to the Congress at some point in this year to revise the global war on terror funding request, to include what is needed in its totality," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2008 - President Bush is asking Congress to approve $70 billion as partial payment for global war on terrorism operations in his fiscal 2009 defense budget request, Defense Department officials said today. Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said during a news conference that the $70 billion request will fund operations through the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The fiscal 2009 budget request goes to Congress on Feb. 3.
"Why we are submitting just a partial amount is predicated on a couple of things, one of which is the fact that ... we haven't gotten our money that's needed and has been requested for fiscal year '08 yet to fight the global war on terror," he said.
The department is still waiting for Congress to approve $102 billion for this fiscal year, Morrell said. During his State of the Union address last night, President Bush asked Congress to approve the 2008 supplemental funding request quickly.
How much the department will need is based on events on the ground, Morrell said. Trends in Iraq are positive, but Pentagon officials want to hear the reports of Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, Multinational Force Iraq commander; Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, U.S. Central Command chief; and the Joint Chiefs of Staff before making budgeting decisions.
"So we are submitting the $70 billion request with the anticipation that at some point we will go back to the Congress and ask for what else is needed in fiscal year '09," Morrell said.
The $70 billion request is a marker for what the department will need in fiscal 2009, Morrell said. That money should be able to at least handle much of the first quarter of the fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, and then the rest will be executed by a subsequent administration and secretary of defense, he noted.
"But we will likely come back to the Congress at some point in this year to revise the global war on terror funding request, to include what is needed in its totality," he said.
Face of Defense: Military Wife Shares Experiences Through Writing
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2008 - Being married to the military has its benefits, but it also comes with some very rigid truths, as one Virginia native began to understand when she and her Marine husband married 10 years ago. Those realities are part of Anne Miren Berry's written contribution to a National Endowment for the Arts project that gives voice to military family members enduring deployment.
"Operation Homecoming," a mixture of stories, poems, letters, essays and journal entries, is written by family members discovered by authors the NEA sent to military bases around the globe to find literary talent.
"It's all about our experiences with wartime," said the long-time writer and journalist. "I haven't seen one like it, because it actually includes the words of the family members. You've got some parents (and) some spouses that give their accounts of being part of homecomings (and) leavings."
Berry's short story, "Down the Road," is just one of about 100 personal writings in the anthology edited by Andrew Carroll, editor of "War Letters." It's also a recounting of her first combat deployment as a military spouse.
"When my husband deployed to (Operation Iraqi Freedom) in January of 2003, during the worst of it I'd say I was barely functional," she said. "One thing that I did – we all did it, all the spouses – if you knew of an embedded reporter that was with your husband or wife's unit, you followed that reporter."
She learned through tracking the embedded journalist's reports that her husband's unit was, at one point, near Nasiriyah, where some of the heaviest fighting took place during the opening phase of the war. While she was reassured every time she heard one of those reports, her subconscious was working overtime.
"I awoke one morning at like 4 ... and the thing that had awakened me was I had turned on the BBC on the radio in my sleep," Berry said. "I can't remember the reporter's name, but I was thinking, 'Well, if he's OK, he's with my husband's unit.' It seemed a little comforting."
As the grip of anxiety and depression began to ease up toward the end of her husband's deployment, she started thinking ahead to what she wanted their life to be like. That included the dream of a house on the water in eastern North Carolina, and hunting for the perfect property was a terrific distraction, she said.
She called a realtor and spent a couple of days driving around taking pictures of property on the ocean or the Inter-coastal Waterway. The pictures went into care packages for her husband.
Many care packages later, Berry had become friends with a woman working at the shipping store. Soon, she learned the woman was enduring her son's deployment to Iraq.
"She was very maternal, very comforting," Berry said. "Then one day she wasn't there any more, and I learned that ... (her son) had passed away."
After that, Berry realized that where she lived with her husband didn't matter nearly as much as just being together. "As long as he's with me, it doesn't matter where we are," Berry said. "That's sort of the theme of ("Down the Road"), I guess. It was sort of therapeutic to get these feelings out about what that was like."
Her husband, Joel H. Berry III, now a Marine colonel, returned safely from his first deployment to Iraq. In June 2006, he was deployed again, this time with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which eventually was diverted to aid in the evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon.
While Berry said her second experience with deployment was still awful, she had a better idea of what to expect.
"Still, it's just the worst feeling," she said. "You just don't want to let go of them. Once you get that day over with, that's one of the worst days you'll have in the deployment."
Col. Berry is now the commander of Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools on Camp Gilbert H. Johnson, adjacent to Camp Lejeune, N.C. Consequently, his wife is worrying less and pursuing freelance writing while continuing to work on an original novel that she wrote for a contest in 2005.
"It didn't win, (but) I just felt strongly about the book and I felt like it was a good story," Berry said. "So I kept submitting it to agents, and finally one said, 'I want to read the whole thing.'"
The work of fiction, which is currently in the agent's hands, does have a military element to it, but that's not the true theme. "The theme of the book is really friendship – in the service, in combat, at home," Berry said.
Listening to Berry describe her experience with military life, there is little doubt it influenced that theme.
"I love it. I love the people I've met," she said. "I've met servicemembers from all branches, and I think they're tremendous people. They're generous. They're smart. They're kind.
"I can't say enough good things about them," she added.
Berry has a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in history, both from George Mason University in Virginia.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2008 - Being married to the military has its benefits, but it also comes with some very rigid truths, as one Virginia native began to understand when she and her Marine husband married 10 years ago. Those realities are part of Anne Miren Berry's written contribution to a National Endowment for the Arts project that gives voice to military family members enduring deployment.
"Operation Homecoming," a mixture of stories, poems, letters, essays and journal entries, is written by family members discovered by authors the NEA sent to military bases around the globe to find literary talent.
"It's all about our experiences with wartime," said the long-time writer and journalist. "I haven't seen one like it, because it actually includes the words of the family members. You've got some parents (and) some spouses that give their accounts of being part of homecomings (and) leavings."
Berry's short story, "Down the Road," is just one of about 100 personal writings in the anthology edited by Andrew Carroll, editor of "War Letters." It's also a recounting of her first combat deployment as a military spouse.
"When my husband deployed to (Operation Iraqi Freedom) in January of 2003, during the worst of it I'd say I was barely functional," she said. "One thing that I did – we all did it, all the spouses – if you knew of an embedded reporter that was with your husband or wife's unit, you followed that reporter."
She learned through tracking the embedded journalist's reports that her husband's unit was, at one point, near Nasiriyah, where some of the heaviest fighting took place during the opening phase of the war. While she was reassured every time she heard one of those reports, her subconscious was working overtime.
"I awoke one morning at like 4 ... and the thing that had awakened me was I had turned on the BBC on the radio in my sleep," Berry said. "I can't remember the reporter's name, but I was thinking, 'Well, if he's OK, he's with my husband's unit.' It seemed a little comforting."
As the grip of anxiety and depression began to ease up toward the end of her husband's deployment, she started thinking ahead to what she wanted their life to be like. That included the dream of a house on the water in eastern North Carolina, and hunting for the perfect property was a terrific distraction, she said.
She called a realtor and spent a couple of days driving around taking pictures of property on the ocean or the Inter-coastal Waterway. The pictures went into care packages for her husband.
Many care packages later, Berry had become friends with a woman working at the shipping store. Soon, she learned the woman was enduring her son's deployment to Iraq.
"She was very maternal, very comforting," Berry said. "Then one day she wasn't there any more, and I learned that ... (her son) had passed away."
After that, Berry realized that where she lived with her husband didn't matter nearly as much as just being together. "As long as he's with me, it doesn't matter where we are," Berry said. "That's sort of the theme of ("Down the Road"), I guess. It was sort of therapeutic to get these feelings out about what that was like."
Her husband, Joel H. Berry III, now a Marine colonel, returned safely from his first deployment to Iraq. In June 2006, he was deployed again, this time with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which eventually was diverted to aid in the evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon.
While Berry said her second experience with deployment was still awful, she had a better idea of what to expect.
"Still, it's just the worst feeling," she said. "You just don't want to let go of them. Once you get that day over with, that's one of the worst days you'll have in the deployment."
Col. Berry is now the commander of Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools on Camp Gilbert H. Johnson, adjacent to Camp Lejeune, N.C. Consequently, his wife is worrying less and pursuing freelance writing while continuing to work on an original novel that she wrote for a contest in 2005.
"It didn't win, (but) I just felt strongly about the book and I felt like it was a good story," Berry said. "So I kept submitting it to agents, and finally one said, 'I want to read the whole thing.'"
The work of fiction, which is currently in the agent's hands, does have a military element to it, but that's not the true theme. "The theme of the book is really friendship – in the service, in combat, at home," Berry said.
Listening to Berry describe her experience with military life, there is little doubt it influenced that theme.
"I love it. I love the people I've met," she said. "I've met servicemembers from all branches, and I think they're tremendous people. They're generous. They're smart. They're kind.
"I can't say enough good things about them," she added.
Berry has a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in history, both from George Mason University in Virginia.
Troops to Receive Retroactive Pay Next Month
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2008 - Active duty troops will receive retroactive earnings next month, followed weeks later by a supplemental payday for non-active personnel, a Pentagon official said today. The National Defense Authorization Act signed into law yesterday by President Bush stipulates a 3.5 percent military pay raise. This hike is 0.5 percent higher than an executive order Bush signed Dec. 28 to increase pay by 3 percent, which took effect Jan 1.
In mid-February, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will pay active duty troops the extra 0.5 percent raise earned since the start of 2008. Non-active members will receive the supplement "a couple weeks later," said Bill Carr, deputy undersecretary for military personnel policy.
Carr said the Pentagon is "delighted" with the act and praised cooperation by Congress. Disagreement between the president and Congress over non-defense-related earmarks and controversial language about the Iraq war had delayed the bill's enactment.
"I think it's good news for everybody in uniform," Carr said. "This Congress has been terrific in working with us in terms of providing to the troops the things that they need."
Between 2000 and 2007, private-sector pay increased by 29 percent, while military pay jumped 42 percent during the same time, Carr said. Meanwhile, wages paid to noncommissioned officers, which includes corporals and all grades of sergeant and petty officer, spiked by about 52 percent.
"We've made considerable headway, in terms of increasing the value of military pay, to the point where we're now frankly in about the 70th or 80th percentile of similarly educated American earners," Carr said. He noted that the most recent raise, by virtue of exceeding the current inflation rate, will increase servicemember recipients' purchasing power.
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said the retroactive payments ensure "that our forces are compensated commensurate to their service and sacrifice." In a news conference at the Pentagon today, Morrell noted that troops will benefit in various ways by provisions codified in the act.
"It lets us resume offering bonuses to new recruits and re-enlisting troops," he said. The act also includes funding to improve health care and benefits for wounded troops and veterans.
The bill became law just a week before the next budget cycle begins as Bush sends his fiscal 2009 request to Capitol Hill. That budget proposal, along with a request for $70 billion in emergency war spending, will be delivered to Congress Feb. 3.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2008 - Active duty troops will receive retroactive earnings next month, followed weeks later by a supplemental payday for non-active personnel, a Pentagon official said today. The National Defense Authorization Act signed into law yesterday by President Bush stipulates a 3.5 percent military pay raise. This hike is 0.5 percent higher than an executive order Bush signed Dec. 28 to increase pay by 3 percent, which took effect Jan 1.
In mid-February, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will pay active duty troops the extra 0.5 percent raise earned since the start of 2008. Non-active members will receive the supplement "a couple weeks later," said Bill Carr, deputy undersecretary for military personnel policy.
Carr said the Pentagon is "delighted" with the act and praised cooperation by Congress. Disagreement between the president and Congress over non-defense-related earmarks and controversial language about the Iraq war had delayed the bill's enactment.
"I think it's good news for everybody in uniform," Carr said. "This Congress has been terrific in working with us in terms of providing to the troops the things that they need."
Between 2000 and 2007, private-sector pay increased by 29 percent, while military pay jumped 42 percent during the same time, Carr said. Meanwhile, wages paid to noncommissioned officers, which includes corporals and all grades of sergeant and petty officer, spiked by about 52 percent.
"We've made considerable headway, in terms of increasing the value of military pay, to the point where we're now frankly in about the 70th or 80th percentile of similarly educated American earners," Carr said. He noted that the most recent raise, by virtue of exceeding the current inflation rate, will increase servicemember recipients' purchasing power.
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said the retroactive payments ensure "that our forces are compensated commensurate to their service and sacrifice." In a news conference at the Pentagon today, Morrell noted that troops will benefit in various ways by provisions codified in the act.
"It lets us resume offering bonuses to new recruits and re-enlisting troops," he said. The act also includes funding to improve health care and benefits for wounded troops and veterans.
The bill became law just a week before the next budget cycle begins as Bush sends his fiscal 2009 request to Capitol Hill. That budget proposal, along with a request for $70 billion in emergency war spending, will be delivered to Congress Feb. 3.
AIR FORCE
Pika-Pirnie JV, LLC of Stafford, Texas, is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for $50,000,000. This action is for procuring architect-engineer environmental services for the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The contract is to support the compliance, restoration, pollution prevention, conservation and other environmental programs. Task orders will be issued against the contract to satisfy AETC environmental requirements, such as environmental assessments, natural and cultural resources surveys, community relations plans, etc. At this time no funds have been obligated. AETC CONS/LGCU, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-06-R-0043).
Foster Miller-Last Armor of Waltham, Mass., is being awarded a contract for $16,303,636. This action will provide removable armor kits applicable to the C-5 aircraft. Kits will protect air crew and vital aircraft components from small arms fire in hostile areas. Trial kit install – one kit; armor A/B kits 99 kits; monthly status report one Lot. At this time all funds have been obligated. 330th Contracting Aircraft Sustainment Wing, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8525-08-C-0001).
McDonnell Douglas Corp. A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Boeing Co. of St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a firm-fixed price contract for $9,113,000. This action will provide FY08 T-38C Avionics Upgrade Program post production support, to continue Air Force Education and Training Command T-38C Training System operations such as providing continuing Avionics Block Update and Sustaining Avionics Upgrade Program Engineering Development Capability. At this time $2,753,524 has been obligated. 663 AESS/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8617-04-C-6153, Agreement P00102).
NAVY
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. McLean, Va., is being awarded a $10,455,374 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-06-C-0003) to exercise an option for technical, engineering, professional and management services in support of the Special Communications Requirements Division of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in support of the Department of Defense, Joint Service, and Federal Agencies programs. The estimated level of effort for this contract is 149,760 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md., (50 percent); and St. Inigoes, Md., (50 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jan. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems, Bethesda, Md., is being awarded $5,630,547 for firm-fixed price Task Order #AZ01 under a previously awarded multiple award contract (N62473-07-D-4021) for design, construction, equipment and maintenance of Anti-Terrorism Force Protection upgrades at Naval Station Great Lakes, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South, and NSA Crane. The total task order amount is not to exceed $13,052,599 (base period and four option years). Work will be performed in Great Lakes, Ill., (80 percent); Millington, Tenn., (10 percent) and Crane, Ind., (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Mar.2009 (Jan. 2012 with options). 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, Midwest, Great Lakes, Ill., is the contracting activity.
ARMY
CTI and Associates, Inc., Brighton, Mich., was awarded on Jan. 25, 2008, a $10,000,000 firm fixed price or cost plus fixed fee contract for furnishing all plant, labor, materials and equipment necessary for providing response actions at various hazardous waste sites. Work will be performed at various locations based on individual task orders issued during the ordering period of the base contract, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 24, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via ASFI, FED BIZ OPPS and FEDTEDS on Sep. 22, 2006, and 15 were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity W912DQ-08-D-0031.
Pika-Pirnie JV, LLC of Stafford, Texas, is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for $50,000,000. This action is for procuring architect-engineer environmental services for the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The contract is to support the compliance, restoration, pollution prevention, conservation and other environmental programs. Task orders will be issued against the contract to satisfy AETC environmental requirements, such as environmental assessments, natural and cultural resources surveys, community relations plans, etc. At this time no funds have been obligated. AETC CONS/LGCU, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-06-R-0043).
Foster Miller-Last Armor of Waltham, Mass., is being awarded a contract for $16,303,636. This action will provide removable armor kits applicable to the C-5 aircraft. Kits will protect air crew and vital aircraft components from small arms fire in hostile areas. Trial kit install – one kit; armor A/B kits 99 kits; monthly status report one Lot. At this time all funds have been obligated. 330th Contracting Aircraft Sustainment Wing, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8525-08-C-0001).
McDonnell Douglas Corp. A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Boeing Co. of St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a firm-fixed price contract for $9,113,000. This action will provide FY08 T-38C Avionics Upgrade Program post production support, to continue Air Force Education and Training Command T-38C Training System operations such as providing continuing Avionics Block Update and Sustaining Avionics Upgrade Program Engineering Development Capability. At this time $2,753,524 has been obligated. 663 AESS/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8617-04-C-6153, Agreement P00102).
NAVY
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. McLean, Va., is being awarded a $10,455,374 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-06-C-0003) to exercise an option for technical, engineering, professional and management services in support of the Special Communications Requirements Division of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in support of the Department of Defense, Joint Service, and Federal Agencies programs. The estimated level of effort for this contract is 149,760 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md., (50 percent); and St. Inigoes, Md., (50 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jan. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems, Bethesda, Md., is being awarded $5,630,547 for firm-fixed price Task Order #AZ01 under a previously awarded multiple award contract (N62473-07-D-4021) for design, construction, equipment and maintenance of Anti-Terrorism Force Protection upgrades at Naval Station Great Lakes, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South, and NSA Crane. The total task order amount is not to exceed $13,052,599 (base period and four option years). Work will be performed in Great Lakes, Ill., (80 percent); Millington, Tenn., (10 percent) and Crane, Ind., (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Mar.2009 (Jan. 2012 with options). 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, Midwest, Great Lakes, Ill., is the contracting activity.
ARMY
CTI and Associates, Inc., Brighton, Mich., was awarded on Jan. 25, 2008, a $10,000,000 firm fixed price or cost plus fixed fee contract for furnishing all plant, labor, materials and equipment necessary for providing response actions at various hazardous waste sites. Work will be performed at various locations based on individual task orders issued during the ordering period of the base contract, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 24, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via ASFI, FED BIZ OPPS and FEDTEDS on Sep. 22, 2006, and 15 were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity W912DQ-08-D-0031.
America Supports You: Fund Supports North Carolina Troops
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 28, 2008 - Servicemembers from the Tar Heel state who face financial burdens can turn to a newly established fund for assistance. The North Carolina Heroes' Fund was established to provide support to military men and women from North Carolina or stationed at one of North Carolina's many military bases, said Scott Stone, the fund's chairman.
"This support is primarily centered on hardships which these men and women, or their families, may have endured due to their service overseas," he said.
The assistance is provided through various methods, including direct payments or coordinating volunteer efforts. Family members also can benefit from cash payments for financial needs, Stone said.
As resources allow, academic scholarships will be available to dependents of North Carolina's servicemembers, with special consideration for children of servicemembers killed in action, according the fund's Web site.
Initial reaction to the new fund has been positive, Stone added. "We have already seen widespread support of the organization," Stone said of the fund, which has a first-year goal of raising $500,000. "Between some of the commitments we have already received from corporate sponsors as well as private individuals, we are confident that the North Carolina Heroes' Fund will be able to raise a substantial amount of money."
The North Carolina Heroes' Fund recently became a supporter of America supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"One of the greatest challenges is spreading the word of our organization, particularly to potential grant recipients," Stone said. "Often those soldiers in need or their families are either reluctant to ask for help or don't know where to turn for assistance."
Stone said he hopes his group's affiliation with America Supports You will help spread the word.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 28, 2008 - Servicemembers from the Tar Heel state who face financial burdens can turn to a newly established fund for assistance. The North Carolina Heroes' Fund was established to provide support to military men and women from North Carolina or stationed at one of North Carolina's many military bases, said Scott Stone, the fund's chairman.
"This support is primarily centered on hardships which these men and women, or their families, may have endured due to their service overseas," he said.
The assistance is provided through various methods, including direct payments or coordinating volunteer efforts. Family members also can benefit from cash payments for financial needs, Stone said.
As resources allow, academic scholarships will be available to dependents of North Carolina's servicemembers, with special consideration for children of servicemembers killed in action, according the fund's Web site.
Initial reaction to the new fund has been positive, Stone added. "We have already seen widespread support of the organization," Stone said of the fund, which has a first-year goal of raising $500,000. "Between some of the commitments we have already received from corporate sponsors as well as private individuals, we are confident that the North Carolina Heroes' Fund will be able to raise a substantial amount of money."
The North Carolina Heroes' Fund recently became a supporter of America supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"One of the greatest challenges is spreading the word of our organization, particularly to potential grant recipients," Stone said. "Often those soldiers in need or their families are either reluctant to ask for help or don't know where to turn for assistance."
Stone said he hopes his group's affiliation with America Supports You will help spread the word.
'Legends of Wrestling' Tour Rolls Into Bagram
By Spc. George Welcome, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 28, 2008 - When the "Legends of Wrestling" tour rolled in here Jan. 26, servicemembers and civilians gathered at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation clamshell to take part in the festivities. Professional wrestling greats Nicholai Volkoff, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Diamond Dallas Page, and legendary manager "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart took pictures and signed autographs for wrestling fanatics. Trivia questions were asked of the crowd, those who gave correct responses won hats and T-shirts.
For some die-hard wrestling fans, the event was a dream come true.
"I became a wrestling fan in 1999 after constantly seeing it on TV," said Army Pfc. Michael Grandi Jr., a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, who has attended numerous live wrestling events.
"I had constant adrenaline pumping during the event," he said of meeting his idols. "It was really cool how laid-back they were. And none of the soldiers were bothering them; they took pictures, got their autographs and moved along. There was a mutual respect."
The meet-and-greet session lasted for just over an hour, with the stars posing and chatting with all comers. Afterward, those who stayed were treated to an inspirational speech by Page, former three-time World Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. In his address, Page told of how he overcame a turbulent family life, a learning disability and other issues to achieve his dreams through a process he called "living life at 90 percent."
"I once heard (football coaching legend) Lou Holtz say, 'Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent of how you react to it,'" Page said. "In our personal lives and our professional lives, we are constantly hit with one adversity after another, most of which we have no control over. The one thing we have control over is our mindset."
Page introduced the audience to his no-impact workout system, which he calls "Yoga for Regular Guys." Page said he scoffed at the idea of yoga until a spinal injury threatened to keep him out of the ring.
"When I got injured, my wife tried to get me to do yoga," Page said. "But I always thought yoga was for sissies. I learned that flexibility was the key to youth, not just in the body, but in the mind. I wanted to get back to wrestling so badly that I started doing it. "
At the completion of his rousing speech, Page received a standing ovation from the audience. After signing more autographs and taking photos with fans, he led all those who stayed behind through an intense hour-long session of Yoga for Regular Guys.
The program, which consisted of slow-count isometric exercises, static holds and various yoga poses, managed to raise heart rates and get the crowd sweating.
"I liked it a lot, it was an awesome workout," said Army Chief Warrant Officer Stephen Cranford, Company C, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. "I am going to get the DVD and keep doing it. Once I get better, I will introduce it to my guys for (physical training)."
(Army Spc. George Welcome serves in public affairs with 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 28, 2008 - When the "Legends of Wrestling" tour rolled in here Jan. 26, servicemembers and civilians gathered at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation clamshell to take part in the festivities. Professional wrestling greats Nicholai Volkoff, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Diamond Dallas Page, and legendary manager "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart took pictures and signed autographs for wrestling fanatics. Trivia questions were asked of the crowd, those who gave correct responses won hats and T-shirts.
For some die-hard wrestling fans, the event was a dream come true.
"I became a wrestling fan in 1999 after constantly seeing it on TV," said Army Pfc. Michael Grandi Jr., a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, who has attended numerous live wrestling events.
"I had constant adrenaline pumping during the event," he said of meeting his idols. "It was really cool how laid-back they were. And none of the soldiers were bothering them; they took pictures, got their autographs and moved along. There was a mutual respect."
The meet-and-greet session lasted for just over an hour, with the stars posing and chatting with all comers. Afterward, those who stayed were treated to an inspirational speech by Page, former three-time World Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. In his address, Page told of how he overcame a turbulent family life, a learning disability and other issues to achieve his dreams through a process he called "living life at 90 percent."
"I once heard (football coaching legend) Lou Holtz say, 'Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent of how you react to it,'" Page said. "In our personal lives and our professional lives, we are constantly hit with one adversity after another, most of which we have no control over. The one thing we have control over is our mindset."
Page introduced the audience to his no-impact workout system, which he calls "Yoga for Regular Guys." Page said he scoffed at the idea of yoga until a spinal injury threatened to keep him out of the ring.
"When I got injured, my wife tried to get me to do yoga," Page said. "But I always thought yoga was for sissies. I learned that flexibility was the key to youth, not just in the body, but in the mind. I wanted to get back to wrestling so badly that I started doing it. "
At the completion of his rousing speech, Page received a standing ovation from the audience. After signing more autographs and taking photos with fans, he led all those who stayed behind through an intense hour-long session of Yoga for Regular Guys.
The program, which consisted of slow-count isometric exercises, static holds and various yoga poses, managed to raise heart rates and get the crowd sweating.
"I liked it a lot, it was an awesome workout," said Army Chief Warrant Officer Stephen Cranford, Company C, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. "I am going to get the DVD and keep doing it. Once I get better, I will introduce it to my guys for (physical training)."
(Army Spc. George Welcome serves in public affairs with 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.)
Military Health System Conference to Focus on Enhanced Healthcare Delivery & Patient Satisfaction
The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today the 2008 Military Health System (MHS) conference to be held Jan. 28-31 at Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C. Leading an enterprise of more than 134,000 health care providers, senior MHS leaders will finalize 2008 plans to ensure top quality healthcare for all service members and beneficiaries.
"Earlier this year, Secretary of Defense Gates charged me with being the guarantor of quality healthcare for service members, retirees and their families," said Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. "Quality healthcare is the Secretary's top goal, apart from the war itself."
This year's conference focuses on the MHS Strategic Plan. All of the presentations for the conference will be aligned with the plan's goals and objectives including:
Enhance deployable medical capability, force medical readiness and homeland defense including humanitarian missions.
Sustain the military health benefit through top quality patient-centered care and long-term patient partnerships with a focus on prevention.
Provide globally accessible, real time, health information that enables medical surveillance and evidence-based healthcare.
Provide incentives to achieve quality in everything we do.
Develop our most valuable asset-our people.
Build and sustain the best hospitals and clinics; nurture a caring environment.
Casscells and conference organizers also expect to raise awareness among military and civilian communities worldwide regarding the value of military medicine, not only in combat care, but in research, education, international healthcare and humanitarian relief.
"The conference agenda is ambitious," Casscells said. "But it's the right event at the right time to energize our commitment to quality care throughout the entire enterprise."
This conference is unique since 3,000 individuals will attend and others will take part via telecommunications from Afghanistan and Iraq. All interested parties can view plenary sessions in live streaming video and receive daily updates at the MHS Web site, http://www.health.mil, beginning Jan. 28. In addition, all conference plenary sessions will be available via on-demand viewing and audio-podcasting for three months, beginning Feb. 7, 2008.
Cooperation, Attentiveness Keys to Military Health Success
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 28, 2008 - Increasing cooperation across the military health community and responding to health care feedback should guide health professionals serving U.S. troops, a top Pentagon official said. During the annual Military Health System conference that kicked off here today, David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, spoke to an auditorium packed with servicemember medics and military health personnel.
The public's expectation, appropriately, is that the military health system will deal well with every medical case, Chu said, reminding the crowd that each patient is somebody's son, daughter, father or mother. Far outreaching expectations placed on the private sector, he said, military health care should strive to perform at or above its own elevated standards.
One precept that should steer military health care toward achieving this goal is increasing cooperation among military health personnel, said Chu, who quoted one of the nation's forefathers to illustrate the benefit of working together and the risks of working apart.
"After signing the Declaration of Independence, (Benjamin Franklin's) acid phrase was, 'Gentlemen, either we all hang together, or assuredly, we shall all hang separately,'" Chu said. "Working together, bringing the country together, is one element of future success."
Chu said the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments have adopted a "joint approach" to confronting issues facing the treatment of servicemembers who have suffered significant wounds or injuries during U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The other precept Chu recommended is that personnel listen more closely to concerns raised about military health issues. He noted that two decades ago, the Army conducted seminal research on breast cancer primarily by listening to patients.
In addition to being receptive to patients' feedback, the military health system is listening to the recommendations of external health experts. For instance, the Defense Department has approved nearly every recommendation offered by a bipartisan commission tasked to improve wounded warrior care, Chu said.
Known as the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, the nine-member panel -- co-chaired by Donna Shalala, a former secretary of health and human services, and former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole -- was created in March by President Bush in the wake of news reports that troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here were receiving subpar treatment.
In addition to the Dole-Shalala commission, Chu said, key findings have been reported by the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission, the Marsh-West Independent Review Group, the Veterans Affairs Interagency Task Force on Returning Veterans and the Mental Health Task Force. Some of the recommendations help to codify partnerships among various departments; implementing them also will encourage the precept of cooperation, he noted.
Chu said the military health system is tackling key challenges as it rebounds from a year in which the news media -- with varying degrees of accuracy -- raised doubts about military health care.
The CBS television program "60 Minutes" praised the military health system's clinical achievements in a segment highlighting wounded warrior care. But the investigative newsmagazine also questioned "larger personnel" issues, including the system's treatment of veterans and servicemembers suffering from traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and stress related to repeat deployments. The articles about Walter Reed that appeared in the Washington Post in February exposed similar shortcomings in long-term care.
Further, an article in the New York Times questioned whether the military health community paid sufficient attention to the effects of war on servicemembers, suggesting that violent behavior patterns in veterans might be rooted in combat experience. Chu noted the report's veracity was later questioned by an editor at the paper.
"Nonetheless, all these questions, I argue, remind us that we're responsible for every case that we care for, from the beginning to end, as these individuals resume their military careers or move to civil life," Chu said. "In short, a good clinical outcome is not enough. The whole personnel outcome is really the issue with which we must deal."
To amplify the level of feedback from servicemembers, Chu said military health patients are surveyed on how satisfied they are with health care they receive. Results of surveys completed by patients and family members will be considered by the military health community, Chu said.
"We are not simply aiming at an absence of complaints in these surveys," Chu said, "but on whether most, if not all, feel good about the experience they've had accepting that many of the wounds are grievous and that there will be life-changing outcomes as a result of these events."
Chu said the military health system has recently succeeded by adapting to meet challenges. A decade ago, he said, military personnel were not responsible for bringing servicemembers injured in combat back to the United States. Now, however, it is virtually taken for granted that servicemembers arrive home in some cases within 36 hours of their injury.
"We can do it if we listen; we can do it if we work together," Chu said about continuing military health success. "I hope at next year's conference, as we look back on what's happened in 2008, that we can conclude that Ben Franklin would have indeed been proud of us."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 28, 2008 - Increasing cooperation across the military health community and responding to health care feedback should guide health professionals serving U.S. troops, a top Pentagon official said. During the annual Military Health System conference that kicked off here today, David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, spoke to an auditorium packed with servicemember medics and military health personnel.
The public's expectation, appropriately, is that the military health system will deal well with every medical case, Chu said, reminding the crowd that each patient is somebody's son, daughter, father or mother. Far outreaching expectations placed on the private sector, he said, military health care should strive to perform at or above its own elevated standards.
One precept that should steer military health care toward achieving this goal is increasing cooperation among military health personnel, said Chu, who quoted one of the nation's forefathers to illustrate the benefit of working together and the risks of working apart.
"After signing the Declaration of Independence, (Benjamin Franklin's) acid phrase was, 'Gentlemen, either we all hang together, or assuredly, we shall all hang separately,'" Chu said. "Working together, bringing the country together, is one element of future success."
Chu said the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments have adopted a "joint approach" to confronting issues facing the treatment of servicemembers who have suffered significant wounds or injuries during U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The other precept Chu recommended is that personnel listen more closely to concerns raised about military health issues. He noted that two decades ago, the Army conducted seminal research on breast cancer primarily by listening to patients.
In addition to being receptive to patients' feedback, the military health system is listening to the recommendations of external health experts. For instance, the Defense Department has approved nearly every recommendation offered by a bipartisan commission tasked to improve wounded warrior care, Chu said.
Known as the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, the nine-member panel -- co-chaired by Donna Shalala, a former secretary of health and human services, and former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole -- was created in March by President Bush in the wake of news reports that troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here were receiving subpar treatment.
In addition to the Dole-Shalala commission, Chu said, key findings have been reported by the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission, the Marsh-West Independent Review Group, the Veterans Affairs Interagency Task Force on Returning Veterans and the Mental Health Task Force. Some of the recommendations help to codify partnerships among various departments; implementing them also will encourage the precept of cooperation, he noted.
Chu said the military health system is tackling key challenges as it rebounds from a year in which the news media -- with varying degrees of accuracy -- raised doubts about military health care.
The CBS television program "60 Minutes" praised the military health system's clinical achievements in a segment highlighting wounded warrior care. But the investigative newsmagazine also questioned "larger personnel" issues, including the system's treatment of veterans and servicemembers suffering from traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and stress related to repeat deployments. The articles about Walter Reed that appeared in the Washington Post in February exposed similar shortcomings in long-term care.
Further, an article in the New York Times questioned whether the military health community paid sufficient attention to the effects of war on servicemembers, suggesting that violent behavior patterns in veterans might be rooted in combat experience. Chu noted the report's veracity was later questioned by an editor at the paper.
"Nonetheless, all these questions, I argue, remind us that we're responsible for every case that we care for, from the beginning to end, as these individuals resume their military careers or move to civil life," Chu said. "In short, a good clinical outcome is not enough. The whole personnel outcome is really the issue with which we must deal."
To amplify the level of feedback from servicemembers, Chu said military health patients are surveyed on how satisfied they are with health care they receive. Results of surveys completed by patients and family members will be considered by the military health community, Chu said.
"We are not simply aiming at an absence of complaints in these surveys," Chu said, "but on whether most, if not all, feel good about the experience they've had accepting that many of the wounds are grievous and that there will be life-changing outcomes as a result of these events."
Chu said the military health system has recently succeeded by adapting to meet challenges. A decade ago, he said, military personnel were not responsible for bringing servicemembers injured in combat back to the United States. Now, however, it is virtually taken for granted that servicemembers arrive home in some cases within 36 hours of their injury.
"We can do it if we listen; we can do it if we work together," Chu said about continuing military health success. "I hope at next year's conference, as we look back on what's happened in 2008, that we can conclude that Ben Franklin would have indeed been proud of us."
CONTRACTS
NAVY
Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle, Division of Armor Holdings, Sealy, Texas, is being awarded $64,199,068 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0002 modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5030) to purchase Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Expedient Armor Program Test Support, MEAP Kits for Testing, DT-C3 Test Support, Initial Operational Test & Evaluation and Battle Damage Repair parts. Work will be performed in Sealy, Texas, and work is expected to be completed Sep. 2008. Contract funds 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.
CSC Applied Technologies, LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $25,493,718 modification under previously awarded contract (N66604-05-C-1277) to support requirements for increased base operations at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC). AUTEC is a major range and test facility base providing both deep and shallow water test and training environments. Efforts for this modification will support increased scheduling and conduct of test operations, administrative and clerical support in the business operations area and additional overtime in base operations functions such as housekeeping, facilities maintenance, utilities, vehicle maintenance, and helicopter operations. Work will be performed in Andros Island, Bahamas (81 percent); West Palm Beach, Fla. (18 percent); and Cape Canaveral, Fla. (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Mar. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, R.I., is the contracting activity.
Eclypse International Corp.*, Corona, Calif., is being awarded a $23,668,807 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for four aircraft wiring test sets and associated data item deliverables for the Navy (2) and the Air Force (2). Work will be performed in Corona, Calif., and work is expected to be completed in Jan. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals as a 100 percent small business set-aside; five offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-08-D-0009).
AIR FORCE
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems of Clearfield, Utah is being awarded a contract modification option for $33,500,000. The Remote Visual Assessment Program is in support of the ICBM Security Modernization Program. The program will install security camera at 250 Launch Facility Sites to provide ICBM security forces remote visual access to assist in identifying security issues that arise. At this time $16,750,000 has been obligated. OO-ALC/526th ICBMSG/PKE, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (F42610-98-C-0001).
Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems and Solutions of Manassas, Va., is being awarded a contract modification for $6,169,210. This action is in support of DOD's Global Transportation Network system. This action is Spiral III in the developmental the data warehouse. At this time $3,587,218 has been obligated. HQ AMC Specialized Contracting Branch, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is the contracting activity (F19628-95-C-0029, P00310).
Army
Alutiiq International Solutions, LLC, Aurora, Colo., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, a $12,938,883 firm fixed price contract for re-locatable facilities and training resource arbitration panels. Work will be performed at Fort Knox, Ky., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 30, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Dec. 19, 2007, and one bid was received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity W912QR-08-C-0005.
Precision Lift, Inc., Seneca, S.C., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, a $1,639,742 firm fixed price contract for maintenance platforms required to support maintenance operations of aircraft. Work will be performed in Great Falls, Mont., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited through FedBizOpps on Jan. 24, 2008, and eight bids were received. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity W58RGZ-08-D-0091.
Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle, Division of Armor Holdings, Sealy, Texas, is being awarded $64,199,068 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0002 modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5030) to purchase Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Expedient Armor Program Test Support, MEAP Kits for Testing, DT-C3 Test Support, Initial Operational Test & Evaluation and Battle Damage Repair parts. Work will be performed in Sealy, Texas, and work is expected to be completed Sep. 2008. Contract funds 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.
CSC Applied Technologies, LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $25,493,718 modification under previously awarded contract (N66604-05-C-1277) to support requirements for increased base operations at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC). AUTEC is a major range and test facility base providing both deep and shallow water test and training environments. Efforts for this modification will support increased scheduling and conduct of test operations, administrative and clerical support in the business operations area and additional overtime in base operations functions such as housekeeping, facilities maintenance, utilities, vehicle maintenance, and helicopter operations. Work will be performed in Andros Island, Bahamas (81 percent); West Palm Beach, Fla. (18 percent); and Cape Canaveral, Fla. (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Mar. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, R.I., is the contracting activity.
Eclypse International Corp.*, Corona, Calif., is being awarded a $23,668,807 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for four aircraft wiring test sets and associated data item deliverables for the Navy (2) and the Air Force (2). Work will be performed in Corona, Calif., and work is expected to be completed in Jan. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals as a 100 percent small business set-aside; five offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-08-D-0009).
AIR FORCE
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems of Clearfield, Utah is being awarded a contract modification option for $33,500,000. The Remote Visual Assessment Program is in support of the ICBM Security Modernization Program. The program will install security camera at 250 Launch Facility Sites to provide ICBM security forces remote visual access to assist in identifying security issues that arise. At this time $16,750,000 has been obligated. OO-ALC/526th ICBMSG/PKE, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (F42610-98-C-0001).
Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems and Solutions of Manassas, Va., is being awarded a contract modification for $6,169,210. This action is in support of DOD's Global Transportation Network system. This action is Spiral III in the developmental the data warehouse. At this time $3,587,218 has been obligated. HQ AMC Specialized Contracting Branch, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is the contracting activity (F19628-95-C-0029, P00310).
Army
Alutiiq International Solutions, LLC, Aurora, Colo., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, a $12,938,883 firm fixed price contract for re-locatable facilities and training resource arbitration panels. Work will be performed at Fort Knox, Ky., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 30, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Dec. 19, 2007, and one bid was received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity W912QR-08-C-0005.
Precision Lift, Inc., Seneca, S.C., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, a $1,639,742 firm fixed price contract for maintenance platforms required to support maintenance operations of aircraft. Work will be performed in Great Falls, Mont., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited through FedBizOpps on Jan. 24, 2008, and eight bids were received. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity W58RGZ-08-D-0091.
Military Health Care Rivals Private Industry, Pentagon Official Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 28, 2008 - Providing troops quality health care through a military system that rivals and even outperforms the private sector is a top Defense Department priotity, a senior Pentagon official said today. In opening remarks to a packed auditorium at the Military Health System conference here today, Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, delivered a presentation featuring data comparing military care to treatment by private industry providers.
The data showed that last year, the Air Force provided complete childhood immunizations in higher numbers than the private sector, according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Air Force health personnel immunized 86 percent of eligible recipients, compared to 84 percent immunized by the highest-rated state and 77 percent nationally. Complete immunizations comprised vaccinations of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; polio; measles, mumps and rubella; haemophilus influenza type B; hepatitis B; and varicella.
Furthermore, the Air Force provided the same regimen of vaccines more promptly than the commercial sector and Medicaid, according to findings by a Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set evaluation. The Air Force met 75 percent of vaccination deadlines, the commercial sector 70 percent, and Medicaid 59 percent.
"The reason we collect this data is because I was told (on) Day One that we faced a crisis," said Casscells, who has served since April as the Pentagon's top health affairs official. "I believe we have got the brakes on this, and we're going to get it going in the other direction."
According to DoD Health Affairs data, the military health system is leading the nation in overall influenza vaccinations in the 18-to-65-year-old demographic. The numbers of flu vaccines performed by the military in fiscal 2007 dwarfed the latest national averages tracked by the Centers for Disease Control. The military also is ahead of national averages in administering vaccination for pneumonia, according to Health Affairs findings.
Despite the military's higher incidence of burn victims -- victims who often suffer more extensive injuries -- servicemember burn victims' mortality rate is comparable to those in the civilian sector. In his presentation, Casscells cited information from the June 2006 publication of Annals of Surgery that found "similar mortality ... (of) civilian compared to the military (burn) patient, despite longer time to definitive care, greater amount of full thickness burns, higher incidence of inhalation injury and more associated non-burn injuries."
Improvements in military health care between June and December were reflected in news media coverage during that time, Casscells said. In military health care news last June, 27 percent of the coverage was "positive," 55 percent was "balanced," and 18-percent was negative, according to information provided by Health Affairs. The data noted a dramatic shift in the tone of December's coverage, with 49 percent positive, 50 percent balanced and only 1 percent negative.
In a survey of Defense Department beneficiaries conducted by Health Affairs this month, patients' confidence in military health care appears to be rebounding. Of those surveyed, 17 percent said military health care is much better than in the civilian sector. Eighteen percent said military health is "slightly better," while 47 percent said the two systems offer roughly the same quality treatment.
Fifteen percent of those surveyed said the military's care is "slightly worse," and 4 percent called it "much worse." The main complaints cited about the military health system were a lack of adequate parking and hitech medical equipment, and difficult-to-navigate facilities.
In another survey, inpatient and outpatient care was significantly favored over the treatment administered at the average non-military hospital. Inpatient Tricare service rated an 89 percent satisfaction rate, and outpatient care fetched an 84 percent rating.
"I have learned from this perspective at Health Affairs ... that our military health clinicians are better than the outside world realizes," Casscells told the audience of military health professionals. "And you're better than you realize."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 28, 2008 - Providing troops quality health care through a military system that rivals and even outperforms the private sector is a top Defense Department priotity, a senior Pentagon official said today. In opening remarks to a packed auditorium at the Military Health System conference here today, Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, delivered a presentation featuring data comparing military care to treatment by private industry providers.
The data showed that last year, the Air Force provided complete childhood immunizations in higher numbers than the private sector, according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Air Force health personnel immunized 86 percent of eligible recipients, compared to 84 percent immunized by the highest-rated state and 77 percent nationally. Complete immunizations comprised vaccinations of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; polio; measles, mumps and rubella; haemophilus influenza type B; hepatitis B; and varicella.
Furthermore, the Air Force provided the same regimen of vaccines more promptly than the commercial sector and Medicaid, according to findings by a Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set evaluation. The Air Force met 75 percent of vaccination deadlines, the commercial sector 70 percent, and Medicaid 59 percent.
"The reason we collect this data is because I was told (on) Day One that we faced a crisis," said Casscells, who has served since April as the Pentagon's top health affairs official. "I believe we have got the brakes on this, and we're going to get it going in the other direction."
According to DoD Health Affairs data, the military health system is leading the nation in overall influenza vaccinations in the 18-to-65-year-old demographic. The numbers of flu vaccines performed by the military in fiscal 2007 dwarfed the latest national averages tracked by the Centers for Disease Control. The military also is ahead of national averages in administering vaccination for pneumonia, according to Health Affairs findings.
Despite the military's higher incidence of burn victims -- victims who often suffer more extensive injuries -- servicemember burn victims' mortality rate is comparable to those in the civilian sector. In his presentation, Casscells cited information from the June 2006 publication of Annals of Surgery that found "similar mortality ... (of) civilian compared to the military (burn) patient, despite longer time to definitive care, greater amount of full thickness burns, higher incidence of inhalation injury and more associated non-burn injuries."
Improvements in military health care between June and December were reflected in news media coverage during that time, Casscells said. In military health care news last June, 27 percent of the coverage was "positive," 55 percent was "balanced," and 18-percent was negative, according to information provided by Health Affairs. The data noted a dramatic shift in the tone of December's coverage, with 49 percent positive, 50 percent balanced and only 1 percent negative.
In a survey of Defense Department beneficiaries conducted by Health Affairs this month, patients' confidence in military health care appears to be rebounding. Of those surveyed, 17 percent said military health care is much better than in the civilian sector. Eighteen percent said military health is "slightly better," while 47 percent said the two systems offer roughly the same quality treatment.
Fifteen percent of those surveyed said the military's care is "slightly worse," and 4 percent called it "much worse." The main complaints cited about the military health system were a lack of adequate parking and hitech medical equipment, and difficult-to-navigate facilities.
In another survey, inpatient and outpatient care was significantly favored over the treatment administered at the average non-military hospital. Inpatient Tricare service rated an 89 percent satisfaction rate, and outpatient care fetched an 84 percent rating.
"I have learned from this perspective at Health Affairs ... that our military health clinicians are better than the outside world realizes," Casscells told the audience of military health professionals. "And you're better than you realize."
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