MILITARY CONTRACTS May 11, 2009

AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to Raytheon Co., of Tucson, Ariz., for $521,236,837. This contract action is for the 105 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air, Missile Air Intercept Missile All-Up-Round missiles, 11 AIM-120 D air vehicles instrumented, two AIM-120D Integrated test vehicles, 72 AIM-120D captive air training missiles, 495 AIM-120C7 FMS All up rounds, warranty for 72 CATMS, 106 non-developmental itemaAirborne instrumentation units, test equipment, radome Phase 1A activities, obsolescence to quad target detection device parts replacement, USN AIM 120 D test asset, USN AIM 120D guidance section and development infrastructure support equipment 7 upgrades. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 695ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activitY (FA8675-09-C-0052).

The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed price contract to ATK launch systems of Corinne, Utah for $22,383,109. This action will provide one stage III motor case for hydro-testing, one stage III for motor for static testing, one stage III inert motor simulator, one stage III flight test motors. At this time, $3.5 million has been obligated. 526 ICBMSG/PKA, Hill Air Force Base, Utah is the contracting activity (FA8219-09-C-0003).

The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to Alion Science and Technology Corp., of Chicago, Ill., for an estimated $14,405,769. This action will provide modeling and simulation strategic outreach and special research and development to the director of Defense Research and Engineering and the Modeling and Simulation Coordination Office to promote achievement of the Department of Defense modeling and simulation vision and goals. At this time, $1,000,000 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (N61339-03-D-0300).

The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to Wyle Laboratories, Inc., of Huntsville, Ala., for $5,850,143. This contract action is for the Reliability Information Analysis Center will research, test, develop, and deliver engineering configuration change reports, report feasibility studies, process flow improvement reports, and foreign disclosure and technology transfer reports. At this time, $250,000 has been obligated. 55 Cons/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (HC1047-05-D-4005).

NAVY

Campbell Ewald Co., Warren, Mich., is being awarded a $146,209,282 indefinite- delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00189-09-D-Z040) for advertising and marketing services in support of Navy recruiting for the Navy Recruiting Command, Millington, Tenn. This contract contains four additional one-year options, which if exercised, would bring the total value of the contract to $806,524,158. Work will be performed in Warren, Mich., (99 percent) and Millington, Tenn., (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed by May 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $20 million will expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with four offers received. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia, Pa., office is the contracting activity (N00189-09-D-Z040).

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded an advance acquisition contract with an estimated value of $113,096,750 for long lead components, parts and materials associated with the Lot 4 Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of 13 F135 Conventional Take Off and Landing propulsion systems for the Air Force, (12) and the Royal Netherlands Air Force, (1); 15 Short Take-off and Vertical Landing, propulsion systems for the Marine Corps, (14) and United Kingdom Royal Navy, (1); and 4 Carrier Variant propulsion systems for the Navy. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, ($11,479,000; 10.1 percent); the Air Force, ($34,437,000; 30.4 percent); the Marine Corps, ($60,211,000; 53.3 percent); and the governments of the Netherlands, ($2,869,750; 2.6 percent); and the United Kingdom, ($4,100,000; 3.6 percent). Work will be performed in East Hartford, Conn., (70 percent); Bristol, United Kingdom, (19 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind., (11 percent), and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not 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 (N00019-09-C-0015).

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Inc., a sector of Northrop Grumman Corp., Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $77,266,923 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-2116) for procurement of additional long lead time materials in support of the construction preparation efforts for the second aircraft carrier of the Gerald R. Ford Class (CVN 79). Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

TEC, Inc. Joint Venture, Charlottesville, Va., is being awarded a $27,837,445 modification to exercise option 0003 under previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for architect-engineer services for environmental planning. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $37,162,555. The contract also contains one additional one-year option period which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $65,000,000. Work will be performed predominantly in Guam, (95 percent), and in Hawaii, Saipan, and various locations in areas under the cognizance of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, (5 percent). Work is expected to be completed May 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (contract number N62742-06-D-1870).

General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., is being awarded a $20,801,847 modification to previously awarded contract (M67854-02-C-2052) to incorporate engineering changes that will extend the family of systems solution set through the development of a baseline configuration change of the model F to a model G that migrates current command and control, tactical data systems and applications to services utilizing a service oriented infrastructureS. Work will be performed in Scottsdale, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

American Bridge, Richmond, Va., is being awarded $6,394,500 for firm-fixed-price task order #0003 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-07-D-7021) for Pier 3 fire protection and lighting system repairs at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. The work to be performed provides for repair to the fire protection system at Pier R3 with renovation work along the existing Naval Weapons Station Yorktown explosives loading pier. Work will be performed in Yorktown, Va., and is expected to be completed by Jul. 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Marinette Marine Corp., Marinette, Wis., is being awarded a $6,340,820 modification under a firm-fixed-price contract for transportation services of the final shipment of 41 improved Navy literage system modules. These services will commence with 34 modules in Marinette, Wis., going to Jacksonville, Fla., six modules in Charleston, S.C., going to Jacksonville, Fla., and one module in Marinette, Wis., to Little Creek, Va., and will be completed by Oct. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The total contract value after execution of this modification will be $405,607,119. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Headquarters, Washington D.C., is the contracting activity (N00025-03-C-0002).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Panhandle Cooperative Association, Scottsbluff, Neb.*, is being awarded a minimum $5,652,600 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado. Using service is Air Force. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were 48 responses to the original proposed solicitation. The date of performance completion is Jun. 30, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-4518).

McDonnell Douglas Corp., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a maximum $84,611,624 firm fixed price, sole source contract for parts. Other location of performance is in Texas. Using service is Navy. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is May 30, 2014. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (N00383-06-D-004H-THA2).

Guard Members Respond to Flooding in Three States

By Army Staff Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum
American Forces Press Service

May 11, 2009 - Adverse weather is affecting Kentucky, West Virginia and Alaska, and the National Guard is helping with relief efforts there. Flooding prompted West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III to declare a state of emergency for more than six, southern counties. Guardmembers of the 111th Engineering Brigade are helping in two of those counties – Mingo and Wyoming – where a steady rainfall combined with a recent thunderstorm has caused mudslides and flooded homes and roads. The mudslides plugged tributary runoffs, causing a fast rise in the water level. The conditions stranded many rural residents in their homes.

"This was fast-water flooding as opposed to the slow rise of a river or creek," said Lt. Col. Michael Cadle, a spokesman for the West Virginia National Guard.

Guardmembers from the 111th Engineering Brigade are clearing roadways, sending patrols to examine access issues, and bringing provisions to residents isolated by the storm. The Guard has undertaken four Medevac helicopter flights to stranded residents in need. However, Cadle said, access is the first priority.

"We're primarily trying to restore access to the affected areas," he said. "Once access is restored, we'll get into more debris clearing and transportation issues."

Residents are grateful for the Guard assistance.

"It looks like a war zone," said Vivian Livingood, mayor of Gilbert, W.V. "Thank God the National Guard is here."

Meanwhile, more than 100 Kentucky Guardmembers are helping more than 10,000 residents left without power in the eastern part of that state after recent tornadoes and flooding. Soldiers from the 617th Military Police Company and the 201st Engineer Battalion are providing law enforcement, food and shelter assistance, and wellness checks in seven counties.

"The focus yesterday was passing out bottled water, doing welfare checks and conducting transportation for civilians," said 1st Lt. Steven Martin, a spokesman for the Kentucky Guard.

The Alaska Guard also is responding to the flooding of the Yukon River near Eagle, Alaska, where Gov. Sarah Palin declared a state of emergency May 6. Guard personnel are being dispatched for at least 14 days with trucks carrying clean, potable water for residents in need.

(Army Staff Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum serves at the National Guard Bureau).

Gates Expresses 'Horror,' Regret Over Camp Liberty Shooting

American Forces Press Service

May 11, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today expressed shock and regret over the shooting death of five Americans in Iraq, allegedly by a U.S. soldier. "I would like to express my horror and deep regret over today's shooting incident at Camp Liberty in Iraq," Gates said at a Pentagon news briefing. "I offer my sympathy and condolences to the families of those who were killed.

"We are still in the process of gathering information on exactly what happened, but if the preliminary reports are confirmed, such a tragic loss of life at the hands of our own forces is a cause for great and urgent concern, and I can assure you that it will get this department's highest-priority attention."

An American soldier suspected in involvement in the shooting at the U.S. base in Baghdad is in U.S. custody, defense officials said earlier in the day. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time on Camp Liberty, officials said.

Active-Duty, Reserve Components' Recruiting, Retention Numbers Strong

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

May 11, 2009 - All 10 active-duty and reserve military components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in April, Defense Department officials announced today. For the second consecutive month, the Marine Corps added the highest percentage of active-duty members. The Corps' goal was to add 1,018 new Marines. It exceeded that number by 43 percent, adding 1,666 new Marines.

The Army National Guard led the reserve components when it exceeded its recruiting goal of 4,029 new Guardsmen by 11 percent, adding 4,474 soldiers.

"The economic downturn, rising unemployment, and the scarcity of civilian jobs has made military recruiting less challenging than it has been over the last several years," said Curtis Gilroy, director of Accession Policy.

"More young people are considering the military today," he said. "But the services still need about 180,000 young men and women each year for the active duty force and another 140,000 to fill the ranks of the Reserve components -- regardless of the state of the economy or what the unemployment rate is, and our recruiters continue to do a magnificent job."

Here is the breakdown of the other components:

-- Active-duty Army: 3,995 accessions with a goal of 3,900, for 102 percent;

-- Active-duty Navy: 2,719 accessions with a goal of 2,719, for 100 percent;

-- Active-duty Air Force: 2,162 accessions with a goal of 2,157, for 100 percent;

-- Army Reserve: 3,425 accessions with a goal of 3,333, for 103 percent;

-- Navy Reserve: 611 accessions with a goal of 611, for 100 percent;

-- Marine Corps Reserve: 422 accessions with a goal of 422, for 100 percent;

-- Air National Guard: 870 accessions with a goal of 860, for 101 percent; and

-- Air Force Reserve: 786 accessions with a goal of 783, for 100 percent.

Columbia Will Participate Broadly in Generous Tuition Aid Program for Returning Veterans

May 7, 2009 — Beginning this summer, all of Columbia University’s graduate and professional schools as well as its undergraduate School of General Studies will participate in a new federal initiative in which educational institutions provide eligible student-veterans with a tuition waiver or grant matched by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

The initiative, known as the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, will serve to make participating private institutions like Columbia more accessible to student-veterans and has the potential to be as significant and influential as the original GI Bill of 1944. These enhanced benefits were authorized under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

“Columbia’s participation demonstrates its long-standing appreciation of the military service activities of its students and alumni,” said Elizabeth Hicks, associate vice president of student and administrative services. “The experience and talent brought to campus by student-veterans vastly enhances academic discourse in our classrooms.”

More than 100 student-veterans currently study at Columbia. While the program’s administrative procedures will not be finalized for several more weeks, Columbia’s participating schools have submitted initial agreements to participate at varying levels. Specific information about participation levels, eligibility and admissions will be made available after June 15.

At Columbia’s School of General Studies, for example, when the Yellow Ribbon Program award is combined with benefits of the Post-9/11 Assistance Act, the entire cost of education for eligible enrolled students would be covered. The scope of benefits provided by the program makes a Columbia education accessible to eligible veterans regardless of socioeconomic status.

The School of General Studies was founded in 1947 in large part to meet the needs of thousands of military personnel returning from World War II. In recent decades, the school has evolved into a unique undergraduate option for a wide diversity of non-traditional and mid-career students seeking an Ivy League education.

“Schools across the university are expecting an increase in the number of student-veterans who will be utilizing the new benefits package,” said Laurie Schaffler, executive director of student financial services. “The extensive participation is due in large part to the energy generated by the existing student-veteran population.

“Many schools and departments are working diligently to compile the services and expertise necessary to receive the expected increase in veteran enrollment. Members of the U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University student group have been instrumental in providing information to us so we can provide the best accommodations possible.”

About Columbia University
A leading academic and research university, Columbia University continually seeks to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to foster a campus community deeply engaged in understanding and addressing the complex global issues of our time. Columbia’s extensive public service initiatives, cultural collaborations and community partnerships help define the university’s underlying values and mission to educate students to be both leading scholars and informed, engaged citizens. Founded in 1754 as King’s College, Columbia University in the City of New York is the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.

U.S. Forces in Iraq Pay Tribute to Bataan Death March Victims

By Army Spc. Stephanie Cassinos
Special to American Forces Press Service

May 11, 2009 - Eighty-six soldiers and civilians stationed here "joined" efforts with Minnesota National Guard soldiers in Minnesota to participate in the 12th Annual Bataan Memorial March yesterday. The event honors veterans who were victims of the Bataan Death March, a war crime in which 78,000 servicemembers were forced to march more than 55 miles from the Bataan Peninsula to be held as prisoners of war at Camp O'Donnell following the surrender of Allied Forces in the Philippines in 1942.

Along the harsh journey, troops were beaten at random, denied food and water for days at a time and executed if they became weak and fell out of the march. As a result of the cruel treatment by the Japanese, who had not counted on transporting such a large number of POWs, nearly 20,000 servicemembers died.

Organizers of the memorial event, the Minnesota National Guard's 1st Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment from Brainerd, Minn., hold a deep connection to the veterans of the Bataan Death March. In 1941, soldiers from the Brainerd Guard's 194th Tank Battalion deployed to the Philippines and were attacked on the Bataan Peninsula by the Japanese. Those heroes fought for five months in sustained combat and experienced first-hand the atrocities of the Bataan Death March. Those who survived suffered in POW camps for three years after.

Soldiers from the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division and 10th Mountain Division stationed here showed their respect to fallen heroes and surviving veterans of the Death March by competing in 10- and 20-mile marches in both light and heavy divisions.

Maj. Thomas Sutton, with the 10th Mountain Division, was the first to complete the 20-mile light division march.

"This was a great opportunity," Sutton said. "I just wanted to finish. But I went slow and kept a steady pace, and everything worked out."

(Army Spc. Stephanie Cassinos serves with Multinational Division South.)