MILITARY CONTRACTS May 28, 2009

NAVY
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded an $87,208,599 cost-reimbursable letter contract to procure long lead material in support of the FY09 Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIB all up rounds (AURs) production. This contract will provide long lead material to support the procurement of 50 domestic SM-2 Block IIIB AUR's, 104 Block IIIB ordalt missile rounds and 69 SM-2 Block IIIA/B AUR's for international customers. Work will be performed in Andover, Mass., (37 percent); Camden, Ark., (36 percent); Netherlands, (14 percent); St Petersburg, Fla., (5 percent); Middleton, Conn., (3 percent); El Segundo, Calif., (3 percent); and Reisterstown, Md., (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2011. 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 (N00024-09-C-5301).

Orbital Sciences Corp., Chandler, Ariz., is being awarded a $41,756,065 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-fee contract (N00019-07-C-0031) for the full-rate production of 14 GQM-163A supersonic sea skimming target air vehicles, including associated hardware, kits, booster kits and sustaining engineering. Work will be performed in Chandler, Ariz., (98 percent); and South Bend, Ind., (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in Mar. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Technical Services Co., Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $15,501,285 firm-fixed-price award fee requirements contract for performance based logistics support of the MK 57 NATO Seasparrow surface missile system and MK 23 target acquisition system. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., (55 percent) and Chula Vista, Calif., (45 percent), and work is expected to be completed by May 2014. Contract funds will expire before the end of the fiscal year. This announcement includes foreign military sales to the countries of Canada, (2 percent); Germany, (2 percent); Australia, (1.25 percent); Netherlands, (1.25 percent); Belgium, (.5 percent); Denmark, (.5 percent); Greece, (.5 percent); Norway, (.5 percent); Portugal, (.5 percent); Spain, (.5 percent); and Turkey, (.5 percent). This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-09-D-ZD41).

Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., is being awarded a $14,493,164 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a cost-plus-award-fee pricing arrangement for logistics services in support of the Maritime Prepositioning Ships Program, the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway and operational logistics support to engaged Marine Corps and Department of Defense operating forces. This contract includes nine one-year options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $707M. Work will be performed at the Blount Island Command in Jacksonville, Fla., (86 percent); aboard 16 maritime prepositioning ships (12 percent); and in six locations in Norway, (two percent), and work is expected to be completed Sept. 2009 (Sept. 2018 with options exercised). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities web site (solicitation number M67004-08-R-0001), with five offers received. The Contract Support Management Office, Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (M67004-09-D-0020).

Reliable Builders, Inc.*, Tamuning, Guam, is being awarded a $10,502,576 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction to repair and modernize Bachelor Quarters Building 580, Camp Covington at U.S. Naval Base Guam ($4,200,000); and repair and modernize Bachelor Quarters Buildings 581 and 584, Camp Covington at U.S. Naval Base Guam ($6,302,576). The work to be performed provides for the repair and alteration of Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) to comply with BEQ construction standards as outlined in MIL-HDBK 1036A Bachelor housing standards to increase the quality of life and safety of personnel. Project provides for seismic strengthening to resist major earthquakes, meet the 170-mph wind resistance criteria for Guam, and upgrades the fire protection system. Renovation will utilize energy efficient plumbing, mechanical, and electrical fixtures/ equipment. Work will be performed in Santa Rita, Guam, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2010. Funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured utilizing the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Program with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity (N40192-09-C-1322).

AMSEC LLC, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded an estimated $9,386,061 modification to previously awarded contract (N65540-02-D-0042) for engineering and technical services for alteration installations, engineering research, design, computer programming and logistics on hull, mechanical, electrical and electronics systems onboard Navy ships. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., (50 percent); San Diego, Calif., (25 percent); Mayport, Fla., (10 percent); Annapolis, Md., (10 percent); Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, (3 percent), and Yokosuka/Sasebo, Japan, (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by Mar.h 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $251,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Ship Systems Engineering Station, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded an $8,236,771 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the repair and post production services for the sustainment of the High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM). Raytheon will be required to repair, modify, calibrate, test, certify and evaluate HARM missiles, missile sections, assemblies, subassemblies and related equipment and provide related technical data for the Navy, Air Force and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be completed in May 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $8,236,771 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. This contract combines purchase for the U.S. Navy ($1,638,487; 19.8 percent) and the U.S. Air Force ($6,598,284; 80.2 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-D-0005).

Solpac Construction Inc., dba Soltek Pacific Construction, Co., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $7,597,500 for firm-fixed-price task order #0009 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-08-D-8615) for construction of ordnance storage facilities at the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, Calif. The task order also contains four unexercised options, which if exercised would increase cumulative task order value to $18,989,500. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif., and is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Atlas Technologies, Inc., Charleston, S.C., was awarded a $5,717,706 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract on May 27, 2009, for C41SR integration and engineering support. The contract includes four one-year option periods which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to an estimated $29,983,584. Work will be performed in Charleston, S.C., (75 percent); Norfolk, Va., (20 percent); and San Diego, Calif., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by May 2010. If all options are exercised, work could continue until May 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities web site and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command e-commerce web site, with an unlimited number of proposals solicited and two offers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic is the contracting activity (N65236-09-D-5821).

Progeny Systems Corp.,*, Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $5,512,863 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-6297) for the development of the AN/WLY-1 system, Archival Media Center and Active Intercept and Ranging (AI&R) System. The AN/WLY-1 AI&R System developed under SBIR topic N00-049 provides for the modernization of existing Active Intercept Acoustic Signal Processing Systems onboard all U.S. Submarines in order to satisfy the functional requirements for acoustic intercept capability in the Va., Class SSN. Work will be performed in Charleroi, Pa., (95 percent) and Manassas, Va., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 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.

ARMY

Akima Intra-Data, LLC, Anchorage, Ala., was awarded on May 27, 2009 a $19,600,000 firm-fixed-price with award fee contract for the base operation services to support the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency-West. Work is to be performed in St. Louise, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 30, 2014. Thirty-One (31) bids were solicited with six (6) bids received. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, ACSS, St. Louise, Mo., is the contracting activity (HM1575-09-C-0009).

Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, Calif., was awarded on May 27, 2009 a $6,362,555 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide support for contingency planning operations and exercises for the prevention of potential incidents involving nuclear weapons. Work is to be completed in Fort Belvoir, Va., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (HDTRA1-04-D-0021).

The Korte Co., St. Louise Mo., was awarded on May 26, 2009 a $14,342,700 firm-fixed-price contract to design, build, and construction of medical and dental clinic located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Work is to be performed in Fort Campbell, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 31, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with Four (4) for Phase II bids received. Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-09-C-0034).

AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed-price contract with Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. of El Segundo, Calif., for $6,289,303. This contract action will exercise the third three-month storage option for the third wideband global satellite communication. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. HQ SMC/PK, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (F04701-00-C-0011, P00182).

The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Lockheed Martin Corp., of Marietta, Ga., for $7,297,950. This contract action will provide installation of a quantity of six C-5 aircraft with the C-5 Avionics Modernization Program kits and the consolidated load panel under a firm fixed price effort; and under a time-and-material effort acquiring rapid response and repair for potential legacy issues which may arise during the Avionics Modernization Program kit installation. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 716 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (F33657-98-C-0006, P00223).

U.S. Continues to Monitor North Korean Situation, Official Says

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

May 28, 2009 - The United States government -- including the Pentagon -- is "very closely" monitoring the situation regarding North Korea's recent nuclear device and missile tests, a senior Defense Department official said here today. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama is employing diplomacy and international pressure through the United Nations to persuade North Korea to eliminate its nuclear weapons program.

Obama "has made clear the path in which the United States is going to take to try to resolve these issues," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.

"The record is clear: North Korea has previously committed to abandoning its nuclear program," Obama told reporters at a May 25 White House news conference, following reports that North Korea had conducted an underground nuclear-device test earlier that day. North Korea, Obama told reporters, "has chosen" to ignore its commitment to jettison its nuclear weapons program.

As a result of North Korea reneging on its pledge, Obama continued, it will face stronger international efforts to persuade it to comply with U.N. resolutions.

It is believed that North Korea carried out its first underground nuclear test in October 2006.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday condemned North Korea's May 25 underground test of a nuclear device, as well as its recent missile tests. The United States, she said, is working with the United Nations to convince North Korea to adhere to its pledge not to develop nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, to include ballistic missiles.

Whitman said more-definitive knowledge whether North Korea had, indeed, conducted a nuclear-device test on May 25 could become available during the next several days.

Troop Support Group Hits Target's Charity Bullseye

By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service

May 28, 2009 - Operation Gratitude will receive $232,948 from Target as part of the company's first online giving campaign. The California-based troop-support group was one of 10 charities selected by Target to receive a percentage of $3 million based on votes cast in its online "Bullseye Gives" contest, hosted by the social-networking Web site Facebook.

"I would like to thank everyone who voted for Operation Gratitude," Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude founder, said. "Each vote paid to send an additional care package to our deployed troops. Target and our voters have truly made a difference to the men and women of the U.S. military who are in harm's way, far from home and their loved ones. I am forever grateful for their dedication to this cause."

From May 10 through May 25, Operation Gratitude's Facebook fans, volunteers, donors and supporters joined forces to cast 22,627 votes, earning the organization 7.8 percent of the $3 million charitable donation pledged by Target.

Target invited all Facebook members to visit its Facebook page to make a choice on how 10 national charities would receive a portion of its $3 million in weekly charitable giving. The charities Target selected included the American Red Cross, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Feeding America, HandsOn Network/Points of Light Institute, Kids In Need Foundation, Operation Gratitude, Parent Teacher Association, National Park Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Salvation Army.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital received the most votes -- 77,427 -- and earned $797,123.

Laysha Ward, president of Target's community relations department, said the company is grateful to the online voters for their "passionate" response to "Bullseye Gives" and their willingness to share personal stories about why these charities are important to them.

"We're excited that all 10 amazing charities will receive a generous donation, as well as increased awareness through social-networking platforms," Ward said.

In return, Blashek said, she thanks Target for its generous support and creative vision in embracing the social-networking world for good causes.

"My attitude has completely changed about Facebook and other social-networking tools," Blashek said. "This is a very powerful thing. It is a wonderful way to reach out to people and for people to reach out to you."

Blashek said the donation comes at a good time. "Operation Gratitude is in the midst of its annual Patriotic Drive, during which a total of 40,000-plus care packages will be assembled for U.S. servicemembers," she said. "These funds will carry us a long way. All of it will go toward care packages for our troops."

In addition to earning Operation Gratitude a financial windfall, "Bullseye Gives" also resulted in a windfall of "fans" for the organization during the two-week voting period.

"Our fans on Facebook increased from 472 on May 9 to 5,131 on May 26," Blashek said. "We are so excited about this new base and members wanting to learn more about us and how they can support our troops."

Overall, more than 167,000 Facebook members voted for the charity of their choice.

Top Pacific Commander Embraces Early Leadership Principles

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

May 28, 2009 - As young Tim Keating was growing up just outside Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, his parents taught him to treat other people the way he'd like his children, one day, to be treated, and as if all those other people outranked him. It's a philosophy he embraced as he attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and he never lost sight of it as he rose through the ranks to become the senior U.S. military officer in the Pacific.

"Dad tried to make sure we understood that he thought it important to treat everybody the way he would have them treat his kids. That kind of stuck with me," Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating told American Forces Press Service. "But my parents also taught me that if you figure everybody is senior to you, and regard them that way and give them that respect – whether they are or not isn't so important – it will allow you to develop the capacity to listen, to pay attention and to learn."

Approaching his third year at the helm of the largest U.S. combatant command, Keating said he strives to draw on the strengths of his people while providing them opportunities to grow.

"There isn't anybody in United States Pacific Command who doesn't have a good idea and isn't eager to do their job," he said. "And when given a certain amount of latitude and authority and responsibility, in an extraordinarily high percentage of the cases, they rise to the occasion.

"So you drive the authority down to the appropriate level," he continued. "Give some general guidance, and then kind of get out of the way and let people do their jobs at the level at which they are capable, capitalizing on the training and equipment they've received."

When forced to make tough decisions, Keating said, he strives to ensure they're "firm, fair, consistent and honest."

"You don't always have the blessing of sufficient time to explain every decision you make," he said. "Sometimes they're hard, and have to be made in a split second."

But whenever possible, Keating said, he seeks advice and counsel from what he calls "an immensely dedicated, smart group of men and women" at Pacom.

"If you give them the time to make their recommendation, sort through the facts and decide to do what you think is best for our nation, your command and the men and women who are going to have to do the heavy lifting, most times it turns out to be a pretty good decision," he said.

Shortly after taking command of Pacom in 2007, Keating declared it "the best job in the Department of Defense." Time on the job has reinforced that initial impression.

"It sounds trite and hokey, but I walk into the headquarters every morning happy to be there, and anxious to get up to the office," he said. "It's the best job in the world."

Now, as he expects to pass his command to his successor this fall, Keating said he feels positive about the state of U.S. Pacific Command. He credits the recently revised Pacom strategy, built on the tenets of partnership, readiness and presence, with promoting peace and stability.

One measure of that success, he said, is the fact that the region continues to enjoy a relative peace, with no significant military incidents and no state-on-state conflict. "In a way, it's what hasn't happened," he said. "Some of that is good fortune. But a lot of it is due to a concerted effort by a lot of people, including those at Pacific Command."

Keating calls Navy Adm. Robert M. Willard, whom Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced yesterday President Barack Obama has nominated to become the next Pacom commander, the right man for the post. Willard currently commands the Navy's Pacific Fleet.

"There is no one as qualified in the department as Bob Willard," Keating said.

In the meantime, as he looks back over his 38 years of commissioned service, Keating said, he considers his time at Pacom the crescendo to a career punctuated with high points.

That career path was all but sealed when Keating was just 8 or 9 years old and his father took him to the annual air show at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Two military air demonstration teams, the Air Force Thunderbolts and the Navy Blue Angels, alternated years at the show. As it turned out, it was the Navy team's turn to perform. Keating was smitten as he watched the Navy pilots scream through the air, leaving white smoke in their wake.

Suddenly, the young Keating had an alternative to his life-long dream of becoming second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. Maybe he'd become a Navy fighter pilot instead.

Keating ended up following the latter dream to Annapolis, calling his Naval Academy experience "one of the very great things that happened to me."

"I'm eternally grateful for that opportunity," Keating said of the lessons he learned there and the lifelong friendships he made.

Keating said his Naval Academy experience reaffirmed many of the leadership lessons he learned at his childhood dinner table. But he also pointed to several major figures he said influenced him and his leadership style during his career.

Retired Navy Rear Adm. Thomas A. Mercer laid the groundwork as Keating's first fleet squadron commanding officer.

Navy Adm. William J. Crowe, the former Pacom commander for whom Keating served as a military aide while a flag lieutenant, gave Keating wide exposure to the Asia-Pacific region and new approaches to addressing the challenges there. Crowe later served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"He expanded my horizons and exposed me to processes and thoughts and ways of thinking that I didn't know existed at the time," Keating said.

Another former Pacom commander, retired Adm. Joseph Prueher, became Keating's close friend and advisor.

Retired Rear Adm. Jack Zerr, who assumed command of Keating's squadron after its commanding officer died in a tragic accident, provided a "spectacular" model of leadership as he looked out for the health and welfare of everyone in his charge, Keating said. "I try to live those lessons every day," he said.

Retired Marine Gen. Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, left a deep impression, Keating said, citing his "towering integrity and abiding interest in the men and women in uniform."

But perhaps one of the most profound influences on Keating came early in his career, when he was serving with Attack Squadron 122 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. That's where Keating met the future Wanda Lee Keating, the head-turner he jokes was attracted more to his "fancy-pants Corvette convertible" than to the hot-shot fighter pilot behind the wheel.

Turning serious, Keating called his wife "the best thing that has ever happened to me," and a never-ending source of support and encouragement that has sustained him throughout his military career.

"Wanda Lee is a perfect example of the strength you can draw from a partner who understands the importance of what you are doing and makes every sacrifice to help you achieve your command and personal goals," he said. "She is every bit as dedicated to faith, family and friends and country as anyone in uniform."

Together, the Keatings raised two children: a son now serving as executive officer of a Navy F/A-18 squadron, and a daughter who's married to an F/A-18 pilot. Both Keatings hope to relocate closer to their children and grandchildren after retirement.

"We'll probably go to the East Coast, take a couple of minutes and figure out what we are going to do next," he said.

But in the meantime, Keating made it clear he has no intention of taking his eye off the ball at U.S. Pacific Command.

"We are going to do our level best to give everyone a very clear impression that we are going to sprint right to the finish line," he said. "There is plenty to do out here. And this is, and has been, the best job a man and women can have, so we will relish every moment of it."