MILITARY CONTRACTS September 10, 2009

NAVY
Argon ST, Inc., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $49,694,736 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research, development, and analysis, to produce a Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) system architecture in support of electro-optical, radio frequency, acoustic sensors, and special sensor systems for U.S. Navy aircraft and unmanned air vehicles. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va. (80 percent) and Ventura, Calif. (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Broad Agency Announcement, with six offers received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-09-C-0140).

Raytheon Company, Integrated Defense Systems, Tewksbury, Mass., is being awarded a $22,500,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-05-C-5346) for continuing software development and additional design verification effort for the Zumwalt Class Destroyer Program. The purpose of this effort is to allow Raytheon to continuously provide Mission Systems Equipment (MSE) software development for the Zumwalt Class Destroyer Program. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J. (64 percent), Tewksbury Mass. (20 percent), Baltimore, Md. (10 percent) and Dahlgren, Va. (6 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2012. Contract fund will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $17,530,000 order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-09-G-0014) for the procurement of 30 Acoustic Receiver Tech Refresh Retrofit Kits for the AN/USQ-78(V) P-3C Update III Program. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., and is expected to be completed in December 2011. 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.

TJC Engineering, Inc.*, Louisville, Ky., is being awarded a $13,613,542 firm-fixed-price construction contract for repair and alterations to Buildings 3755 and 3740 at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. The work to be performed provides for design-build repair and alterations to Building 3755 converting it from a Bachelor Enlisted Quarters to Transient Quarters. The project will demolish the interior of the building and construct new one-bedroom units. The work also includes a new HVAC system, upgrade of the electrical system and fire protection system to comply with current codes. The repairs and alterations to Building 3755 will allow the transient personnel housed in Building 3730 to move to Building 3755. Building 3730 will become excess and will be demolished under this project. Exterior repairs to Building 3740 will include exterior window replacement and roof replacement. Work will be performed in Kingsville, Texas, and is expected to be completed by March 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-09-C-0769).

Rolls Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded an $11,105,000 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-09-D-0020) to procure three C-130J AE2100D3 turboprop engines for the U.S. Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Cherry Point, N.C., and is expected to be completed in May 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.

Parsons, Washington D.C., is being awarded a $6,000,000 firm-fixed price contract modification to increase the maximum dollar value of the base period of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for professional facilities planning services and engineering services for various projects throughout the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast Area of Responsibility. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $7,500,000. Work will be performed in the NAVFAC Southeast Area of Responsibility, and is expected to be completed by July 2014. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-09-D-0089).

GE Aviation, Clearwater, Fla., is being awarded a $5,822,639 indefinite-quantity performance based logistics contract for support of stores management system used on the F/A-18 and AV-8B aircraft. Work will be performed in Clearwater, Fla., and work is expected to be completed by September 2015. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, with one firm solicited and one offer received. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00383-99-D-009D).

AIR FORCE
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company of Sunnyvale, California was awarded a $22,000,000 contract for advance procurement of long-lead parts for Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Vehicle 4. At this time, $11,000,000 has been obligated. SMC, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity. (F04701-02-C-0002, P00379).

Booz Allen & Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., was awarded a $19,323,571 contract for Human Systems Integration Impacts on Survivability and Vulnerability. At this time, $80,207 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity. (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order: 0328).

The Boeing Company of St. Louis, Mo., was awarded a $9,999,873 contract for facilitating the transition of the technology developed under the Non-Autoclave Manufacturing Technology Program. At this time $7,999,877 has been obligated. AFRT/PKDA, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8650-07-2-7716, P00004).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
C.F. Roark Welding & Engineering Company, Brownsburg, Ind.* is being awarded a maximum $17,270,806 firm fixed price, total set aside contract for aircraft exhaust duct. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is the Air Force. There were originally four proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is July 31, 2013. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR-ZBAB), Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, Okla. (SPRTA1-09-C-0169).

Organizations Recognized for Contributions to Military

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

Sept. 10, 2009 - Eleven volunteer-based organizations were rewarded in a Pentagon ceremony here today for their ingenuity and innovative efforts to improve the lives of military members and their communities. The Newman's Own Foundation awarded a total of $75,000 to the winners of the 10th Annual Newman's Own Awards. The recipients were chosen from a pool of 112 applicants.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, lauded the Newman's Own Foundation and the award recipients, saying he was overwhelmed by their support and unique abilities of giving back and reaching out to veterans.

"The organizations speak to the needs our military faces," he said. "These kinds of efforts and organization and outreach are just huge."

The 2009 Newman's Own Award and donations were presented to the following organizations and programs:

-- USA Together, a Web site based in Los Altos, Calif., similar to Craig's List where injured servicemembers and their families can post ads for needed goods, services and financial contributions. The Web site allows the public, businesses and other veterans support groups a way to reach out to servicemembers in need. USA Together was the top recipient and received $15,000 for its program.

-- Vets4Vets, a San Diego-based national peer support group that helps Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans recover from psychological injuries sustained in combat. The organization has helped more than a thousand veterans across the country. Vets4Vets received $10,000 for its program.

-- Homes for Wounded Heroes, a program based in League City, Texas, under the Bay Area Builder's Association's Support Our Troops, Inc., that has built homes for four military families of severely wounded troops at no cost to the families. A fifth home is under construction. The program is working to get other home builder associations around the country involved in similar programs. Homes for Wounded Heroes received $7,500 for its efforts.

-- Three Step Transformation, a Woodbridge, Va.-based program that provides online training to veterans and their families and gives resume-building assistance and job-placement opportunities. Three Step Transformation received $7,500 for its program.

-- Beck PRIDE Center for America's Wounded Veterans at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Ark. The program provides education opportunities and learning assistance to wounded veterans. The program also provides physical and mental rehabilitation and helps veterans reintegrate into the civilian community. Beck Pride Center for America's Wounded Veterans received $5,000 for its program.

-- Operation Patriot's Call, of Winder, Ga. This partnership program between local veterans and civilians supports families of the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment with the Georgia Army National Guard currently deployed to Afghanistan. The program builds a network of support among the families to help instill the same sense of community and support active-duty military families receive when their loved ones deploy. Operation Patriot's Call received $5,000 for its program.

-- Carolina Canines for Veterans, of Wilmington, N.C., provides disabled veterans with trained service dogs. Carolina Canines for Veterans received $5,000.

-- Camp C.O.P.E., Dallas; a program designed for children of deployed or injured servicemembers to help them develop coping skills and to deal with the effects of war and deployments. Camp C.O.P.E. received $5,000.

-- Support Our Wounded Heroes, of Pompton Plains, N.J.; a program of the Family & Friends For Freedom Fund, Inc., that provides grants and other support to families of wounded servicemembers. Support Our Wounded Heroes received $5,000.

-- Expanding the Comfort, of Burnsville, Minn.; a program that provides adaptive clothing to support the unique needs of wounded servicemembers, such as burn victims and veterans with prosthetics. Expanding the Comfort received $5,000.

-- Camp STRIDE Wounded Warrior Fall Family Retreat, of Rensselaer, N.Y.; a program that partners youth athletes and wounded veterans with similar disabilities for a three-day retreat of kayaking, rafting, camping and hiking. Camp STIDE Wounded Warrior Fall Family Retreat received $5,000 for its program.

The organizations are leading a sea of good will across the country, Mullen said. Still, he challenged them to expand their support and efforts to higher levels, citing that the needs of veterans, military members and their families are growing and will continue to evolve with time.

"I'm so grateful for what you're doing," the admiral said, "but we're not there yet. Ask yourself how we take it to the next level."

"There are many wonderful ideas," he continued. "Somebody has to grab them and make them real. Somebody has to create the action that is going to deliver to these young people who have sacrificed so much."

The Newman's Own Foundation also donated $100,000 to the Fisher House Foundation, which provides free housing for military families so they can be closer to loved ones recovering at military hospitals.

Since the competition began in 2000, the foundation has granted nearly $600,000 to 125 nonprofit groups to help their cause. The Newman's Own Foundation donates 100 percent of its after-taxes profits to charities and has donated more than $250 million to groups around the world. The awards were sponsored by the Fisher House Foundation and the Military Times Media Group.

Army Leads Services in August Recruiting

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 10, 2009 - August was another successful month for armed forces recruiting with all active duty components meeting or exceeding their monthly goals, Pentagon officials said here today. The Army blasted beyond its recruiting goal of 6,100 with 8,285 young men and women enlisting. The service reached 136 percent of goal for the month.

The Marine Corps also exceeded their goal reaching 110 percent. The Marines had 3,393 enlistees with an August goal of 3,073.

Navy and Air Force hit 100 percent of their recruiting goals with 3,289 young men and women enlisting to be sailors and 2,681 to be airmen.

The reserve components also did well, officials said, with all on track to make their fiscal 2009 numbers.

The Air Force Reserve enlisted 827 airmen and a goal of 167, making 495 percent.

The Army Reserve had 1,478 accessions with a goal of 1,208 for 122 percent, while the Navy Reserve enlisted 636 sailors for 100 percent of its goal.

The Army National Guard made 55 percent of its goal of 4,277, enlisting 2,337 soldiers. The Marine Corps Reserve has 433 accessions with a goal of 565 for 77 percent.

Finally, the Air National Guard enlisted 688 airmen and with a goal of 840 for 82 percent.

Reserve components balance enlistments with attrition. Generally, the retention rate in the reserve components has been high.

Army Releases August Suicide Data

The Army released suicide data for the month of August today. Among active duty soldiers, there were 11 potential suicides, all of which are pending determination of the manner of death. In July, the Army reported no confirmed suicides and eight potential suicides among active duty soldiers. However, since the release of the July report, an additional four potential suicides have been reported, each of which is pending determination of the manner of death. As a result, for the month of July, there were 12 potential suicides. Two of those have been confirmed as suicides and ten remain under investigation.

There were 110 reported active duty Army suicides from January 2009 through August 2009. Of those, 71 have been confirmed, and 39 are pending determination of manner of death. For the same period in 2008, there were 89 suicides among active duty soldiers.

During August 2009, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were six potential suicides. Among that same group, from January 2009 through August 2009, there were 20 confirmed suicides. Thirty-four potential suicides are currently under investigation to determine the manner of death. For the same period in 2008, there were 36 suicides among reserve soldiers who were not on active duty.

"Effective suicide prevention programs and resources that are accessible to our soldiers and families are a crucial part of our effort, and we're making progress in these areas," said General Peter W. Chiarelli, Army Vice Chief of Staff. "We recognize that the crucial link in preventing suicides is caring, concerned, and decisive small-unit leadership. There will never be a substitute for noncommissioned officers who know their soldiers, know when a soldier is suffering, and have the moral courage to act and get that soldier the help that they need."

Since publishing the Army Campaign Plan for Health Promotion, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention on April 16, 2009, the Army has implemented numerous improvements to its suicide prevention programs. Among those improvements are Army-wide guidance for delivering health promotion, risk reduction, and suicide prevention programs and services directly to soldiers and their families at the installation level.

Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance should contact Military OneSource or the Defense Center of Excellence (DCOE) for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center. Trained consultants are available from both organizations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The Military OneSource toll-free number for those residing in the continental United States is 1-800-342-9647, and their Web site address is http://www.militaryoncesource.com . Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource Web site for dialing instructions for their specific location. The DCOE Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at http://Resources@DCoEOutreach.org , and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil .


The Army's most current suicide prevention information is located at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/default.asp.

Face of Defense: Unlikely Soldier Proves Self in Reserve

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Mullett
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 10, 2009 - Why would a 34-year-old mother of three -- a high school teacher with two master's degrees -- join the Army Reserve? Just ask Staff Sgt. Pamela Bleuel. Bleuel, who is assigned here with the 167th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, said she always felt she would do well in the military, but didn't give it much thought until one day in August 2000. She was leaving the gym near her home in Frankfurt, Ky., when she noticed two soldiers hanging a banner outside a recruiting office. The banner said the Army would repay student loans.

Bleuel, a high school math teacher, decided to speak to them about repaying the loans on her three college degrees. "I spoke to the recruiter and everything sounded like what I needed to do," she said.

While Bleuel was set on her new path, her family was set against it. "I went home to talk to my husband about it, but he wasn't very enthusiastic.

"Everyone was saying, 'You can't do that' and 'How could you do that to your girls?'" she said, "That was my true motivator. Since nobody thought I could do it, it just made me want to do it that much more."

She decided she was joining the Army, no matter what.

Bleuel is one of a growing number of U.S. soldiers who are making the decision to join the Army later in life.

"I joined the Army 19 days before my 35th birthday," she said, explaining that, even though she worked out regularly, no one from her husband to her best friend had any faith in her ability to make it through basic training.

At the time she joined, the cut-off age for entering the Army was 35. In 2006, Congress raised the maximum age for entering all services to 42, but the Defense Department allows each of the services to set their own age limits up to 42.

"I don't think I had a friend or family member that supported the idea," she said. "My drill sergeant asked me if I thought I would be able to handle it. I said, 'I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could.'"

She eliminated any doubt when she completed her first physical fitness evaluation. "I ran a seven-minute mile and he shut up."

The combined military police training was 18 weeks and would extend into the school year for Bleuel. "I went to my school to try to visit with the principal to work out a schedule," she said. Although some told her she would lose her teaching job, "the principal had a meeting with someone from the Army shortly after that and I still work there."

Since she was with the reserves, she expected to only have to work one weekend a month and two weeks a year.

"My husband says I messed that up," she said with a smile. "I was going through my 'Rites of Passage' as an MP when Sept. 11 [2001] happened. We didn't find out about it until that night."

Her reserve service hasn't turned out to be quite how it was explained to her.

"Once I got in, I loved it," she explained. "I love the structure and the camaraderie."

Originally, Bleuel said, she looked for the shortest advanced individual training she could find. She ended up choosing military police "because of the cool DVD," she laughed. "One of the first things that happened when I got to AIT was they handed me a set of keys to a [Humvee]. I didn't know that much about preventive maintenance, checks and services, but I learned."

Since arriving in Iraq, Bleuel has become a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle driver and has been a convoy commander more than once. She has been in the Army Reserve for eight years now as an MP and became a drill sergeant in 2004, which she does during her summer breaks from teaching.

"I sometimes think about what would my life have been like if I had joined when I was 18. Then I think, I wouldn't trade my life. I have a wonderful husband and three wonderful kids," she said. "My girls are my biggest cheerleaders!"

Bleuel is used to being in the middle of the action, training soldiers and getting sweaty, she said. "The last thing I wanted to do was be behind a desk."

Some cultural issues exist in regard to having female soldiers train Iraqi soldiers, but Bleuel hopes to extend for a time when she transfers to the 36th Sustainment Support Battalion.

"I haven't been in [an MP] slot most of the time I've been here, so I haven't been able to wear my MP patch, but I'm in an MP slot now," she said.

"I love the Army," she said. "You are responsible for your actions in the Army. I like that. There are very few loopholes."

(Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Mullett serves with the 28th Infantry Division's 28th Combat Aviation Brigade, Multinational Division South Iraq.)

Vehicle Crashes Drive Off-duty Summer Fatalities

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 10, 2009 - Four servicemembers died in off-duty accidents Labor Day weekend, bringing to 95 the number killed during the summer season that kicked off Memorial Day weekend, safety officials reported. Two soldiers, a sailor and an airman died in vehicle accidents during the Labor Day weekend, which marked the unofficial end of summer that, historically, sees a spike in vehicular and recreational accidents.

Twenty fewer servicemembers died compared to last year, with Army, Navy and Marine Corps officials all reporting fewer off-duty fatalities.

But just as in 2008, car, truck and motorcycle accidents continued to take the heaviest toll across the board.

The Army reported 40 off-duty fatalities this summer, down from 61 last year. Fifteen of the soldiers died on motorcycles, compared to 24 last year.

Jim Yonts, director of strategic communication at the Army Combat Readiness and Safety Center, said he's pleased by the decrease, but cautioned against declaring a trend.

"While we show positive results in many safety areas, we cannot allow ourselves to be seduced by positive statistics," Yonts said. "Engaged leadership, peers and families, in conjunction with soldiers taking responsibility for their own Band of Brothers and Sisters' safety, is paramount to drive down accidental off-duty losses."

The Navy reported 20 fatalities between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, down from last year's 32. Marine Corps off-duty deaths also dropped, from 20 last year to 13 this year.

Six of the sailors, including one who died Sept. 5, were killed in single-vehicle wrecks. Two died in multiple-vehicle accidents and five on motorcycles, according to April Phillips, public affairs officer for the Naval Safety Center.

Phillips attributed the trend to the new Military Sportbike Rider Course instituted after fatal crashes among these riders spiked last year. The new instruction also requires refresher training for all motorcyclists every three years to keep their skills current.

"The increased emphasis on motorcycle safety and compliance with regulation, up and down the chain of command, has really made an impact," Phillips said.

The Air Force was the only service to see an increase in off-duty fatalities between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, 22 compared to last year's 17.

Five of the airmen were killed on motorcycles. Thirteen, including the one killed during the Labor Day weekend, died in four-wheeled-vehicle accidents, reported Paul Carlisle, deputy chief of the Air Force Safety Center's ground safety office.

Last year, 115 servicemembers died in off-duty accidents between the Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.

To reduce those statistics this year, the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard launched a joint summer safety campaign before Memorial Day. Safety chiefs emphasized the importance of everyone – servicemembers, civilians and family members alike – to make the campaign a success.