Secretary of the Navy to Celebrate Naming of USS Omaha

From Defense Media Activity-Navy

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will host a ship naming ceremony in honor of the littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Omaha, June 25, at 10 a.m. CDT at Louis and Clark Landing, 515 North Riverfront Drive in Omaha, Neb.

The future USS Omaha (LCS 12) is the fourth Navy vessel to bear the name. Omaha, an Independence variant of the LCS class, was named to honor the patriotic, hard-working citizens of Omaha and the state of Nebraska for their support of and contributions to the military.

Littoral combat ships are fast, agile, focused-mission platforms designed for successful operations in near-shore and open-ocean environments. They are designed to defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft.

Omaha will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads, called mission packages, which can be changed out quickly as combat needs demand. These mission packages are supported by special detachments that will deploy manned and unmanned vehicles and sensors in support of mine, undersea and surface warfare missions.

Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., will build the USS Omaha, which will be 419 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 103 feet, displace approximately 3,000 tons, and operate at speeds in excess of 40 knots.

For more information about littoral combat ships, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=1650&ct=4.

For more news from the Secretary of the Navy, visit http://www.navy.mil/SECNAV.

USS Nebraska Helps Celebrate State's 144th Birthday

From USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) (Gold Crew) Public Affairs

LINCOLN, Neb. (NNS) -- Trident ballistic-missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) (Gold Crew) celebrated Nebraska's 144th statehood birthday March 5 with the state's governor and other dignitaries at the capitol building in Lincoln, Neb.

Navy Cmdr. Mike Fisher, Nebraska (Gold Crew) commanding officer, and Senior Chief Electronics Technician (SS) David Turley, Nebraska (Gold Crew) chief of the boat, were among the honored guests at the birthday celebration hosted by Gov. Dave Heineman and his wife, Sally Ganem.

"It was a great honor to be able to celebrate Nebraska's statehood with the governor, first lady, the honorees of the dinner and the people of the great state of Nebraska," said Fisher. "The fact that the official birthday cake for the state had both the Nebraska state seal and the USS Nebraska seal is a testament to the strong ties between the state and the ship."

Among other dignitaries attending the birthday event, part of the NEBRASKAland Foundation Honoree Dinner, were Teresa Scanlan, the reigning Miss America; astronaut Clayton Anderson; and U.S. Olympic bobsled gold medalist Curt Tomasevicz. All are natives of Nebraska.

"Not everyone gets to enjoy dinner in a state capitol building," said Turley. "I enjoyed the evening with the chief justice of Nebraska and two Nebraska state senators."

Nebraska is one of eight ballistic-missile submarines homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash., providing the survivable leg of the nation's strategic deterrent forces.

MILITARY CONTRACTS October 30, 2008

Navy

Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., is being awarded a $605,030,234 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-2102) for additional naval nuclear propulsion components. Work will be performed in Pittsburgh, Pa. (68 percent) and Schenectady, N.Y. (32 percent). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. No completion date or additional information is provided on contracts supporting the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Oshkosh Corp, Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a $45,919,820 fixed-price delivery order (0066) under their existing indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract, M67854-04-D-5016. This delivery order is for the purchase of 173 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) variants, 172 Ready to Accept Armor kits (ECP 68R1), and 63 Sliding 5th Wheel kits (ECP 73) for MTVR vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., and work for this delivery order is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $28,745,380 modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N00019-06-D-0011) to exercise an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) aircraft fleet. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Okla. (70 percent); Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md. (10 percent); Travis AFB, Calif. (10 percent); and Offutt AFB, Nebraska (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $2,427,875 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.

L3 Services, Inc., Marlton, N.J., is being awarded a $17,429,154 modification to a previously awarded cost plus award fee contract (N00421-05-C-0009) to exercise an option for engineering and technical support services and supplies to design, develop, procure, prototype, modify, integrate, test and evaluate, install and provide logistics support for telecommunication and related communication-electronic (C-E) systems for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Special Communications Requirements Division. The estimated level of effort for this option is 184,000 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md. (80 percent) and St. Inigoes, Md. (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 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.

Systems Application & Technologies, Inc.*, Oxnard, Calif., is being awarded an $11,233,629 cost plus award fee contract for operational, maintenance, and technical support services for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Ranges Department. These requirements include preparation of land targets and target areas, operations and maintenance of range instrumentation/communication systems, frequency monitoring, field power systems (fuel-powered generators and photo-voltaic systems), photo-electronics (maintenance and repair of video equipment, cameras, tracking mount trailers, and domes), land targets, range scrap removal, ordnance removal and cleanup, range scheduling and billing, meteorology, operational support, stand-by maintenance, and post-operation analysis of test data. The estimated level of effort is 215,433 man-hours. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif. (70 percent), and Point Mugu, Calif. (30 percent) and is expected to be completed in April 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif. is the contracting activity (N68936-09-C-0003).

Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $9,933,738 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, firm fixed price contract for the acquisition of various quantities of Digital Video Surveillance Systems (DVSS) for installation on U.S. Navy Surface Combatant Ships and technical support. The required Digital Video Surveillance Systems is one of four core DDG Modernization alterations designed to reduce workload in the Central Control Station and Bridge on DDG 51 Class Destroyers. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities, with three offers were received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Ship Systems Engineering Station, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N65540-09-D-0002).

L-3 Communications Corp., Arlington, Texas, is being awarded a $9,600,000 modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N00019-05-D-0012) to exercise an option for training support and up to 2,000 flight instructor hours on a Boeing 737 next-generation aircraft to serve as an E-6B in-flight trainer. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Okla., and is expected to be completed in October 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $9,500,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

LINXX Security Services*, Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $9,037,024 ceiling priced modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N61339-07-D-0003) to exercise an option to procure the services of instructors for the Non-Compliant Boarding Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (NCB VBSS) and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Boarding Officer (VBSS BO) courses in support of the Center for Security Forces, Little Creek, Va. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va.(30 percent); San Diego, Calif.(30 percent); Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (20 percent); and Mayport, Fla.(20 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity.

McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $6,499,998 modification for delivery order #0004 under a previously awarded contract (N00383-06-D-001J) to purchase repair-of-repairables support for the E/A-18 G Growler. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Inventory Control Point, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

Correction: Contract awarded Oct. 24, 2008, to Atlas Elektronik UK Ltd., Newport Great Britain, had an incorrect contract number. The correct contract number is N61331-09-D-0003.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Herndon Products, Inc., Maryland Heights, Mo.* is being awarded a maximum $274,400,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, total set-aside contract for total supply chain management and customer direct initiative to provide equipment delivery support. Other location of performance is Chambersburg, Pa. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps. There were originally 10 proposals Web solicited with 5 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is October 30, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC), Columbus, Ohio (SPM7LX-09-D-9002).

Hess Corp., Woodbridge, N.J. is being awarded a maximum $16,639,153 firm fixed price contract for electricity supply. Other locations of performance are in New York. Using services are Air Force and Federal Civilian Agencies. There were originally 50 proposals solicited with 4 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-8006).


Air Force

General Atomics of San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a cost plus fee term contract for $177,082,588. This contract includes all programs management, urgent repairs and services, logistics support, configuration management, technical manual and software maintenance, engineering technical services, contractor engineering technical services, contractor engineering technical specialists (formerly field support representatives), contractor inventory control point (formerly depot supply support) and spares management, depot repair, flight operations support, reliability/maintenance enhancements, CAMs/REMIS/CEMS data collection/entry and numbered Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) for the Predator/Reaper MQ-1 and MQ-9 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) programs. At this time $163,082,588 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-05-G-3028 003502).

Northrop Grumman Information technology of Herndon Va., is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for $177,082,588. This effort will accomplish the delivery of Joint Enterprise DoDIIS Infrastructure (JEDI) software and DoDIIS Trusted Workstation (DTW) software. This effort will include requirements definition analysis, systems engineering, development, integration management, quality control, requirements definition analysis, systems engineering, development, integration management, quality control, familiarization, integration/interoperability testing, security and system operation and administration. This effort will result in the delivery of several software releases (approximately one release every 6 months) to the DTW/JEDI user community, to include computer software, technical documentation, and as required, the installation and maintenance of the current systems located at existing intelligence sites worldwide. At this time $3,500,000 has been obligated. Rome, N.Y., is the contracting activity (FA8750-08-D-0001 (Umbrella) and Order 0001).

Honeywell International Inc. of Clearwater Fla., is being awarded a firm fixed price modification contract for $15,433,853. This action will provide one hundred eighty-one EGI production units, thirty EGI retrofit units, twenty-one EGI contractor depot repairs and one EGI mount. The Embedded GPS/INS Unit is a non-development item being procured to meet the navigation requirements of Tri-Service and Foreign Military Sales platforms. This is a modification to exercise options for the aforementioned efforts. At this time $15,433,853 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8626-06-C-2065 P00058).

Boeing Co., Integrated Defense Systems of Wichita, Kan., is being awarded a firm fixed price modification contract for $8,220,600. This contract modification will provide additional contract funding in support of the fourth year of a five year Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for contract the VC-25A aircraft. At this time $8,220,600 has been obligated. Tinker AFB, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8106-04-C-0006 / P00081).


Army

General Tactical Vehicles, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded Oct. 29, 2008 a $45,061,720 cost share contract for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Family of Vehicles technology development phase. Work will be performed in Livonia, Mich., Sterling Heights, Mich., Muskegon, Mich., and South Bend, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2011. Bids were solicited via the Web with seven bids received.Tank & Automotive Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity ((W56HZV-08-C-0430).

BAE Systems Land & Armaments-Grounds System Division, Santa Clara, Calif., was awarded Oct. 29, 2008 a $40,493,203 cost share contract for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles technology development phase. Work will be performed in Santa Clara, Calif., Warrenville, Ill., Johnson City, N.Y., and Troy, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2011. Bids were solicited via the Web with seven bids received. Tank & Automotive Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity ((W56HZV-08-C-0426).

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, N.Y., was awarded Oct. 29, 2008, a $35,942,059 cost plus fixed fee contract. The contract is for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles technology development phase. Work will be performed in Owego, N.Y., and Sealy, Texas with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2011. Bids were solicited via the Web with seven bids received.Tank & Automotive Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0431).

Active, Guard Members Give Back to Disabled Vets

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

July 30, 2008 - As disabled veterans tested their limits during the National Disabled Veterans Wheelchair Games, which wrapped up here yesterday, nearly 400 military volunteers provided the behind-the-scenes support that officials said made the games a success. Nebraska Army and Air National Guardsmen, as well as active-duty airmen from nearby Offutt Air Force Base helped with everything from transporting athletes to venues to serving as road guards as they crossed busy intersections to setting up sporting events, Mike Wittrock, volunteer coordinator, told American Forces Press Service.

The military volunteers lined softball fields, set up basketball courts, opened doors, and handed towels and water to parched participants. They also helped veterans through the buffet line at the Qwest Center, which served as the hub for five days of activities.

"At every single event, we had at least one military member doing volunteer duty, and you could tell they were tickled to death to do it," Wittrock said. "The military has really stepped up to the plate, just like the rest of the community, to ensure the games proceed smoothly and that the athletes are taken care of. We couldn't have put on these games without them."

Volunteerism hit record numbers for this year's games, the 28th since they began in 1981, Wittrock said. Although the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America -- cosponsors of the event -- put out a call for 3,000 volunteers, 4,200 stepped forward, he said.

Some of the military support took center stage. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Phil Stacey, better known as an "American Idol" finalist during season six, opened and closed the games with his booming rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner." Stacey, assigned to Navy Community Outreach in Millington, Tenn., also served as an announcer at several of the events, including yesterday's slalom "super G" obstacle course that drew wildly screaming fans cheering on the participants.

"I'm honored to be here and to be able to meet these amazing athletes," Stacey said. "Seeing what they're able to do makes everything about this amazing."

Meanwhile, Airmen 1st Class Silvia Lisseth and Crystal Holk, both from Offutt Air Force Base, served as volunteers at a platform in the Qwest Center where winners received their medals.

Lisseth said she was blown away by the veterans' enthusiasm for the games. "It's amazing to see how much they put into this and how much heart they have in it," she said. Holk said she felt honored to announce each winner's awards before the medal presentations. "It's really inspiring to see how motivated they are to come and win these, and then to see the big smiles when they wear those medals," she said.

For Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason Guretsky, who returned home to Omaha in July after a 15-month deployment with the Nebraska Guard's 126th Chemical Battalion, volunteering at the wheelchair games offered a chance to give back to veterans who have made big sacrifices.

"All of these athletes are veterans, so it's sort of like we are helping our own," said Guretsky, who with his fellow soldiers moved water and ice, helped tear down tents and pitched in any way he could. "The veterans appreciate it when they see us in uniform, knowing that we support them.

"And it's gratifying for us, too, seeing the competitors smiling and so happy to be out there," he said. "You see them get outside and do things they never thought they could do."

Airmen 1st Class Tim and Stephanie Patenaude, a husband-and-wife team from Offutt Air Force Base, volunteered throughout the games, wrapping up the final day manning the entrance to the dining hall.

Stephanie, a munitions accountability crewmember, said she felt compelled to volunteer for the games because she recognizes all servicemembers are just one accident or incident away from becoming disabled veterans themselves. "I could be one of these people, and I would want to know that someone was there to support me," she said.

"These guys deserve this," her husband said. "They're all veterans. They have done more than their part for the country, and they deserve whatever we can do for them."

Air Force Maj. Joyce Tow, a nurse with the Nebraska Air National Guard's 155th Air Refueling Wing, helped veterans through the food service line as the wheelchair games wrapped up yesterday. But like her fellow military volunteers, she'd bounced from one job to another throughout the games. She helped the athletes collect their luggage and load on the bus as they arrived at the airport, helped set up the archery competition at a nearby high school, and planned to help the athletes through the airport check-in process today.

Tow called volunteering at the games a welcome change from her more immediate military duties of patient care. "As a nurse, I see them in the hospital, and I don't know what happens to them afterward," she said. "Here, I'm getting to see them not just function, but function at a very high level. That's pretty gratifying."

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Steve Goodner, a fellow 155th Air Refueling Wing Guardsman, said wearing the uniform gave him a special connection to the veterans. "You can see it in their eyes. They associate with you and relate with you," he said. "They focus on you because you are wearing the uniform, and it's clear that they are very grateful for what we are doing."