President Bush, Defense Leaders Commemorate Memorial Day

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

May 26, 2008 - Under sunny skies and before a multitude gathered at the Tomb of the Unknowns on Arlington National Cemetery here, President Bush today honored the sacrifices of American men and women in uniform who gave their lives in the service of their country. Hundreds packed into the amphitheater near the tomb nestled among green, rolling hills dotted with white crosses and headstones. Some waved miniature flags, others donned patriotic garb. All came on this Memorial Day to pay tribute to servicemembers who have fought and died.

Just before his remarks, the president laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

"Today, we gather to honor those who gave everything to preserve our way of life. The men and women we honor here served for liberty. They sacrificed for liberty. And in countless acts of courage, they died for liberty," Bush said.

"From faraway lands, they were returned to cemeteries like this one, where broken hearts received their broken bodies -- they found peace beneath the white headstones in the land they fought to defend," he said.

Bush said that the fresh headstones in the cemetery are a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom that is paid by those "who serve a cause greater than themselves."

"Today we mourn and remember all who have given their lives in the line of duty. Today we lift up our hearts especially those who've fallen in the past year," he said.

In his address, the president highlighted the service of Army Spc. Ronald Tucker of Fountain, Colo., and Chief Petty Officers Nathan Hardy of Durham, N.H., and Michael Koch of State College, Penn.

Bush called Tucker "a dutiful son who called his mother every day" from Iraq. Less than a month ago, Tucker and other members of his unit built a soccer field for Iraqi children. As he drove back to his base, he was killed by an enemy bomb.

Hardy and Koch were Navy SEALs and close friends who shared a battlefield tradition of going on missions with American flags underneath the shirts of their uniforms. They died in Iraq Feb. 4 after being ambushed by terrorists. Hardy and Koch are buried next to each other in Arlington National Cemetery.

"The men and women of American armed forces perform extraordinary acts of heroism every single day. Like the nation they serve, they do not glory in the devastation of war. They also do not flinch from combat when liberty and justice are embattled," Bush said.

"We will forever honor their memories. We will forever search for their comrades .... And ... we offer a solemn pledge to persevere and to provide the security for our citizens and secure the peace for which they fought," he said.

Bush received two standing ovations during the speech. He got the he first one when he took the stage, and he got the second when he spoke about his feelings for those who serve in the military.

"On this Memorial Day, I stand before you as the commander-in-chief and try to tell you how proud I am at the sacrifice and service of the men and women who wear our uniform. They're an awesome bunch of people and the United States is blessed to have such citizens," he said.

The president was introduced by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who also made remarks. He said that those who died still remain near.

"We hold them to us, every day, and especially on this day. We gather to remember," Gates said.

Gates said the nation's war dead come from every part of America and from every generation, and that we owed our liberty to those who have fought and died.

"We have our liberty because of what they did. Liberty has come to other peoples because of what they did, and are doing, in Afghanistan, Iraq, and in other places around the world," he said.

"Mourning the war dead calls forth many emotions: remorse that they suffered; awe at how they bore that suffering; pride in the fine people they were; gratitude for their willingness to be the guarantors of our freedom," Gates said. "Their sacrifice is a reminder that we must go on, and be worthy of them, and finish their work."

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also spoke briefly at the service. He called the freedoms earned by those who died precious but fragile.

"The precious gift of freedom they have given us is fragile and has to be safeguarded, worked for, fought for, and ... even died for," he said.

The chairman said every headstone in the cemetery represents a promise, a commitment, and a willingness of every one buried there to give their lives to preserve our way of life.

MILITARY CONTRACTS April 16, 2008

ARMY

AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on Apr. 15, 2008, a $127,595,750 firm-fixed price contract for the full rate production buy for 14 SHADOW unmanned aerial vehicle systems and associated support equipment. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Md., and is expected to be completed on Mar. 15, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Aug. 16, 2007. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command is the contracting agency (W58RGZ-08-C-0023).

Thales-Raytheon Systems Co., LLC, Fullerton, Calif., was awarded on Apr. 15, 2008, a $61,597,819 firm-fixed price contract for the purchase of 11 each of reliability, maintainability, and improvement modification kits and production ramp-up. Work will be performed in Fullerton, Calif., and is expected to be completed on Dec. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Feb. 29, 2008. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J. is the contracting activity (W15P7T-06-D-T001).

General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Apr. 14, 2008, a $44,773,920 firm-fixed price contract for 2,832 loaders' armor gun shields II to support the Abrams Tank Urban Survivability Kits. Work will be performed primarily in Lima, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Oct. 5, 2007. TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006).

General Atomics Aeronautical System, San Diego, Calif., was awarded on Apr. 14, 2008, a $38,465,000 cost-plus incentive fee contract for the acquisition of eight extended range multi-purpose quick reaction capability unmanned aircraft vehicles and assorted support equipment. Work will be performed primarily in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be complete on May 15, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Mar. 17, 2008. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-05-C-0069).

BioEngineering/ARCADIS LLC, Metairie, La., was awarded on Apr. 15, 2008, a $20,251,574 firm-fixed price contract for inner harbor navigation canal hurricane protection project professional support for design and construction management. Work will be performed in St. Bernard Parish, La., and work is expected to be completed on Dec. 31, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Feb. 27, 2008, and three bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-07-D-0021).

L3 Communication Titan Corp., Reston, Va. was awarded on Apr. 15, 2008, a $12,511,901 firm-fixed price contract for the exercise of option three for continued contractor support to the Joint Staff systems integration services firm fixed price effort. Work will be performed at the Pentagon, and is expected to be completed on Apr 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Oct. 12, 2005. Contracting Center of Excellence, Washington, D.C. is the contracting activity (W74V8H-05-D-0004).

General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Apr. 14, 2008, a firm-fixed price contract for 2,832 loaders' armor gun shields II to support the Abrams Tank Urban Survivability Kits. Work will be performed primarily in Lima, Ohio, and is expected to be completed on Feb. 28, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Oct. 5, 2007. TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006).

Benham Constructors, Oklahoma, Okla., was awarded on Apr. 14, 2008, an $11,744,344 firm-fixed price contract for the construction of an aircraft component repair facility. Work will be performed at Robbins Air Force Base, Ga., and work is expected to be completed on Oct. 6, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 120 bids were solicited on Sep. 10, 2007, and four bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-08-C-0018).

NAVY

Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded $69,335,504 for fixed-price delivery order #0048 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-04-D-5016) for the purchase of 284 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement vehicles (254 cargo, 20 dump and 10 wrecker variants). Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., and work is expected to be completed by Nov. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $33,765,946 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-05-C-4403) to exercise an option for the USS Wasp (LHD-1) FY08 drydocking phased maintenance availability. There are 80 plus work items that are repair/replace/preserve/install/clean in nature. The following ship alterations will be accomplished: LHD1-6 SCD 3263 – fuel oil compensation stability improvement modifications (requires drydock), LHD1-0248K – install additional A/C plant, LHD1-0270K – install nitrogen generator, LHD1-0274K – accomplish MV-22 service and shop modifications, LHD1-0283K – accomplish MV-22 topside modifications, and S/A 71265K – low light flight deck surveillance system. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Va., and work is expected to be completed by Nov. 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $33,765,946 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $20,385,443 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for specialized network infrastructure support for the legacy force-wide tactical information and combat support systems for the Program Executive Office for command and control, communications, computer and intelligence (PEO C4I, PMW 160.1). Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Apr. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured since it was determined that SAIC is the only firm with the requisite engineering experience to provide sustainment support to five legacy afloat network programs during a 24-month transition to the new network security architecture. A sole-source justification and approval was signed in accordance with FAR Subpart 6.302-1 and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), for Only One Responsible Source. The sole source synopsis was published on the Federal Business Opportunities web site and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) e-Commerce web site on Oct. 9, 2007. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego is the contracting activity (N66001-08-D-0003).

Phoenix Air Group, Cartersville, Ga., is being awarded a $10,313,147 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for range clearing support for missile testing performed by the Theatre Missile Defense systems and fleet training exercises. This testing includes sub-surface, surface, and air testing with a number of multi-service projects for the research, development, test and evaluation community at Pacific Missile range Facility, Hawaii as well as other DOD ranges. Work will be performed in Kekaha, Hawaii (90 percent) and Point Mugu, Calif., (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Apr. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured through an electronic request for proposals and two offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-08-D-0011).

American Society for Engineering Education, Washington, D.C., is being awarded a $10,101,544, cost reimbursement, service contract to provide postdoctoral engineers and scientists, also know as fellows, of unusual promise and ability with opportunities for research on problem, largely of their own choice the area compatible with the interests of the Navy and other Department of Defense agencies, such as the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Centers (SPAWAR); Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC); Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA); and Naval Surface Warfare Centers (NSWC). Work will be performed in Indian Head, Md., and work is expected to be completed Apr. 2013. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head, Md., is the contracting activity (N00174-08-C-0025)

International Military and Government LLC (IMG), Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded $261,373,172 for firm-fixed-priced contract modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for engineering change proposals to upgrade Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) low rate initial production vehicles. The government will procure several engineering changes which will provide additional armor protection to increase the survivability of the MRAP Category I (CAT I) vehicles. The order also includes ambulance kits for the vehicles. Work will be performed in WestPoint, Miss., and work is expected to be completed Nov. 2008. Contract funds will not 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.

Sea Box, Inc.*, East Riverton, N.J., is being awarded an $8,314,746 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for shop equipment, general purpose Common 10 and Common 12 to store general mechanics toolboxes and various items under a wide variety of conditions. These units shall consist of a Quadcon with adjustable shelving and a device to retain items in their intended locations. The contract contains options, which if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $28,311,438. Work will be performed in New Riverton, N. J., and work is expected to be complete in Apr. 2009 (Apr. 2013 with options exercised). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is awarded as a result of a full and open competitive unrestrictive solicitation. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-08-D-3000).

DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY

Microelectronics Advanced Research Corp., Durham, N.C., is being awarded a $7,500,000 modification to a previously awarded other transaction agreement for phase four of the Focus Center Research Program. Work will be performed in Durham, N.C., (nine percent), Pittsburgh, Pa., (18 percent), Atlanta, Ga., (20 percent), Cambridge, Mass., (17 percent), Berkeley, Calif., (21 percent), and Los Angeles, Calif., (15 percent), and is expected to be completed Nov. 2008. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a sole source award. The contracting activity is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., (HR0011-07-3-0002, P00003).

AIR FORCE

Honeywell International Incorp., of Clearwater, Fla., is being awarded a modified contract for $7,327,481. This action will provide research and development under Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) VS-07-03, call 00007), entitled "Advanced Inertial Measurement Unit" for the Advanced Ballistic Missile Technologies Program. At this time $225,558 has been obligated. Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA9453-08-C-0612, Option 1).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

International Resources, Inc., Glendale Springs, N.C.*, is being awarded a maximum $6,545,200 firm fixed price contract for delivery of bituminous coal. Other locations of performance are in West Virgina. Using services are federal civilian agencies. There were originally 160 proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is May 31, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-0651).

MILITARY CONTRACTS April 10, 2008

NAVY

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Raleigh, N.C., is being awarded a $35,631,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of an aircraft maintenance hangar, phases I and II, at Marine Corps Air Station New River, Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for construction of a multi-story aircraft maintenance hangar to provide hangar bay, shop space, flight line operations, and maintenance functions in support of the V-22 aircraft squadrons. Work also includes mechanical, electrical support systems and telephone system. Built-in equipment includes a freight elevator and five ton bridge crane. Site improvements include parking and landscaping and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and work is expected to be completed by May 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-08-C-1419).

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded an $11,738,328 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-03-C-0057) for non-recurring efforts for the E-2D halon system replacement in support of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye System Development and Demonstration Program. Work will be performed in Bethpage, N.Y., (87.3 percent) and St. Augustine, Fla., (12.7 percent) and is expected to be completed in Sep. 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.

Lockheed Martin Services Inc., Cherry Hill, N.J., is being awarded a $9,862,594 cost-plus- fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for security cooperation, security assistance and foreign military sales technical and program/project management support services to Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP) OF and applicable customers of NAVICP. This contract contains three one-year option periods which, if exercised, will bring the total estimated value of the contract to $47,538,817. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pa., (70 percent) and Washington, D.C., (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Mar. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded competitively through full and open competition, with one offer received. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia Division, is the contracting activity (N00189-08-D-Z029). This contract was previously announced on Mar. 19, 2008, as contract number N00189-08-D-Z025.

Harris Corp., Melbourne, Fla., is being awarded a $9,174,475 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-05-C-0044) to exercise an option for the procurement of 133 Tactical Aircraft Moving Map Capability (TAMMAC) Digital Map Computer (DMC); 66 TAMMAC Digital Video Map Computer (DVMC); and 251 TAMMAC DMC Extension Housings for U.S. Navy use in F/A-18C/D/E/F, EA-18G, AV-8B, UH-1Y/ AH-1Z aircraft. In addition, this contract provides for the procurement of 12 TAMMAC DVMC and 12 TAMMAC DMC Extension Housings for the Government of Australia. Work will be performed in Malabar, Fla., (80 percent) and Palm Bay, Fla., (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in Mar. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($8,452,663; 92 percent); and the Government of Australia ($721,812; 7 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

RJC Architects*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $7,500,000 (base and options - with a guaranteed minimum of $5,000) firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect/engineering contract for renovation/repair and new construction of facilities in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for engineering studies and site investigation reports to support new development on raw land, or re-development of existing developed sites; preparation of Requests for Proposals for design-build projects; preparation of fully designed plans and specifications for Invitation for Bid projects; other engineering designs, studies, reports, cost estimates, evaluations, and construction support services. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Southwest AOR including, but not limited, to Calif., (87 percent); Ariz., (5 percent); Nev., (5 percent); Colo., (1 percent); N.M., (1 percent) and Utah (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed Apr. 2009 (April 2013 with options exercised). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with 20 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-D-8624).

Windermere Information Technology Systems, Annapolis, Md., is being awarded a $5,622,481 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee performance-based contract to continue the government's operational requirement to develop miniaturized hardware packaging components, equipment camouflaging components, and a miniaturized un-attended Direction-Finding (DF) sensor module. This is in support of the time-critical technical requirements for both the Joint Threat Warning System (JTWS) Team Transportable (TT) and Ground Signal Kit (GSK) systems, and an innovative power source capability that can satisfy the power source requirements for the JTWS TT, GSK II, and other United States Special Operations Command tactical force protection system power requirements. The contract includes four one-year option periods, which, if exercised, will bring the total cumulative value of the contract to the estimated amount of $29,517,858. Work will be performed in Annapolis, Md., and work is expected to be completed by Apr. 2009 (Apr. 2013 with exercised options). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was sole source procured under other than full and open competition. The effort was synopsized in Federal Business Opportunities website in accordance with the provisions of FAR Part 5, indicating the Government's intent to award a sole source action. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston, S.C., is the contracting activity (N65236-08-D-6807).

ARMY

Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, was awarded on Apr. 8, 2008, a modification to increase the total mount of their existing contract by $78,500,000 to a total of $177,548,330 for a cost-reimbursable contract for the Scientific Services Program to provide scientific, technical and advisory services for problems related to research and development projects within the government. Work location will be determined with each task order, and is expected to be completed by Apr. 10, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. U.S. Army Research Development Engineering Command, Durham, N.C., is the contracting activity (W911NF-07-D-0001).

John. C. Gremberg Co., Inc, Rockville, Md., was awarded on Apr. 8, 2008, a $27,066,325 firm-fixed price contract for construction of a new three level steel and concrete steam sterilization plan that will have the capacity to decontaminate 126,000 gallons per-day of liquid bio-waste. Work will be performed at Fort Detrick, Md., and is expected to be completed by Apr. 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore Md., is the contracting activity (W912DR-08-C-0016).

CCI, Inc., Anchorage, Ala., was awarded on Apr. 8, 2008, a 13,078,378 firm-fixed price contract for repair of airfield pavements at Bangor Air National Guard Base. Work will be performed in Bangor, Maine, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 12, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. United States Property & Fiscal Office for Maine, National Guard Bureau is the contracting activity (W912JD-08-C-0001).

AIR FORCE

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. of Herndon, Va., is being awarded a modified contract for $27,970,673. The action will provide survivability and vulnerability technical research and development analysis for U.S. Coast Guard ship, aviation, and Command and Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. At this time $7,714,009 has been obligated. Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order: 0250).

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $8,661,265. The contract action will provide information assurance analysis for Naval Weapons Center, Weapons Division-Weapons Engagement Office Development Command and Control Technology. At this time $ 96,618 has been obligated. Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SPO700-98-D-4002, DO 0336).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Ansul, Inc., Marinette, Wis. is being awarded a maximum $6,488,858 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contract for Aqueous Film Forming Foam. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 3 responses.

Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Apr. 9, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM8EH-08-D-0251).