MILITARY CONTRACTS October 6, 2008

Army

Caddell Construction Co.,Inc, Montgomery, Ala., was awarded Sept. 30, 2008, a $99,763,000 firm fixed price contract for design and construction of the 108 th Air Defense artillery complex. Work will be performed in Fort Bragg, N.C., with estimated and completion date of Oct 31, 2010. Four proposals bid were solicited and three proposal bids were received. The U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0051).

Walsh Construction, Chicago, Ill., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2008, a $69,758,553 firm fixed price contract for replace family housing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Work will be performed in Whiteman Air Force base, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Dec 1, 2011. Bids were solicited via the Web and three bids were received. Corps Engineer Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-08-C-0015).

CH2M Hill Facilities & Infrastructure Inc, Fort Bragg, N.C., was awarded Sept. 30, 2008, a $53,214,000 firm fixed price contract for construction of an ammunition supply point. Work will be performed in with estimated and completion date of Apr. 30, 2015. The U.S. Engineer, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0060).

Spaw Glass Construction Corporation, Houston, Texas, was awarded Sept. 30, 2008, a $48, 390, 108 firm fixed price construction contract for Armed Forces Reserve Center Houston phase two and BRAC Armed Forces Reserve Center East Houston,, Ellington Field, Houston, Texas. Work will be performed in Ellington Field Houston, Texas, with estimated and completion date of Oct. 31, 2010. Bids solicited were posted on web and three bids were received. Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-08-C-0052).

Walton Construction Co., Dallas Texas, was awarded Sept. 30, 2008, a $42,553,510 firm fixed price contract. This construction contract is for the design and construction of a consolidated family care and troop medical clinic facility at fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas. Work will be performed in Fort Bliss El Paso, Texas, with estimated and completion date of May 31, 2010. One hundred and seventy-five bids were solicited and five bids were received. U.S. Army Engineers District, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-08-C-0075).

Baco-Epik-Metis Joint Venture, Los Angeles, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2008, a $41,664,278 firm fixed price contract for construction of the Fiscal Year 2008 SOF Aircraft Operations Program at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Work will be performed in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 1, 2010. Thirty bids were solicited and six bids were received. US Army Corps of Engineer, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-08-C-0048).

ACC Construction Co., Inc, Augusta, Ga., was awarded on Oct. 2, 2008, a $37,333,133 firm fixed fee price contract for design and construction of tactical equipment maintenance facilities and 108th Air Defense artillery complex site infrastructure at Fort Bragg. Work will be performed in Fort Bragg., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 30, 2010. Four bids were solicited and three bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0042).

DRS Sustainment Systems Inc, St Louis, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 26, 2008, a $29,313,108 firm fixed fee price contract for Armored Knight Vehicles, spare parts and special tools. Work will be performed in St Louis, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-C-0523).

Ross Group Construction Corp., Tulsa, Okla., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2008, a $22,083,241 firm fixed price contract for all work required to construct a Combined Arms collective training facility. Work will be performed in Fort Bliss El Paso, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010. Two bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer, Fort Worth., Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-08-D-0008).

Garco Construction, Spokane, Wash., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2008, a $19,236,000 firm fixed price contract for design build for a vehicle maintenance shop located in at Yakima, Washington. Work will be performed in Yakima, Wash., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 10, 2010. Bids were solicited via posted on the Web and two bids were received. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, is the contracting activity (W912QR-08-C-0058).

Mapco Inc, San Antonio, Texas was awarded on Sept. 30, 2008, a $18,298,732 firm fixed price contract for building renovation and repairs at north Fort Polk, La., in support of foreign security forces transition team mission. Work will be performed in Fort Polk Army Base, La., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. Bids were solicited via the Web and one bid was received. US Army Engineer, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-08-D-0045).

Viking Versar, Silver Spring, Md., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2008, a $9,449,530 firm fixed price contract for unit operations to include the temporary equipment maintenance facility, Fort Lee, Va. Work will be performed in Fort Lee, Va., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2009. Eighty bids were solicited and four bids were received. Corps of Engineer, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-08-C-0076).

HHI Corp., Farmington, Utah, was awarded on Sept. 29, 2008, a $8,232,865 firm fixed fee contract for construction of a munitions maintenance facility at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Work will be performed in Hill Air Force Base, Toole & Weber County, Utah, with an estimated completion date of Mar. 29, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web and four bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer, Sacramento, Calif., is the contracting activity (W91238-08-C-0024).

NAVY

General Electric Aviation, Lynn, Mass., is being awarded a $33,201,530 priced delivery order # GB64 under an existing basic ordering agreement contract (FA8104-05-G-0003) for repair of components in the T64 engine, used on the H-53 aircraft. Work will be performed at Lynn, Mass., (86 percent); and Cherry Point, N.C., (14 percent). Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. The contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.

UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND

CAV International Inc., of Colorado Springs, Co., 80920-4162, is being awarded a $15,509,395 fixed price modification. This contract modification will exercise option year three to provide continuing air terminal and ground handling services on behalf of the Air Mobility Command in support of the Department of Defense Airlift System at Kuwait International Airport Abdullah Al Mubarak Airbase, Kuwait and will be completed Sept. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Ill., 62225. (FA4428-06-C-0005).

MILITARY CONTRACTS September 19, 2008

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

BP West Coast Products LLC, La Palma, Calif. Is being awarded a maximum $1,130,287,795 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for aviation fuel. Other location of performance is Ferndale, Washington. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 29 proposals solicited with 16 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 30, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-0508).

Montana Refining Co., Inc., Great Falls, Mont.*, is being awarded a maximum $24,856,825 fixed price with economic price adjustment, partial set-aside, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for jet fuel. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 16 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 31, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-0510).

Excel Manufacturing, El Paso, Texas,* is being awarded a maximum $8,375,220 firm fixed price, total set-aside contract for coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 13 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract represents option year one. The date of performance completion is Sept. 24 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM1C1-07-D-1501).

Navy

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a not-to-exceed $220,509,647 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-5444) for MK15 Phalanx Close-In-Weapon System Block 1B upgrades and conversions, system overhauls, and associated hardware. The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is an automatic terminal defense weapon system designed to detect, track, engage, and destroy anti-ship missile threats penetrating other defense envelopes. The Phalanx Block 1B CIWS weapon systems are also being installed on low-boy trailers with self contained diesel electric power and cooling water. This configuration of the Phalanx CIWS is the MK 15 MOD 29 land-based Phalanx Weapon system and has been deployed to Iraq. Work will be performed in Louisville, Ky., (30 percent); Andover, Mass., (19 percent); Tucson, Ariz., (16 percent); Syracuse, N.Y., (7 percent); Long Beach, Calif., (6 percent); Radford, Va., (6 percent); Burlington, Vt., (6 percent); Palm Bay, Fla., (2 percent); Pittsburg, Pa., (2 percent); Bloomington, Minn.; (2 percent), Salt Lake City, Utah, (2 percent); Norcross, Ga., (1 percent); and New Albany, Ind., (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $19,904,529 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

ITT Industries Avionics Div., Clifton, N. J., is being awarded a $55,744,000 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract (N00019-05-C-0054) to exercise an option for the procurement of 32 AN/ALQ-214 On-Board Jammer Systems for the F/A-18 E/F aircraft for the U.S. Navy, (13) and the Government of Australia, (19). Work will be performed at various locations for all other vendors throughout the United States, (43.5 percent); Clifton, N.J., (34.4 percent); East Syracuse, N.Y., (8.8 percent); San Diego, Calif., (8.3 percent); and Rancho Cordova, Calif., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This option combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, ($22,646,000; 41 percent), and the Government of Australia, ($33,098,000; 59 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Space and Strategic Missiles, Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded $54,131,262 for modification #P00017 under a previously awarded contract (N00030-06-C-0100) for low-cost test missile kit production. This modification increases the total contract value to $854,612,333. Work will be performed in Pennsylvania, (Lancaster, Bristol) (65 percent); California, (Camarillo, Hollister, Sunnyvale, San Diego, Simi Valley, Santa Ana, Los Angeles) (24 percent); Missouri, (Joplin) (3 percent); Virgina, (Fairfax) (1 percent); New York, (Depew) (1 percent); Massachusetts, (Walpole) (1 percent); and other (5 percent). The expected date of completion is through Dec. 31, 2011. Contract fund will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, Arlington, Va., is the contracting agency.

Baldi Bros. Inc.*, Beaumont, Calif., is being awarded a $44,288,213 firm fixed price contract for repairs to Runway 21L-03R and assault landing zone lighting at Travis Air Force Base. The contract also contains three unexercised options, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $57,008,804. Work will be performed in Fairfield, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $44,288,213 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-C-2206).

McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $31,617,706 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract (N00019-03-C-0055) to exercise an option for the manufacture, test and delivery of 23 Reconfigurable Transportable Consolidated Automated Support System for the U.S. Navy, (21); U.S. Air Force, (1); and the Government of Finland, (1) and 13 Self -Maintenance and Test/Calibration Interface Devices (SMAT/CAL ID) for the U.S. Navy, (11); the U.S. Air Force (1); and the Government of Finland, (1). Work will be performed in North Reading, Mass., (60 percent) and St. Louis, Mo., (40 percent), and is expected to be completed in Aug. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, ($28,786,790; 91.04 percent); the U.S. Air Force, ($1,415,458; 4.48 percent); and the Government of Finland, ($1,415,458; 4.48 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

ESY Co.*, Everett, Wash., was awarded an $8,955,694 firm fixed price contract on Sept. 17, 2008, for the construction and installation of dry dock Caisson #3. The contractor shall construct, test, and deliver dry dock Caisson #3. This caisson will replace the existing caisson and will be a reversible, ship-type, floating caisson having super flood-through capability constructed of steel. Work will be performed in Everett, Wash., and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $8,955,694 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with six proposals solicited and two offers received via Navy Electronic Commerce Online. The Northwest Regional Maintenance Center, Bremerton, Wash., is the contracting activity (N4523A-08-C-0308).

Advanced Technology Construction*, Renton, Wash., is being awarded $7,926,790 for firm-fixed price task order #0002 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N44255-08-D-3015) for emergency power repair and upgrades at Naval Hospital Bremerton. Work will be performed in Bremerton, Wash., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity.

Barling Bay, LLC,* Anchorage, Ala., was awarded a $7,352,515 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus fixed fee, performance-based contract on Sept, 17, 2008, to provide services in the full range of hardware, software, and network engineering, information Technology (IT), and information assurance (IA) disciplines. This contract includes options, which if exercised, would bring the total cumulative value of the contract to an estimated amount of $47,652,820. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., (80 percent) and Charleston, S.C., (20 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009 (Sept. 2013 with options exercised). Contract funds in the amount of $50,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively awarded. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston, S.C., is the contracting activity (N65236-08-D-6810).

Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, S.C., is being awarded a $6,824,720 firm fixed priced modification to previously awarded delivery order #0006 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5031) for the purchase of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle OCONUS Field Service Representative (FSR) Site Lead, OCONUS Welders and definitizing the cost for Battle Damage Assessment Repair (BDAR) Kits and Deprocessing Kits. Work will be performed in Ladson, S.C., and in OIF/OEF Area's of responsibilities, and work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Adaptive Technologies, Inc.*, Blacksburg, Va., is being awarded a $6,174,521 cost plus fix fee, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to research and develop a noise dosimetry for personnel noise exposure assessments which include digital noise-cancelling microphone, pilot active noise reduction earplug, active noise reduction impulse control, and noise monitor. Work will be performed in Blacksburg, Va., and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a Broad Agency Announcement with one offer received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (N00421-08-D-0022).

Solpac Construction Inc., dba Soltek Pacific Construction Co., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $5,890,000 for firm fixed price task order #0003 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-08-D-8615) for design and construction of Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Office (JIEDDO) battle courses at the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of battle courses, three training lanes, an observational tower, and a range support facility. The contract also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $6,543,000. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Army

AAI Corporation, Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on Sept. 18, 2008, a $66,334,705 cost plus fee price contract for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System, Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) IV Technology Refreshment. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Md., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0016).

Basic Marine Inc, Escanaba, Mich., was awarded on Sept. 18, 2008, a $25,102,510 firm fixed fee price contract for 14 deck barges. Work will be performed in Escanaba, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Oct 31, 2009. Bids were solicited via the Web and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912BU-08-C-0037).

Korte Construction Co., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 18, 2008, a $17,496,964 firm fixed fee price contract for fiscal year 2008, construction of medical and dental clinics at Fort Lewis, Wash. Work will be performed in Fort Lewis, Wash., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 18, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web and four bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Wash., is the contracting activity (W912DW-08-C-0018).

Sauers Incorporated d/b/a Sauer Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 17, 2008, a $17,376,400 firm fixed fee price contract for design and construction of a new ammunition storage facility. Work will be performed in Fort Benning, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 26, 2010. Four bids were solicited and three bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0061)

Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Sierra Vista (Garden Canon), Ariz., was awarded on Sept. 18, 2008, a $16,900,000 cost plus fixed fee price contract for over and above effort for reset of hunter hardware for interoperability verification. Work will be performed in Sierra Vista, (Garden Canon), Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 17, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0025).

M.C. Dean Inc, Dulles, Va., was awarded on Sept. 18, 2008, a $16,206,929 firm fixed fee price contract for construction of electrical systems upgrade at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, Ga., (Del Kalb County), Ga. Construct new electrical penthouse on the second floor of the main hospital, install new normal power distribution switchboards and connect to existing power ring bus. Work will be performed in Atlanta, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 1, 2010. Bids were solicited via the FedBizOps and one bid was received. Corps of Engineers Mobile District, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9127-08-C-0056).

Nicholson Construction Company, Cuddy, Pa., was awarded on Sept. 18, 2008, a $10,415,194 firm fixed fee price contract for Phase I of auxiliary spillway channel excavation, Canton Lake Dam, and Canton Lake, Okla. Work will be performed in Canton, Okla., with an estimated completion date of Sept, 30, 2010. Bids were solicited via the FedBizOps were solicited and two bids was received. U.S. Army Engineer District Tulsa, Tulsa, Okla., is the contracting activity (W912BV-08C-1010).

Leupold & Stevens Inc, Beaverton, Ore., was awarded on Sept. 18, 2008, a $9,498,475 five year IDIQ firm fixed price contract. This award is for various sight scopes from Leupold & Stevens Inc. Work will be performed in Beaverton, Ore., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2013. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM LCMMC, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-08-D-0445).

Texas Sterling Construction Co., San Antonio, Texas, was awarded on Sept. 18, 2008, a $6,449,071 firm fixed price contract. This work includes design and construction of a new bridge structure over Salado Creek, extending from Nursery Road to W.W. White Road and includes approach roadways and a three-way intersection at Nursery Road, utilities, drainage structures and area lighting. Work will be performed in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2009. Bids were solicited via the Web and two bids were received. US Army Engineer District, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-08-C-0050).

Air Force

Wyle Laboratories, Inc., of Huntsville, Ala., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for an estimated $19,323,667. This contract action is for the Reliability Information Analysis Center and will perform Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division research, and development and testing of the Exodus Data Warehouse program. At this time $1,515,589 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (HC1047-05-D-4005, DO: 0072).

Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for an estimated $15,865,585. The objective is to investigate and analyze current and anticipated health, medical, veterinary, and agricultural related chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear and weapons of mass destruction issues and requirements; develop plans for modernization; and conduct senior leader workshops. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-00-D-3180, DO: 0557).

The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract with LinQuest Corp., of Los Angeles, Calif., for $10,597,239. This contract modification will provide system engineering and integration support to the Military Satellite Communications Wing through FY09. At this time $8,032,327 has been obligated. Space and Missile Systems Center, Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8808-06-C-0002, P00045).

Cardinal Maintenance Service of Grand Rapid, Mich., is being awarded an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract for a maximum of $9.6 million. This action will provide grounds maintenance requirement for Hill Air Force Base, Utah. At this time $1,219,343 has been obligated. 75 CONS/PKB, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8201-08-D-0019).

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated System Sector, of El Segundo, Calif., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $8,000,005. The INVENT program will design, develop and ground test an integrated suite of energy, power, and thermal advanced technologies based on the INVENT consensus architecture. This effort will consist of critical subsystems and vehicle system Technology integrations and demonstrations that ameliorate the risks identified by the INVENT consensus architecture studies. Component Technology and subsystem development work will be done outside of this effort. The three critical INVENT subsystem demonstrations identified are defined as 1) Adaptive Power and Thermal Management System, 2) Robust Electrical Power System, and 3) High Performance Electric Actuation System. Integrated designs shall be developed using high fidelity modeling and simulation techniques at an air system level to validate the approach achieves the expected benefits identified by the INVENT consensus architecture study. At this time $10,000 has been obligated. AFRL/PKPA, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-08-2935).

ITT Corp., of Clifton, N.J., is being awarded a time and material, cost reimbursement no fee contract for $7,527,936. This action will provide AN/ALQ-172 (V) Software Block Cycle Support. At this time all funds have been obligated. 542 CBSSS/PKS, Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8523-05-G-0002-0014).

Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery, and requirements contract for an estimated $5,924,814. This contract action will conduct development of the DoD's chemical and biological equipment database, develop Chemical and Biological (CB) defense analytic tools, and perform research and analysis on CB defense initiatives. At this time $347,826 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-00-D-3180, DO: 0565).

DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY

Agarigen Inc.*, Durham, N.C., is being awarded a $9,360,477 modification to a previously awarded other transaction for prototypes agreement for phase II of the Accelerated Manufacture of Pharmaceuticals program. Work will be performed in Durham, N.C., (96 percent), Coatsville, Pa., (1 percent), University Park, Pa., (3 percent), and is expected to be completed Dec. 2010. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a follow on to a competitive award based on a solicitation issued in Federal Business Opportunities on May 11, 2006, for which over 10 proposals were received. The contracting activity is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., (HR0011-07-9-0004, P00006).

BAE Systems National Security Solutions, Burlington, Mass., was awarded on Sept. 12, 2008, a $7,177,621 cost plus fixed fee contract for the video and image retrieval and Analysis Tool program. Work will be performed in Burlington, Mass., (70 percent), Cambridge, Mass., (21 percent), and Los Angeles, (9 percent), and is expected to be completed in Mar. 2010. Funds being obligated at time of award ($1,803,138) will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. DARPA issued a solicitation in Federal Business Opportunities on Mar. 3, 2008, and 20 proposals were received. The contracting activity is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., (HR0011-08-C-0134).

MILITARY CONTRACTS September 17, 2008

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Shell Oil Prod., U.S. Martinez, Houston, Texas is being awarded a maximum $338,356,504 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for aviation fuel. Other location of performance is Martinez, California. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 69 proposals solicited with 16 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 30, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-R-0161).

Western Refining Co., L.P., El Paso, Texas is being awarded a maximum $177,749,226 fixed price with economic price adjustment, partial set-aside, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for jet fuel. Other location of performance is El Paso, Texas. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 69 proposals solicited with 16 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 30, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-0504).

Science Applications International Corp. Fairfield, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $105,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for maintenance, repair and operations supplies. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. The proposal was originally Web solicited with 11 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the 4th one-year option. The date of performance completion is Sept. 17, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-02-D-0121).

Navajo Refining Co., LLC, Dallas, Texas*, is being awarded a maximum $32,620,478 fixed price with economic price adjustment, partial set-aside, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for aviation fuel. Other location of performance is New Mexico. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 69 proposals solicited with 16 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 30, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-0503).

Friction Products Co., Medina, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $5,394,800 firm fixed price contract for HMMWV Brake shoe sets. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funs will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jan. 17, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio (SPM7L3-08-M-2241).

Navy

Sundt – Williams Scotsman, a joint venture, Tempe, Ariz., is being awarded a $37,771,939 firm fixed price contract for site preparation and interim facilities at Marine Corps Base and Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton. The work to be performed provides for design and construction of site improvements and utility infrastructure to support interim administration, billeting, armory, storage, and maintenance facilities over ten areas. The contract also contains ten unexercised options, which if all were exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $127,524,838. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with nine proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-C-3511).

Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems & Sensors, Mitchel Field, N.Y., is being awarded a $35,035,920 modification to a previously awarded cost plus incentive fee, cost plus fixed fee contract (N00030-08-C-0002) to exercise options to provide U.S., and U.K., Trident II (D5) Navigation Subsystem Engineering Support services requirements and Engineering Refueling Overhaul Support. The options increase the contract value to $112,088,003. Work will be performed in Mitchel Field, N.Y., and work is expected to be completed Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. The Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity

Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $23,035,546 fixed-price-incentive-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-07-G-0008) for non-recurring engineering effort for ECP-762 Pre-Block A to Block B Retrofit in support of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft. Work will be performed in Amarillo, Texas, (60 percent) and Philadelphia, Pa., (40 percent), and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $15,000,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $13,609,708 modification to a previously awarded cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N68936-00-D-0061) to exercise an option for 270,400 hours of Maintenance Planning and Design Interface support services for the Naval Aviation Depot, North Island in San Diego, Calif. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $12,720,050 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-00-D-0328) to exercise an option for maintenance planning and design interface technical/management support services for the In-Service Support Center and Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla. These services include evaluating initial designs, evaluating proposed design changes, maintenance planning and sustaining maintenance plans. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Fla., (90 percent), and Oklahoma City, Okla., (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Navmar Applied Sciences Corp.,* Warminster, Pa., is being awarded a $9,968,424 cost plus fixed fee contract for a Phase III Small Business Innovative Research contract under topics N92-170 and N94-178 for near term and far term advanced surveillance, reconnaissance, and force protection systems. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., (39 percent); Warminster, Pa., (24 percent); Yuma, Ariz., (16 percent); Afghanistan, (14 percent); and Iraq, (7 percent), and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $1,530,406 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This SBIR Phase III contract was not competitively procured, under FAR 6.302-5. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-08-D-0470).

Lockheed Martin Corp., MS2, Syracuse, N.Y., is being awarded a $8,904,451 firm fixed price contract for spare parts in support of the AN/TPS-59(V) three radar system. Work will be performed in Syracuse, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Jul. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This procurement was not competitively procured with one proposal solicited and one offer received via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website. The Marine Corps Logistics Command, Contracting Department, Albany, Ga., is the contracting activity (M67004-08-C-0024).

Group 70 International, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a maximum $7,500,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity architect/engineer (A/E) contract for facilities and land use planning studies, environmental impact documents, cultural resources management plans, natural resources management plans, and environmental studies and documents in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific area of responsibility (AOR). Work will be performed at various locations under the NAVFAC Pacific AOR, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $10,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website, with six offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-08-D-0200).

Moffatt & Nichol-Blaylock, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $7,500,000 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity architect/engineering contract for Waterfront Facilities Projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for preparation of fully designed plans and specifications; design-build request for proposal packages; and other engineering designs, studies, inspections, surveys, planning documents (DD 1391), reports, cost estimates, evaluations, and construction support services for projects involving waterfront construction and repair. 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 is expected to be completed by Sept. 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $5,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website,with four offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-D-8619).

Jacobs Technology Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is being awarded a $7,400,000 task order #0018 under previously awarded contract (M67854-02-A-9017) to provide support of the transition from the NMCI environment to the next generation USMC IT environment. This includes financial planning, programming, budgeting and execution of the USMC enterprise budget throughout the Future Year Defense Plan; acquisition management supporting the next generation IT environment; program management activities; USMC representation and coordination with Navy Next Generation Enterprise Network office, the Secure Operational Network Infrastructure Capability, Program of Record activities as well as providing expertise in all other forums related to the delivery of this new IT environment. Work will be performed in Quantico, Va., and work is expected to be completed in Sept. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

J Squared, Incorporated, (dba: University Loft Co.), Greenfield, Ind., is being awarded a $5,776,800 firm fixed price contract for the Whole Room Concept Program barracks support, located at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C. Included in the contract cost is the installation of the procured furniture. Work will be performed in Camp Lejeune, N.C., (85 percent); Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., (10 percent) and Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., (5 percent) and work is expected to be completed Feb. 28, 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an unrestricted Request For Quote being forwarded to12 Federal Supply Schedule Holders. Seven offers were received in response to the RFQ. The Marine Corps Installations East, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C., is the contracting activity (M67001-08-F-0060).

Army

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, was awarded on Sept. 16, 2008, a $9,262,639 firm fixed price contract. The university will establish a data and coordinating center that provides the necessary infrastructure for conducting a collaborative trial to identify the optimal blood component resuscitation ratios for patients receiving massive transfusions. Work will be performed in Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2010. Nine bids were solicited and four bids were received. USA Medical Research Acquisitions Activity, Frederick, Md., is the contracting activity (W81XWH-08-C-0712).

Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Va., was awarded on Sept. 12, 2008, a $7,772,624 firm fixed price contract. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform business intelligence services. Work will be performed in Raleigh, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2011. Seventeen bids were solicited and three bids were received. National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-06-D-0019).

Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2008, $6,734,338 cost plus fixed fee contract. The primary objective of the Advanced Night Vision System program is to develop core technologies for improving our night vision capability in urban operations. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., Elk River, Minn., Bull Shoals, Ariz., Palo Alto, Calif., Watertown, Mass., and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., with an estimated completion date of Mar., 15, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Broad Agency Announcement and three bids were received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-08-C-0144).

MWH Americas Inc, Anchorage, Ala., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2008, a $9,417,100 firm/fixed/price contract. IDIQ design and contract upgrades to Arctic Utilidors, Phase IX (PH9), Eielson Air Force Base, Ala. Work will be performed in Eielson Air Force Base, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 15, 2010. Two bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Ala., is the contracting activity (W911KB-05-D-0013).

Comrades, Loved Ones Provide Reminders of Memorial Day's Meaning

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

May 23, 2008 - To many Americans, Memorial Day means a day off from work with picnics, pool openings and barbecues. But for those who have lost a comrade or loved one in combat, the day takes on a whole new significance. Here are some of their stories.

Army 1st Lt. Brent Pounders
Army 1st Lt. Brent Pounders remembers his childhood, reading textbooks about patriots who have sacrificed their lives through the country's history and thinking of Memorial Day as the end of the school year.

"You think about it, but [its meaning] really doesn't hit home or register as much until you lose some of your dear friends and realize that their families are affected by this and what it actually signifies," he said.

For Pounders, that significance hit home Jan. 20, 2007.

Twelve soldiers died that day when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was shot down east of Baghdad. Among them were three members of Pounders' unit, the Arkansas Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment, 77th Aviation Brigade, as well as a Texas National Guard soldier who worked closely with them on a day-to-day basis.

Pounds remembers Maj. Michael Taylor, the company commander, for his great sense of humor as he looked out for the best for his unit and held every soldier to the highest standard. First Sgt. John Brown, the company standardization instructor, was "one of those guys who always had a smile on his face, was always in a good mood and always willing to do anything he could to help." Sgt. Maj. William Warren had a funny habit of adding "and everything" to just about everything he said, prompting the unit to yell out the catch-line in unison just as Warren finished taping a video to send home from Iraq.

Capt. Sean Lyerly wasn't assigned to the unit, but quickly bonded with the Arkansas Guardsmen he worked with in the theater at Company C, 1st Brigade, 131st Aviation Regiment. "He was a really good guy who got along with everybody in the company," Pounds recalls. "Everybody liked him, and he did a good job for us."

Pounders said the first Memorial Day spent back at home, away from the heavy operational demands of the combat zone, will give him a lot more time to reflect on what he and his unit have lost.

"In the past, I've had some people I knew who had been killed in Iraq, but this time there's a more personal aspect to it," he said. "This time it is people I knew and was good friends with and have known for years giving their lives for their country."

The unit still is recovering from their deaths, but Pounders said it is the families who have lost the most. "They are the ones who have to live on without their fathers or their husbands or their sons," he said.

Pounders said it's fitting that the American people recognize the sacrifices they and their fellow servicemembers have made. "These people all gave so much," he said. "The least we can do is set one day aside out of the year and stop our busy schedules and just show some remembrance for them and what they gave and what their families gave. I think that's the very least we can do as a nation."

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Rafael Barney

As they were deploying to Iraq from March Air Force Base, Calif., Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Rafael Barney formed a fast friendship with Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jimmy Arroyave.

Barney, a religious program specialist, and Arroyave, a member of 1st Marine Expeditionary Force's 1st Force Service Support Group, shared common roots in Colombia. They spent the entire trip to Kuwait swapping stories and experiences, quickly bonding and promising to stay in touch.

It wasn't until two months later, when he was in Fallujah, Iraq, with the Marine Corps' 7th Engineer Support Battalion in April 2004, that Barney would again hear his new friend's name. Arroyave, he learned, had been killed when his Humvee rolled over during a mission northeast of Ramadi.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard his name," Barney said. "I froze. He was my friend."

Barney took the news to heart. After he returned from Iraq, he contacted Arroyave's widow, Rachael, and went to meet her, her two daughters, and the newborn son his fallen Marine friend wound never lay eyes on.

This week, Barney, now assigned to the chief of naval chaplains office in Washington, visited the Marine Corps Museum near Quantico, Va., where a memorial brick honors Arroyave. "It was touching," he said. "I wanted to go see it."

Now that a loss has touched him in a very personal way, Barney said, Memorial Day has taken on a new level of importance. "It's not just a weekend off any more," he said. "You reflect on your experiences, and it becomes personal."

Barney called Memorial Day a time for Americans to recognize the contributions their military has made, often at great cost. "This military has been through a lot of pain and a lot of losses," he said.

"[Americans] need to be reminded of the sacrifices their fellow citizens are taking," Barney continued. "And they need to understand the value of military service to this country, and the reason we are here."

Wesley and Peggy Bushnell
Parents of Army Sgt. William Bushnell

Just over a year after losing their 24-year-old son in Iraq, Wesley and Peggy Bushnell plan a weekend of activity honoring his memory.

Army Sgt. William Bushnell, a soldier with 1st Cavalry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, died in combat April 21, 2007, when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle during operations in Baghdad. He was among 31 "Long Knife" Brigade Combat Team soldiers killed during the unit's 15-month deployment to Iraq.

The Bushnells joined their son's comrades when, after they returned to El Paso, Texas, the city hosted a Texas-size hometown heroes' parade in February. Wesley walked the parade route alongside one of 31 riderless horses with empty boots reversed in the stirrups that commemorated his son and the other fallen soldiers.

This weekend, the Bushnells will again pay public tribute to the son they grieve for every day in private. They and fellow church members in Jasper, Ark., will board a bus bound for Indian Village, La., where their son is buried in a family grave.

They plan a weekend of worship, music and fellowship remembering their son and what he stood for.

Memorial Day has always had special meaning to the Bushnells, a patriotic family that always took time to pause and "remember the people who gave their all," Wesley said.

"It's an important day, because it honors the people who fought for what they believe in and gave us the opportunity to be sitting here watching color TV," he said.

But since their son's death, Memorial Day has become deeply personal, he said. He and his wife reflect all the time on what they've lost -- Wesley, during long days on the road driving a truck for Wal-Mart, a dog tag with his son's photo around his neck, and Becky, as she painstakingly toils over the memorial quilts she sews.

If there's any consolation in their loss, Wesley said, it's that their son died for a noble cause. "He went with dignity and honor. That's what makes it tolerable to me," he said. "I can accept war, and I know that bad things happen in war. It hurts, but I can accept it."

Carolyn and Keith Maupin
Parents of Army Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin

For the past four Memorial Days, Carolyn and Keith Maupin of Batavia, Ohio, didn't know if their Army Reserve son was dead or alive.

Army Pfc. Keith Matthew Maupin was among two soldiers and seven contract employees reported missing after insurgents attacked their fuel convoy west of Baghdad on April 9, 2004. Maupin was later reported as the only missing soldier.

A videotape that aired two weeks later on Al Jazeera TV showed him being held captive by masked gunmen, raising hopes he was still alive. Al Jazeera reported two months later that Maupin had been killed, but the U.S. Army ruled the video of the execution too poor to conclusively identify Maupin.

The Maupin family waited for four years, never giving up hope that Matt was still alive. Only when the Army announced March 20, 2008, that it had found and identified his remains using DNA did the Maupins finally know his fate.

The city of Cincinnati heralded its fallen son, hosting a memorial ceremony in late April at Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds. Pallbearers from Maupin's unit carried his flag-draped casket, placing it on the pitchers' mound before the 25,000 mourners. Later that day, Maupin was buried in Cincinnati's Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

U.S. Army Reserve Command honored Maupin during a May 22 memorial service at its headquarters at Fort McPherson, Ga. Carolyn called the service "quite touching," knowing that more than 200 soldiers were honoring her son. "We know they are not going to forget, don't we?" she said.

The Maupins will spend this Memorial Day weekend as they have the last three, riding on the back of a motorcycle down Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue as part of "Rolling Thunder." The annual ride, now in its 21st year, helps raise awareness about prisoners of war, troops missing in action and veterans' benefits. It also offers veterans the chance to reconnect with their brothers-in-arms.

Carolyn said she's always honored Memorial Day as a time to remember the fallen. She remembers years past, watching Memorial Day parades on television. "What was different then was that Matt was with us, and now he is not," she said. "So the emotions are different. We miss him."

As they remember their fallen son and honor another son serving in the military, Marine Sgt. Micah Maupin, the Maupins said it's important for all Americans to recognize the significance of Memorial Day.

"That's who gives them what they are able to do every day -- those guys who have died and those guys who have served," Keith said. "To me it means freedom, and what they have sacrificed to give us our freedom each and every day," Carolyn echoed.

Air Force Maj. Frances Robertson

While others attend Memorial Day commemorations in the coming days, Air Force Maj. Frances Robertson plans to stay away, saying they still bring up too many painful memories.

The Air Force flight nurse remembers growing up in San Antonio and enjoying the ceremony and celebration that surrounded Memorial Day. "When you were a kid, it was all about backyard barbecues and seeing the little flags on the funeral grounds at Fort Sam Houston," she said. "The music was always great, and the gunfire was really neat."

But after two combat deployments with the Air Force Reserve's 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, including one to Iraq at the start of the war, Robertson sees military cemeteries and wonders if she treated any of those buried there. She doesn't like hearing gunfire. She feels she's seen too much death to bring herself to attend Memorial Day ceremonies.

"It's not the memorial service I don't like, it's the memories," she said. "When you go to these functions, it brings it all back. You are reminded of it all over again."

Robertson said she holds dear memories of the servicemembers she treated in both Iraq and Kuwait and calls them heroes who willingly put themselves on the line for their fellow Americans.

"Any time a military member goes out, they don't know if they are coming home, and their families don't know if they are coming home," she said. "But they went out anyway, with their mind on the mission."

Robertson calls these troops minorities within American society, "the small group of people who volunteered to go in [to the military] and protect the U.S. for everyone else."

"They're the ones who take on that weight so others can live without worries," she said.

While she avoids ceremonies herself, Robertson said, it's important that all Americans pause on Memorial Day to recognize those who have sacrificed, particularly those who paid the ultimate price.

"I believe it is important to remember, because if you don't remember, you devalue what happened," she said.

"Many people in this country get to live with no worries and with many privileges and never had to battle for them or wage any kind of war for them," she continued. "They need to say thanks and let these people know they appreciate all that they have sacrificed for them."

Gates Calls Families, Community Supporters 'Power Behind the Power'

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

May 2, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates paid tribute here last night to what he called "the power behind the power" -- the families and community members who stand behind the troops engaged in the war on terror. Speaking to local and military family group leaders at the Officers Club, Gates praised Fort Bliss soldiers who, along with their comrades throughout the military, have been "giving their all" in the fight against extremism.

That's been possible, he said, because of the support troops receive from their families, as well as the support they and their families get from their community.

Gates pointed to the key role families play in their soldiers' success and the day-to-day challenges they endure during long deployments.

"America owes a great deal to those who are 'the power behind the power' -- the spouses, children, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters of our men and women in uniform," he told the group. "They, too, make a contribution and pay a price in the cause of protecting our country."

They demonstrate "grace and patience and an amazing ability to organize and rely upon one another" when their loved ones are gone, he said.

"Army families take care of their own, and Fort Bliss families are no exception," he said. "They are strong. They endure. They are bound together by their shared experiences, by sacrifice, and by the pride they rightly feel in the noble work their soldiers do."

Gates thanked to the local community that recognizes that contribution through support to Fort Bliss soldiers and their families.

This support has been particularly evident during the post's expansion, during which the community has welcomed the incoming 1st Armored Division soldiers with open arms, and local businesses and educational groups have rallied to assist, he said.

Meanwhile, individual volunteers have made contributions to the Fort Bliss community that Gates said "don't always get the attention they deserve." They range from helping families prepare their tax forms to decorating barracks doors for single soldiers returning home from Iraq.

"I can tell you that every bit of help matters," Gates told the group. "This is a tough time for our troops and their families. What you do is noticed and deeply appreciated."

Civilian appreciation for the military wasn't always so evident, Gates said. He recalled El Paso Mayor John Cook's description of his own homecoming experience from the Vietnam War, when a protestor threw an egg at his bus.

Determined not to let that happen when the 1st Cavalry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team and 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, returned to Fort Bliss, Cook hosted a "Welcome Home Heroes Parade" through downtown El Paso in February. Thousands of local residents turned out to cheer on the 4,000 troops and honor the 31 cavalry troops killed during the deployment.

The American people are divided about the war, Gates conceded. "Yet despite this, Americans are united in their admiration of our men and women who have volunteered to serve at such a challenging time," he said.

Gates called it "heartwarming" to see gestures of support and simple thank yous to the troops. "The appreciation is real; it is sincere; and it bridges any political divide," he said.

All Americans look forward to the day when every deployed soldier can return home, Gates said, noting that he expects continued force reductions in Iraq in light of the improved security situation there.

"Until then, Fort Bliss soldiers and families and this generous community will continue to step up and do right by this country and by each other," Gates told the group. "We are, after all, members of the same family -- the American family. You all have my deepest appreciation and gratitude."

Community and family members said they felt honored that Gates came to thank them personally for their support.

"This is the coolest thing. Having him come here is a really big deal for El Paso," gushed Cindy Ramos-Davidson, chief executive officer of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "The military and civilian communities here are intertwined. We all support each other."

Michi Carl, a Fort Bliss school liaison and Army wife, said it felt good to hear Gates pay tribute to military families. The Army has made huge strides in its support for military families, she said, particularly since Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and continues moving in the right direction.

"Now things are phenomenal, and they are getting better all the time," she said. "Spouses and families are listened to."

Just as gratifying, she said, is seeing the secretary recognize the local community for its support for Fort Bliss and its soldiers. "This community is amazing," Carl said. "The community truly cares."

Gates Views Massive Expansion Effort at Fort Bliss

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

May 2, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates got a firsthand look yesterday at the massive growth under way here to prepare for the arrival of 1st Armored Division in one of the Army Corps of Engineers' largest-ever construction projects. Army Maj. Gen. Howard Bromberg, the post commander, gave Gates a tour of the $4.1 billion expansion program that will bring an additional 30,000 soldiers to Fort Bliss by 2012.

The lion's share of the incoming troops will be "Old Ironsides Division" soldiers moving from Germany as part of the Defense Department's global reposturing strategy and the Army's modularization effort.

Gates told military family leaders and community supporters last night that he considers the building boom nothing short of "awesome."

"Today, this post –– which encompasses an area larger than the state of Rhode Island, and most of which is in New Mexico -- is transforming itself to serve a nation and a military facing the strategic challenges of this century," Gates told the group.

He called the Fort Bliss expansion part of a wider transformation effort across the military to ensure the Army, and the military as a whole, can protect the security, prosperity and freedom of Americans for the next generation.

A six-year construction boom that began in October 2006 will transform stretches of mesquite brush and sand dunes on the post's eastern side into state-of-the-art living and training facilities.

Ultimately, the expansion will include new headquarters and administrative spaces, aircraft hangars, arms rooms, unit storage facilities, barracks, dining facilities, fitness centers, medical and dental facilities, motor pool areas, maintenance facilities, and wash racks, Clark McChesney, director of the post's transformation office, told American Forces Press Service.

Gates toured one of the first facilities to be completed for the incoming 1st Armored Division's 1st Brigade yesterday. The first of the unit's soldiers already are at Fort Bliss, with the rest to arrive in time for the brigade's official activation Aug. 16.

The secretary noted that $207 million of the expansion funds will go toward new construction at three training range complexes in New Mexico. The plan will tap into space and capabilities at neighboring White Sands Missile Range, N.M., collectively offering 800,000 acres of on- and off-road maneuver area, McChesney said.

"Future expansion means that the ties between the region's installations -- Fort Bliss, Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range -- will also continue to grow," Gates said. "This region will continue to be known by the twin hallmarks of partnership and cooperation."

A brigade combat team to be based at White Sands will share Fort Bliss's "robust new training facilities," he noted.

Another big part of the expansion is dedicated to housing, child-care facilities, shopping areas and other quality-of-life facilities for the incoming soldiers and an expected 40,000 family members, he said.

Gates told senior noncommissioned officers attending the Army Sergeants Major Academy earlier yesterday that he decided to temporarily delay moving some 1st Armored Division troops to Fort Bliss partly because their housing facilities weren't yet ready for them. "It would have been unacceptable for soldiers and their families to live and work under those conditions," he said.

Because the post is smack in the middle of El Paso, one of Texas' biggest cities, success of the expansion depends heavily on cooperation with state and local officials, McChesney said. That includes not just the city and county government, but also five local school systems expected to absorb about more than 12,000 school-age children from Fort Bliss, business developers, homebuilders, realtor associations and transportation officials, among others.

Gates said he's impressed by the local community's support and the way its citizens have embraced the incoming soldiers and their families.

"The mayors of El Paso, Las Cruces and Alamogordo and their respective chambers of commerce have been partnering with the Army to try to prepare for this growth," he said.

He noted that the post's welcome center is permanently staffed by a team from the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce that helps arriving soldiers and their families find housing and arrange for their children's schooling and child care.

"As the population of Fort Bliss continues to grow, the residents of West Texas and New Mexico have stepped up to welcome the newcomers," Gates said. "And I know you will continue to do so as the post population increases by an astounding 300 percent by 2012."

MILITARY CONTRACTS April 8, 2008

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Kinder Morgan Liquids Terminals LLC., Orange, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $32,000,000 firm fixed price, cost reimbursement contract for services and facilities to receive, store and ship turbine and aviation fuel. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. This proposal was originally electronically solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Jun. 17, 2013. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-C-5808).

NAVY

British Aerospace Systems & Armaments, L.P., Armament Systems Division, Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded a $31,610,052 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-5464) for procurement of FY08 MK 14 MOD 2 Canisters, including packaging, handling, storage, transportation equipment, and FY08 Reconfigurable Coding Plug Assemblies. MK 14 canisters for the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, store, safely transport, and enable loading of Tomahawk missiles into MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems aboard DDG-51 Class and CG-47 Class ships. Work will be performed in Aberdeen, S.D., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

Angel Staffing, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas, is being awarded a contract for $13,274,805. This action will provide for Nurses (RNs, LVNs, and CNA's), estimated quantity 247, at Willford Hall Medical Center, Lackland, Air Force, Texas. At this time $13,274,805 has been obligated. Lackland AFB, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3047-08-D0012).

Terma North America Inc., of Warner Robins, Ga., is being awarded a firm fixed price contract for $8,369,746. This action provides for repair of USAF and FMS AN/ALG-213 components managed by Combat Sustainment Group at Robins AFB, Ga. At this time $0 has been obligated. Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8540-08-D-0003).

ARMY

Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Co., Bedford, Mass., was awarded on Apr. 7, 2008, a $17,503,997 cost-plus-fixed-fee, level-of-effort contract for FY08 Patriot Engineering Services contract option award for 134,472 man-hours of effort. Work will be performed in Tewksbury, MA., (72.65 percent); Andover, MA., (12.73 percent); Huntsville, AL., (7.87percent); Burlington, MA., (4.49 percent); El Paso, TX., (2.06 percent); Norfolk, VA (0.20 percent). The estimated completion date is Jan. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. The contracting activity is the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL. (W31P4Q-04-C-0020).