MILITARY CONTRACTS October 17, 2008

Army

Bechtel National Inc, San Francisco, Calif., was awarded Oct. 15, 2008, a $563,473,000 cost plus incentive fee contract. This modification is for the balance of construction of the Pueblo Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant. Work will be performed in Pueblo, Colo., with an estimated and completion date of Dec 31, 2023. Bids solicited were via the Web and two bids were received. U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAA09-02-D-0025).

Evolved Machines Federal Contracting Inc, West Palm Beach, Fla., was awarded Oct. 15, 2008, a $8,884,907 cost contract for model, design and development of a novel sensor inspired by a canine's olfactory system. Work will be performed in Evolved Machines, West Palm Beach, Fla., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif., Cogniscent, North Grafton, Mass., iSense, Urbana, Ill., Monell, Philadelphia, Pa., Northrop Grumman, Baltimore, Md., Penn State University, State College, Pa., University of Miami, Miami, Fla., Temple University and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa., with an estimated and completion date of Jan. 14, 2009. Bids solicited were via the Web and one bid was received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0013).

BMAR & Associates, Hopkinsville, Ky., was awarded Oct. 11, 2008, a $6,181,140 firm fixed price contract for operations and maintenance services for International Medical Center, Cairo, Egypt. Work will be performed in Egypt, with an estimated and completion date of Aug 17, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Program Center, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-09-C-0001).

Air Force

The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., of Littleton, Colo., for $19,865,511. The purpose of this modification is to definitize the Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA). Under Assured Access to Space (AATS) FY08 this action by Lockheed Martin will perform supply chain management and technological improvement task to minimize the risk of launch failure by establishing subcontracts with common suppliers and addressing new capabilities to support the upcoming government launches. These projects include lithium ion battery development for flight safety and development of a replacement resin for solid rocket boosters. Any delay in these projects will have detrimental effects to mission capability and schedule. At this time all funds have been obligated. Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Space Launch and Range Systems Material Wing (LR), LA AFB, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8816-06-C-0002, P00095).

The Air Force is modifying a fixed price with cost reimbursable CLINS contract by exercising an option with DTS Aviation Services, Inc., of Fort Worth, Texas, for $14,045,401. This action will exercise option year six, will provide aircraft backshop maintenance, munitions, and equipment support for the Air Armament Center and for Air Armamanet and Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C41) Systems Testing for a 12-month period. At this time $12,840,255 has been obligated. 96 CONS/MSCB, Eglin AFB, Fla., is the contracting activity (F08651-02-C-0085, Modification P00054).

The Air Force is modifying a cost plus fixed fee contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of McLean, Va., for $9,995,999.88. This action will provide for systems engineering and integration support to the Military Satellite Communications Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, in support of the Global Broadcast Services Program and the Joint Terminal Engineering Office through 21 Oct. 2009. At this time $1,740,630 has been obligated. Space and Missiles Systems Center, Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8808-08-F-0003, P00010).

NAVY

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Md., is being awarded a $14,333,113 modification to a previously awarded cost plus fixed fee, research and development contract (N66001-06-C-8005) to develop a modular design, fully functional 22 degree of freedom prosthetic for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program. This modification will increase the first option period costs to fund additional functionality and clinical transition of prototypes, as well as additional tasking related to FDA Regulatory Requirements. The program's focus is to develop an advanced neurally controlled upper extremity prosthesis capable of restoring full motor and sensory functions, and perform as a native limb to the injured warfighter. The program supports the effort that will ultimately result in a superior prosthetic device for disabled warfighters. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific), Biosciences Division, is responsible for, and tasked with, the daily management of the program. The cumulative value of this contract, including this modification, is $72,452,451. Primary work will be performed in Maryland, and subcontractor facilities as required. The period of performance to complete phase two of the option award, which includes this modification, is from Oct. 17, 2008 through Jan. 30, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was approved under the Broad Agency Announcement for this procurement and was publicized through the Federal Business Opportunities, Government-wide Point of Entry. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

McDonnell Douglas Corp., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $11,243,728 firm fixed price, definite delivery definite quantity modification under a previously awarded delivery order contract (N00383-06-D-001J-0005) for active electronically scanned array (AESA) spares used on the F/A-18/E/F/G APG radar system. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., (40 percent); and El Segundo, Calif., (60 percent), and work is expected to be completed by May 2011. 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.

Nonprofits Awarded Grants for Innovative Programs

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 5, 2008 - Newsman's Own awarded a combined $75,000 in grants to 15 nonprofit organizations for their innovative volunteer efforts to improve military quality of life during the company's ninth annual awards ceremony, held at the Pentagon here today.
Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, helped present the awards alongside executives from contest sponsors Newman's Own, Fisher House and the military Times Media Group.

"The clever ideas, the way the ideas were brought forth, the things that were meaningful to people who had family and knew they would be meaningful to others who were family" impressed him about the entries, Cartwright said.

The vice chairman commended the innovation of the programs and said that the recipients ran the gamut from large, mature organizations to smaller, family-run groups.

Cartwright said that the various organizations' efforts were symbols that volunteerism is still alive.

"The coming together of the civilian community and the military, the finding of family, the opportunity to acknowledge service, and to acknowledge those who are willing to serve, and the sacrifices that the families make for those who are willing to serve and do so, to see that come together" shows that volunteerism is still alive and well in America's communities, Cartwright said.

The president of Newman's Own Inc., Tom Indoe, said volunteers form the "backbone" of charities.

"As you'll see, all of these charities that we recognize today start with the volunteers," Indoe said. "They are the threads that hold the fabric of these charities together. And it's the volunteers that bring so much good and goodness to our military families."

Indoe said that Newman's Own, a food company famous for its salad dressing, pasta sauces and popcorn, got involved with Fisher House Foundation about 10 years ago while looking to donate to a charity that helps military families. All profits from Newman's Own products are given to charities.

There were 120 entries for the 2008 contest. Judges evaluated the entries based on the organization's impact to the community, creativity and innovation. The emphasis of the competition was on organizations that support deployed servicemembers or their families, according to officials. The competition started in 2000 and has recognized 114 programs with awards totaling more than $500,000.

This year, the Freedom Calls Foundation received the top $15,000 grant award. The foundation provides videoconferencing and telephone calls free from centers in Iraq and Kuwait, connecting servicemembers to their families in the United States, England, Germany, Guam and Okinawa.

John Harlow from Morristown, New Jersey, said he started the Freedom Calls Foundation after watching a newscast in 2003 in which he saw a report of a National Guardsman who had a $7,000 phone bill from trying to keep in touch with his family during his deployment to Iraq.

"I was shocked to hear that burden had been placed on his family," Harlow said.

After some research, Harlow said he found that it was not unusual for troops deployed to have extraordinarily high phone bills. An exclusive contract at rates of up to 44 cents per minute added up to $100 million per year in calls to families at home, he said.

"I didn't think that was right," Harlow said.

So, Harlow formed a foundation to provide phone calls and videoconferencing services to servicemembers and their families. The operation was launched in April 2004. Now the foundation delivers more than 1 million minutes per month in telephone calls and 2,000 video conferences every month to servicemembers and families. The videoconferences are mainly for "milestone" family events such as births, graduations, anniversaries, and even weddings. Harlow works with 10,000 sites across the United States and hopes to add more sites.

"It's those families and those deployed – they're the reason we do this," Harlow said. "It's been a life-changing experience to work with these families. They're some of the most giving, most humble people that I've ever met in my life ... and they deserve everything that we can do for them."

The $10,000 award winner was Operation Wounded Warrior sponsored by the American Legion Riders of Grants, New Mexico. Operation Wounded Warrior was started by a group of American Legion Riders after a plea three years ago for comfort and hygiene items for troops who had been wounded in Iraq. The mission expanded to include family members who were at their bedside. Each year, a truck loaded with personal and comfort items is escorted by riders to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and its four Fisher Houses.

The $5,000 award winners include:

--Wounded Warrior Assistance Program sponsored by Operation First Response, Inc. of Culpeper, Va. The program supports wounded warriors and families with personal and financial needs. Financial aid varies from rent, utilities, vehicle payments, groceries, clothing, and travel expenses.

--Parent and Child Resource Center sponsored by Osan Parent Network on Osan Air Base, Korea. The network provides services for families at Osan Air Base. Activities include daily playgroups, arts and crafts and other events, daily stroller walk and runs, a breastfeeding support group, a parenting support group, a communication network and family advocacy.

--The SHARE Initiative sponsored by the Shepherd Center of Atlanta. The program assists the rehabilitation, recovery and community re-entry care for soldiers who have sustained a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury while serving on active duty in Afghanistan or Iraq.

--Snowball Express, based in Costa Mesa, Calif. The program provides an all-expense-paid gathering for the children of servicemembers who have died since Sept. 11, 2001. In 2007, the $3.5 million dollar event provided more than 1,100 children a weekend of fun in Anaheim, Calif.

--Remote Warrior Care Program sponsored by the Madigan Foundation of Fort Lewis, Wash. The foundation places wounded, injured and ill warriors back into their hometowns to recuperate before being released from active military service or returned to active duty.

--Family Assistance Program sponsored by the Armed Forces Foundation of Washington, D.C. The foundation's family assistance program offers direct financial assistance to servicemembers and their families. Needs range from utility bills to mortgage payments.

--Military Family Retreats sponsored by Project New Hope of Annandale, Minn. Project New Hope hosts weekend retreats for soldiers and families struggling with reintegration after deployment. The retreats are free to recipient families and focus on concerns shared by combat veterans, spouses and children. Counseling services and sessions are available, but not mandatory.

--Free Home Repairs and Modifications for Troops sponsored by Rebuilding Together's Veterans Housing Initiative of Washington, D.C. Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit group providing home repairs and renovation services free to those in need. The organization has responded to a growing need among retired and active-duty United States military homeowners.

--Military Family Assistance Program sponsored by USA Cares of Radcliff, Ky. USA Cares provides military families with financial support through grants for needs such as foreclosure and eviction prevention, utility assistance and food and car payments. The program also offers counseling and mentorship through family resource coordinators with expertise in military benefits and services.

The $2,000 award winner is:

--Good Grief Camps for Survivor Children sponsored by Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1994, TAPS is a national nonprofit that provides peer-based emotional support services to those affected by the death of a military member. TAPS assists thousands of widows, children, parents, siblings and others. It provides casework assistance, 24-hour crisis intervention and grief and trauma resources free of charge.

The $1,000 award winners are:

--The Happy Mail Club sponsored by United Cerebral Palsy of Palm Beach and Mid-Coast Counties, Palm Beach, Fla. Members of the Happy Mail Club assemble boxes with cards, handmade crafts, high protein foods, and personal supplies to be sent to deployed American troops. They target soldiers who are stationed in the most remote locations and have the greatest need of supplies.

--CampLIFE! A non-profit benefiting children and spouses of deceased soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq, based in Austin, Texas. The mission of CampLIFE! is to provide free recreation, education and counseling in a camp setting to the children and spouses of recently deceased U.S. soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

--Kids Sending Hero Hugs, sponsored by Hero Hugs of Niceville, Fla. Hero Hugs was started by Bailey Reese, 7, of Niceville after she saw soldiers passing out aid to victims following a hurricane, and receiving no thanks. Bailey started Hero Hugs not only to thank the troops, but to teach kids to always appreciate the service and sacrifice of servicemembers. The packages are packed by kids from all over the country.

In a surprise donation at the event, Newman's Own Foundation Vice Chairman Robert Forrester donated $150,000 to the Fisher House Foundation. The donation took the company over the $1 million dollar mark for total donations to the Fisher House over the past 10 years.

America Supports You: Unusual Fundraiser Helps Group Benefit Troops

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

July 30, 2008 - "The Gigantic Garage Sale" at the South Florida Fairgrounds in Palm Beach County July 26 proved to be not only fun for shoppers, but also was lucrative for "Forgotten Soldier Outreach," a care package organization. "The United Way of Palm Beach County and the South Florida Fair ... do this once a year," said Sue Beard, Forgotten Soldier Outreach's Palm Beach County manager. "It was great! We got $500 for a day's work."

The group began soliciting donations for the sale earlier this month. Contributions included jewelry, lamps, candles, collectibles and "re-gift" items, which Beard described as the gift sets typically available for major holidays.

Only clothing, furniture and stuffed animals were turned down. Those items would have taken up too much room in the group's allotted space, she said.

As it turned out, jewelry, the gift sets and toys and games were the three top-selling categories.

The $500 raised surpassed the organization's expectations for its first-time participation in the garage sale. "I thought maybe $300," Beard said.

The funds raised will cover postage to ship packages to servicemembers on a monthly basis.

"During the summer months, funds tend to dwindle, but our cause and mission continues to grow," said Lynelle Chauncey Zelnar, Forgotten Soldier Outreach's founder and executive director, in a statement. "This [helped] us raise much-needed funds in order for FSO to be able to continue our mission this summer by sending a little bit of home to our soldiers overseas to assure they're not forgotten."

In addition to the money raised through the garage sale, Forgotten Soldier Outreach was the beneficiary of Florida Power & Light's third annual collection drive and fundraiser to benefit the organization.

Throughout June, the company's employees donated CDs, DVDs and calling cards for troops. An annual "Jeans Day," which allowed employees to wear jeans to work for a $5 donation, raised $5,300 for the organization.

"This fundraiser could not [have] come at a better time. ... Unfortunately, funds have been at a shortfall," Zelnar said. "It's so wonderful to see a local corporation, such as Florida Power & Light and their employees, continue to show their support of our troops overseas."

Forgotten Soldier Outreach is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

MILITARY CONTRACTS July 7, 2008

ARMY

Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., was awarded on Jul. 3, 2008, a $56,857,635 firm-fixed price contract for an assortment of automotive parts, including wheels, axles, air conditioners, engines, compressors, generators, and transmissions. Work will be performed primarily in Springfield, Ohio, with limited production in various cities across the nation, and is expected to be completed by May 4, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Apr. 2, 2008. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0494).

Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., was awarded on Jul. 3, 2008, a $21,420,480 firm-fixed price contract for wheels and pneumatic tires. Work will be performed in Trenton, N.J., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Jun. 25, 2008. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0520).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fairfax, Va., was awarded on Jul. 3, 2008, an $18,370,444 firm-fixed price contract for support to the National Geospatial-Intelligence agency's human development directorate by providing employees with mission-essential technical skill training, systems training and leadership and intelligence professional education. Work will be performed at Fort Belvoir, Va., Bethesda, Md., and St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Ten bids were solicited on Nov. 1, 2005, and one bid was received. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Bethesda, Md., is the contracting activity (HM1576-06-C-0007).

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Charlotte, N.C., was awarded on Jul. 2, 2008, a $15,678,590 fixed-price incentive fee contract for full production of the Joint Service Lightweight Standoff Chemical Agent Detector increment one systems and spares. Work will be performed in Charlotte, N.C., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 30, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on May 24, 2007. U.S. ARMY Research and Development Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W911SR-08-D-0022).

ECI Construction, LLC, Dillsburg, Pa., was awarded on Jul. 3, 2008, a $5,636,800 firm-fixed price construction contract for the construction of a physical fitness facility. Work will be performed at the Defense Distribution Depot, New Cumberland, Pa., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Twenty-six bids were solicited on Apr. 29, 2008, and seven bids were received. U.S. ARMY Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Md., is the contracting activity (W912DR-08-C-0034).

NAVY

CSC Applied Technologies, LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $12,774,553 modification to previously awarded contract (N66604-05-C-1277) for reimbursable food services and material purchases to support increased operations at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC). AUTEC is a major range and test facility base providing both deep and shallow water test and training environments. Efforts for this modification support increased test range operations with the procurement of equipment, food services, consumables and other items needed to support this effort. This modification is a retroactive equitable adjustment to the contract. Work was performed at Andros Island, The Bahamas (81 percent); West Palm Beach, Fla., (18 percent); and Cape Canaveral, Fla., (1 percent), and the work was completed in Mar. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Newport, R.I., is the contracting activity.

Compass Systems, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md., is being awarded a $10,065,612 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide engineering aide for the design, manufacture and sustainment of avionic systems for the NAVY Special Projects Program. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md., and is expected to be completed in Jul. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-08-C-0319).

Earl Industries, Portsmouth, Va., is being awarded a $9,117,440 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-4403) for FY08 CNO availability for maintenance, repair, and alterations of USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43). The modification increases the total contract value to $189,966,878. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Va., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2008. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

The AIR FORCE is modifying a fixed price economic price adjustment contract not to exceed $17.4 million with Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems, of Marietta, Ga. This contract modification is an Undefinitized Contract Action for CCP 553 for Readiness Spares Package for the C-5M Reliability Enhancements and Re-engining Program (RERP). At this time $8.7 million has been obligated. 716 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-07-C-6471, P00005).