By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 22, 2008 - President George W. Bush paid a call to Walter Reed Army Medical Center here today to visit with wounded warriors, extend holiday greetings to them and their families and check up personally on the care and support they are receiving. "Every time I come here, I get amazed at the quality of care, the professionalism and the courage of our troops," Bush told reporters after the visit.
"I can say with certainty that the health care that our troops get in military medical facilities is excellent," the president said. "I am so pleased to hear from spouses and other loved ones about the care they get, as well, when they come to visit their ... wounded child or wounded husband or wounded spouse."
Noting that the visit is likely to be his last before leaving office, Bush said he took "great pleasure" in thanking those who serve at Walter Reed and other military medical facilities.
He reiterated his sentiment that he'll miss his role as commander in chief more than any other part of the presidency. "The military is the thing I'll miss the most, and coming here to Walter Reed is a reminder of why I'll miss it," he said.
Bush said in a Washington Times article published today he considers the time he spends with wounded troops and families of the wounded and fallen an important -– and highly emotional -- part of his job.
"This is my duty," he said. "The president is commander in chief, but the president is often 'comforter in chief,' as well. It is my duty ... to try to comfort as best as I humanly can a loved one who is in anguish."
Comfort can come in many different forms, the president said. "Comfort means hug, comfort means cry, comfort means smile, comfort means listen," he said. "Comfort also means, in many cases, assure the parent or the spouse that any decision made about troops in combat will be made with victory in mind, not about my personal standing in the polls or partisan politics."
Monday, December 22, 2008
President Extends Holiday Greetings, Thanks
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 22, 2008 - President George W. Bush sent his best wishes for the holiday season and those of first lady Laura Bush to servicemembers around the world in a message broadcast on the Pentagon Channel.
Here is the text of the president's holiday message:
"Laura and I send greetings to all the men and women of the U.S. military this holiday season.
"This time of year, our thoughts turn to rejoicing and reflection, gratitude and cheer, love and peace.
"Throughout our history, love of country and the hope of peace on earth have inspired America's armed forces, from the frozen fields of France to the jungles of Southeast Asia. Around the globe, today's men and women in uniform are carrying on that noble tradition. You are helping bring freedom, security and peace to millions in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere, and you are helping to protect the American people here at home.
"Many of you are spending this holiday season far from home, but you are close in our thoughts and prayers.
"I am sometimes asked what I will miss most about being president. Above all, I am going to miss being your commander in chief. Every one of you volunteered to serve the United States, and in this dangerous time, I thank you for making the world freer, our country safer and all Americans proud.
"Happy holidays and may God bless you."
The president's message may be viewed on DefenseLINK, the Defense Department's official Web site, or the Pentagon Channel Web site.
Dec. 22, 2008 - President George W. Bush sent his best wishes for the holiday season and those of first lady Laura Bush to servicemembers around the world in a message broadcast on the Pentagon Channel.
Here is the text of the president's holiday message:
"Laura and I send greetings to all the men and women of the U.S. military this holiday season.
"This time of year, our thoughts turn to rejoicing and reflection, gratitude and cheer, love and peace.
"Throughout our history, love of country and the hope of peace on earth have inspired America's armed forces, from the frozen fields of France to the jungles of Southeast Asia. Around the globe, today's men and women in uniform are carrying on that noble tradition. You are helping bring freedom, security and peace to millions in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere, and you are helping to protect the American people here at home.
"Many of you are spending this holiday season far from home, but you are close in our thoughts and prayers.
"I am sometimes asked what I will miss most about being president. Above all, I am going to miss being your commander in chief. Every one of you volunteered to serve the United States, and in this dangerous time, I thank you for making the world freer, our country safer and all Americans proud.
"Happy holidays and may God bless you."
The president's message may be viewed on DefenseLINK, the Defense Department's official Web site, or the Pentagon Channel Web site.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Military Books
Military-Writers.com is pleased to announce the addition of these servicemembers to the website:
General Anthony Charles Zinni, USMC (ret.)
Colonel William T. Coffey, Sr., USA (ret.)
Colonel John A. Henderson, USAF (ret.)
Colonel D. Michael Wallace, USA (ret.)
Colonel Robert Richard Boyd, USA (ret.)
Colonel Rollin C. Reineck, USAF (ret.)
Colonel Bernard Fisher, USAF (ret.)
Colonel Donald R. Wadell, USAF (ret.)
Captain John T. McIntyre, USN (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Carl A. Group, USAF (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Frank E. Owen, USA (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Dean Hunter, USAF (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Gary E. Brosch, USA (ret.)
Lt. Commander Curt J. Gronner, USN (ret.)
Major Gerald T. Richard, USA (ret.)
Major Donna H. Barthle, USA (ret.)
Major Euell T. White, USA (ret.)
Major William B. Moody, USA (ret.)
First Lieutenant Clay Noia, USMCChief Warrant Officer (4) Theodore R. Cromack, USAF (ret.)
The Website now lists 631 servicemembers and their 2180 books.
MORE INFORMATION
Military Books
This information was sponsored by Criminal Justice Degree information online.
General Anthony Charles Zinni, USMC (ret.)
Colonel William T. Coffey, Sr., USA (ret.)
Colonel John A. Henderson, USAF (ret.)
Colonel D. Michael Wallace, USA (ret.)
Colonel Robert Richard Boyd, USA (ret.)
Colonel Rollin C. Reineck, USAF (ret.)
Colonel Bernard Fisher, USAF (ret.)
Colonel Donald R. Wadell, USAF (ret.)
Captain John T. McIntyre, USN (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Carl A. Group, USAF (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Frank E. Owen, USA (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Dean Hunter, USAF (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Gary E. Brosch, USA (ret.)
Lt. Commander Curt J. Gronner, USN (ret.)
Major Gerald T. Richard, USA (ret.)
Major Donna H. Barthle, USA (ret.)
Major Euell T. White, USA (ret.)
Major William B. Moody, USA (ret.)
First Lieutenant Clay Noia, USMCChief Warrant Officer (4) Theodore R. Cromack, USAF (ret.)
The Website now lists 631 servicemembers and their 2180 books.
MORE INFORMATION
Military Books
This information was sponsored by Criminal Justice Degree information online.
Friday, December 19, 2008
U.S.-Ukrainian Militaries Work to Bring Regional Peace, Stability
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 19, 2008 - American and Ukrainian defense leaders are working together to assist Ukraine in its quest to develop modern, democratically managed armed forces, a senior U.S. military officer said here yesterday. The two-day U.S.-Ukraine Bilateral Defense Consultations played a large role in that endeavor, said Army Lt. Col. Gary D. Espinas, who works in international security affairs in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy.
The annual U.S.-Ukraine meetings constitute a high-level forum, Espinas said, in which senior officials from both countries can discuss key aspects of their defense relationship. Michael Coulter, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for International Security Affairs, and Valerii Ivashchenko, acting first deputy defense minister and head of the Ukrainian delegation, attended this year's conference.
Ukraine is an eastern European country of about 46 million people. It declared independence in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian government has plans to downsize its armed forces while modernizing its military's force structure, Espinas said. Another part of Ukraine's military modernization program, he said, includes the establishment of professional, all-volunteer armed forces.
"Our support of their defense-reform efforts and Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership and interoperability with NATO forces all take place in the context of supporting a key partner" in the region, said Espinas, the country director for Ukraine, Belarus and the Black Sea for international security affairs' European and NATO policy directorate.
Ukraine is the only non-NATO country participating in all NATO operations, Espinas said, noting Ukrainian troops are engaged in missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ukrainian troops also participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions, such as in Kosovo in the Balkans.
"Ukraine is a key partner of the United States and a key player in regional security, and it underscores the importance of having a professional military that is interoperable with NATO and capable of meeting their country's needs," Espinas said.
American military officials interface with their Ukrainian counterparts at several levels, from the Ministry of Defense, to the General Staff, down to individual units, Espinas said.
"We have advisors helping them with their efforts to develop a professional noncommissioned officer corps. We have Ukrainian officers coming to our military schools. We are working closely at the general staff and tactical level, as well," Espinas said. Ukrainian, U.S., and some other nations' armed forces also participate in combined military exercises, he said.
Some Ukrainian officers attend U.S. military schools, such as the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., Espinas said. The War College prepares selected senior officers and civilians for increased rank and responsibilities.
"They can see -- up close and personal -- how we operate, and that has an effect when these officers graduate from our schools [and] go back to their armed forces to later become key leaders," Espinas said. Two Ukrainian officers who had attended the Army War College later attained general-officer rank, he said.
"So, there's a very robust set of activities," Espinas said, "all of which support Ukraine's strategic goals of advancing their Euro-Atlantic integration and developing interoperability with NATO."
The annual bilateral meetings are held in turn in Washington, California and Ukraine.
Ukraine participates with the California National Guard in the State Partnership Program. Ukrainian military members have traveled to California to participate in disaster-relief exercises with the Guard, and California Guardsmen have deployed to Ukraine for anti-terror exercises.
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 19, 2008 - American and Ukrainian defense leaders are working together to assist Ukraine in its quest to develop modern, democratically managed armed forces, a senior U.S. military officer said here yesterday. The two-day U.S.-Ukraine Bilateral Defense Consultations played a large role in that endeavor, said Army Lt. Col. Gary D. Espinas, who works in international security affairs in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy.
The annual U.S.-Ukraine meetings constitute a high-level forum, Espinas said, in which senior officials from both countries can discuss key aspects of their defense relationship. Michael Coulter, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for International Security Affairs, and Valerii Ivashchenko, acting first deputy defense minister and head of the Ukrainian delegation, attended this year's conference.
Ukraine is an eastern European country of about 46 million people. It declared independence in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian government has plans to downsize its armed forces while modernizing its military's force structure, Espinas said. Another part of Ukraine's military modernization program, he said, includes the establishment of professional, all-volunteer armed forces.
"Our support of their defense-reform efforts and Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership and interoperability with NATO forces all take place in the context of supporting a key partner" in the region, said Espinas, the country director for Ukraine, Belarus and the Black Sea for international security affairs' European and NATO policy directorate.
Ukraine is the only non-NATO country participating in all NATO operations, Espinas said, noting Ukrainian troops are engaged in missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ukrainian troops also participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions, such as in Kosovo in the Balkans.
"Ukraine is a key partner of the United States and a key player in regional security, and it underscores the importance of having a professional military that is interoperable with NATO and capable of meeting their country's needs," Espinas said.
American military officials interface with their Ukrainian counterparts at several levels, from the Ministry of Defense, to the General Staff, down to individual units, Espinas said.
"We have advisors helping them with their efforts to develop a professional noncommissioned officer corps. We have Ukrainian officers coming to our military schools. We are working closely at the general staff and tactical level, as well," Espinas said. Ukrainian, U.S., and some other nations' armed forces also participate in combined military exercises, he said.
Some Ukrainian officers attend U.S. military schools, such as the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., Espinas said. The War College prepares selected senior officers and civilians for increased rank and responsibilities.
"They can see -- up close and personal -- how we operate, and that has an effect when these officers graduate from our schools [and] go back to their armed forces to later become key leaders," Espinas said. Two Ukrainian officers who had attended the Army War College later attained general-officer rank, he said.
"So, there's a very robust set of activities," Espinas said, "all of which support Ukraine's strategic goals of advancing their Euro-Atlantic integration and developing interoperability with NATO."
The annual bilateral meetings are held in turn in Washington, California and Ukraine.
Ukraine participates with the California National Guard in the State Partnership Program. Ukrainian military members have traveled to California to participate in disaster-relief exercises with the Guard, and California Guardsmen have deployed to Ukraine for anti-terror exercises.
Marine Pilot Missing In Action From WWII Is Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
He is Maj. Marion R. McCown Jr., U.S. Marine Corps, of Charleston, S.C. He will be buried on Jan. 18 in Charleston.
Representatives from the Marine Corps Mortuary Office met with McCown's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the secretary of the Navy.
On Jan. 20, 1944 McCown was the pilot of an F-4U Corsair aircraft that failed to return from a combat mission over Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
In 1991, a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) team excavated an F-4U crash site in Rabaul and recovered human remains and McCown's identification tag. However, forensic science at that time precluded an identification.
In 2006, a JPAC team surveyed the crash site in preparation for a recovery. While at the site, a villager living in the area turned over to the team human remains that he claimed to have recovered from the site. In 2008, another JPAC team excavated the site and recovered additional human remains.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC used dental comparisons in the identification of McCown's remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1420.
He is Maj. Marion R. McCown Jr., U.S. Marine Corps, of Charleston, S.C. He will be buried on Jan. 18 in Charleston.
Representatives from the Marine Corps Mortuary Office met with McCown's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the secretary of the Navy.
On Jan. 20, 1944 McCown was the pilot of an F-4U Corsair aircraft that failed to return from a combat mission over Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
In 1991, a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) team excavated an F-4U crash site in Rabaul and recovered human remains and McCown's identification tag. However, forensic science at that time precluded an identification.
In 2006, a JPAC team surveyed the crash site in preparation for a recovery. While at the site, a villager living in the area turned over to the team human remains that he claimed to have recovered from the site. In 2008, another JPAC team excavated the site and recovered additional human remains.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC used dental comparisons in the identification of McCown's remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1420.
Chairman Dubs USO Tour 'Smiles Around the World'
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 19, 2008 - The enthusiastic reception servicemembers are giving performers on this year's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff USO Holiday Tour have led Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the nation's top military officer, to call the trip "Smiles Around the World." The tour started its third day today with shows in Mosul and Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, and ended with a performance here.
At Mosul, more than 1,500 servicemembers trooped into a large fest tent for the show featuring Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler, Lewis Black, Tichina Arnold, Zac Brown, Kathleen Madigan and John Bowman.
In Al Asad, the performers entertained more than 3,000 Marines, sailors, airmen, soldiers and civilians at the soccer field from a stage that Navy Seabees built for the occasion.
The show at Al Asad started with decent temperatures, but once the sun went down, the temperature went south pretty quickly, too. The musicians felt the cold the most, but still kept "pickin' and grinnin'" through a number of songs that brought the house down.
The comedians – led by Lewis Black – clearly were enjoying the energy they were getting from the crowd, and all of the performers were on longer than scheduled. At the end of the show, the servicemembers started a chant of "One more song, one more song, one more song!" Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler and Zac Brown played John Cougar Mellencamp's "Little Pink Houses." The servicemembers all sang the chorus -- "which begins, "Ain't that America?" -- along with the performers.
The show here didn't start until midnight. It originally was scheduled to begin at 8:30, but the plane was late getting in, and then weather forced the group to motorcade from the airport in Kosovo's capital of Pristina to the base. The sound equipment took some time to get to Bondsteel and be set up. Mullen came early, spoke with the servicemembers and passed his personal coin out.
Few members of the mostly National Guard audience left the theater, despite the long wait. "We're sort of forgotten here in Kosovo," one specialist said. "Believe me, we're so pleased to have people like this come and entertain, we'd sit here all night, if necessary."
This is Mullen's second holiday tour.
"'Smiles Around the World' is what I call it," he said during an interview aboard the C-17 taking the troupe to Kosovo. "These performers can relate to the troops, and they appreciate the troops' sacrifices. They know how they feel at this time of year."
During the day, the chairman not only introduced the shows, but also received operational updates in Mosul and in Pristina. Earlier in the morning, he met with leaders of Multinational Corps Iraq at the Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, outside Baghdad.
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 19, 2008 - The enthusiastic reception servicemembers are giving performers on this year's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff USO Holiday Tour have led Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the nation's top military officer, to call the trip "Smiles Around the World." The tour started its third day today with shows in Mosul and Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, and ended with a performance here.
At Mosul, more than 1,500 servicemembers trooped into a large fest tent for the show featuring Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler, Lewis Black, Tichina Arnold, Zac Brown, Kathleen Madigan and John Bowman.
In Al Asad, the performers entertained more than 3,000 Marines, sailors, airmen, soldiers and civilians at the soccer field from a stage that Navy Seabees built for the occasion.
The show at Al Asad started with decent temperatures, but once the sun went down, the temperature went south pretty quickly, too. The musicians felt the cold the most, but still kept "pickin' and grinnin'" through a number of songs that brought the house down.
The comedians – led by Lewis Black – clearly were enjoying the energy they were getting from the crowd, and all of the performers were on longer than scheduled. At the end of the show, the servicemembers started a chant of "One more song, one more song, one more song!" Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler and Zac Brown played John Cougar Mellencamp's "Little Pink Houses." The servicemembers all sang the chorus -- "which begins, "Ain't that America?" -- along with the performers.
The show here didn't start until midnight. It originally was scheduled to begin at 8:30, but the plane was late getting in, and then weather forced the group to motorcade from the airport in Kosovo's capital of Pristina to the base. The sound equipment took some time to get to Bondsteel and be set up. Mullen came early, spoke with the servicemembers and passed his personal coin out.
Few members of the mostly National Guard audience left the theater, despite the long wait. "We're sort of forgotten here in Kosovo," one specialist said. "Believe me, we're so pleased to have people like this come and entertain, we'd sit here all night, if necessary."
This is Mullen's second holiday tour.
"'Smiles Around the World' is what I call it," he said during an interview aboard the C-17 taking the troupe to Kosovo. "These performers can relate to the troops, and they appreciate the troops' sacrifices. They know how they feel at this time of year."
During the day, the chairman not only introduced the shows, but also received operational updates in Mosul and in Pristina. Earlier in the morning, he met with leaders of Multinational Corps Iraq at the Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, outside Baghdad.
Marine Vows Mission Success for Toys for Tots, Despite Economic Woes
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 19, 2008 - Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Azemar King saw how the nation swept in to help him and his fellow New Orleanians when Hurricane Katrina devastated their city in 2005. So this year, he's convinced the American public will step in during the last few days before Christmas to ensure the Marine Corps Reserve's annual Toys for Tots drive doesn't leave a single needy child empty-handed.
King, national coordinator for the program at Marine Forces Reserve headquarters in New Orleans, concedes that a dire economy has caused donations to drop, even as need increases.
"Everybody is hurting this year, but they are still generous and doing what they can across the board," he said. "But there's a big gap there to fill."
Retired Marine Corps Maj. Bill Grein, vice president for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation that manages the program's fund- and toy-raising activities and supplements local collection efforts, said this year is tougher than most.
Fewer toys are being dropped off at most of the 600-plus collection sites around the country. Private cash donations have decreased locally as well, and corporate cash donations to the Toys for Tots Foundation are down 12 to 15 percent from last year, Grein said.
The good news, he said, is that corporate toy donations are keeping pace with last year's levels, and several corporations have made "great donations" to help fill the shortfall. Hasbro Inc., JAKKS Pacific Inc., Toys"R"Us Inc., Best Buy, The UPS Store and Build-a-Bear Workshop Inc. all made big toy donations, he said.
With less than a week to Christmas, and as more people turn to the Toys for Tots drive this year for help, Grein expressed hope that the program can keep pace with demand.
Last year, Toys for Tots distributed 16.7 million toys to 7.5 million children. But with 13 million U.S. children at or below the poverty level, Grein said that "leaves a lot still to be reached."
At the Marine Corps Reserve headquarters, King refuses to believe this year's campaign will fall short.
"We're very confident that we are going to have mission accomplishment. That's always first for the Marine Corps," he said. "In my heart of hearts, I hope and I believe that this week, some angel is going to call the foundation" and make a big donation.
Meanwhile, King is convinced that as toy shortages get more publicity, "people are going to step up" and dig a little deeper into their pockets to help.
King experienced that kind of generosity firsthand when he and his fellow New Orleans residents were displaced following Hurricane Katrina.
"I've seen what people will do when they see a need," he said. "And I think the American public is going to rally and do their part between now and Christmas and get us the toys or the money so we can change that into a toy and make sure that every child gets a toy for Christmas."
Marine Corps Reserve volunteers are busy working toward that goal as they get donated toys to charitable groups across the country. With some of the regular reserve volunteers serving combat deployments, active-duty Marines have volunteered to serve as reinforcements, King said.
In addition, veteran Marines and other community members are serving as Santa's helpers, collecting and distributing toys on behalf of the program.
This year marks the 60 anniversary of the nationwide Toys for Tots program. The program got its start in 1947 as a much smaller effort when Marine Corps Maj. Bill Hendricks and a group of fellow Marine Corps reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children.
The pilot project proved so successful that the Marine Corps adopted the program in 1948, expanding it into a nationwide campaign. Since then, Marines have distributed more than 370 million toys to more than 173 needy children through Toys for Tots.
King called Toys for Tots a great outreach effort that connects the Marine Corps with communities across the country. "This is that personal touch that the Marine Corps gives back to the community that has allowed us to build such a great repertoire and reputation with the American people," he said.
"They love the Marine Corps," he continued. "We win wars and we have this great program that touches the lives of millions."
But King said he and his fellow Marines are touched personally by the program as well.
"Volunteers come in and they give and they give and they give. And it is a thankless job until you see that child receive that toy, and then it all makes sense," he said. "Seeing the eyes and the reaction of those kids -- you just can't put a price tag on it.
"And that's why you come back year after year to give this program 110 percent, and why Toys for Tots has become as successful as it is," King said. "It is the purest form of charity."
Information about where to request or drop off toys and how to make an online donation is available on the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Web site.
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 19, 2008 - Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Azemar King saw how the nation swept in to help him and his fellow New Orleanians when Hurricane Katrina devastated their city in 2005. So this year, he's convinced the American public will step in during the last few days before Christmas to ensure the Marine Corps Reserve's annual Toys for Tots drive doesn't leave a single needy child empty-handed.
King, national coordinator for the program at Marine Forces Reserve headquarters in New Orleans, concedes that a dire economy has caused donations to drop, even as need increases.
"Everybody is hurting this year, but they are still generous and doing what they can across the board," he said. "But there's a big gap there to fill."
Retired Marine Corps Maj. Bill Grein, vice president for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation that manages the program's fund- and toy-raising activities and supplements local collection efforts, said this year is tougher than most.
Fewer toys are being dropped off at most of the 600-plus collection sites around the country. Private cash donations have decreased locally as well, and corporate cash donations to the Toys for Tots Foundation are down 12 to 15 percent from last year, Grein said.
The good news, he said, is that corporate toy donations are keeping pace with last year's levels, and several corporations have made "great donations" to help fill the shortfall. Hasbro Inc., JAKKS Pacific Inc., Toys"R"Us Inc., Best Buy, The UPS Store and Build-a-Bear Workshop Inc. all made big toy donations, he said.
With less than a week to Christmas, and as more people turn to the Toys for Tots drive this year for help, Grein expressed hope that the program can keep pace with demand.
Last year, Toys for Tots distributed 16.7 million toys to 7.5 million children. But with 13 million U.S. children at or below the poverty level, Grein said that "leaves a lot still to be reached."
At the Marine Corps Reserve headquarters, King refuses to believe this year's campaign will fall short.
"We're very confident that we are going to have mission accomplishment. That's always first for the Marine Corps," he said. "In my heart of hearts, I hope and I believe that this week, some angel is going to call the foundation" and make a big donation.
Meanwhile, King is convinced that as toy shortages get more publicity, "people are going to step up" and dig a little deeper into their pockets to help.
King experienced that kind of generosity firsthand when he and his fellow New Orleans residents were displaced following Hurricane Katrina.
"I've seen what people will do when they see a need," he said. "And I think the American public is going to rally and do their part between now and Christmas and get us the toys or the money so we can change that into a toy and make sure that every child gets a toy for Christmas."
Marine Corps Reserve volunteers are busy working toward that goal as they get donated toys to charitable groups across the country. With some of the regular reserve volunteers serving combat deployments, active-duty Marines have volunteered to serve as reinforcements, King said.
In addition, veteran Marines and other community members are serving as Santa's helpers, collecting and distributing toys on behalf of the program.
This year marks the 60 anniversary of the nationwide Toys for Tots program. The program got its start in 1947 as a much smaller effort when Marine Corps Maj. Bill Hendricks and a group of fellow Marine Corps reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children.
The pilot project proved so successful that the Marine Corps adopted the program in 1948, expanding it into a nationwide campaign. Since then, Marines have distributed more than 370 million toys to more than 173 needy children through Toys for Tots.
King called Toys for Tots a great outreach effort that connects the Marine Corps with communities across the country. "This is that personal touch that the Marine Corps gives back to the community that has allowed us to build such a great repertoire and reputation with the American people," he said.
"They love the Marine Corps," he continued. "We win wars and we have this great program that touches the lives of millions."
But King said he and his fellow Marines are touched personally by the program as well.
"Volunteers come in and they give and they give and they give. And it is a thankless job until you see that child receive that toy, and then it all makes sense," he said. "Seeing the eyes and the reaction of those kids -- you just can't put a price tag on it.
"And that's why you come back year after year to give this program 110 percent, and why Toys for Tots has become as successful as it is," King said. "It is the purest form of charity."
Information about where to request or drop off toys and how to make an online donation is available on the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Web site.
MILITARY CONTRACTS December 19, 2008
Navy
The U.S. Navy is awarding indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award contracts to contractors that will provide for their competition for service requirements solicited by Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Supply Systems Command, Military Sealift Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Strategic Systems Programs, Office of Naval Research, Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the United States Marine Corps. The twenty-two functional service areas within the scope of the contracts include 1. Research and Development Support, 2. Engineering System Engineering and Process Engineering Support, 3. Modeling, Simulation, Stimulation, and Analysis Support, 4. Prototyping, Pre-Production, Model-Making, and Fabrication Support, 5. System Design Documentation and Technical Data Support, 6. Software Engineering, Development, Programming, and Network Support, 7. Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RM&A) Support, 8. Human Factors, Performance, and Usability Engineering Support, 9. System Safety Engineering Support, 10. Configuration Management (CM) Support, 11. Quality Assurance (QA) Support, 12. Information System (IS) Development, Information Assurance (IA), and Information Technology (IT) Support, 13. Inactivation and Disposal Support, 14. Interoperability, Test and Evaluation, Trials Support, 15. Measurement Facilities, Range, and Instrumentation Support, 16. Logistics Support, 17. Supply and Provisioning Support, 18. Training Support, 19. In-Service Engineering, Fleet Introduction, Installation and Checkout Support, 20. Program Support, 21. Functional and Administrative Support, and 22. Public Affairs and Multimedia Support. These contracts are in addition to the existing 1,605 contracts previously awarded under the SeaPort Enhanced (SeaPort-e) acquisition program for services procurements. The Government estimates a maximum of $5,300,000,000 of services will be procured per year via orders issued under the SeaPort-e multiple award contracts. The awards have a three month base period with one five-year option and one four-year nine month award term option. These contracts were competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online, with 209 offers received and 199 contracts awarded. Contract funds will be obligated at the time of task order award and as such, multiple funding types (with varying expiration dates) may be used, consistent with the purpose for which the funds were appropriated. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity (N00178-09-D-5652 - N00178-09-D-5851).
The list of contractors involved are: 1 On 1 Services Group LLC*, Phoenix, Ariz.; 360 Software Corporation*, Orlando, Fla.; 6K Systems, Inc.*, Sterling, Va.; A Solution Inc.*, McLean, Va.; Acclaim Systems*, Feasterville Trevose, Pa.; ACD Telecom, LLC*, Sanford, Fla.; Ace Info Solutions, Inc.*, Reston, Va.; Advanced Integrated Software Technology*, Chicago, Ill.; Advanced Systems Design*, Tallahassee, Fla.; Agile Tek Solutions, LLC*, Plano, Texas; AIM USA, LLC*, San Antonio, Texas; Akira Technologies, Inc*, Fairfax, Va.; All Technologies, Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; AllSource Global Management, LLC*, Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Altec Strategy, LLC*, Warrenton, Va.; American Research Service, Inc.*, Dallas, Texas; American Service Network Corporation*, Lorton, Va.; APPLIED SERVICES AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Ascella Technologies Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; Autonomic Resources LLC*, Cary, N.C.; Axiom Corporation*, Atlanta, Ga.; Axiscore LLC*, Gaithersburg, Md.; Axseum Solutions LLC*, Arlington, Va.; B L Hawkins & Associates dba HT Innovations*, Upper Marlboro, Md.; B3 Solutions, LLC*, Jacksonville, Fla.; Bara Infoware Inc.*, San Ramon, Calif.; Beacon Systems, Inc*, Pompano Beach, Fla.; BLF Technologies, Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; Cask Technologies, LLC*, La Jolla, Calif.; Castillo Technologies, LLC*, Chandler, Ariz.; CFM Engineering*, Glen Burnie, Md.; Chae & Nam Universe dba C & N Universe Inc.*, National City, Calif.; CJSeto Support Services, LLC*, Ventura, Calif.; CMW & Associates, Inc.*, Springfield, Ill.; Columbus Technologies and Services, Inc.*, Pasadena, Calif.; Comptech Computer Technologies Inc.*, Dayton, Ohio; Computech Resources International, Inc.*, Shrewsbury, N.J.; COMPUTER CITE*, SAN RAMON, Calif.; Computer Integration & Programming Solutions Corp.*, Bethesda, Md.; Computer Mainstream Corp.*, Atlanta, Ga.; Computers Universal Inc*, WESTERVILLE, Ohio; Concentric Methods, LLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Construction CAD Solutions Inc*, Willowbrook, Ill.; Consulting Engineering Next Generation dba Cengen Inc.*, Columbia, Md.; Data Management Group of VA*, Hampton, Va.; Data Tech Central, LLC*, Norfolk, Va.; Davis Paige Management Systems, LLC*, Springfield, Va.; Dawson Technical, LLC*, Honolulu, Hawaii; DB Consulting Group, Inc.*, Silver Spring, Md.; Decypher Technologies*, San Antonio, Texas; Delan Associates, Inc.*, Freeport, N.Y.; dFuzion, Inc.*, Ashburn, Va.; Diamond Information Systems, LLC*, Sterling, Va.; Digital Management Inc.*, Bethesda, Md.; Diverse Business Systems, Inc.*, Dayton, Ohio; DreamHammer*, Santa Monica, Calif.; DRT Strategies*, Arlington, Va.; EBITS LLC*, Tinton Falls, N.J.; Educational and Business Services, LLC*, Littleton, Colo.; Emagine IT INC*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; Enterprise Solutions Incorporated dba ESI*, Vienna, Va.; Entertainment Marketing Group dba Integrated Marketing Group, Inc. The*, Miami, Fla.; Environmental & Occupational Safety Services, Inc.*, Red Bank, N.J.; Envision Innovative Solutions*, Howell, N.J.; EPCS Co *, Yorktown, Va.; EPM Solutions, LLC*, Cupertino,, Calif.; ERIMAX, Inc.*, Dunkirk, Md.; Estime Enterprises, Inc.*, Lanham, Md.; EVOLVE, INC.*, ORLANDO, Fla.; Expertech Solutions*, Rockville, Md.; Facility Management & Engineering, inc.*, Evansville, Ind.; Faircloth Information Technology Systems dba FIT Systems Inc*, Tampa, Fla.; Federated Information Technologies*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; FEI.com, Inc.*, Columbia, Md.; Financial Business Solutions LLC*, Doylestown, Pa.; First Information Technology Services, Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; Form Fit and Function LLC*, Paterson, N.J.; Fortis Networks*, Phoenix, Ariz.; FutureNet Group, Inc.*, Detroit, Mich.; Glacier Technologies, LLC.*, El Paso, Texas; Global Consulting Inc.*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; Global Consulting International Inc*, Salt Lake City, Utah; Global Technology Solutions, LLC*, Richmond, Va.; Government Systems, Inc,*, Alexandria, Va.; H2 Performance Consulting Corp.*, Pensacola, Fla.; Halfaker and
Associates, LLC*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; Harbor Offshore Inc.*, Ventura, Calif.; Hawaii 5-0 Technology Services, Inc*, Honolulu, Hawaii; HBC Management Services, Inc.*, Honolulu, Hawaii; HBMG, Inc.*, Austin, Texas; Healthy Resources Enterprise Inc*, Houston, Texas; HENDALL INC*, Columbia, Md.; Hixardt Technologies, Inc*, Pensacola, Fla.; HMS Enterprises, Inc*, Alexandria, Va.; Huckstep Holdings dba Techwise*, Colorado Springs, Colo.; ICATT Consulting, Inc.*, Jacksonville, Fla.; ICOR Partners, LLC*, Arlington, Va..; ILSC Holdings LC*, Payson, Ariz.; IM Solutions, LLC*, Woodbridge, Va..; InGenesis, Inc.*, San Antonio, Texas; Innovar Environmental Inc.*, LIttleton, Colo.; Insystech, Inc.*, Manassas, Va.; INTELLIGENT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, LLC*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; International Computer Systems, Inc.*, Greenbelt, Md.; IP Network Solutions, Inc*, Herndon, Va.; IPKeys Technologies, LLC*, Shrewsbury, N.J.; iT Resource Solutions.net, Inc*, East Setauket, N.Y.; Jackson Automated Management Systems dba JAMS*, FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.; JRD & Associates, Inc.*, South Miami, Fla.; Komplete Systems Integrators Inc.*, Atlanta, Ga.; KPG GLOBAL ENTERPRISES*, FISHERS, Ind.; Lani Eko & Co., CPAs, PLLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Lanmark Technology, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va.; Link Solutions, Inc.*, Reston, Va.; LNS TECHNOLOGY, INC*, LORTON, Va.; Logistics Systems Inc.*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; LOGMET*, Austin, Texas; Longevity Consulting*, Manassas, Va.; LOUi Consulting Group Inc.*, Warner Robins, Ga.; MacArthur & Baker Internat'l Inc. dba MBI Consulting*, Bethesda, Md.; Macon Pace, Inc.*, Trenton, N.J.; Management Recruiters of Woodbridge, Inc.*, Woodbridge, N.J.; Marton Technologies, Inc.*, Hampton, Va.; Morgan Business Consulting, LLC*, Ashburn, Va.; MORI Associates, Inc.*, Bethesda, Md.; Nasir Group, LLC, The*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; National Capitol Contracting, LLC.*, Arlington, Va.; Net Services*, Centreville, Va.; Net World Technology Corporation*, Carlisle, Pa.; Network Security Systems Plus, Inc.*, Falls Church, Va.; New Age Protection, Inc.*, Springfield, Va.; New Tech Solutions Inc*, Fremont, Calif.; New West Technologies, LLC*, Greenwood Village, Colo.; Next Tier Concepts, Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; NIKSOFT SYSTEMS CORPORATION*, RESTON, Va.; NOVA Training and Technology Solutions, LLC*, Boothwyn, Pa.; OHC Environmental Engineering, Inc.*, Tampa, Fla.; Orizon, Inc.*, Rockville, Md.; Paragon Technology Group*, Vienna, Va.; PARS Environmental Inc.*, Robbinsville, N.J.; Parts Life Inc.*, Cinnaminson, N.J.; Patricio Enterprises*, Stafford, Va.; PearlNet, LLC*, Atlanta, Ga.; Prince of Wales Tribal Enterprise Consortium LLC POWTEC*, Craig, Ark; Progressive Computer Services, Inc.*, Honoluu, Hawaii; Protein Media, Inc.*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; PROVISTA Software International, Inc*, Fremont, Calif.; Prutech Solutions, Inc.*, Iselin, N.J.; Puget Sound Environmental Corp.*, Bremerton, Wash.; Quality Software Services, Inc. (QSSI)*, Gaithersburg, Md.; Ram Tech Systems, Inc.*, Newark, Del.; Reed Integration, Inc.*, Smithfield, Va.; ReliaTrust Technologies, Inc.*, Dulles, Va.; Resource-Trac, Inc*, Irvine, Calif.; reVision, Inc.*, Denver, Colo.; RGF Consulting Corporation*, Ft. Washington, Md.; Ridgewood Technology Partners, LLC*, Ashburn, Va.; RMV Technology Group, LLC*, Clayton, Calif.; S & K Aerospace, Inc.*, St Ignatius, Mont.; Sawdey Solution Services, Inc.*, Dayton, Ohio; Sevatec, Inc.*, Falls Church, Va.; SilTek, Inc.*, Herndon, Va.; SimIS Inc.*, Portsmouth, Va.; Singhal & Company, Inc.*, Herndon, Va.; Skylla Engineering Ltd.*, Humble, Texas; Smart Data Solutions LLC*, Silver Spring, Md.; Smart Innovative Solutions LLC*, Columbia, Md.; Software Engineering Services Corporation*, Bellevue, Neb.; Solution One Industries, Ltd.*, Killeen, Texas; Strategic Operational Solutions, Inc.*, Reston, Va.; Summit Technologies LLC*, South Riding, Va.; Synergistics Inc*, Richland, Wash.; Systems Consulting Group, LLC*, Herndon, Va.; Tantus
Technologies, Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; TechFirst Inc*, Laurel, Md.; Technica LLC*, North Charleston, S.C.; TecPort Solutions Inc*, Harrisburg, Pa.; TEKNOFIRM, INC.*, FAIRFAX, Va.; TELEDEVICES, LLC*, LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.; Terra Nova Environmental Services, LLC*, Cranbury, N.J.; tieBridge, Inc.*, Falls Church, Va.; TISTA Science and Technology Corporation*, Bethesda, Md.; Total Solutions, Inc.*, Madison, Ala.; Tracen Technologies, Inc.*, Manassas, Va.; Tribalco, LLC*, Bethesda, Md.; Trilobyte Sales*, Irvine, Calif.; Twin Imaging Technology, Inc.*, Oceanside, Calif.; Ultimate Solutions, Inc.*, New Orleans, La.; Vektrel LLC*, San Diego, Calif.; Veracity Engineering LLC*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; ViewTrust Technology, Inc.*, Springfield, Va.; Virtual Technology Services, LLC*, Midwest City, Okla.; VMD Systems Integrators, Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; Ward Consulting,LLC/Full Circle Consulting Group*, Stamford, Conn.; Watley Engineering LLC*, Panama City, Fla.; Worldwide Information Network Systems (WINS)*, Seabrook, Md.; Zavda Technologies, LLC*, Glenn Dale, Md.; ZIBIZ CORPORATION*, Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing Co., St Louis, Mo., is being awarded an cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with an estimated value of $905,344,762 for support services required to enhance the F/A-18A/B, C/D, E/F, and EA-18G aircraft with a series of System Configuration Sets (SCSs). These enhancements will support F/A-18 aircraft operated by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and the Governments of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Switzerland, Finland and Malaysia. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (95 precent) and at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif. (5 precent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2013. 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 (N68936-09-D-0002).
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Bloomington, Minn., is being awarded a $45,429,181 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the full rate production of 195 Type 3 Advanced Mission Computers (AMCs) for integration into the F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G aircraft for the U.S. Navy (166) and the Government of Australia (29). This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($38,526,410; 85 precent) and Australia ($6,902,771; 15 precent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Bloomington, Minn. and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $1,216,355 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-07-C-0030).
Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors (LM MS2), Moorestown, N.J., is
being awarded a $43,665,000 modification to previously awarded contract for engineering services for DDG 51 Class Aegis Combat System Installation, Integration and Test, in support of the Program Executive Officer Integrated Warfare Systems. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J. (37 precent), Bath, Maine (25 precent), Pascagoula, Miss. (22 precent), San Diego, Calif. (6 precent), Washington, D.C. (5 precent), Norfolk, Va. (3 precent), Port Hueneme, Calif. (1 precent), Syracuse, N.Y. (1 precent and is expected to be completed by Apr. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-03-C-5115).
Raytheon Technical Services Co. LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $38,662,175 cost plus fixed fee delivery order against a previously issued basic order agreement for software in support of V-22 programs including lab capabilities, lab sustainment, situational awareness, simulation products/desk top environment, V-22 Mission Planning Systems (VMPS), and software support activity/software engineering for the V-22 Osprey Program. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $8,938,700 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-05-G-0008).
FN Herstal, S.A., Herstal, Belgium, is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $27,900,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman's maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples. First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. FN Herstal's production facility is in Herstal, Belgium. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-1037).
Raytheon Technical Services Co. LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $26,211,950 firm fixed price modification to a previously-issued basic order agreement to exercise an option for 65 LAU-115D/A Launchers for the U.S. Navy (38) and the Royal Australian Air Force (27) and 140 LAU-116B/A Launchers for the U.S. Navy (126) and the Royal Australian Air Force (14) for the F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($20,355,240; 80.3 precent) and the Government of Australia ($5,172,320; 19.7 precent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in Apr. 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $5,172,320 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-05-G-0008).
Raytheon Network Centric Systems, St. Petersburg, Fla, is being awarded a $25,800,618 modification to previously awarded contract for Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production. Work will be performed in Largo, Fla. (47.0 precent); St. Petersburg, Fla. (20.0 precent); Dallas, Texas (18.0 precent); and McKinney, Texas (15.0 precent); and is expected to be completed by Apr. 2011. 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 (N00024-08-C-5203).
Heckler and Koch Defense, Inc., Ashburn, Va., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $23,600,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman's maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples. First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Work will be performed in Oberndorf, Germany. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-1038).
Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $17,923,410 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract for the special tooling and special test equipment required to maintain Joint Stand-Off Weapons (JSOW-C) production rate requirements and to support the transition to production readiness activities for the AGM-154C-1 Variant. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be completed in Mar. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity (N00019-07-C-0093).
Colt Defense, Inc., West Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $14,000,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman's maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples, First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Colt's production facility is in West Hartford, Conn. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Conn. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (RFP M67854-08-R-1000, proposal 6940, contract number M67854-09-D-1035).
Colt Defense, Inc., West Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $14,000,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman's maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples, First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Colt's production facility is in West Hartford, Conn. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Conn. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (RFP M67854-08-R-1000, proposal 6940H, and contract number M67854-09-D-1036).
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a $9,950,000 firm fixed price contract modification to previously awarded contract for the procurement of long lead time materials in support of LPD 26. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 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 (N00024-06-C-2222).
L-3 Communications Corp., Sylmar, Calif., 91342, is being awarded a $7,668,896 firm fixed price cost plus fixed fee modification to contract to purchase supportability services, evaluation, salvage, repair and upgrade services of TB23/BQ Towed Systems. Work will be performed in Sylmar, Calif. and is expected to be complete by Jan. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $114,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-05-C-6237)
Northrop Grumman Corp., Electronic Systems, Linthicum Heights, Md., is being awarded $6,384,275 modification to a previously awarded contract to incorporate the Human Systems Integration (HSI) Logistics effort in support of the Ground Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system. The contractor shall develop and implement a plan to effectively apply HSI principles during G/ATOR design, production and integration. The contractor shall ensure Human Factors Engineering, Manpower, Personnel, Training, System Safety, Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health (ESOH), and Personnel Survivability requirements are incorporated into the layout, design, and arrangement of equipment having an operator or maintainer interface.
Approximately 69 precent of the work will be performed by Northrop Grumman Corporation in Linthicum Heights, MD and approximately 31 precent will be performed by Northrop Grumman's subcontract, Sensis in Syracuse, N.Y. The HSI Logistics effort is expected to be completed by Jun. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract modification was not competitively procured as the effort is an engineering change within scope of the current contract pursuant to the Changes clause. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-07-C-2072).
UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND
Presidential Airways, Inc., an Aviation Worldwide Services Co., of Moyock, N.C., is being awarded a $118,990,518 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services. Work will be performed in Afghanistan and is expected to start Dec 19, 2008 to be completed by 30 Nov 2013. Contract funds will expire at the end of this current fiscal year. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., (HTC711-09-D-0021).
Canadian Commercial Corp., subcontracting services to Canadian Helicopter, LTD of Ottawa Canada, is being awarded a $31, 370, 950 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services. Work will be performed in Afghanistan and is expected to start Dec 19, 2008 to be completed by 30 Nov 2013. Contract funds will expire at the end of this current fiscal year. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., (HTC711-09-D-0022).
Presidential Airways, Inc., an Aviation Worldwide Services Co., of Moyock, N.C., is being awarded a $10,290,391.00 fixed price contract modification to add two additional Dash 8 aircraft. This contract is for fixed-wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger, cargo and combination air transportation services in Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Afghanistan and is expected to be completed Sept., 30, 2011. Contract funds are available for this additional service which is added onto the contract via a sole source Justification and Approval. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Il. (HTC711-08-D-0010/P00009)
ARMY
Mid-Atlantic Interpreting Group, Inc., Owings Mills, Md., was awarded on Dec. 16 2008, a $7,867,490 firm fixed price contract for interpreting services to support the National-Geospatial Intelligence Agency Deaf and Hard of Hearing personnel in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Work will be performed in Bethesda, Md., Reston, Va., and Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Sept. 9, 2008, and three bids were received. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Bethesda, Md., is the contracting activity (HM0177-09-C-0002).
Deaf Inter-Link, Florissant, Mo., was awarded on Dec. 16 2008, a $6,115,811 firm fixed price contract for interpreting services to support the National-Geospatial Intelligence Agency Deaf and Hard of Hearing personnel in the St. Louis, Mo. area. Work will be performed at the national-Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Arnold, Mo., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Sept. 9, 2008, and one bid was received. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Bethesda, Md., is the contracting activity (HM0177-09-C-0003).
The Boeing Company, Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on Dec. 17, 2008, a $113,959,000 firm-fixed price contract for a modification to the definitization of long lead items for and the procurement or remanufacture of six MH-47E aircraft to the MH-47G configuration. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa. and Middletown, Del., and is expected to be completed by May 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on May 8, 2008. Aviation Integration Directorate, Aviation and Missile Command, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023).
Alliant Techsystems Inc., Plymouth, Minn., was awarded on Dec. 18, 2008, a $53,443,200 firm fixed price contract for M865 (Target Practice Cone Stabilized Discarding Sabot-Tracer) cartridges. Work will be performed in Middletown, Ia., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two bids were solicited on Jan. 11, 2008, and two bids were received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-08-C-0011).
Bioengineering Arcadis & HNTB, Metairie, La., was awarded on Dec. 18, 2008, a $9,039,000 firm fixed price contract for preparation of designing document report for plans and specifications for the gulf inter-coastal water ways west closure complex pump station. Work will be performed in New Orleans, La., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 14, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Oct. 24, 2008. U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-07-D-0062).
Raytheon Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Dec. 17, 2008, an $8,372,279 cost plus fixed fee contract for CONUS and OCONUS U.S. PATRIOT new equipment training. Work will be performed at various locations within the continental U.S. and OCONUS, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 14, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Jul., 2, 2008. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation & Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-D-0001).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Chemical Specialists & Development, Inc., Conroe, Texas*, is being awarded a maximum $12,633,240 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for fuel system icing inhibitor. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. This proposal was originally Web solicited with two responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a twelve month contract that includes a thirty day carry-over period. The date of performance completion is Jan. 30, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-0751).
The U.S. Navy is awarding indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award contracts to contractors that will provide for their competition for service requirements solicited by Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Supply Systems Command, Military Sealift Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Strategic Systems Programs, Office of Naval Research, Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the United States Marine Corps. The twenty-two functional service areas within the scope of the contracts include 1. Research and Development Support, 2. Engineering System Engineering and Process Engineering Support, 3. Modeling, Simulation, Stimulation, and Analysis Support, 4. Prototyping, Pre-Production, Model-Making, and Fabrication Support, 5. System Design Documentation and Technical Data Support, 6. Software Engineering, Development, Programming, and Network Support, 7. Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RM&A) Support, 8. Human Factors, Performance, and Usability Engineering Support, 9. System Safety Engineering Support, 10. Configuration Management (CM) Support, 11. Quality Assurance (QA) Support, 12. Information System (IS) Development, Information Assurance (IA), and Information Technology (IT) Support, 13. Inactivation and Disposal Support, 14. Interoperability, Test and Evaluation, Trials Support, 15. Measurement Facilities, Range, and Instrumentation Support, 16. Logistics Support, 17. Supply and Provisioning Support, 18. Training Support, 19. In-Service Engineering, Fleet Introduction, Installation and Checkout Support, 20. Program Support, 21. Functional and Administrative Support, and 22. Public Affairs and Multimedia Support. These contracts are in addition to the existing 1,605 contracts previously awarded under the SeaPort Enhanced (SeaPort-e) acquisition program for services procurements. The Government estimates a maximum of $5,300,000,000 of services will be procured per year via orders issued under the SeaPort-e multiple award contracts. The awards have a three month base period with one five-year option and one four-year nine month award term option. These contracts were competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online, with 209 offers received and 199 contracts awarded. Contract funds will be obligated at the time of task order award and as such, multiple funding types (with varying expiration dates) may be used, consistent with the purpose for which the funds were appropriated. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity (N00178-09-D-5652 - N00178-09-D-5851).
The list of contractors involved are: 1 On 1 Services Group LLC*, Phoenix, Ariz.; 360 Software Corporation*, Orlando, Fla.; 6K Systems, Inc.*, Sterling, Va.; A Solution Inc.*, McLean, Va.; Acclaim Systems*, Feasterville Trevose, Pa.; ACD Telecom, LLC*, Sanford, Fla.; Ace Info Solutions, Inc.*, Reston, Va.; Advanced Integrated Software Technology*, Chicago, Ill.; Advanced Systems Design*, Tallahassee, Fla.; Agile Tek Solutions, LLC*, Plano, Texas; AIM USA, LLC*, San Antonio, Texas; Akira Technologies, Inc*, Fairfax, Va.; All Technologies, Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; AllSource Global Management, LLC*, Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Altec Strategy, LLC*, Warrenton, Va.; American Research Service, Inc.*, Dallas, Texas; American Service Network Corporation*, Lorton, Va.; APPLIED SERVICES AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Ascella Technologies Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; Autonomic Resources LLC*, Cary, N.C.; Axiom Corporation*, Atlanta, Ga.; Axiscore LLC*, Gaithersburg, Md.; Axseum Solutions LLC*, Arlington, Va.; B L Hawkins & Associates dba HT Innovations*, Upper Marlboro, Md.; B3 Solutions, LLC*, Jacksonville, Fla.; Bara Infoware Inc.*, San Ramon, Calif.; Beacon Systems, Inc*, Pompano Beach, Fla.; BLF Technologies, Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; Cask Technologies, LLC*, La Jolla, Calif.; Castillo Technologies, LLC*, Chandler, Ariz.; CFM Engineering*, Glen Burnie, Md.; Chae & Nam Universe dba C & N Universe Inc.*, National City, Calif.; CJSeto Support Services, LLC*, Ventura, Calif.; CMW & Associates, Inc.*, Springfield, Ill.; Columbus Technologies and Services, Inc.*, Pasadena, Calif.; Comptech Computer Technologies Inc.*, Dayton, Ohio; Computech Resources International, Inc.*, Shrewsbury, N.J.; COMPUTER CITE*, SAN RAMON, Calif.; Computer Integration & Programming Solutions Corp.*, Bethesda, Md.; Computer Mainstream Corp.*, Atlanta, Ga.; Computers Universal Inc*, WESTERVILLE, Ohio; Concentric Methods, LLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Construction CAD Solutions Inc*, Willowbrook, Ill.; Consulting Engineering Next Generation dba Cengen Inc.*, Columbia, Md.; Data Management Group of VA*, Hampton, Va.; Data Tech Central, LLC*, Norfolk, Va.; Davis Paige Management Systems, LLC*, Springfield, Va.; Dawson Technical, LLC*, Honolulu, Hawaii; DB Consulting Group, Inc.*, Silver Spring, Md.; Decypher Technologies*, San Antonio, Texas; Delan Associates, Inc.*, Freeport, N.Y.; dFuzion, Inc.*, Ashburn, Va.; Diamond Information Systems, LLC*, Sterling, Va.; Digital Management Inc.*, Bethesda, Md.; Diverse Business Systems, Inc.*, Dayton, Ohio; DreamHammer*, Santa Monica, Calif.; DRT Strategies*, Arlington, Va.; EBITS LLC*, Tinton Falls, N.J.; Educational and Business Services, LLC*, Littleton, Colo.; Emagine IT INC*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; Enterprise Solutions Incorporated dba ESI*, Vienna, Va.; Entertainment Marketing Group dba Integrated Marketing Group, Inc. The*, Miami, Fla.; Environmental & Occupational Safety Services, Inc.*, Red Bank, N.J.; Envision Innovative Solutions*, Howell, N.J.; EPCS Co *, Yorktown, Va.; EPM Solutions, LLC*, Cupertino,, Calif.; ERIMAX, Inc.*, Dunkirk, Md.; Estime Enterprises, Inc.*, Lanham, Md.; EVOLVE, INC.*, ORLANDO, Fla.; Expertech Solutions*, Rockville, Md.; Facility Management & Engineering, inc.*, Evansville, Ind.; Faircloth Information Technology Systems dba FIT Systems Inc*, Tampa, Fla.; Federated Information Technologies*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; FEI.com, Inc.*, Columbia, Md.; Financial Business Solutions LLC*, Doylestown, Pa.; First Information Technology Services, Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; Form Fit and Function LLC*, Paterson, N.J.; Fortis Networks*, Phoenix, Ariz.; FutureNet Group, Inc.*, Detroit, Mich.; Glacier Technologies, LLC.*, El Paso, Texas; Global Consulting Inc.*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; Global Consulting International Inc*, Salt Lake City, Utah; Global Technology Solutions, LLC*, Richmond, Va.; Government Systems, Inc,*, Alexandria, Va.; H2 Performance Consulting Corp.*, Pensacola, Fla.; Halfaker and
Associates, LLC*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; Harbor Offshore Inc.*, Ventura, Calif.; Hawaii 5-0 Technology Services, Inc*, Honolulu, Hawaii; HBC Management Services, Inc.*, Honolulu, Hawaii; HBMG, Inc.*, Austin, Texas; Healthy Resources Enterprise Inc*, Houston, Texas; HENDALL INC*, Columbia, Md.; Hixardt Technologies, Inc*, Pensacola, Fla.; HMS Enterprises, Inc*, Alexandria, Va.; Huckstep Holdings dba Techwise*, Colorado Springs, Colo.; ICATT Consulting, Inc.*, Jacksonville, Fla.; ICOR Partners, LLC*, Arlington, Va..; ILSC Holdings LC*, Payson, Ariz.; IM Solutions, LLC*, Woodbridge, Va..; InGenesis, Inc.*, San Antonio, Texas; Innovar Environmental Inc.*, LIttleton, Colo.; Insystech, Inc.*, Manassas, Va.; INTELLIGENT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, LLC*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; International Computer Systems, Inc.*, Greenbelt, Md.; IP Network Solutions, Inc*, Herndon, Va.; IPKeys Technologies, LLC*, Shrewsbury, N.J.; iT Resource Solutions.net, Inc*, East Setauket, N.Y.; Jackson Automated Management Systems dba JAMS*, FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.; JRD & Associates, Inc.*, South Miami, Fla.; Komplete Systems Integrators Inc.*, Atlanta, Ga.; KPG GLOBAL ENTERPRISES*, FISHERS, Ind.; Lani Eko & Co., CPAs, PLLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Lanmark Technology, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va.; Link Solutions, Inc.*, Reston, Va.; LNS TECHNOLOGY, INC*, LORTON, Va.; Logistics Systems Inc.*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; LOGMET*, Austin, Texas; Longevity Consulting*, Manassas, Va.; LOUi Consulting Group Inc.*, Warner Robins, Ga.; MacArthur & Baker Internat'l Inc. dba MBI Consulting*, Bethesda, Md.; Macon Pace, Inc.*, Trenton, N.J.; Management Recruiters of Woodbridge, Inc.*, Woodbridge, N.J.; Marton Technologies, Inc.*, Hampton, Va.; Morgan Business Consulting, LLC*, Ashburn, Va.; MORI Associates, Inc.*, Bethesda, Md.; Nasir Group, LLC, The*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; National Capitol Contracting, LLC.*, Arlington, Va.; Net Services*, Centreville, Va.; Net World Technology Corporation*, Carlisle, Pa.; Network Security Systems Plus, Inc.*, Falls Church, Va.; New Age Protection, Inc.*, Springfield, Va.; New Tech Solutions Inc*, Fremont, Calif.; New West Technologies, LLC*, Greenwood Village, Colo.; Next Tier Concepts, Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; NIKSOFT SYSTEMS CORPORATION*, RESTON, Va.; NOVA Training and Technology Solutions, LLC*, Boothwyn, Pa.; OHC Environmental Engineering, Inc.*, Tampa, Fla.; Orizon, Inc.*, Rockville, Md.; Paragon Technology Group*, Vienna, Va.; PARS Environmental Inc.*, Robbinsville, N.J.; Parts Life Inc.*, Cinnaminson, N.J.; Patricio Enterprises*, Stafford, Va.; PearlNet, LLC*, Atlanta, Ga.; Prince of Wales Tribal Enterprise Consortium LLC POWTEC*, Craig, Ark; Progressive Computer Services, Inc.*, Honoluu, Hawaii; Protein Media, Inc.*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; PROVISTA Software International, Inc*, Fremont, Calif.; Prutech Solutions, Inc.*, Iselin, N.J.; Puget Sound Environmental Corp.*, Bremerton, Wash.; Quality Software Services, Inc. (QSSI)*, Gaithersburg, Md.; Ram Tech Systems, Inc.*, Newark, Del.; Reed Integration, Inc.*, Smithfield, Va.; ReliaTrust Technologies, Inc.*, Dulles, Va.; Resource-Trac, Inc*, Irvine, Calif.; reVision, Inc.*, Denver, Colo.; RGF Consulting Corporation*, Ft. Washington, Md.; Ridgewood Technology Partners, LLC*, Ashburn, Va.; RMV Technology Group, LLC*, Clayton, Calif.; S & K Aerospace, Inc.*, St Ignatius, Mont.; Sawdey Solution Services, Inc.*, Dayton, Ohio; Sevatec, Inc.*, Falls Church, Va.; SilTek, Inc.*, Herndon, Va.; SimIS Inc.*, Portsmouth, Va.; Singhal & Company, Inc.*, Herndon, Va.; Skylla Engineering Ltd.*, Humble, Texas; Smart Data Solutions LLC*, Silver Spring, Md.; Smart Innovative Solutions LLC*, Columbia, Md.; Software Engineering Services Corporation*, Bellevue, Neb.; Solution One Industries, Ltd.*, Killeen, Texas; Strategic Operational Solutions, Inc.*, Reston, Va.; Summit Technologies LLC*, South Riding, Va.; Synergistics Inc*, Richland, Wash.; Systems Consulting Group, LLC*, Herndon, Va.; Tantus
Technologies, Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; TechFirst Inc*, Laurel, Md.; Technica LLC*, North Charleston, S.C.; TecPort Solutions Inc*, Harrisburg, Pa.; TEKNOFIRM, INC.*, FAIRFAX, Va.; TELEDEVICES, LLC*, LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.; Terra Nova Environmental Services, LLC*, Cranbury, N.J.; tieBridge, Inc.*, Falls Church, Va.; TISTA Science and Technology Corporation*, Bethesda, Md.; Total Solutions, Inc.*, Madison, Ala.; Tracen Technologies, Inc.*, Manassas, Va.; Tribalco, LLC*, Bethesda, Md.; Trilobyte Sales*, Irvine, Calif.; Twin Imaging Technology, Inc.*, Oceanside, Calif.; Ultimate Solutions, Inc.*, New Orleans, La.; Vektrel LLC*, San Diego, Calif.; Veracity Engineering LLC*, Washington, Washington, D.C.; ViewTrust Technology, Inc.*, Springfield, Va.; Virtual Technology Services, LLC*, Midwest City, Okla.; VMD Systems Integrators, Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; Ward Consulting,LLC/Full Circle Consulting Group*, Stamford, Conn.; Watley Engineering LLC*, Panama City, Fla.; Worldwide Information Network Systems (WINS)*, Seabrook, Md.; Zavda Technologies, LLC*, Glenn Dale, Md.; ZIBIZ CORPORATION*, Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing Co., St Louis, Mo., is being awarded an cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with an estimated value of $905,344,762 for support services required to enhance the F/A-18A/B, C/D, E/F, and EA-18G aircraft with a series of System Configuration Sets (SCSs). These enhancements will support F/A-18 aircraft operated by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and the Governments of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Switzerland, Finland and Malaysia. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (95 precent) and at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif. (5 precent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2013. 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 (N68936-09-D-0002).
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Bloomington, Minn., is being awarded a $45,429,181 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the full rate production of 195 Type 3 Advanced Mission Computers (AMCs) for integration into the F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G aircraft for the U.S. Navy (166) and the Government of Australia (29). This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($38,526,410; 85 precent) and Australia ($6,902,771; 15 precent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Bloomington, Minn. and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $1,216,355 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-07-C-0030).
Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors (LM MS2), Moorestown, N.J., is
being awarded a $43,665,000 modification to previously awarded contract for engineering services for DDG 51 Class Aegis Combat System Installation, Integration and Test, in support of the Program Executive Officer Integrated Warfare Systems. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J. (37 precent), Bath, Maine (25 precent), Pascagoula, Miss. (22 precent), San Diego, Calif. (6 precent), Washington, D.C. (5 precent), Norfolk, Va. (3 precent), Port Hueneme, Calif. (1 precent), Syracuse, N.Y. (1 precent and is expected to be completed by Apr. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-03-C-5115).
Raytheon Technical Services Co. LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $38,662,175 cost plus fixed fee delivery order against a previously issued basic order agreement for software in support of V-22 programs including lab capabilities, lab sustainment, situational awareness, simulation products/desk top environment, V-22 Mission Planning Systems (VMPS), and software support activity/software engineering for the V-22 Osprey Program. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $8,938,700 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-05-G-0008).
FN Herstal, S.A., Herstal, Belgium, is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $27,900,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman's maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples. First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. FN Herstal's production facility is in Herstal, Belgium. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-1037).
Raytheon Technical Services Co. LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $26,211,950 firm fixed price modification to a previously-issued basic order agreement to exercise an option for 65 LAU-115D/A Launchers for the U.S. Navy (38) and the Royal Australian Air Force (27) and 140 LAU-116B/A Launchers for the U.S. Navy (126) and the Royal Australian Air Force (14) for the F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($20,355,240; 80.3 precent) and the Government of Australia ($5,172,320; 19.7 precent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in Apr. 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $5,172,320 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-05-G-0008).
Raytheon Network Centric Systems, St. Petersburg, Fla, is being awarded a $25,800,618 modification to previously awarded contract for Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production. Work will be performed in Largo, Fla. (47.0 precent); St. Petersburg, Fla. (20.0 precent); Dallas, Texas (18.0 precent); and McKinney, Texas (15.0 precent); and is expected to be completed by Apr. 2011. 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 (N00024-08-C-5203).
Heckler and Koch Defense, Inc., Ashburn, Va., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $23,600,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman's maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples. First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Work will be performed in Oberndorf, Germany. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-1038).
Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $17,923,410 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract for the special tooling and special test equipment required to maintain Joint Stand-Off Weapons (JSOW-C) production rate requirements and to support the transition to production readiness activities for the AGM-154C-1 Variant. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be completed in Mar. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity (N00019-07-C-0093).
Colt Defense, Inc., West Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $14,000,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman's maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples, First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Colt's production facility is in West Hartford, Conn. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Conn. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (RFP M67854-08-R-1000, proposal 6940, contract number M67854-09-D-1035).
Colt Defense, Inc., West Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $14,000,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman's maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples, First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Colt's production facility is in West Hartford, Conn. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Conn. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (RFP M67854-08-R-1000, proposal 6940H, and contract number M67854-09-D-1036).
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a $9,950,000 firm fixed price contract modification to previously awarded contract for the procurement of long lead time materials in support of LPD 26. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 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 (N00024-06-C-2222).
L-3 Communications Corp., Sylmar, Calif., 91342, is being awarded a $7,668,896 firm fixed price cost plus fixed fee modification to contract to purchase supportability services, evaluation, salvage, repair and upgrade services of TB23/BQ Towed Systems. Work will be performed in Sylmar, Calif. and is expected to be complete by Jan. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $114,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-05-C-6237)
Northrop Grumman Corp., Electronic Systems, Linthicum Heights, Md., is being awarded $6,384,275 modification to a previously awarded contract to incorporate the Human Systems Integration (HSI) Logistics effort in support of the Ground Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system. The contractor shall develop and implement a plan to effectively apply HSI principles during G/ATOR design, production and integration. The contractor shall ensure Human Factors Engineering, Manpower, Personnel, Training, System Safety, Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health (ESOH), and Personnel Survivability requirements are incorporated into the layout, design, and arrangement of equipment having an operator or maintainer interface.
Approximately 69 precent of the work will be performed by Northrop Grumman Corporation in Linthicum Heights, MD and approximately 31 precent will be performed by Northrop Grumman's subcontract, Sensis in Syracuse, N.Y. The HSI Logistics effort is expected to be completed by Jun. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract modification was not competitively procured as the effort is an engineering change within scope of the current contract pursuant to the Changes clause. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-07-C-2072).
UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND
Presidential Airways, Inc., an Aviation Worldwide Services Co., of Moyock, N.C., is being awarded a $118,990,518 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services. Work will be performed in Afghanistan and is expected to start Dec 19, 2008 to be completed by 30 Nov 2013. Contract funds will expire at the end of this current fiscal year. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., (HTC711-09-D-0021).
Canadian Commercial Corp., subcontracting services to Canadian Helicopter, LTD of Ottawa Canada, is being awarded a $31, 370, 950 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services. Work will be performed in Afghanistan and is expected to start Dec 19, 2008 to be completed by 30 Nov 2013. Contract funds will expire at the end of this current fiscal year. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., (HTC711-09-D-0022).
Presidential Airways, Inc., an Aviation Worldwide Services Co., of Moyock, N.C., is being awarded a $10,290,391.00 fixed price contract modification to add two additional Dash 8 aircraft. This contract is for fixed-wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger, cargo and combination air transportation services in Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Afghanistan and is expected to be completed Sept., 30, 2011. Contract funds are available for this additional service which is added onto the contract via a sole source Justification and Approval. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Il. (HTC711-08-D-0010/P00009)
ARMY
Mid-Atlantic Interpreting Group, Inc., Owings Mills, Md., was awarded on Dec. 16 2008, a $7,867,490 firm fixed price contract for interpreting services to support the National-Geospatial Intelligence Agency Deaf and Hard of Hearing personnel in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Work will be performed in Bethesda, Md., Reston, Va., and Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Sept. 9, 2008, and three bids were received. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Bethesda, Md., is the contracting activity (HM0177-09-C-0002).
Deaf Inter-Link, Florissant, Mo., was awarded on Dec. 16 2008, a $6,115,811 firm fixed price contract for interpreting services to support the National-Geospatial Intelligence Agency Deaf and Hard of Hearing personnel in the St. Louis, Mo. area. Work will be performed at the national-Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Arnold, Mo., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Sept. 9, 2008, and one bid was received. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Bethesda, Md., is the contracting activity (HM0177-09-C-0003).
The Boeing Company, Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on Dec. 17, 2008, a $113,959,000 firm-fixed price contract for a modification to the definitization of long lead items for and the procurement or remanufacture of six MH-47E aircraft to the MH-47G configuration. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa. and Middletown, Del., and is expected to be completed by May 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on May 8, 2008. Aviation Integration Directorate, Aviation and Missile Command, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023).
Alliant Techsystems Inc., Plymouth, Minn., was awarded on Dec. 18, 2008, a $53,443,200 firm fixed price contract for M865 (Target Practice Cone Stabilized Discarding Sabot-Tracer) cartridges. Work will be performed in Middletown, Ia., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two bids were solicited on Jan. 11, 2008, and two bids were received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-08-C-0011).
Bioengineering Arcadis & HNTB, Metairie, La., was awarded on Dec. 18, 2008, a $9,039,000 firm fixed price contract for preparation of designing document report for plans and specifications for the gulf inter-coastal water ways west closure complex pump station. Work will be performed in New Orleans, La., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 14, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Oct. 24, 2008. U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-07-D-0062).
Raytheon Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Dec. 17, 2008, an $8,372,279 cost plus fixed fee contract for CONUS and OCONUS U.S. PATRIOT new equipment training. Work will be performed at various locations within the continental U.S. and OCONUS, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 14, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Jul., 2, 2008. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation & Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-D-0001).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Chemical Specialists & Development, Inc., Conroe, Texas*, is being awarded a maximum $12,633,240 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for fuel system icing inhibitor. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. This proposal was originally Web solicited with two responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a twelve month contract that includes a thirty day carry-over period. The date of performance completion is Jan. 30, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-0751).
Military Books
Military-Writers.com is pleased to announce the addition of these servicemembers to the website:
Colonel Vaughn E. Denning, USAF (ret.)
Colonel Robert Tonsetic, USA (ret.)
Colonel Edward J. Spasek, USMC (ret.)
Captain P.T. Deutermann, USN (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Robert Armstrong, USAF (ret.)
Lt. Colonel William Newton Edwards, USAF (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Bob Lanzotti, USA (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Mary Ellen J. Brown, USAF (ret.)
Lt. Colonel James D. Taylor, USAF (ret.)
Commander Bruce Ferguson Barber, USN (ret.)
Captain Joe Weber, USMC (ret.)
Second Lieutenant Robert C. Baldridge, USA (ret.)
The Website now lists 611 servicemembers and their 2148 books.
MORE INFORMATION
Military Books
This entry was supported by criminal justice degree online.
Colonel Vaughn E. Denning, USAF (ret.)
Colonel Robert Tonsetic, USA (ret.)
Colonel Edward J. Spasek, USMC (ret.)
Captain P.T. Deutermann, USN (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Robert Armstrong, USAF (ret.)
Lt. Colonel William Newton Edwards, USAF (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Bob Lanzotti, USA (ret.)
Lt. Colonel Mary Ellen J. Brown, USAF (ret.)
Lt. Colonel James D. Taylor, USAF (ret.)
Commander Bruce Ferguson Barber, USN (ret.)
Captain Joe Weber, USMC (ret.)
Second Lieutenant Robert C. Baldridge, USA (ret.)
The Website now lists 611 servicemembers and their 2148 books.
MORE INFORMATION
Military Books
This entry was supported by criminal justice degree online.
Celebrities, Volunteers Assemble 400,000 Care Packages
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 18, 2008 - Actor and director Ben Affleck and other celebrities joined more than 1,000 volunteers over the weekend to put together 400,000 care packages for deployed troops at the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, Calif. Operation Gratitude, a California-based troop-support group, organized the event that also included actress and model Kathy Ireland and "Days of Our Lives" soap opera stars Deidre Hall, Jay Kenneth Johnson and Leanne Hunley.
"Every time we reach a milestone package, it is an acknowledgment of the immense generosity of the American people, and ultimately a tribute to our brave men and women in uniform who inspire each of us to be part of something greater than ourselves," Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude's founder, said.
Community volunteers stuffed, taped, labeled and transported thousands of care packages, not stopping until Charlie Othold, director of operations, announced that the 400,000th package had hit the assembly line.
"This milestone package represents 20 million individual items, more than 2.8-million pounds and $40 million worth of product that Operation Gratitude has sent to troops deployed overseas since 2003," Othold said.
During the event, Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith presented the organization with a check worth more than $11,000, and Ireland thanked the volunteers for their "extraordinary devotion and hard work."
On Dec. 14, Blashek presented Affleck with an American flag flown over Multinational Corps Iraq headquarters in honor of his support of Operation Gratitude.
Affleck stressed the importance of thanking U.S. servicemembers, especially during the holidays, when they are far from home and loved ones.
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 18, 2008 - Actor and director Ben Affleck and other celebrities joined more than 1,000 volunteers over the weekend to put together 400,000 care packages for deployed troops at the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, Calif. Operation Gratitude, a California-based troop-support group, organized the event that also included actress and model Kathy Ireland and "Days of Our Lives" soap opera stars Deidre Hall, Jay Kenneth Johnson and Leanne Hunley.
"Every time we reach a milestone package, it is an acknowledgment of the immense generosity of the American people, and ultimately a tribute to our brave men and women in uniform who inspire each of us to be part of something greater than ourselves," Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude's founder, said.
Community volunteers stuffed, taped, labeled and transported thousands of care packages, not stopping until Charlie Othold, director of operations, announced that the 400,000th package had hit the assembly line.
"This milestone package represents 20 million individual items, more than 2.8-million pounds and $40 million worth of product that Operation Gratitude has sent to troops deployed overseas since 2003," Othold said.
During the event, Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith presented the organization with a check worth more than $11,000, and Ireland thanked the volunteers for their "extraordinary devotion and hard work."
On Dec. 14, Blashek presented Affleck with an American flag flown over Multinational Corps Iraq headquarters in honor of his support of Operation Gratitude.
Affleck stressed the importance of thanking U.S. servicemembers, especially during the holidays, when they are far from home and loved ones.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Face of Defense: Soldier Continues Holiday Tradition in Afghanistan
By Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 18, 2008 - Although far from home, a deployed soldier here will continue a long-standing holiday tradition with his family in Louisiana. Every Christmas Eve, Army Lt. Col. Stephen Jeselink, Task Force Warrior deputy commander, reads the poem "The Night Before Christmas" to his family – a tradition he started 18 years ago when the family was stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany.
"It's a simple act, but it means so much to me and my family," Jeselink said.
Jeselink will be able to continue that tradition, thanks to the United Through Reading military program, which allows servicemembers to record themselves reading books and then send the DVD to their children back home. United Through Reading is, in part, a troop-support group that offers DVD services at deployed and some USO locations.
"Many Americans only see the USO centers in airports throughout the United States, but they're providing an incredible service to our servicemen and civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, too," Jeselink said.
Jeselink said he is grateful for the program, particularly since this will be the first Christmas he and his wife, Barbara, will be apart in their 26 years of marriage.
"I felt like we needed to do this even though he is deployed," Barbara said.
She mailed her husband a copy of the poem by Clement Clarke Moore so he could record himself reading it at the USO here.
Barbara hopes to surprise her family by playing the recording of Jeselink after Christmas Eve dinner when the entire family gathers in the living room in front of the Christmas tree.
"Dad gets the book while Mom gives an envelope to everyone," son Stephen II said, adding that the envelopes may have money, gift cards or gifts inside.
"Dad usually sits with us in a circle and gives instructions on what to do with the envelopes. As he reads the story, every time he says the word 'the,' we pass the envelopes to the person on our right," he said.
"The best Christmas memory I have is sitting around the tree with my family, listening to my dad read the story, and watching his face light up every time he read the word 'the,'" his son Jarod said.
"He has such enthusiasm reading the story for us, it makes it all the more fun," daughter-in-law Stormy added.
The fun starts after Jeselink finishes the story. Everyone, beginning with the youngest, gets to exchange, if desired, an envelope with another family member. After everyone has had a chance to pass the envelope or keep it if they wish, everyone opens their envelope at the same time.
"It's special to be part of something that was started so many years ago," daughter-in-law Shelley said.
(Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens serves in the Task Force Warrior public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 18, 2008 - Although far from home, a deployed soldier here will continue a long-standing holiday tradition with his family in Louisiana. Every Christmas Eve, Army Lt. Col. Stephen Jeselink, Task Force Warrior deputy commander, reads the poem "The Night Before Christmas" to his family – a tradition he started 18 years ago when the family was stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany.
"It's a simple act, but it means so much to me and my family," Jeselink said.
Jeselink will be able to continue that tradition, thanks to the United Through Reading military program, which allows servicemembers to record themselves reading books and then send the DVD to their children back home. United Through Reading is, in part, a troop-support group that offers DVD services at deployed and some USO locations.
"Many Americans only see the USO centers in airports throughout the United States, but they're providing an incredible service to our servicemen and civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, too," Jeselink said.
Jeselink said he is grateful for the program, particularly since this will be the first Christmas he and his wife, Barbara, will be apart in their 26 years of marriage.
"I felt like we needed to do this even though he is deployed," Barbara said.
She mailed her husband a copy of the poem by Clement Clarke Moore so he could record himself reading it at the USO here.
Barbara hopes to surprise her family by playing the recording of Jeselink after Christmas Eve dinner when the entire family gathers in the living room in front of the Christmas tree.
"Dad gets the book while Mom gives an envelope to everyone," son Stephen II said, adding that the envelopes may have money, gift cards or gifts inside.
"Dad usually sits with us in a circle and gives instructions on what to do with the envelopes. As he reads the story, every time he says the word 'the,' we pass the envelopes to the person on our right," he said.
"The best Christmas memory I have is sitting around the tree with my family, listening to my dad read the story, and watching his face light up every time he read the word 'the,'" his son Jarod said.
"He has such enthusiasm reading the story for us, it makes it all the more fun," daughter-in-law Stormy added.
The fun starts after Jeselink finishes the story. Everyone, beginning with the youngest, gets to exchange, if desired, an envelope with another family member. After everyone has had a chance to pass the envelope or keep it if they wish, everyone opens their envelope at the same time.
"It's special to be part of something that was started so many years ago," daughter-in-law Shelley said.
(Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens serves in the Task Force Warrior public affairs office.)
U.S. Welcomes Chinese Plans to Fight Piracy, Admiral Says
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 18, 2008 - The United States would welcome China's participation in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast, the top U.S. commander in the Pacific said today at the Foreign Press Center here. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, said Beijing's plans to send warships to help fight piracy could help rekindle stalled military-to-military relations between the United States and China.
"I hope the Chinese do [send People's Liberation Army Navy ships to the region], and we will work closely with them," Keating said.
"I think this could be a springboard for the resumption of dialog between the PLA forces and U.S. Pacific Command forces. So I am cautiously optimistic and hopeful," he said.
China cancelled or postponed several planned military-to-military exchanges with the United States in early October, in response to announced U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. China's actions reversed progress Pacom had been making in promoting closer collaboration between the two countries' militaries.
A Chinese foreign ministry official announced this week at a U.N. Security Council meeting that China was considering sending naval ships for escort operations in the region "in the near future."
China relies heavily on the Gulf of Aden, where more than 100 vessels have been attacked this year, for its oil imports and other maritime commerce. Six Chinese ships have been attacked, including a hijacked cargo ship that was rescued yesterday by the International Maritime Bureau's antipiracy force.
The U.N. Security Council voted Dec. 16 to permit attacks on pirate bases on the ground. Earlier this month, the council passed a resolution that allows navies to operate within Somalia's 12-mile territorial waters to pursue suspected pirates.
Pacom is communicating with various agencies and commands, including U.S. Central Command, which has responsibility for the Gulf of Aden, to determine ways to enhance cooperation and collaboration with China if it joins the anti-piracy effort. Keating said he plans to meet with Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the Centcom commander, in the next days to discuss this and other issues.
"We are working with the Chinese to ensure they are aware of the lanes of communication available to them" and to share pertinent intelligence in the event that they send ships, he said.
Keating called freedom of access to both the maritime and air domains critical to global supply chains. "And we concentrate on sustaining and maintaining that freedom of access," he said.
Pacom's strategy in the Pacific, he said, is based on three basic principles: partnership, presence and military readiness.
"We want everyone in our area of responsibility to know we are committed to security, stability and prosperity all over throughout our region, which covers over half the surface of the Earth," Keating said.
"We are going to remain present and engaged throughout the area of responsibility," he continued, "and we want to emphasize to our friends and allies that we will be there in the years ahead as we have been there for decades in the past."
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 18, 2008 - The United States would welcome China's participation in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast, the top U.S. commander in the Pacific said today at the Foreign Press Center here. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, said Beijing's plans to send warships to help fight piracy could help rekindle stalled military-to-military relations between the United States and China.
"I hope the Chinese do [send People's Liberation Army Navy ships to the region], and we will work closely with them," Keating said.
"I think this could be a springboard for the resumption of dialog between the PLA forces and U.S. Pacific Command forces. So I am cautiously optimistic and hopeful," he said.
China cancelled or postponed several planned military-to-military exchanges with the United States in early October, in response to announced U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. China's actions reversed progress Pacom had been making in promoting closer collaboration between the two countries' militaries.
A Chinese foreign ministry official announced this week at a U.N. Security Council meeting that China was considering sending naval ships for escort operations in the region "in the near future."
China relies heavily on the Gulf of Aden, where more than 100 vessels have been attacked this year, for its oil imports and other maritime commerce. Six Chinese ships have been attacked, including a hijacked cargo ship that was rescued yesterday by the International Maritime Bureau's antipiracy force.
The U.N. Security Council voted Dec. 16 to permit attacks on pirate bases on the ground. Earlier this month, the council passed a resolution that allows navies to operate within Somalia's 12-mile territorial waters to pursue suspected pirates.
Pacom is communicating with various agencies and commands, including U.S. Central Command, which has responsibility for the Gulf of Aden, to determine ways to enhance cooperation and collaboration with China if it joins the anti-piracy effort. Keating said he plans to meet with Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the Centcom commander, in the next days to discuss this and other issues.
"We are working with the Chinese to ensure they are aware of the lanes of communication available to them" and to share pertinent intelligence in the event that they send ships, he said.
Keating called freedom of access to both the maritime and air domains critical to global supply chains. "And we concentrate on sustaining and maintaining that freedom of access," he said.
Pacom's strategy in the Pacific, he said, is based on three basic principles: partnership, presence and military readiness.
"We want everyone in our area of responsibility to know we are committed to security, stability and prosperity all over throughout our region, which covers over half the surface of the Earth," Keating said.
"We are going to remain present and engaged throughout the area of responsibility," he continued, "and we want to emphasize to our friends and allies that we will be there in the years ahead as we have been there for decades in the past."
NORAD Prepares for 50th Year Tracking Santa
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 18, 2008 - Among North American Aerospace Command's diverse and challenging missions, none is more gratifying -- or as downright fun -- as tracking Santa Claus each year for children around the world, the NORAD commander said this week. "It is the most wonderful experience you can ever imagine to talk to children from literally all over the world who want to know where Santa is and 'When is he going to be at my house?'" Air Force Gen. Victor E. "Gene" Renuart told local, state and federal leaders during a Dec. 16 symposium here on community resilience.
"Of course you always have to say, 'After you are asleep,'" Renuart told the group, chuckling.
The "NORAD Tracks Santa" program dates back to 1955, when an errant Christmas Eve phone call reached what was then the Continental Air Defense Command operations center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The call came from a local youngster who dialed a misprinted telephone number in a local newspaper ad and wanted to know where Santa was.
The commander who answered the phone gave the child the information he wanted, starting an annual tradition that NORAD assumed when it formed in 1958. This year marks NORAD's 50th anniversary of tracking Santa as he travels the world delivering gifts.
The program has grown significantly, particularly since it was first presented on the Internet in 1998. The Web site registered 10.6 million visitors last year from 212 countries and territories, NORAD officials said.
In addition, more than 1,000 volunteers who staffed the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center last Christmas Eve answered nearly 95,000 phone calls and received 140,000 e-mails from families around the world, they said.
This year, NORAD will begin tracking Santa's journey Dec. 24 via live video feeds on the NORAD Tracks Santa Web site. The site also features fun holiday games and activities that change daily.
"This is not necessarily national defense," Renuart said of the special holiday program, comparing it to NORAD's 24/7 mission providing aerospace warning and defense. "But it is a mission we have taken great pride in over the years and that has connected us with communities around the world."
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 18, 2008 - Among North American Aerospace Command's diverse and challenging missions, none is more gratifying -- or as downright fun -- as tracking Santa Claus each year for children around the world, the NORAD commander said this week. "It is the most wonderful experience you can ever imagine to talk to children from literally all over the world who want to know where Santa is and 'When is he going to be at my house?'" Air Force Gen. Victor E. "Gene" Renuart told local, state and federal leaders during a Dec. 16 symposium here on community resilience.
"Of course you always have to say, 'After you are asleep,'" Renuart told the group, chuckling.
The "NORAD Tracks Santa" program dates back to 1955, when an errant Christmas Eve phone call reached what was then the Continental Air Defense Command operations center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The call came from a local youngster who dialed a misprinted telephone number in a local newspaper ad and wanted to know where Santa was.
The commander who answered the phone gave the child the information he wanted, starting an annual tradition that NORAD assumed when it formed in 1958. This year marks NORAD's 50th anniversary of tracking Santa as he travels the world delivering gifts.
The program has grown significantly, particularly since it was first presented on the Internet in 1998. The Web site registered 10.6 million visitors last year from 212 countries and territories, NORAD officials said.
In addition, more than 1,000 volunteers who staffed the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center last Christmas Eve answered nearly 95,000 phone calls and received 140,000 e-mails from families around the world, they said.
This year, NORAD will begin tracking Santa's journey Dec. 24 via live video feeds on the NORAD Tracks Santa Web site. The site also features fun holiday games and activities that change daily.
"This is not necessarily national defense," Renuart said of the special holiday program, comparing it to NORAD's 24/7 mission providing aerospace warning and defense. "But it is a mission we have taken great pride in over the years and that has connected us with communities around the world."
National Guard to Support Presidential Inauguration
By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 18, 2008 - More than 4,000 citizen-soldiers and airmen from at least eight states will provide security, medical and other support during the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration, a National Guard official said today. "We will be there to fill the gaps and help out the first responders," Army Maj. Kenneth Napier, deputy director of the Deliberate Operations branch for the National Guard Bureau, said.
About half of the 4,000 personnel will be dedicated to security, including crowd control, civil-disturbance missions, manning traffic-control points and assisting with the screening process.
"The states are planning and ready to support," Napier said. "Making sure that everyone is safe is the priority."
Air Force Gen. Victor E. "Gene" Renuart Jr., commander of U.S. Northern Command, told reporters yesterday that another contingent on alert would be able to respond to a chemical attack.
In addition to marching units, bands and other ceremonial support, the National Guard will provide communication, medical evacuation and explosive ordnance disposal assets. National Guard members and re-enactors from the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment have been invited to march in the parade. The 54th represents the all-black regiment that fought in the Civil War and was memorialized in the movie "Glory." "These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service," President-elect Barack Obama said in a Dec. 8 statement. "Vice President-elect Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade."
The District of Columbia National Guard's efforts will be larger this time because of the expected crowds. "We will be involved in almost every facet of the operation," Officer Candidate Robert Albrecht, a spokesman for the D.C. Guard, said.
In addition to the Guard's on-the-ground missions, the 113th Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., will lead the air-sovereignty effort through North American Aerospace Defense Command.
The D.C. Guard participated in a media event today with the Military District of Washington as well as the U.S. Park Police and other D.C.-area agencies involved in planning for the inauguration. Renuart told reporters that it is "prudent" for the military to plan for the possibility of someone trying to interrupt the inauguration.
"And how well we respond will be defined by how well we trained," Napier added.
Earlier this year, the National Guard provided similar support to the Democratic and Republican national conventions, but only about 1,500 troops were involved in each of those missions. The size and scope of this mission is much bigger.
"I can't think of anything that we've done other than natural disasters that would be comparable to this operation," Napier said.
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves in the National Guard Bureau
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 18, 2008 - More than 4,000 citizen-soldiers and airmen from at least eight states will provide security, medical and other support during the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration, a National Guard official said today. "We will be there to fill the gaps and help out the first responders," Army Maj. Kenneth Napier, deputy director of the Deliberate Operations branch for the National Guard Bureau, said.
About half of the 4,000 personnel will be dedicated to security, including crowd control, civil-disturbance missions, manning traffic-control points and assisting with the screening process.
"The states are planning and ready to support," Napier said. "Making sure that everyone is safe is the priority."
Air Force Gen. Victor E. "Gene" Renuart Jr., commander of U.S. Northern Command, told reporters yesterday that another contingent on alert would be able to respond to a chemical attack.
In addition to marching units, bands and other ceremonial support, the National Guard will provide communication, medical evacuation and explosive ordnance disposal assets. National Guard members and re-enactors from the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment have been invited to march in the parade. The 54th represents the all-black regiment that fought in the Civil War and was memorialized in the movie "Glory." "These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service," President-elect Barack Obama said in a Dec. 8 statement. "Vice President-elect Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade."
The District of Columbia National Guard's efforts will be larger this time because of the expected crowds. "We will be involved in almost every facet of the operation," Officer Candidate Robert Albrecht, a spokesman for the D.C. Guard, said.
In addition to the Guard's on-the-ground missions, the 113th Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., will lead the air-sovereignty effort through North American Aerospace Defense Command.
The D.C. Guard participated in a media event today with the Military District of Washington as well as the U.S. Park Police and other D.C.-area agencies involved in planning for the inauguration. Renuart told reporters that it is "prudent" for the military to plan for the possibility of someone trying to interrupt the inauguration.
"And how well we respond will be defined by how well we trained," Napier added.
Earlier this year, the National Guard provided similar support to the Democratic and Republican national conventions, but only about 1,500 troops were involved in each of those missions. The size and scope of this mission is much bigger.
"I can't think of anything that we've done other than natural disasters that would be comparable to this operation," Napier said.
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves in the National Guard Bureau
MILITARY CONTRACTS December 18, 2008
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
SupplyCore, Rockford, Ill.* is being awarded a maximum $4,400,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, partial set aside, indefinite quantity contract for support of tactical and non-tactical wheeled vehicle fleets. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. There were originally 4 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract has a four year base and includes three two-year option periods. The date of performance completion is December 17, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC), Columbus, Ohio (SPM7LX-09-D-9003).
Seven Seas Ship handlers, Dubai, UAE is being awarded a maximum $2,880,888 firm fixed price, prime vendor contract for supply and distribution of food and non-food products. Other location of performance is Djibouti Free Zone, Republic of Djibouti. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. The proposal was originally Web solicited with 5 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising its third term option period. The date of performance completion is June 20, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa.
(SPM300-08-D-3129).
Army
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Ct., was awarded on Dec 17, 2008 a, $812,786,103 firm fixed price contract for funding of third program year of multi-year contract for Army Lot 33 consisting of 51 UH-60M and 12 HH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters, and also tooling; program systems Management and technical publications. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT., with an estimated completion date of December 12, 2012. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. US Army Contracting Command, Aviation & Missile Command, Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-003).
Raytheon Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Dec 17, 2008, a $165,506,750 firm fixed price contract. To provide UAE the services, hardware, facilities, equipment and all technical, planning, management and manufacturing efforts to produce Guidance Enhanced Missiles-T (GEM-T) missiles, Patriot Fire Units, associated ground support equipment, repair and return, system software, field surveillance, and documentation. Work will be performed in 42 states out of 52 states and Germany, Netherlands, Ontario, and Quebec with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2015. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. Aviation & missile Command Contracting Center, Redstone, Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-G-001).
Frontier Systems Integrators, LLC, Arlington, Va., was awarded on Dec 16, 2008 a, $8,694,256 cost plus fixed price contract for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) security support protecting personnel, information property and business continuity. Work will be performed in DARPA Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of December 12, 2013. 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-0031).
Navy
Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems and Sensors, Saint Paul, Minn., is being awarded a $ $525,600,000 modification to previously awarded contract for AN/UYQ-70(V) Advanced Display Systems. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pa. (60%), Clearwater, Fla. (30%), and St. Paul, Minn. (10%), and is expected to be completed by August 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, Keyport, Wash., is the contracting activity (N00024-05-D-5130).
BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems, Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., is being awarded a $13,241,204 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed priced contract for the production and delivery of Identification Friend or Foe, Common Digital Transponder hardware and associated platform integration and testing consisting of 3 RT-1836(C) AN/APX-118 Common Digital Transponders for the Government of Australia; 1 RT-1836(C) AN/APX-118 Common Digital Transponders for the Government of Canada;509 RT-1836(C) AN/APX-118 Common Digital Transponders for the U.S. Navy (73), the U.S. Army (420), and NAVICP (16); 2 repairs of RT-1912 AN/APX-123 Common Digital Transponders for the U.S. Navy; 12 C-12664 Mode 4 Remote Control Units (RCU) for the U.S. Navy (9), and for the government of Australia (3); 27 MT-7221 APX Mounts for the U.S. Navy. 4. Cryptographic units for the Government of Japan. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($1,954,333.00; 14.8%); U.S. Army ($10,747,380; 81.2%); NAVICP, Department of Defense Working Capital Fund ($409,424; 3.0%); and the Governments of Canada ($25,589; 0.19%), Japan ($7,524; 0.06%), and Australia ($96,954.; 0.73%). Work will be performed in Greenlawn, N.Y., and is expected to be completed in January 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-08-C-0061).
BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services, Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded an $11,394,695 modification to a previously awarded cost plus fixed fee contract to exercise an option for engineering and technical services and supplies for Communication-Electronic (C-E) platform, equipment, systems and subsystems in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Special Communications Requirements Division. The estimated level of effort for this option is 137,330 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md. and is expected to be completed in May 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-04-C-0069).
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $10,479,128 firm-fixed-priced delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement for Systems Engineering/Program Management (SE/PM) for the H-1 Upgrade Lot 6 production. Work will be performed in Hurst, Texas (79%); Amarillo, Texas (15%); and New Bern, N.C. (6%), and is expected to be completed in December 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-06-G-0001).
Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, SC, is being awarded a $10,429,958.00 firm fixed priced modification to previously awarded Delivery Order 0007 for the purchase of armor kits (B-Kits) to be installed on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Category I Cougar vehicles. Work will be performed in Ladson, SC and in the OIF/OEF Area's of Responsibilities. Work is expected to be completed by 30 June 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 (M67854-07-D-5031).
Raytheon Technical Services Co., LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded an $8,500,946 firm fixed price and cost plus fixed fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement This delivery order will provide for the development of the upgraded Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response systems AWW-13 Data Link Pod with the AWW-13 Frequency migration. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in October 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-05-G-0008).
Kollmorgen Corp., (d.b.a. Kollmorgen Electro Optical, a Danaher Company), Northampton, Mass. is being awarded a $7,591,258 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity cost plus fixed fee contract for engineering services in support of reusable shipping containers, Special Support & Test Equipment (SS&TE), and the repair, overhaul, and restoration of the Type 2,8,14,15,18, and 22 periscope systems, Improved Non-Penetrating Periscopes (INPP), Naval Electronic Surveillance System Infrared Exploitation(NESSIE) and NESSIE GEN II Submarine Systems, along with new Technology periscope imaging systems used on Los Angeles, Seawolf, and NSSN class submarines. Work will be performed in Northampton, Mass., and is expected to be completed by December 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $33,816 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport is the contracting activity (N66604-09-D-0224).
Sikorsky Support Services, Inc., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $6,631,325 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot-level maintenance for 44 F-5 aircraft operated by the Adversary Squadrons based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, Fla.; NAS, Fallon, Nev.; and Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz. Work will be performed in Key West, Fla. (40%); Fallon, Nev. (30%); and Yuma, Ariz. (30%), and is expected to be completed in February 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $6,631,325 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity (N00019-01-C-0109).
Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems and Sensors, St. Paul, Minn., is being awarded a $5,720,874 cost plus fixed fee modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to exercise an option for approximately 94,080 hours of Air Traffic Control Software and operations services. Work will be performed in St. Inigoes, Md., and is expected to be completed in December 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $768,981 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-05-D-0005).
Air Force
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract to Boeing Global Services and Support of San Antonio, Texas for $154, 893,960. This contract action will provide KC-135 Programmed Depot Maintenance. At this time, no money has been obligated. 827 ACSG/PK, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. is the contracting activity (FA8105-05-D-0004, Modification P00024).
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price, fixed quantity contract to General Electric Aviation, Cincinnati, Ohio for $68,067,563. This contract action will provide newly redesigned High Pressure Compressor and High Pressure Turbine assemblies, newly redesigned Aging Engine Upgrade components, initial provisioning spares and new technical data to support the Service Life Extension Plan and Aging Engine Upgrade initiatives applicable to F-16 aircraft. At this point, the entire amount has been obligated. 448 SCMG/PKBC, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. is the contracting activity (FA8104-05-C-0053, Modification P00016).
The Air Force is exercising a time and material firm fixed price contract option with the Boeing Company, Seattle Wash. for $11,183,600. This action will establish hourly rates and amounts for continued engineering services to maintain and upgrade the Air Launched Cruise Missile/Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile. At this time $4,490,754 has been obligated. 327 ACSG/PK, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. is the contracting activity (F34601-03-C-0042, Modification P00117).
The Air Force is awarding a Broad Agency Announcement, cost plus fixed fee contract to EastCor Engineering, Easton, Md. for a maximum $5,703,024. This objective of this contract is to design, build, test and deliver state-of- the-art Unattended Ground Sensors. At this time, $160,000 has been obligated. AFRL/RIKF, Rome N.Y. is the contracting activity (FA8750-09-C-0021).
SupplyCore, Rockford, Ill.* is being awarded a maximum $4,400,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, partial set aside, indefinite quantity contract for support of tactical and non-tactical wheeled vehicle fleets. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. There were originally 4 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract has a four year base and includes three two-year option periods. The date of performance completion is December 17, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC), Columbus, Ohio (SPM7LX-09-D-9003).
Seven Seas Ship handlers, Dubai, UAE is being awarded a maximum $2,880,888 firm fixed price, prime vendor contract for supply and distribution of food and non-food products. Other location of performance is Djibouti Free Zone, Republic of Djibouti. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. The proposal was originally Web solicited with 5 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising its third term option period. The date of performance completion is June 20, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa.
(SPM300-08-D-3129).
Army
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Ct., was awarded on Dec 17, 2008 a, $812,786,103 firm fixed price contract for funding of third program year of multi-year contract for Army Lot 33 consisting of 51 UH-60M and 12 HH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters, and also tooling; program systems Management and technical publications. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT., with an estimated completion date of December 12, 2012. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. US Army Contracting Command, Aviation & Missile Command, Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-003).
Raytheon Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Dec 17, 2008, a $165,506,750 firm fixed price contract. To provide UAE the services, hardware, facilities, equipment and all technical, planning, management and manufacturing efforts to produce Guidance Enhanced Missiles-T (GEM-T) missiles, Patriot Fire Units, associated ground support equipment, repair and return, system software, field surveillance, and documentation. Work will be performed in 42 states out of 52 states and Germany, Netherlands, Ontario, and Quebec with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2015. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. Aviation & missile Command Contracting Center, Redstone, Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-G-001).
Frontier Systems Integrators, LLC, Arlington, Va., was awarded on Dec 16, 2008 a, $8,694,256 cost plus fixed price contract for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) security support protecting personnel, information property and business continuity. Work will be performed in DARPA Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of December 12, 2013. 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-0031).
Navy
Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems and Sensors, Saint Paul, Minn., is being awarded a $ $525,600,000 modification to previously awarded contract for AN/UYQ-70(V) Advanced Display Systems. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pa. (60%), Clearwater, Fla. (30%), and St. Paul, Minn. (10%), and is expected to be completed by August 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, Keyport, Wash., is the contracting activity (N00024-05-D-5130).
BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems, Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., is being awarded a $13,241,204 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed priced contract for the production and delivery of Identification Friend or Foe, Common Digital Transponder hardware and associated platform integration and testing consisting of 3 RT-1836(C) AN/APX-118 Common Digital Transponders for the Government of Australia; 1 RT-1836(C) AN/APX-118 Common Digital Transponders for the Government of Canada;509 RT-1836(C) AN/APX-118 Common Digital Transponders for the U.S. Navy (73), the U.S. Army (420), and NAVICP (16); 2 repairs of RT-1912 AN/APX-123 Common Digital Transponders for the U.S. Navy; 12 C-12664 Mode 4 Remote Control Units (RCU) for the U.S. Navy (9), and for the government of Australia (3); 27 MT-7221 APX Mounts for the U.S. Navy. 4. Cryptographic units for the Government of Japan. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($1,954,333.00; 14.8%); U.S. Army ($10,747,380; 81.2%); NAVICP, Department of Defense Working Capital Fund ($409,424; 3.0%); and the Governments of Canada ($25,589; 0.19%), Japan ($7,524; 0.06%), and Australia ($96,954.; 0.73%). Work will be performed in Greenlawn, N.Y., and is expected to be completed in January 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-08-C-0061).
BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services, Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded an $11,394,695 modification to a previously awarded cost plus fixed fee contract to exercise an option for engineering and technical services and supplies for Communication-Electronic (C-E) platform, equipment, systems and subsystems in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Special Communications Requirements Division. The estimated level of effort for this option is 137,330 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md. and is expected to be completed in May 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-04-C-0069).
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $10,479,128 firm-fixed-priced delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement for Systems Engineering/Program Management (SE/PM) for the H-1 Upgrade Lot 6 production. Work will be performed in Hurst, Texas (79%); Amarillo, Texas (15%); and New Bern, N.C. (6%), and is expected to be completed in December 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-06-G-0001).
Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, SC, is being awarded a $10,429,958.00 firm fixed priced modification to previously awarded Delivery Order 0007 for the purchase of armor kits (B-Kits) to be installed on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Category I Cougar vehicles. Work will be performed in Ladson, SC and in the OIF/OEF Area's of Responsibilities. Work is expected to be completed by 30 June 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 (M67854-07-D-5031).
Raytheon Technical Services Co., LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded an $8,500,946 firm fixed price and cost plus fixed fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement This delivery order will provide for the development of the upgraded Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response systems AWW-13 Data Link Pod with the AWW-13 Frequency migration. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in October 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-05-G-0008).
Kollmorgen Corp., (d.b.a. Kollmorgen Electro Optical, a Danaher Company), Northampton, Mass. is being awarded a $7,591,258 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity cost plus fixed fee contract for engineering services in support of reusable shipping containers, Special Support & Test Equipment (SS&TE), and the repair, overhaul, and restoration of the Type 2,8,14,15,18, and 22 periscope systems, Improved Non-Penetrating Periscopes (INPP), Naval Electronic Surveillance System Infrared Exploitation(NESSIE) and NESSIE GEN II Submarine Systems, along with new Technology periscope imaging systems used on Los Angeles, Seawolf, and NSSN class submarines. Work will be performed in Northampton, Mass., and is expected to be completed by December 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $33,816 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport is the contracting activity (N66604-09-D-0224).
Sikorsky Support Services, Inc., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $6,631,325 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot-level maintenance for 44 F-5 aircraft operated by the Adversary Squadrons based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, Fla.; NAS, Fallon, Nev.; and Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz. Work will be performed in Key West, Fla. (40%); Fallon, Nev. (30%); and Yuma, Ariz. (30%), and is expected to be completed in February 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $6,631,325 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity (N00019-01-C-0109).
Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems and Sensors, St. Paul, Minn., is being awarded a $5,720,874 cost plus fixed fee modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to exercise an option for approximately 94,080 hours of Air Traffic Control Software and operations services. Work will be performed in St. Inigoes, Md., and is expected to be completed in December 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $768,981 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-05-D-0005).
Air Force
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract to Boeing Global Services and Support of San Antonio, Texas for $154, 893,960. This contract action will provide KC-135 Programmed Depot Maintenance. At this time, no money has been obligated. 827 ACSG/PK, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. is the contracting activity (FA8105-05-D-0004, Modification P00024).
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price, fixed quantity contract to General Electric Aviation, Cincinnati, Ohio for $68,067,563. This contract action will provide newly redesigned High Pressure Compressor and High Pressure Turbine assemblies, newly redesigned Aging Engine Upgrade components, initial provisioning spares and new technical data to support the Service Life Extension Plan and Aging Engine Upgrade initiatives applicable to F-16 aircraft. At this point, the entire amount has been obligated. 448 SCMG/PKBC, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. is the contracting activity (FA8104-05-C-0053, Modification P00016).
The Air Force is exercising a time and material firm fixed price contract option with the Boeing Company, Seattle Wash. for $11,183,600. This action will establish hourly rates and amounts for continued engineering services to maintain and upgrade the Air Launched Cruise Missile/Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile. At this time $4,490,754 has been obligated. 327 ACSG/PK, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. is the contracting activity (F34601-03-C-0042, Modification P00117).
The Air Force is awarding a Broad Agency Announcement, cost plus fixed fee contract to EastCor Engineering, Easton, Md. for a maximum $5,703,024. This objective of this contract is to design, build, test and deliver state-of- the-art Unattended Ground Sensors. At this time, $160,000 has been obligated. AFRL/RIKF, Rome N.Y. is the contracting activity (FA8750-09-C-0021).
Military Books
Military-Writers.com is pleased to announce the addition of these servicemembers to the website:
Colonel Thomas P. Griffin, USAF (ret.)
Colonel James H. Critchfield, USA (ret.)
Captain Carl A. Nelson, USN (ret.)
Captain Michael S. Alexatos, USN (ret.)
Captain Paul Corrigan, USN (ret.)
Commander Roger L. Johnson, USN (ret.)
Commander Mark W. Danielson, USN (ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel John S. Westerlund, USA (ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Buso, USA (ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel Ralph K. Baber, USAF (ret.)
Maj. R. L. Cook, USAF (ret.)
Lieutenant Commander Malcolm Smith, USCG (ret.)
Lieutenant Commander John W. Hamlett, USN (ret.)
Lieutenant Commander LaDelle F. Blevins, USN (ret.)
Lieutenant Commander R. Stephen Bloch, USN (ret.)
Lieutenant Commander Edward R. Briscoe, USN (ret.)
The Website now lists 599 servicemembers and their 2111 books.
MORE INFORMATION
Military Books
Colonel Thomas P. Griffin, USAF (ret.)
Colonel James H. Critchfield, USA (ret.)
Captain Carl A. Nelson, USN (ret.)
Captain Michael S. Alexatos, USN (ret.)
Captain Paul Corrigan, USN (ret.)
Commander Roger L. Johnson, USN (ret.)
Commander Mark W. Danielson, USN (ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel John S. Westerlund, USA (ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Buso, USA (ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel Ralph K. Baber, USAF (ret.)
Maj. R. L. Cook, USAF (ret.)
Lieutenant Commander Malcolm Smith, USCG (ret.)
Lieutenant Commander John W. Hamlett, USN (ret.)
Lieutenant Commander LaDelle F. Blevins, USN (ret.)
Lieutenant Commander R. Stephen Bloch, USN (ret.)
Lieutenant Commander Edward R. Briscoe, USN (ret.)
The Website now lists 599 servicemembers and their 2111 books.
MORE INFORMATION
Military Books
Appreciation of Limits, Humility Important in Facing Future Challenges, Gates Says
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 17, 2008 - In his 42 years of service in the national security arena, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said, the most important insights he's gained have been an appreciation of limits and a sense of humility. "The United States is the strongest and greatest nation on Earth, but there are still limits on what it can do," Gates wrote in the January/February issue of Foreign Affairs magazine.
The U.S. military's power and global reach have been "an indispensible contributor to world peace and must remain so," Gates continued in his article, titled "A Balanced Strategy: Reprogramming the Pentagon for a New Age."
"But not every outrage, every act of aggression or every crisis can or should elicit a U.S. military response," he said.
In fact, he said the United States "should be modest" about what military force and technology can accomplish.
"The advances in precision, sensor, information and satellite technologies have led to extraordinary gains in what the U.S. military can do," Gates said. "But no one should ever neglect the psychological, cultural, political and human dimensions of warfare.
"War is inevitably tragic, inefficient and uncertain," the secretary said, "and it is important to be skeptical of systems analyses, computer models, game theories or doctrines that suggest otherwise."
He dismissed notions of future conflict that gloss over the ugly realities of war and the heavy costs involved. He warned against concepts that "imagine it is possible to cow, shock or awe an enemy into submission instead of tracking enemies down hilltop by hilltop, house by house, block by bloody block."
Gates pointed to transformations the U.S. military has made to conduct operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. What started as a smaller-scale Cold War force was able to become an effective instrument of counterinsurgency -- but only at a substantial cost and by bucking the ingrained Pentagon bureaucracy.
"For every historic and resourceful innovation by troops and commanders on the battlefield, there was some institutional shortcoming at the Pentagon they had to overcome," he wrote.
Gates called for institutional changes so "the next sets of colonels, captains and sergeants will not have to be quite so heroic or quite so resourceful."
A strong advocate of institutionalizing counterinsurgency skills and the ability to conduct stability and support operations, Gates said it's time to bring them on par with the United States' conventional and strategic capabilities.
He cited the tradition of the United States being able to fight and adapt to a diverse range of conflicts -- a capability dating back to the Revolutionary War.
The U.S. National Defense Strategy, he said, builds on this tradition, providing a balanced approach needed for the United States to meet its responsibilities and preserve America's freedom, prosperity and security.
(This is the last article in a four-part series based on Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' article, "A Balanced Strategy: Reprogramming the Pentagon for a New Age," published in the January/February 2009 issue of Foreign Affairs magazine.)
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 17, 2008 - In his 42 years of service in the national security arena, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said, the most important insights he's gained have been an appreciation of limits and a sense of humility. "The United States is the strongest and greatest nation on Earth, but there are still limits on what it can do," Gates wrote in the January/February issue of Foreign Affairs magazine.
The U.S. military's power and global reach have been "an indispensible contributor to world peace and must remain so," Gates continued in his article, titled "A Balanced Strategy: Reprogramming the Pentagon for a New Age."
"But not every outrage, every act of aggression or every crisis can or should elicit a U.S. military response," he said.
In fact, he said the United States "should be modest" about what military force and technology can accomplish.
"The advances in precision, sensor, information and satellite technologies have led to extraordinary gains in what the U.S. military can do," Gates said. "But no one should ever neglect the psychological, cultural, political and human dimensions of warfare.
"War is inevitably tragic, inefficient and uncertain," the secretary said, "and it is important to be skeptical of systems analyses, computer models, game theories or doctrines that suggest otherwise."
He dismissed notions of future conflict that gloss over the ugly realities of war and the heavy costs involved. He warned against concepts that "imagine it is possible to cow, shock or awe an enemy into submission instead of tracking enemies down hilltop by hilltop, house by house, block by bloody block."
Gates pointed to transformations the U.S. military has made to conduct operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. What started as a smaller-scale Cold War force was able to become an effective instrument of counterinsurgency -- but only at a substantial cost and by bucking the ingrained Pentagon bureaucracy.
"For every historic and resourceful innovation by troops and commanders on the battlefield, there was some institutional shortcoming at the Pentagon they had to overcome," he wrote.
Gates called for institutional changes so "the next sets of colonels, captains and sergeants will not have to be quite so heroic or quite so resourceful."
A strong advocate of institutionalizing counterinsurgency skills and the ability to conduct stability and support operations, Gates said it's time to bring them on par with the United States' conventional and strategic capabilities.
He cited the tradition of the United States being able to fight and adapt to a diverse range of conflicts -- a capability dating back to the Revolutionary War.
The U.S. National Defense Strategy, he said, builds on this tradition, providing a balanced approach needed for the United States to meet its responsibilities and preserve America's freedom, prosperity and security.
(This is the last article in a four-part series based on Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' article, "A Balanced Strategy: Reprogramming the Pentagon for a New Age," published in the January/February 2009 issue of Foreign Affairs magazine.)
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