By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasized the importance of de-stigmatizing mental-health care for returning war veterans today as he cut the ribbon on a newly renovated facility designed to improve that care. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, paying his first visit to the home of the 10th Mountain Division, presided at the official opening a new, state-of-the-art, mental health facility.
Speaking earlier in the day at town hall sessions with junior soldiers and family readiness group leaders, Mullen said the military needs to do a better job of encouraging people who need it to seek mental-health care services.
"We've got to work hard to meet the need, and actually get ahead of, the challenges we have," he said. "I think we're all in denial if we don't recognize the huge, huge stress [multiple deployments have] put our force and our families under.
"Leaders have to address that, and address it up front," he said.
Mullen cited disturbing suicide rates in the Army, and urged soldiers to "take care of each other" and recognize symptoms of post-traumatic stress and other difficulties. He also urged spouses to be on the lookout for problems. "We have to have every sensor out," he said.
Families, too, can experience secondary signs of post-traumatic stress, he said, with the accompanying depression, sleeplessness and fear.
"This is human stuff," Mullen told the group. "It's not unexpected."
The big hurdle, Mullen said, is getting people who need it to seek care without fear that it will damage their reputation or military career.
Fort Drum's new Wilcox Center was renovated to provide that much-needed care in a modern, state-of-the-art facility. A two-year renovation added 2,000 square feet to the World War II-era facilities it replaced, increasing its overall size to more than 28,000 square feet.
Mullen toured the center, which includes more space for the post's behaviorial health department, offering more than 70 new office spaces, three reception areas and multiple group meeting rooms and video tele-psychiatry offices.
The main reception area features a large, domed skylight and children's waiting area that creates a welcoming atmosphere for soldiers and their families and providers. An expanded records storage area and up-to-date automation systems help to increase the staff's ability to provide care for soldiers and their families.
Dr. Todd L. Benham, chief of Fort Drum's behavioral health department, had rave reviews about the building.
"The Wilcox Clinic is truly an amazing facility," he said. "Once you step inside, you will see that the Army, the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Fort Drum have worked diligently to make a facility that shows the importance of caring for soldiers and their families."
Army Maj. Ross A. Davidson, the Army Medical Department Activity's logistics chief, said the new clinic demonstrates the Army's commitment to troops and their families.
"This beautiful facility is the direct result of a committed team's effort to plan, develop, and build a facility dedicated to improving the health of our soldiers and the Fort Drum community," he said.
Monday, February 09, 2009
MILITARY CONTRACTS February 9, 2009
NAVY
Undersea Sensor Systems, Inc., Columbia City, Ind., is being awarded a $34,777,470 firm fixed price contract for the procurement of 4,195 AN/SSQ-36B sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy. (4,150) and the Government of Pakistan, (45); 30,454 AN/SSQ-53F sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy, (30,104) and the Government of Pakistan, (350); and 8,302 AN/SSQ-62E sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy. Work will be performed in Columbia City, Ind., (90 percent) and Halifax, Nova Scotia, (10 percent) and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured by electronic request for proposals and two offers were received. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, ($34,517,590; 99.25 percent) and the Government of Pakistan, ($259,880; .75 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-C-0040).
Sparton Electronics, DeLeon Springs, Fla., is being awarded a $34,125,936 firm fixed price contract for the procurement of 31,593 AN/SSQ-53F sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy and 9,578 AN/SSQ-62E sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy (9,528) and the Government of Pakistan, (50). Work will be performed in DeLeon Springs, Fla., and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $251,010 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured by electronic request for proposals and two offers were received. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, ($34,039,381; 99.74 percent) and the Government of Pakistan, ($86,555; .26 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-C-0039).
L-3 Services Inc, Marlton, N.J., is being awarded $27,063,793 for task order #0072 under previously awarded contract (M67854-02-A-9010) to provide ongoing acquisition support, financial support, logistic support, fielding support, training support, and managerial support for the Marine Corps Systems Command' Communications, Intelligence and Networking Systems (CINS) Product Group's (PG's) Strategic Business Team, Operations Officer, Program Manager (PM), Communications and Networking Systems (PM CNS), PM Intelligence Systems (PM INTEL) and PM Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (PM CREW). The Contractor shall be required to interface and coordinate with other contractors supporting CINS including those in all the Commercial Enterprise Omnibus Support Services (CEOss) domains. It is the contractor's responsibility to arrange all Non-Disclosure Agreements necessary to interface with other contractors to accomplish the CINS mission. MCSC's CINS mission is to act as the central agent for the research, development, acquisition, and life cycle management of communications, intelligence, surveillance, and networking systems throughout the Marine Corps. The PG's assigned mission includes the responsibility of CINS for the Operating Forces and the Support Establishment. The programs within the PG cover all phases of the acquisition process. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $3,822,478 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Land and Armament LP, Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded $21,258,964 for a delivery order under a previously awarded contract (N00014-06-D-0046) to research and develop an Advanced Containment Launcher for Electromagnetic Rail Gun. Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minn., and work is expected to be completed Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under an Office of Naval Research Broad Agency Announcement 05-003. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity.
Motorola, Inc., Columbia, Md., is being awarded a $20,000,000 modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract (N65236-06-D-5196) for hand-held radios to support the Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR) Infrastructure. The cumulative value of this contract, including this modification is $63,105,144. Work will be performed in Columbia, Md., and is expected to be completed by September 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $20,000,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured through the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce website, with six offers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Atlantic is the contracting activity.
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $16,615,880 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-6311) to provide integration services for mission packages that will deploy from and integrate with the Littoral Combat Ship. The Navy's plan is to use spiral development to improve mission capability in identified mission areas. LCS Mission Packages will be optimized for flexibility in the littorals. Mission package capabilities are currently focused on primary mission areas of mine warfare emphasizing mine countermeasures, littoral anti-submarine warfare, and littoral surface warfare operations including prosecution of small boats. The LCS Mission Packages are developed and acquired separately from the LCS Sea Frame. Work will be performed in Bethpage, N.Y., (47 percent), Washington, D.C., (26 percent), Panama City, Fla., (12 percent), Hollywood, Md., (12 percent), San Diego, Calif., (2 percent), and Dahlgren, Va., (1 percent) and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $3,323,180 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington D.C., is the contracting activity.
Ocean Systems Engineering Corp., is being awarded $16,199,973 for task order #0051 under previously awarded contract (M67854-02-A-9020) for the Marine Corps Systems Command's Communications, Intelligence and Networking Systems (CINS) Product Group's (PG's) mission is to act as the central agent for the research, development, acquisition, and life cycle management of communications, intelligence, surveillance, and networking systems throughout the Marine Corps. The PG's assigned mission includes the responsibility of CINS for the Operating Forces and the Supporting Establishment. The programs within the PG cover all phases of the acquisition process. The scope of this Statement of Work is to provide engineering and technical support for the CINS PG's Strategic Business Team, PM Communications and Networking Systems (PM CNS), PM Intelligence Systems (PM INTEL) and PM Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (PM CREW). The Contractor shall be required to interface and coordinate with other contractors supporting CINS including those in all the Commercial Enterprise Omnibus Support Service (CEOss) domains. It is the contractor's responsibility to arrange any Non-Disclosure Agreements necessary to interface with other contractors in order to accomplish the CINS mission. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $905,089 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Zel Technologies, LLC*, Hampton, Va., is being awarded a $7,382,410 cost plus fixed fee contract to provide research and development efforts relative to understanding oceanographic phenomenon. Specifically this contract provides for mission support for the U.S. Navy P-3C aircraft, by providing specific engineering investigations, consisting of Multi-spectral Electromagnetic and Electro-optical Propagation through atmospheric, marine, and land environments. Work will be performed in Boulder, Colo., (86 percent); Fairfax, Va., (13 percent); and Hampton, Va., (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-C-0026).
Sealaska Environmental Services, LLC*, Juneau, Alaska, is being awarded a $5,505,095 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for operation, maintenance, and long term monitoring environmental services at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility (AOR). The maximum dollar value, including the base period and four option years, is $28,531,879. Task Order 0001 is being awarded at $451,500 for operation and maintenance of remediation sites A and F located on Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor Submarine Base, and Silverdale, Wash. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Mar. 2010. All work on this contract will be performed in the NAVFAC Northwest AOR including but not limited to, Wash., (78 percent), Alaska, (18 percent), Ore., (1 percent), Idaho, (1 percent), Mont., (1 percent), and Wyo., (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed Mar. 2014. Contract funds for Task Order 0001 will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website,with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-09-D-4005).
Correction: Contract awarded Feb. 5, 2009, to George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., has an amended contract base award amount of $7,140,937 and with contract options exercised the total cumulative value of the contract will be $10,360,084.
USSOCOM
L-3 Services of Tampa, Fla., is being awarded a $400,000,000 maximum order amount modification to increase the contract ceiling on the current indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract for information technology support to USSOCOM Headquarters, its component commands, theater special operation commands and the military departments (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps) that have or provide direct support to Special Operations Forces. The work will be performed in Tampa and other locations and will expire Mar. 31, 2011. The ceiling increase will be accomplished by issuing modification P00047 to contract number USZA22-02-D-0017 on an 'other than full and open' competition basis.
ARMY
Raytheon Co., Cage 96214, McKinney, Texas, was awarded on Dec. 23, 2008, a $179,677,365 firm fixed price for production contract for a modification to multi-year, firm fixed price, time and materials contract Number W15P7T-06-C-M209 with Raytheon Network Centric Systems (Raytheon), to increase the quantity of Horizontal Technology Integration (HTI) Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (SGF) Block 1 A-Kits that can be obtained under the contract's existing options, to enable the Government to acquire up to 6,153 additional HTI SGF Block 1 A-Kits/B-Kits. Work is to be performed at McKinney, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2012. One sole source bid was solicited with one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-06-C-M209).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus incentive fee contract with McDonnell Douglas Corp., of Long Beach Calif. for an amount not to exceed $114,400,000. This contract modification is a Foreign Military Sales requirement for procurement of a spare engine, night vision devices, ground handling equipment, spares, alternate mission equipment, support equipment, publications, repair and return, contractor logistics support, participation in the Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership, and services. At this time, $56,056,000 has been obligated. 516 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8614-04-C-2004, P00278).
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to the Raytheon Co., of Tucson, Ariz. for $49,750,000. This action will provide Small Unmanned Aerial System Research and Evaluation program. At this time $76,095 has been obligated. AFRL/PKDA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8650-09-D-7905).
DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY
Microelectronics Advanced Research Corp., (MARCO), Durham, N.C., is being awarded a $10,000,000 modification to a previously awarded other transaction agreement for phase four (year three) of the Focus Center Research Program. Work will be performed in Durham, N.C., (11 percent); Pittsburgh, Pa., (17 percent); Atlanta, Ga., (19 percent); Cambridge, Mass., (17 percent); Berkeley, Calif., (21 percent); Los Angeles, Calif., (15 percent); and is expected to be completed Nov. 2009. This is a sole source award. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., (HR0011-07-3-0002, P00008).
Undersea Sensor Systems, Inc., Columbia City, Ind., is being awarded a $34,777,470 firm fixed price contract for the procurement of 4,195 AN/SSQ-36B sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy. (4,150) and the Government of Pakistan, (45); 30,454 AN/SSQ-53F sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy, (30,104) and the Government of Pakistan, (350); and 8,302 AN/SSQ-62E sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy. Work will be performed in Columbia City, Ind., (90 percent) and Halifax, Nova Scotia, (10 percent) and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured by electronic request for proposals and two offers were received. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, ($34,517,590; 99.25 percent) and the Government of Pakistan, ($259,880; .75 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-C-0040).
Sparton Electronics, DeLeon Springs, Fla., is being awarded a $34,125,936 firm fixed price contract for the procurement of 31,593 AN/SSQ-53F sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy and 9,578 AN/SSQ-62E sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy (9,528) and the Government of Pakistan, (50). Work will be performed in DeLeon Springs, Fla., and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $251,010 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured by electronic request for proposals and two offers were received. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, ($34,039,381; 99.74 percent) and the Government of Pakistan, ($86,555; .26 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-C-0039).
L-3 Services Inc, Marlton, N.J., is being awarded $27,063,793 for task order #0072 under previously awarded contract (M67854-02-A-9010) to provide ongoing acquisition support, financial support, logistic support, fielding support, training support, and managerial support for the Marine Corps Systems Command' Communications, Intelligence and Networking Systems (CINS) Product Group's (PG's) Strategic Business Team, Operations Officer, Program Manager (PM), Communications and Networking Systems (PM CNS), PM Intelligence Systems (PM INTEL) and PM Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (PM CREW). The Contractor shall be required to interface and coordinate with other contractors supporting CINS including those in all the Commercial Enterprise Omnibus Support Services (CEOss) domains. It is the contractor's responsibility to arrange all Non-Disclosure Agreements necessary to interface with other contractors to accomplish the CINS mission. MCSC's CINS mission is to act as the central agent for the research, development, acquisition, and life cycle management of communications, intelligence, surveillance, and networking systems throughout the Marine Corps. The PG's assigned mission includes the responsibility of CINS for the Operating Forces and the Support Establishment. The programs within the PG cover all phases of the acquisition process. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $3,822,478 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Land and Armament LP, Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded $21,258,964 for a delivery order under a previously awarded contract (N00014-06-D-0046) to research and develop an Advanced Containment Launcher for Electromagnetic Rail Gun. Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minn., and work is expected to be completed Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under an Office of Naval Research Broad Agency Announcement 05-003. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity.
Motorola, Inc., Columbia, Md., is being awarded a $20,000,000 modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract (N65236-06-D-5196) for hand-held radios to support the Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR) Infrastructure. The cumulative value of this contract, including this modification is $63,105,144. Work will be performed in Columbia, Md., and is expected to be completed by September 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $20,000,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured through the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce website, with six offers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Atlantic is the contracting activity.
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $16,615,880 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-6311) to provide integration services for mission packages that will deploy from and integrate with the Littoral Combat Ship. The Navy's plan is to use spiral development to improve mission capability in identified mission areas. LCS Mission Packages will be optimized for flexibility in the littorals. Mission package capabilities are currently focused on primary mission areas of mine warfare emphasizing mine countermeasures, littoral anti-submarine warfare, and littoral surface warfare operations including prosecution of small boats. The LCS Mission Packages are developed and acquired separately from the LCS Sea Frame. Work will be performed in Bethpage, N.Y., (47 percent), Washington, D.C., (26 percent), Panama City, Fla., (12 percent), Hollywood, Md., (12 percent), San Diego, Calif., (2 percent), and Dahlgren, Va., (1 percent) and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $3,323,180 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington D.C., is the contracting activity.
Ocean Systems Engineering Corp., is being awarded $16,199,973 for task order #0051 under previously awarded contract (M67854-02-A-9020) for the Marine Corps Systems Command's Communications, Intelligence and Networking Systems (CINS) Product Group's (PG's) mission is to act as the central agent for the research, development, acquisition, and life cycle management of communications, intelligence, surveillance, and networking systems throughout the Marine Corps. The PG's assigned mission includes the responsibility of CINS for the Operating Forces and the Supporting Establishment. The programs within the PG cover all phases of the acquisition process. The scope of this Statement of Work is to provide engineering and technical support for the CINS PG's Strategic Business Team, PM Communications and Networking Systems (PM CNS), PM Intelligence Systems (PM INTEL) and PM Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (PM CREW). The Contractor shall be required to interface and coordinate with other contractors supporting CINS including those in all the Commercial Enterprise Omnibus Support Service (CEOss) domains. It is the contractor's responsibility to arrange any Non-Disclosure Agreements necessary to interface with other contractors in order to accomplish the CINS mission. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $905,089 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Zel Technologies, LLC*, Hampton, Va., is being awarded a $7,382,410 cost plus fixed fee contract to provide research and development efforts relative to understanding oceanographic phenomenon. Specifically this contract provides for mission support for the U.S. Navy P-3C aircraft, by providing specific engineering investigations, consisting of Multi-spectral Electromagnetic and Electro-optical Propagation through atmospheric, marine, and land environments. Work will be performed in Boulder, Colo., (86 percent); Fairfax, Va., (13 percent); and Hampton, Va., (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-C-0026).
Sealaska Environmental Services, LLC*, Juneau, Alaska, is being awarded a $5,505,095 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for operation, maintenance, and long term monitoring environmental services at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility (AOR). The maximum dollar value, including the base period and four option years, is $28,531,879. Task Order 0001 is being awarded at $451,500 for operation and maintenance of remediation sites A and F located on Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor Submarine Base, and Silverdale, Wash. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Mar. 2010. All work on this contract will be performed in the NAVFAC Northwest AOR including but not limited to, Wash., (78 percent), Alaska, (18 percent), Ore., (1 percent), Idaho, (1 percent), Mont., (1 percent), and Wyo., (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed Mar. 2014. Contract funds for Task Order 0001 will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website,with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-09-D-4005).
Correction: Contract awarded Feb. 5, 2009, to George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., has an amended contract base award amount of $7,140,937 and with contract options exercised the total cumulative value of the contract will be $10,360,084.
USSOCOM
L-3 Services of Tampa, Fla., is being awarded a $400,000,000 maximum order amount modification to increase the contract ceiling on the current indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract for information technology support to USSOCOM Headquarters, its component commands, theater special operation commands and the military departments (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps) that have or provide direct support to Special Operations Forces. The work will be performed in Tampa and other locations and will expire Mar. 31, 2011. The ceiling increase will be accomplished by issuing modification P00047 to contract number USZA22-02-D-0017 on an 'other than full and open' competition basis.
ARMY
Raytheon Co., Cage 96214, McKinney, Texas, was awarded on Dec. 23, 2008, a $179,677,365 firm fixed price for production contract for a modification to multi-year, firm fixed price, time and materials contract Number W15P7T-06-C-M209 with Raytheon Network Centric Systems (Raytheon), to increase the quantity of Horizontal Technology Integration (HTI) Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (SGF) Block 1 A-Kits that can be obtained under the contract's existing options, to enable the Government to acquire up to 6,153 additional HTI SGF Block 1 A-Kits/B-Kits. Work is to be performed at McKinney, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2012. One sole source bid was solicited with one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-06-C-M209).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus incentive fee contract with McDonnell Douglas Corp., of Long Beach Calif. for an amount not to exceed $114,400,000. This contract modification is a Foreign Military Sales requirement for procurement of a spare engine, night vision devices, ground handling equipment, spares, alternate mission equipment, support equipment, publications, repair and return, contractor logistics support, participation in the Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership, and services. At this time, $56,056,000 has been obligated. 516 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8614-04-C-2004, P00278).
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to the Raytheon Co., of Tucson, Ariz. for $49,750,000. This action will provide Small Unmanned Aerial System Research and Evaluation program. At this time $76,095 has been obligated. AFRL/PKDA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8650-09-D-7905).
DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY
Microelectronics Advanced Research Corp., (MARCO), Durham, N.C., is being awarded a $10,000,000 modification to a previously awarded other transaction agreement for phase four (year three) of the Focus Center Research Program. Work will be performed in Durham, N.C., (11 percent); Pittsburgh, Pa., (17 percent); Atlanta, Ga., (19 percent); Cambridge, Mass., (17 percent); Berkeley, Calif., (21 percent); Los Angeles, Calif., (15 percent); and is expected to be completed Nov. 2009. This is a sole source award. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., (HR0011-07-3-0002, P00008).
Mullen: People 'First and Foremost' as Military Shifts Focus
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - As the military begins to shift its focus from Iraq to Afghanistan, it can't lose focus on supporting troops and their families, most importantly by increasing the "dwell time" at home stations between deployments, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told 10th Mountain Division soldiers who returned from Iraq in November, others training for a 2010 deployment, and wives of deployed troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan that they're the backbone of the military.
"Thanks for what you do, and your service to your country at this critical time," Mullen said at a town hall meeting of junior soldiers grades E-4 and below. "[You are] the best we have ever had, and [I am] exceptionally grateful for your service to our nation.
"You serve a larger calling than just yourself, as does your family," he said. "We couldn't do it without you, and we couldn't do it without the family support that has been extraordinary."
In a separate session with family readiness group representatives, Mullen and his wife, Deborah, extended thanks to family members whose loved ones have deployed two, three, even five times since 9/11.
"I recognize that we have asked extraordinary things and have seen extraordinary results," he said. "I don't take that for granted."
As the military looks to the future -- one likely to see greater focus on Afghanistan and possibly tightened budgets -- Mullen said it can't lose sight of the basics of taking care of people. "It is first and foremost," he told the family group. "I don't care what we buy. At the core of our future success is our people."
A top priority, he said, is to increase dwell time between deployments. The 10th Mountain Division soldiers currently have as little as 12 months at home between deployments. Much of that "home time" actually is spent away from home, training for the next deployment.
Mullen said he wants to see dwell time extended as quickly as possible, and to make as much of it as possible time actually spent at home.
"I am hopeful that in about 12 to 24 months, we can take some of the pressure off with increased dwell time at home," he said. "We recognize the need for more time at home. I'm focused on it, the secretary of defense is focused on it, and so is the president. He has told me that personally."
The chairman said he'd also like to see the highly unpopular "Stop Loss" program – which allows the Army to keep soldiers in critical specialties beyond their enlistment contracts -- end as quickly as possible. "If I could do it, I would stop it tonight," he told a spouse. But as the Army increases its end strength and trains up those forces so they are deployable, he conceded, it's more likely going to take 24 to 36 months before the program can be lifted.
Mullen pointed to rising suicide rates and the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder as signs of the heavy stress troops are under. He urged them to look out for each other and help to de-stigmatize getting help when it's needed.
Looking ahead, Mullen said, it's highly likely the military will face budget cuts. That needs to be done by cutting programs "where costs have spun out of control" so funds remain on the war effort and taking care of the troops fighting it and their families, he said.
But the United States must ensure deploying troops have the equipment, training and other support required to succeed, the chairman said. "We cannot send young men and women off to war and not give them the resources that they need," he told the soldiers.
"If have to make some hard choices, we'll do that," he said. "But most of all, we need to get it right for our people and fund the wars we are in."
That includes protecting not only military pay and bonuses, but also medical care, family programs, housing and other allowances. These help ensure that "when you make a decision about your future, you're in a world-class outfit, and you will make a decision to stay if that's right for you," Mullen said.
Today's troops represent the future of the force, he said. Mullen told the soldiers and their families he's focused on "making sure that the combat-hardened force we have -- after multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and the best we have ever seen -- is in fact the guarantor of a successful military in the future."
Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Mangum, the division's rear-echelon commander, called Mullen's visit a great shot in the arm for the 9,000 soldiers currently at Fort Drum, as well as about 9,000 deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The most important thing for them is that he knows they're carrying a heavy load and appreciates it," Mangum said. "Hearing the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff say thank you means a lot."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - As the military begins to shift its focus from Iraq to Afghanistan, it can't lose focus on supporting troops and their families, most importantly by increasing the "dwell time" at home stations between deployments, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told 10th Mountain Division soldiers who returned from Iraq in November, others training for a 2010 deployment, and wives of deployed troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan that they're the backbone of the military.
"Thanks for what you do, and your service to your country at this critical time," Mullen said at a town hall meeting of junior soldiers grades E-4 and below. "[You are] the best we have ever had, and [I am] exceptionally grateful for your service to our nation.
"You serve a larger calling than just yourself, as does your family," he said. "We couldn't do it without you, and we couldn't do it without the family support that has been extraordinary."
In a separate session with family readiness group representatives, Mullen and his wife, Deborah, extended thanks to family members whose loved ones have deployed two, three, even five times since 9/11.
"I recognize that we have asked extraordinary things and have seen extraordinary results," he said. "I don't take that for granted."
As the military looks to the future -- one likely to see greater focus on Afghanistan and possibly tightened budgets -- Mullen said it can't lose sight of the basics of taking care of people. "It is first and foremost," he told the family group. "I don't care what we buy. At the core of our future success is our people."
A top priority, he said, is to increase dwell time between deployments. The 10th Mountain Division soldiers currently have as little as 12 months at home between deployments. Much of that "home time" actually is spent away from home, training for the next deployment.
Mullen said he wants to see dwell time extended as quickly as possible, and to make as much of it as possible time actually spent at home.
"I am hopeful that in about 12 to 24 months, we can take some of the pressure off with increased dwell time at home," he said. "We recognize the need for more time at home. I'm focused on it, the secretary of defense is focused on it, and so is the president. He has told me that personally."
The chairman said he'd also like to see the highly unpopular "Stop Loss" program – which allows the Army to keep soldiers in critical specialties beyond their enlistment contracts -- end as quickly as possible. "If I could do it, I would stop it tonight," he told a spouse. But as the Army increases its end strength and trains up those forces so they are deployable, he conceded, it's more likely going to take 24 to 36 months before the program can be lifted.
Mullen pointed to rising suicide rates and the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder as signs of the heavy stress troops are under. He urged them to look out for each other and help to de-stigmatize getting help when it's needed.
Looking ahead, Mullen said, it's highly likely the military will face budget cuts. That needs to be done by cutting programs "where costs have spun out of control" so funds remain on the war effort and taking care of the troops fighting it and their families, he said.
But the United States must ensure deploying troops have the equipment, training and other support required to succeed, the chairman said. "We cannot send young men and women off to war and not give them the resources that they need," he told the soldiers.
"If have to make some hard choices, we'll do that," he said. "But most of all, we need to get it right for our people and fund the wars we are in."
That includes protecting not only military pay and bonuses, but also medical care, family programs, housing and other allowances. These help ensure that "when you make a decision about your future, you're in a world-class outfit, and you will make a decision to stay if that's right for you," Mullen said.
Today's troops represent the future of the force, he said. Mullen told the soldiers and their families he's focused on "making sure that the combat-hardened force we have -- after multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and the best we have ever seen -- is in fact the guarantor of a successful military in the future."
Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Mangum, the division's rear-echelon commander, called Mullen's visit a great shot in the arm for the 9,000 soldiers currently at Fort Drum, as well as about 9,000 deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The most important thing for them is that he knows they're carrying a heavy load and appreciates it," Mangum said. "Hearing the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff say thank you means a lot."
Newest Fisher House to Serve Southern California Veterans, Families
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - It was pouring liquid sunshine as the Fisher House Foundation and the Veterans Affairs Department prepared to dedicate the 43rd Fisher House in Brentwood, Calif., on Feb. 6, but the significance of the event wasn't lost on Mother Nature. "The clouds broke, and we actually had sunshine for about an hour and a half [during] the ceremony and reception," Jim Weiskopf, Fisher House Foundations executive vice president of communications, said. "Then it started to rain again."
Wounded Marines from Camp Pendleton joined in the festivities, with one leading the Pledge of Allegiance and another helping to cut the ribbon.
Families who will be living in the newest Fisher House also were on hand to dedicate the 16,800 square-foot building, which provides military families a "home away from home" while their loved ones recover from injuries or illnesses. While there are a few other Fisher Houses of comparable size, this is becoming a standard, Weiskopf said.
Located on the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System campus on the edge of Beverly Hills and Hollywood, the California-Spanish style "comfort home," includes 21 suites, each with a private, handicapped-accessible bathroom. The two-story, elevator-equipped house features communal spaces such as a family room, a multi-cooking station kitchen, a large dining room and shared laundry facilities.
The foundation has made a solemn commitment to keep faith with those who have served the country, Ken Fisher, Fisher House Foundation chairman, said in a news release. It's is a responsibility the foundation accepts gladly, he added.
The community gladly accepted the responsibility as well. Each community where Fisher House builds is asked to raise about half the funds needed to complete the process, Weiskopf said. In Los Angeles, he added, the community did a remarkable job.
"The American Legion Pacific Palisades Post 283 ... donated $2.125 million to us," he said. After placing a call to the American Legion's Indianapolis headquarters, Weiskopf learned that was the largest single donation ever made by an American Legion post.
The Los Angeles Fisher House is the only one that will open this year; about eight more are nearly ready to be started.
"We are going to start a whole bunch more projects, but since we're not 'in the ground' yet, and they take almost 14 months to build, nothing will open up in calendar year 2009," Weiskopf said. "We'll have lots to open up in 2010."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - It was pouring liquid sunshine as the Fisher House Foundation and the Veterans Affairs Department prepared to dedicate the 43rd Fisher House in Brentwood, Calif., on Feb. 6, but the significance of the event wasn't lost on Mother Nature. "The clouds broke, and we actually had sunshine for about an hour and a half [during] the ceremony and reception," Jim Weiskopf, Fisher House Foundations executive vice president of communications, said. "Then it started to rain again."
Wounded Marines from Camp Pendleton joined in the festivities, with one leading the Pledge of Allegiance and another helping to cut the ribbon.
Families who will be living in the newest Fisher House also were on hand to dedicate the 16,800 square-foot building, which provides military families a "home away from home" while their loved ones recover from injuries or illnesses. While there are a few other Fisher Houses of comparable size, this is becoming a standard, Weiskopf said.
Located on the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System campus on the edge of Beverly Hills and Hollywood, the California-Spanish style "comfort home," includes 21 suites, each with a private, handicapped-accessible bathroom. The two-story, elevator-equipped house features communal spaces such as a family room, a multi-cooking station kitchen, a large dining room and shared laundry facilities.
The foundation has made a solemn commitment to keep faith with those who have served the country, Ken Fisher, Fisher House Foundation chairman, said in a news release. It's is a responsibility the foundation accepts gladly, he added.
The community gladly accepted the responsibility as well. Each community where Fisher House builds is asked to raise about half the funds needed to complete the process, Weiskopf said. In Los Angeles, he added, the community did a remarkable job.
"The American Legion Pacific Palisades Post 283 ... donated $2.125 million to us," he said. After placing a call to the American Legion's Indianapolis headquarters, Weiskopf learned that was the largest single donation ever made by an American Legion post.
The Los Angeles Fisher House is the only one that will open this year; about eight more are nearly ready to be started.
"We are going to start a whole bunch more projects, but since we're not 'in the ground' yet, and they take almost 14 months to build, nothing will open up in calendar year 2009," Weiskopf said. "We'll have lots to open up in 2010."
Coast Guard Marks Acquisition Milestones
By Coast Guard Lt. Tony Migliorini
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - The Coast Guard's acquisition directorate has marked a number of positive milestones in delivering new assets and capabilities to the field, the Coast Guard's senior acquisitions official said Feb. 6. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, assistant commandant for acquisition, provided bloggers and online journalists with an update on several major projects and announced the delivery of the 200th vessel from the foreign military sales program.
Blore also discussed the importance of ensuring American taxpayers know the Coast Guard is spending their money wisely.
"One of the tenets of our new acquisition processes is we try to be as transparent as possible," he said. "We want the public ... to be aware of what we are doing in the Coast Guard."
Among the 22 major acquisition projects under way, Blore highlighted the progress of the "response boat medium" project, the Rescue 21 system, the HC-144A Ocean Sentry medium-range surveillance aircraft, the national security cutter and the Sentinel-class patrol boat.
The Coast Guard has delivered the sixth of 180 planned response boat medium vessels, and officials are conducting operational tests in a variety of geographic areas. Blore noted that one of the new vessels participated in the rescue operation when U.S. Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency landing in the Hudson River on Jan. 15.
The Rescue 21 project -- the Coast Guard's advanced command, control and communications rescue system -- is now being employed on more than 60 percent of the nation's coastline, Blore said. It will be deployed at Sector North Carolina at the end of the month, and Sector Boston is scheduled to be accepted in May, he added.
The Coast Guard's sixth HC-144A "Ocean Sentry" aircraft is flying from Spain to its U.S. destination of Elizabeth City, N.C., this week, Blore said. Five additional aircraft are under contract and are scheduled for delivery before November 2010.
The Coast Guard's first Legend-class national security cutter, Bertholf, is on track to complete electronic emissions security compliance and final acceptance by May, the admiral said. Also, the U.S. Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center's Carderock division recently delivered its report on Coast Guard fatigue design enhancements to the national security cutter.
Coast Guard officials are excited about moving forward with its Sentinel-class patrol boat project, and are planning to take delivery of a lead vessel in 2011, Blore said.
"We have a lot of things going on in acquisitions," he said. "We think we have reformed our processes and are doing things very well."
(Coast Guard Lt. Tony Migliorini serves at the Coast Guard Headquarters public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - The Coast Guard's acquisition directorate has marked a number of positive milestones in delivering new assets and capabilities to the field, the Coast Guard's senior acquisitions official said Feb. 6. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, assistant commandant for acquisition, provided bloggers and online journalists with an update on several major projects and announced the delivery of the 200th vessel from the foreign military sales program.
Blore also discussed the importance of ensuring American taxpayers know the Coast Guard is spending their money wisely.
"One of the tenets of our new acquisition processes is we try to be as transparent as possible," he said. "We want the public ... to be aware of what we are doing in the Coast Guard."
Among the 22 major acquisition projects under way, Blore highlighted the progress of the "response boat medium" project, the Rescue 21 system, the HC-144A Ocean Sentry medium-range surveillance aircraft, the national security cutter and the Sentinel-class patrol boat.
The Coast Guard has delivered the sixth of 180 planned response boat medium vessels, and officials are conducting operational tests in a variety of geographic areas. Blore noted that one of the new vessels participated in the rescue operation when U.S. Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency landing in the Hudson River on Jan. 15.
The Rescue 21 project -- the Coast Guard's advanced command, control and communications rescue system -- is now being employed on more than 60 percent of the nation's coastline, Blore said. It will be deployed at Sector North Carolina at the end of the month, and Sector Boston is scheduled to be accepted in May, he added.
The Coast Guard's sixth HC-144A "Ocean Sentry" aircraft is flying from Spain to its U.S. destination of Elizabeth City, N.C., this week, Blore said. Five additional aircraft are under contract and are scheduled for delivery before November 2010.
The Coast Guard's first Legend-class national security cutter, Bertholf, is on track to complete electronic emissions security compliance and final acceptance by May, the admiral said. Also, the U.S. Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center's Carderock division recently delivered its report on Coast Guard fatigue design enhancements to the national security cutter.
Coast Guard officials are excited about moving forward with its Sentinel-class patrol boat project, and are planning to take delivery of a lead vessel in 2011, Blore said.
"We have a lot of things going on in acquisitions," he said. "We think we have reformed our processes and are doing things very well."
(Coast Guard Lt. Tony Migliorini serves at the Coast Guard Headquarters public affairs office.)
Guard Embraces Army's 'Year of NCO' Observance
By Army Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - The leadership of the Army National Guard has embraced the yearlong celebration of the Army's noncommissioned officer corps, which features many events and initiatives planned throughout the year to showcase the role of NCOs. "For 372 years, our noncommissioned officers have been the backbone of the Army National Guard," Army Command Sgt. Maj. John D. Gipe, the Army Guard's command sergeant major, said in a letter announcing support of the Year of the NCO. "Since 9/11, though, they have particularly proven to be its very heart and soul."
Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army chief of staff, expressed a similar sentiment.
"As [Army Secretary Pete Geren] and I looked around the Army," Casey said, "it was clear to us that the noncommissioned officer is the glue that is holding this Army together at a critical time, and many accomplish the near-impossible every day."
The military is engaged in protracted overseas operations, including combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. After more than seven years of combat operations, Gipe said, many people believe the NCOs of the Army Guard are among the best in the Guard's history.
"Our ranks consist of the most talented pool of professional NCOs ever to muster," Gipe said. "Their unique depths and talents, forged in their communities, bring to the force the ability to operate, maintain, administer, manage, train, lead, fight, dominate and win on today's battlefield."
The Year of the NCO comes with a special significance for the Guard, with the naming of Staff Sgt. Michael Noyce-Merino of the Montana Army National Guard as the Army's NCO of the Year.
"Sergeant Merino exemplifies the professionalism, skill and knowledge that are the hallmarks of National Guard NCOs, and we are immensely proud of this great American," Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said.
As part of the celebration, the Army Guard has several events planned for the year to highlight the contributions of the NCO, including many events that will feature Noyce-Merino. Each month is scheduled to focus on the achievements and contributions in everything from combat operations to daily training activities, officials said.
(Army Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - The leadership of the Army National Guard has embraced the yearlong celebration of the Army's noncommissioned officer corps, which features many events and initiatives planned throughout the year to showcase the role of NCOs. "For 372 years, our noncommissioned officers have been the backbone of the Army National Guard," Army Command Sgt. Maj. John D. Gipe, the Army Guard's command sergeant major, said in a letter announcing support of the Year of the NCO. "Since 9/11, though, they have particularly proven to be its very heart and soul."
Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army chief of staff, expressed a similar sentiment.
"As [Army Secretary Pete Geren] and I looked around the Army," Casey said, "it was clear to us that the noncommissioned officer is the glue that is holding this Army together at a critical time, and many accomplish the near-impossible every day."
The military is engaged in protracted overseas operations, including combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. After more than seven years of combat operations, Gipe said, many people believe the NCOs of the Army Guard are among the best in the Guard's history.
"Our ranks consist of the most talented pool of professional NCOs ever to muster," Gipe said. "Their unique depths and talents, forged in their communities, bring to the force the ability to operate, maintain, administer, manage, train, lead, fight, dominate and win on today's battlefield."
The Year of the NCO comes with a special significance for the Guard, with the naming of Staff Sgt. Michael Noyce-Merino of the Montana Army National Guard as the Army's NCO of the Year.
"Sergeant Merino exemplifies the professionalism, skill and knowledge that are the hallmarks of National Guard NCOs, and we are immensely proud of this great American," Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said.
As part of the celebration, the Army Guard has several events planned for the year to highlight the contributions of the NCO, including many events that will feature Noyce-Merino. Each month is scheduled to focus on the achievements and contributions in everything from combat operations to daily training activities, officials said.
(Army Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
State Partnerships Prevent Calamities, Guard Bureau Chief Says
By Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - The development of international military-to-military relationships built through the National Guard's State Partnership Program will become vitally important in preventing future world calamities, chief of the National Guard Bureau said here Feb. 5. Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, speaking to students at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, said the National Guard in the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia now have 60 state partnerships with the militaries of other nations.
"Their governors and their adjutants general, who run their militaries, have all formed working partnerships with nations in the various corners of the world," he said.
Because it's easier to prevent calamities than to respond to them, "you start by preventing the things that can go wrong, and you start preventing by meeting and sharing ideas with people," McKinley said.
The partnership between California and Ukraine, which started more than 15 years ago, is a perfect example, he said. In an effort to bolster their disaster readiness and response, Ukraine sent representatives to California in November to participate in Vigilant Guard, a weeklong emergency-response training exercise.
The Ukrainian delegation exchanged ideas and techniques with their American counterparts on how to deal with flooding, which they experience each year in western Ukraine. In July, heavy rains brought a record deluge there, causing the worst financial damage in more than 100 years.
"We are living in complex and challenging times," McKinley told the group of nearly 50 international civilian and military leaders attending a seminar on transatlantic security. He encouraged the group to forge new relationships with each other that could serve them in the future.
Partnerships are an effective tool to handle future natural and man-made calamities, which some officials predict will be larger in their scope and size and in the challenges they will pose to governments, the general said.
"We certainly prepare for that major disaster," McKinley said. "How we as a world community respond to it will be vitality important. The integrated efforts between our governments will be critically important to all of us."
(Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2009 - The development of international military-to-military relationships built through the National Guard's State Partnership Program will become vitally important in preventing future world calamities, chief of the National Guard Bureau said here Feb. 5. Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, speaking to students at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, said the National Guard in the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia now have 60 state partnerships with the militaries of other nations.
"Their governors and their adjutants general, who run their militaries, have all formed working partnerships with nations in the various corners of the world," he said.
Because it's easier to prevent calamities than to respond to them, "you start by preventing the things that can go wrong, and you start preventing by meeting and sharing ideas with people," McKinley said.
The partnership between California and Ukraine, which started more than 15 years ago, is a perfect example, he said. In an effort to bolster their disaster readiness and response, Ukraine sent representatives to California in November to participate in Vigilant Guard, a weeklong emergency-response training exercise.
The Ukrainian delegation exchanged ideas and techniques with their American counterparts on how to deal with flooding, which they experience each year in western Ukraine. In July, heavy rains brought a record deluge there, causing the worst financial damage in more than 100 years.
"We are living in complex and challenging times," McKinley told the group of nearly 50 international civilian and military leaders attending a seminar on transatlantic security. He encouraged the group to forge new relationships with each other that could serve them in the future.
Partnerships are an effective tool to handle future natural and man-made calamities, which some officials predict will be larger in their scope and size and in the challenges they will pose to governments, the general said.
"We certainly prepare for that major disaster," McKinley said. "How we as a world community respond to it will be vitality important. The integrated efforts between our governments will be critically important to all of us."
(Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Friday, February 06, 2009
MILITARY CONTRACTS February 6, 2008
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to McDonnell Douglas Corporation of Long Beach California for an amount not to exceed $2,950,000,000. This is an undefinitized contract action for the procurement of 15 C-17 aircraft. At this time, $114,550,000 has been obligated. 516 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8614-06-D-2006).
The Air Force is modifying a fixed price economic price adjustment contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation of Marietta, Ga. for $299,848,783. This action exercise options for Lot 3 for the C-5M reliability enhancements and re-engining program. At this time $25,272,726 has been obligated. 716 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8625-07-C-6471, P00011).
The Air Force is modifying an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation of Marietta, Ga., for a maximum of $86,200,000. This contract action is for interim contractor support for the C-5 reliability enhancements and re-engining program. At this time $25,272,726 has been obligated. 716 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8625-09-C-6485)
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
River Trading Co., LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio* is being awarded a maximum $26,906,000 firm fixed price contract for bituminous coal. Other location of performance is West Virginia. Using services are Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 167 proposals solicited with seven responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is May 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0653).
Wellstone Apparel, Greenvile, S.C.* is being awarded a maximum $15,622,332 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coat and trousers. Other location of performance is in Texas. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0420).
Tullahoma Industries, Tullahoma, Tenn.* is being awarded a maximum $14,981,538 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coat and trousers. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0427).
Fox Apparel, Asheboro, N.C.* is being awarded a maximum $12,542,508 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform trousers. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0421).
Bethel Industries, Inc., Jersey City, N.J.* is being awarded a maximum $8,840,700 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0418).
Bremen Bowden Investment Co., Inc., Bowden, Ga.* is being awarded a maximum $8,778,000 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is February 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0419).
Unionvale Coal Co., Ligonier, Pa.* is being awarded a maximum $5,017,500 firm fixed price contract for bituminous coal. Other location of performance is W.Va. Using service is Navy. There were originally 167 proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is May 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0656).
NAVY
Barnhart Inc.*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $22,990,658 for firm-fixed price task order #0002 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract (N62473-08-D-8608) for design and construction of the Berthing Lima Conversion at Naval Base Coronado. The work to be performed provides for the complete design and construction of buildings and facilities upgrades to Berth Lima to accommodate CVN planned incremental availabilities (industrial maintenance activities) and cold-iron berthing. Project includes the construction of a security building, a restroom/payphone building, pump house building, two steel watch towers, two guard houses, security fencing, high mast security lighting, and surveillance infrastructure. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
Fluke Electronics Corp., Everett, Wash., is being awarded a $14,632,600 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for manufacture of voltage standards to support the general purpose electronic test equipment weapons system. Work will be performed at Everett, Wash., and work is expected to be completed by January 2014. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with eight companies solicited and one offer received. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-09-D-D006).
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GMBH, Neuenburg, Germany, is being awarded an $8,235,924 firm-fixed-price, delivery order under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-06-D-1020) for the procurement of 49,614 units of Grenade, 66mm, Smoke Screening IR, Vehicle Launched MK1 Mod 0, DODIC GG24. Work will be performed in Germany; and is expected to be completed by Sept. 11, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with two proposals solicited and two offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Hydraulics International, Inc.*, Chatsworth, Calif., is being awarded a $7,172,371 firm-fixed-price contract for 30 electric hydraulic carts for the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 aircraft (26) and the U.S. Air Force CV-22 aircraft (4). In addition, this contract provides for the procurement of 31 diesel hydraulic carts for the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 aircraft (24) and the U.S. Air Force CV-22 aircraft (7). Work will be performed in Chatsworth, Calif., and is expected to be completed in March 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $5,637,946 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Marine Corps ($5,854,975; 82 percent) and the Air Force ($1,317,396; 18 percent). This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-09-C-0125).
Alliant Techsystems Inc., Mesa, Ariz. is being awarded a $7,015,100 modification to previously awarded contract (N00164-05-C-0026) for production of a quantity of 58,000 each MK266 30mm high explosive incendiary-trace (HEI-T) ammunition to support the LPD class ships. The requirements are for manufacture of the MK266 HEI-T ammunition in support of Navy 2T conventional ammunition systems, Navy Picatinny Detachment, through the Joint Special Operations Department of Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division. Work will be performed in Elk River, Minn., and is expected to be completed by August 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity for contract N0016405-C-0026.
ARMY
L3 Communications Corp., Arlington, Texas, was awarded on Feb. 5, 2009, an $8,857,563 mixed line items/primarily fixed price incentive fee contract for aviation combined arms tactical trainer engineering change proposals for synthetic environment (SE) core support tasks, SE core v1.0 spiral upgrade, king pin replacement and Longbow Lot 6.1/10 retrofits. Also establish calendar year 2009 crew day travel rates. Work is to be performed at Arlington, Texas (75 percent), and Orlando, Fla. (25 percent), with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. Fifteen bids were solicited and two bids received. Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting office (N61339-00-C-0002).
Kipper Tool Co., Gainesville, Ga., was awarded on Feb. 5, 2009, a $6,668,856 firm/fixed/price requirements contract for vehicle mounted mine detector tool set, quantity is 1 for delivery order 0098. Work is to be performed at Gainesville, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2014. Ten bids were solicited and one bid received. Tank & Automotive Command (TACOM) Rock Island, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAE20-03-D-0089).
AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Feb. 4, 2009, a $15,253,377 firm/fixed/price contract converting line item 9014BN from a M1165A1 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle to a M1165A1B3 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle. Work is to be performed at Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Tank & Automotive Command (TACOM) Warren, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S0001).
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), Needham, Mass., was awarded on Feb. 4, 2009, a $10,044,924.82 IDIQ firm/fixed/price contract in which the project manager, network service center performance work statement addresses the installation information infrastructure modernization program effort to engineer, furnish, install, secure, test, document, migrate and cutover a turn-key solution to upgrade the existing infrastructure and facilities at Fort Knox. Work will be performed at Fort Knox, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2011. Ten bids were solicited and seven bids received. Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Commercial Contracting Center, ITEC4, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-06-D-0025).
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to McDonnell Douglas Corporation of Long Beach California for an amount not to exceed $2,950,000,000. This is an undefinitized contract action for the procurement of 15 C-17 aircraft. At this time, $114,550,000 has been obligated. 516 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8614-06-D-2006).
The Air Force is modifying a fixed price economic price adjustment contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation of Marietta, Ga. for $299,848,783. This action exercise options for Lot 3 for the C-5M reliability enhancements and re-engining program. At this time $25,272,726 has been obligated. 716 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8625-07-C-6471, P00011).
The Air Force is modifying an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation of Marietta, Ga., for a maximum of $86,200,000. This contract action is for interim contractor support for the C-5 reliability enhancements and re-engining program. At this time $25,272,726 has been obligated. 716 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8625-09-C-6485)
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
River Trading Co., LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio* is being awarded a maximum $26,906,000 firm fixed price contract for bituminous coal. Other location of performance is West Virginia. Using services are Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 167 proposals solicited with seven responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is May 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0653).
Wellstone Apparel, Greenvile, S.C.* is being awarded a maximum $15,622,332 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coat and trousers. Other location of performance is in Texas. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0420).
Tullahoma Industries, Tullahoma, Tenn.* is being awarded a maximum $14,981,538 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coat and trousers. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0427).
Fox Apparel, Asheboro, N.C.* is being awarded a maximum $12,542,508 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform trousers. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0421).
Bethel Industries, Inc., Jersey City, N.J.* is being awarded a maximum $8,840,700 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0418).
Bremen Bowden Investment Co., Inc., Bowden, Ga.* is being awarded a maximum $8,778,000 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is February 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0419).
Unionvale Coal Co., Ligonier, Pa.* is being awarded a maximum $5,017,500 firm fixed price contract for bituminous coal. Other location of performance is W.Va. Using service is Navy. There were originally 167 proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is May 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0656).
NAVY
Barnhart Inc.*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $22,990,658 for firm-fixed price task order #0002 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract (N62473-08-D-8608) for design and construction of the Berthing Lima Conversion at Naval Base Coronado. The work to be performed provides for the complete design and construction of buildings and facilities upgrades to Berth Lima to accommodate CVN planned incremental availabilities (industrial maintenance activities) and cold-iron berthing. Project includes the construction of a security building, a restroom/payphone building, pump house building, two steel watch towers, two guard houses, security fencing, high mast security lighting, and surveillance infrastructure. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
Fluke Electronics Corp., Everett, Wash., is being awarded a $14,632,600 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for manufacture of voltage standards to support the general purpose electronic test equipment weapons system. Work will be performed at Everett, Wash., and work is expected to be completed by January 2014. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with eight companies solicited and one offer received. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-09-D-D006).
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GMBH, Neuenburg, Germany, is being awarded an $8,235,924 firm-fixed-price, delivery order under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-06-D-1020) for the procurement of 49,614 units of Grenade, 66mm, Smoke Screening IR, Vehicle Launched MK1 Mod 0, DODIC GG24. Work will be performed in Germany; and is expected to be completed by Sept. 11, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with two proposals solicited and two offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Hydraulics International, Inc.*, Chatsworth, Calif., is being awarded a $7,172,371 firm-fixed-price contract for 30 electric hydraulic carts for the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 aircraft (26) and the U.S. Air Force CV-22 aircraft (4). In addition, this contract provides for the procurement of 31 diesel hydraulic carts for the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 aircraft (24) and the U.S. Air Force CV-22 aircraft (7). Work will be performed in Chatsworth, Calif., and is expected to be completed in March 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $5,637,946 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Marine Corps ($5,854,975; 82 percent) and the Air Force ($1,317,396; 18 percent). This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-09-C-0125).
Alliant Techsystems Inc., Mesa, Ariz. is being awarded a $7,015,100 modification to previously awarded contract (N00164-05-C-0026) for production of a quantity of 58,000 each MK266 30mm high explosive incendiary-trace (HEI-T) ammunition to support the LPD class ships. The requirements are for manufacture of the MK266 HEI-T ammunition in support of Navy 2T conventional ammunition systems, Navy Picatinny Detachment, through the Joint Special Operations Department of Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division. Work will be performed in Elk River, Minn., and is expected to be completed by August 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity for contract N0016405-C-0026.
ARMY
L3 Communications Corp., Arlington, Texas, was awarded on Feb. 5, 2009, an $8,857,563 mixed line items/primarily fixed price incentive fee contract for aviation combined arms tactical trainer engineering change proposals for synthetic environment (SE) core support tasks, SE core v1.0 spiral upgrade, king pin replacement and Longbow Lot 6.1/10 retrofits. Also establish calendar year 2009 crew day travel rates. Work is to be performed at Arlington, Texas (75 percent), and Orlando, Fla. (25 percent), with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. Fifteen bids were solicited and two bids received. Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting office (N61339-00-C-0002).
Kipper Tool Co., Gainesville, Ga., was awarded on Feb. 5, 2009, a $6,668,856 firm/fixed/price requirements contract for vehicle mounted mine detector tool set, quantity is 1 for delivery order 0098. Work is to be performed at Gainesville, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2014. Ten bids were solicited and one bid received. Tank & Automotive Command (TACOM) Rock Island, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAE20-03-D-0089).
AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Feb. 4, 2009, a $15,253,377 firm/fixed/price contract converting line item 9014BN from a M1165A1 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle to a M1165A1B3 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle. Work is to be performed at Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Tank & Automotive Command (TACOM) Warren, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S0001).
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), Needham, Mass., was awarded on Feb. 4, 2009, a $10,044,924.82 IDIQ firm/fixed/price contract in which the project manager, network service center performance work statement addresses the installation information infrastructure modernization program effort to engineer, furnish, install, secure, test, document, migrate and cutover a turn-key solution to upgrade the existing infrastructure and facilities at Fort Knox. Work will be performed at Fort Knox, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2011. Ten bids were solicited and seven bids received. Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Commercial Contracting Center, ITEC4, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-06-D-0025).
Southern Command Builds Latin American Capacity Through NCOs
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - The nation's senior military officer emphasized the importance of Latin America to U.S. security interests yesterday, and U.S. Southern Command's top noncommissioned officer is busy promoting that effort where the rubber hits the road: within the NCO ranks. The days of "looking east and west more than north and south" to promote U.S. security are gone, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said yesterday at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. "We need to pay more attention to our neighbors and the security issues and the economic issues that are associated with not just Mexico, but with [all of] Latin America."
Navy Adm. James Stavridis, Southcom's commander, and his staff work tirelessly to promote security cooperation Stavridis called critical to security, stability and prosperity in Central and South America and the Caribbean.
A big part of that equation is helping partner nations build capacity within their militaries so they're better able to confront threats ranging from illicit trafficking to narco-terrorism.
As Southcom's top NCO, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael M. Balch supports that effort by helping militaries maximize what for many was a virtually untapped capability: their NCO corps.
The concept of a professional NCO corps wasn't always universally embraced in the region, he conceded. Some countries feared that it would undermine officers' authority over enlistees and conscripts. But Balch and his predecessors, along with the Southcom staff, pointed to the U.S. military as an example of the strengths NCOs can bring to the force.
"If you want to have a strong military, you have to have a strong noncommissioned officer corps," Balch said he explains during visits through the region. "The noncommissioned officer corps doesn't take power from the officer corps. It complements the officer corps so you can accomplish things together."
No country within Latin America demonstrates that complement as convincingly as Colombia.
"If you go back and look at Colombia in the mid-90s, it was a state in crisis," Balch said. The drug trade and guerilla insurgencies such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia terrorist group, or FARC, had taken siege. President Alvaro Uribe was elected in 2002, promising to apply military pressure to crack down on the FARC and other outlawed groups.
But at the time, Colombia's NCO corps had little authority and played only a minimal role in preparing and leading troops. Gen. Carlos Ospina, Colombia's defense chief at the time, turned to Southcom for help.
The Colombians created the new rank of command sergeant major, and U.S. Army Special Forces troops helped set up a pilot sergeants major course to train them. The instruction didn't focus on tactical-level skills such as weapons firing and maintenance and map-reading. "Those skills are pretty fundamental to the military," Bacher said.
"As you transition to higher levels of leadership, the question becomes: 'How do you become an asset and a multiplier to your military institution, your command and your commander?'" he said.
"So we are trying to teach senior NCOs the skill set to become stronger noncommissioned officers, to complement the officer corps, to then in turn help make the army stronger overall," he said. "What we are doing is really focused at the operational and strategic level, rather than the tactical level, of leadership in managing and leading forces."
The initial course proved so successful that the Colombians eventually took it over themselves. With ongoing support and mentorship from Southcom, the Colombian military runs two 11-week classes every year.
Hoping to build on this success when he joined the command in 2004, Balch encouraged the Colombians to expand the course to include Colombian navy, marine and air force NCOs. From there, he helped Colombia involve other countries.
"We took the course and made it joint, and then went back and asked if they would be willing to invite international partners to attend the course," he said.
Today, every 45-member class includes three to four NCOs from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, El Salvador, Honduras or other partner nations.
The dynamic brought an unanticipated bonus, Balch said. Partner nations hand-picked their best, brightest and most experienced NCOs to send to Colombia's course. The Colombians reciprocated by raising their own standards -- bringing new prestige to its NCO corps and the program overall.
"So it was a win-win for everyone," Balch said.
The Colombians experienced a dramatic improvement in their NCO corps. "And they have a lot of good reason to want to improve their NCO corps," Balch said. "They are a nation that has been at war for a long time. On any given day, the Colombian army is led by hundreds and hundreds of platoons that don't have platoon leaders. So the strength in their NCO corps has been vitally important to them."
Meanwhile, the Colombian army made major reforms as it improved its effectiveness against the FARC.
"Through planned assistance, we began to help them build their capabilities, and they have been highly successful," Balch said. "Colombia is the finest example of a nation helping itself. They have really helped themselves, and they are in a better way than they have been in many, many years. They are on the verge of success."
Meanwhile, international students who attended Colombia's sergeants major course took the concepts they learned back to their own militaries. This, Balch said, created a ripple effect throughout the region.
For example, Honduras started its own senior NCO academy, modeled after Colombia's, to develop its NCOs. The Ecuadoran defense minister was so impressed with what he heard that he created a senior enlisted advisor position on his staff to focus on NCO issues.
Southcom continued offering assistance and support to countries that requested it, and sponsoring conferences and other forums to promote NCO professionalization.
U.S. Army South will sponsor the fifth annual conference for senior enlisted leaders of Caribbean and Central and South American armies in June in Santiago, Chile, Balch said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force has provided NCO development in Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras. A session at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras that delivered leadership training to NCOs from 16 countries proved "very, very successful," Balch said.
Relationships forged through these courses and conferences -- but more importantly, the professional leadership skills they provide -- go a long way toward training and professionalizing a new breed of NCOs, Balch said.
"Colombia is probably the model of how to accomplish U.S. government objectives without the employment of a force on force," he said. "We work very hard on building partnership capacity in the NCO corps in the region, and it's been very successful."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - The nation's senior military officer emphasized the importance of Latin America to U.S. security interests yesterday, and U.S. Southern Command's top noncommissioned officer is busy promoting that effort where the rubber hits the road: within the NCO ranks. The days of "looking east and west more than north and south" to promote U.S. security are gone, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said yesterday at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. "We need to pay more attention to our neighbors and the security issues and the economic issues that are associated with not just Mexico, but with [all of] Latin America."
Navy Adm. James Stavridis, Southcom's commander, and his staff work tirelessly to promote security cooperation Stavridis called critical to security, stability and prosperity in Central and South America and the Caribbean.
A big part of that equation is helping partner nations build capacity within their militaries so they're better able to confront threats ranging from illicit trafficking to narco-terrorism.
As Southcom's top NCO, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael M. Balch supports that effort by helping militaries maximize what for many was a virtually untapped capability: their NCO corps.
The concept of a professional NCO corps wasn't always universally embraced in the region, he conceded. Some countries feared that it would undermine officers' authority over enlistees and conscripts. But Balch and his predecessors, along with the Southcom staff, pointed to the U.S. military as an example of the strengths NCOs can bring to the force.
"If you want to have a strong military, you have to have a strong noncommissioned officer corps," Balch said he explains during visits through the region. "The noncommissioned officer corps doesn't take power from the officer corps. It complements the officer corps so you can accomplish things together."
No country within Latin America demonstrates that complement as convincingly as Colombia.
"If you go back and look at Colombia in the mid-90s, it was a state in crisis," Balch said. The drug trade and guerilla insurgencies such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia terrorist group, or FARC, had taken siege. President Alvaro Uribe was elected in 2002, promising to apply military pressure to crack down on the FARC and other outlawed groups.
But at the time, Colombia's NCO corps had little authority and played only a minimal role in preparing and leading troops. Gen. Carlos Ospina, Colombia's defense chief at the time, turned to Southcom for help.
The Colombians created the new rank of command sergeant major, and U.S. Army Special Forces troops helped set up a pilot sergeants major course to train them. The instruction didn't focus on tactical-level skills such as weapons firing and maintenance and map-reading. "Those skills are pretty fundamental to the military," Bacher said.
"As you transition to higher levels of leadership, the question becomes: 'How do you become an asset and a multiplier to your military institution, your command and your commander?'" he said.
"So we are trying to teach senior NCOs the skill set to become stronger noncommissioned officers, to complement the officer corps, to then in turn help make the army stronger overall," he said. "What we are doing is really focused at the operational and strategic level, rather than the tactical level, of leadership in managing and leading forces."
The initial course proved so successful that the Colombians eventually took it over themselves. With ongoing support and mentorship from Southcom, the Colombian military runs two 11-week classes every year.
Hoping to build on this success when he joined the command in 2004, Balch encouraged the Colombians to expand the course to include Colombian navy, marine and air force NCOs. From there, he helped Colombia involve other countries.
"We took the course and made it joint, and then went back and asked if they would be willing to invite international partners to attend the course," he said.
Today, every 45-member class includes three to four NCOs from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, El Salvador, Honduras or other partner nations.
The dynamic brought an unanticipated bonus, Balch said. Partner nations hand-picked their best, brightest and most experienced NCOs to send to Colombia's course. The Colombians reciprocated by raising their own standards -- bringing new prestige to its NCO corps and the program overall.
"So it was a win-win for everyone," Balch said.
The Colombians experienced a dramatic improvement in their NCO corps. "And they have a lot of good reason to want to improve their NCO corps," Balch said. "They are a nation that has been at war for a long time. On any given day, the Colombian army is led by hundreds and hundreds of platoons that don't have platoon leaders. So the strength in their NCO corps has been vitally important to them."
Meanwhile, the Colombian army made major reforms as it improved its effectiveness against the FARC.
"Through planned assistance, we began to help them build their capabilities, and they have been highly successful," Balch said. "Colombia is the finest example of a nation helping itself. They have really helped themselves, and they are in a better way than they have been in many, many years. They are on the verge of success."
Meanwhile, international students who attended Colombia's sergeants major course took the concepts they learned back to their own militaries. This, Balch said, created a ripple effect throughout the region.
For example, Honduras started its own senior NCO academy, modeled after Colombia's, to develop its NCOs. The Ecuadoran defense minister was so impressed with what he heard that he created a senior enlisted advisor position on his staff to focus on NCO issues.
Southcom continued offering assistance and support to countries that requested it, and sponsoring conferences and other forums to promote NCO professionalization.
U.S. Army South will sponsor the fifth annual conference for senior enlisted leaders of Caribbean and Central and South American armies in June in Santiago, Chile, Balch said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force has provided NCO development in Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras. A session at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras that delivered leadership training to NCOs from 16 countries proved "very, very successful," Balch said.
Relationships forged through these courses and conferences -- but more importantly, the professional leadership skills they provide -- go a long way toward training and professionalizing a new breed of NCOs, Balch said.
"Colombia is probably the model of how to accomplish U.S. government objectives without the employment of a force on force," he said. "We work very hard on building partnership capacity in the NCO corps in the region, and it's been very successful."
Defense Department Offers Tax Preparation Help
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - With April 15 looming, the Defense Department is on call to take the sting out of tax return preparation for servicemembers. "Each of the legal offices provides some form of tax preparation assistance," Air Force Lt. Col. Don Svendsen, executive director for the Armed Forces Tax Council, said. "People that are doing the return preparation have been trained [and] certified by the [Internal Revenue Service].
"Usually we can prepare the return right there on the spot," he added.
To make sure that a return can be finished in one visit to a tax center, Svendsen suggests making sure to bring certain documents to the appointment.
"For starters, we need them to bring their Social Security cards," he said, adding that all family members' cards need to be present to ensure accuracy. "They need their W-2s, and they need any other documents that are going to be tax related that they may have gotten in the mail.
"There is nothing more frustrating to the member than to visit the tax center and then realize he or she forgot a document," he said.
To keep those occurrences to a minimum, the tax centers on military installations have packets to help servicemembers get organized and think through what they need to bring with them, Svendsen said.
As fast and easy as the tax centers aim to make the process, situations arise that can make filing a tax return difficult. Deployments, for instance, don't always happen conveniently with the normal tax-filing season, Svendsen said.
Congress, however, has authorized a filing extension for troops serving in a combat zone. It also has granted troops a certain amount of time after leaving the combat zone in which to square away any tax issues.
"Fortunately, Congress has given us an extension. When you go ... into that combat zone, the clock stops for tax purposes," Svendsen said. "Let's say a member enters a combat zone on the 14th of April, one day before the tax-filing deadline. They're down there for an entire year [and] ... come back out the following April 14.
"They get a minimum of 180 days to file the earlier tax return, plus they get 180 days, probably more, for the current tax return," he added.
The stop on the tax clock also can apply to IRA contributions for servicemembers and spouses, Svendsen said.
And, all pay for noncommissioned officers – and much of the pay for officers -- while serving in a combat zone in 2008 is tax-free, he said.
"If the member is an enlisted member, all pay is going to be tax-free," Svendsen said. "In this case, all really does mean all. If a member is in the combat zone, and they re-enlist and receive a re-enlistment bonus, the entire amount of the bonus is going to be tax-free."
For officers serving in a combat zone, pay up to the maximum enlisted amount will be tax-free, he added.
However, service in a combat zone can affect a servicemembers' ability to claim the Earned Income Credit. The tax credit is for low- to moderate-income working people and families. Recent changes continue to make this credit a possibility for servicemembers who have served in a combat zone, Svendsen said.
Those tax changes and others of interest to military members may be found in IRS Publication 3, "Armed Forces' Tax Guide," available on the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov.
Military tax center volunteers can help answer any questions about those changes, including a first-time homebuyer credit and economic stimulus checks, Svendsen said.
For those servicemembers who want to prepare their own tax returns, MilitaryOneSource.com provides online tax return software.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - With April 15 looming, the Defense Department is on call to take the sting out of tax return preparation for servicemembers. "Each of the legal offices provides some form of tax preparation assistance," Air Force Lt. Col. Don Svendsen, executive director for the Armed Forces Tax Council, said. "People that are doing the return preparation have been trained [and] certified by the [Internal Revenue Service].
"Usually we can prepare the return right there on the spot," he added.
To make sure that a return can be finished in one visit to a tax center, Svendsen suggests making sure to bring certain documents to the appointment.
"For starters, we need them to bring their Social Security cards," he said, adding that all family members' cards need to be present to ensure accuracy. "They need their W-2s, and they need any other documents that are going to be tax related that they may have gotten in the mail.
"There is nothing more frustrating to the member than to visit the tax center and then realize he or she forgot a document," he said.
To keep those occurrences to a minimum, the tax centers on military installations have packets to help servicemembers get organized and think through what they need to bring with them, Svendsen said.
As fast and easy as the tax centers aim to make the process, situations arise that can make filing a tax return difficult. Deployments, for instance, don't always happen conveniently with the normal tax-filing season, Svendsen said.
Congress, however, has authorized a filing extension for troops serving in a combat zone. It also has granted troops a certain amount of time after leaving the combat zone in which to square away any tax issues.
"Fortunately, Congress has given us an extension. When you go ... into that combat zone, the clock stops for tax purposes," Svendsen said. "Let's say a member enters a combat zone on the 14th of April, one day before the tax-filing deadline. They're down there for an entire year [and] ... come back out the following April 14.
"They get a minimum of 180 days to file the earlier tax return, plus they get 180 days, probably more, for the current tax return," he added.
The stop on the tax clock also can apply to IRA contributions for servicemembers and spouses, Svendsen said.
And, all pay for noncommissioned officers – and much of the pay for officers -- while serving in a combat zone in 2008 is tax-free, he said.
"If the member is an enlisted member, all pay is going to be tax-free," Svendsen said. "In this case, all really does mean all. If a member is in the combat zone, and they re-enlist and receive a re-enlistment bonus, the entire amount of the bonus is going to be tax-free."
For officers serving in a combat zone, pay up to the maximum enlisted amount will be tax-free, he added.
However, service in a combat zone can affect a servicemembers' ability to claim the Earned Income Credit. The tax credit is for low- to moderate-income working people and families. Recent changes continue to make this credit a possibility for servicemembers who have served in a combat zone, Svendsen said.
Those tax changes and others of interest to military members may be found in IRS Publication 3, "Armed Forces' Tax Guide," available on the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov.
Military tax center volunteers can help answer any questions about those changes, including a first-time homebuyer credit and economic stimulus checks, Svendsen said.
For those servicemembers who want to prepare their own tax returns, MilitaryOneSource.com provides online tax return software.
Mullen: Investing in Military Members Critical
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - Investing in servicemembers and keeping them "whole" is a critical defense expenditure, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told members of the Princeton University ROTC here yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen spoke about the health of the U.S. forces and its importance to him during open lectures to the ROTC "Tiger Battalion" and with faculty at the university's Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs.
"They are the most combat-hardened force we've ever had," Mullen told the cadets who will join the 2.2 million military men and women upon graduation. "If we get it right with them, the future will be fine."
The U.S. financial crisis and expected cuts in the defense budget will affect equipment procurement, Mullen said. "We may not get the stuff – the equipment -- as rapidly as we want," he said. "But at the center of all that is the people. Investing there and keeping that whole is critical."
The department is making investments now that will offer significant defense capabilities in 20 years, but will have to make tough choices in the years ahead, he said.
"Part of my job is to tell the American people, in addition to the president, 'This is what I need for national security,'" Mullen said. "I take that responsibility seriously. If I'm unable to do what I'm asked to do, you'll be the first to know."
The strain on the force is a concern, Mullen said, recounting a visit to Fort Stewart, Ga., where about half of a brigade had just returned from their fourth deployment.
"These are young people who would like to meet someone and start a family, or if they have a family would like to spend time with them," the chairman said. "The pressure we put on them has been extraordinary. And yet their resilience has been unmatched.
"They know they have made a difference and they are very proud of what they have done. What we need to do is give them the time they need at home."
Active duty military units spend a year deployed and a year at home. Reserve units are spending a year deployed and three years home. The plan is to increase the time spent at home, Mullen said.
Young men and women in the military are asked to shoulder a lot of responsibility quickly. "I am fond of reminding people -- even those in the military -- that when you go anywhere in the military, whether an aircraft squadron, a battalion or a ship, the average age is about 21," he said.
Mullen pointed out another asset of U.S. forces -- their diversity.
"There's a tremendous amount of strength in our diversity as a military, across every aspect -- geographically, ethnically, gender-wise," Mullen said. That diversity is an example to the world, he said.
The chairman also emphasized the responsibility Americans have to those wounded in action and the families of those killed.
"Their American dream has not changed. Their path to that may have been modified, but the dream hasn't changed," he said. "We need, as a country, to ensure that those dreams are realized. They are the ones who have sacrificed so much, and they are the face of these wars that I see all the time. It is part of who we are as a military."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - Investing in servicemembers and keeping them "whole" is a critical defense expenditure, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told members of the Princeton University ROTC here yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen spoke about the health of the U.S. forces and its importance to him during open lectures to the ROTC "Tiger Battalion" and with faculty at the university's Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs.
"They are the most combat-hardened force we've ever had," Mullen told the cadets who will join the 2.2 million military men and women upon graduation. "If we get it right with them, the future will be fine."
The U.S. financial crisis and expected cuts in the defense budget will affect equipment procurement, Mullen said. "We may not get the stuff – the equipment -- as rapidly as we want," he said. "But at the center of all that is the people. Investing there and keeping that whole is critical."
The department is making investments now that will offer significant defense capabilities in 20 years, but will have to make tough choices in the years ahead, he said.
"Part of my job is to tell the American people, in addition to the president, 'This is what I need for national security,'" Mullen said. "I take that responsibility seriously. If I'm unable to do what I'm asked to do, you'll be the first to know."
The strain on the force is a concern, Mullen said, recounting a visit to Fort Stewart, Ga., where about half of a brigade had just returned from their fourth deployment.
"These are young people who would like to meet someone and start a family, or if they have a family would like to spend time with them," the chairman said. "The pressure we put on them has been extraordinary. And yet their resilience has been unmatched.
"They know they have made a difference and they are very proud of what they have done. What we need to do is give them the time they need at home."
Active duty military units spend a year deployed and a year at home. Reserve units are spending a year deployed and three years home. The plan is to increase the time spent at home, Mullen said.
Young men and women in the military are asked to shoulder a lot of responsibility quickly. "I am fond of reminding people -- even those in the military -- that when you go anywhere in the military, whether an aircraft squadron, a battalion or a ship, the average age is about 21," he said.
Mullen pointed out another asset of U.S. forces -- their diversity.
"There's a tremendous amount of strength in our diversity as a military, across every aspect -- geographically, ethnically, gender-wise," Mullen said. That diversity is an example to the world, he said.
The chairman also emphasized the responsibility Americans have to those wounded in action and the families of those killed.
"Their American dream has not changed. Their path to that may have been modified, but the dream hasn't changed," he said. "We need, as a country, to ensure that those dreams are realized. They are the ones who have sacrificed so much, and they are the face of these wars that I see all the time. It is part of who we are as a military."
Military Meals for Storm Victims Are Safe, Officials Say
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - Though some of them contain peanut butter, the 660,000 packaged military meals the Defense Logistics Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency are shipping to Kentucky and Arkansas storm victims are safe, officials here said. The meals -- known as "Meals, Ready to Eat," or "MREs" -- will replace the commercial meal kits that have been distributed to the storm victims.
DLA's Defense Distribution Center in New Cumberland, Pa., is arranging shipment of the meals, scheduled for delivery today.
A recent Food and Drug Administration recall of some products containing peanut butter has prompted the Defense Logistics Agency and its industry partners to increase surveillance of the peanut butter suppliers to ensure the products are safe to consume, DLA officials said in a statement released today.
"All military MREs are safe," the statement said. "While many of the meals contain peanut butter, they do not contain peanut butter products recalled by the Food and Drug Administration, according to the manufacturers of the MREs."
In addition, 1.5 million self-contained packaged meals, a commercial version of the military MREs, are being readied for distribution to FEMA. Although some of these meals also contain peanut butter, officials said, the manufacturers have certified that the meals do not contain products recalled by the FDA.
Many residents of Kentucky and Arkansas have been without power for prolonged periods since a late-January storm.
Feb. 6, 2009 - Though some of them contain peanut butter, the 660,000 packaged military meals the Defense Logistics Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency are shipping to Kentucky and Arkansas storm victims are safe, officials here said. The meals -- known as "Meals, Ready to Eat," or "MREs" -- will replace the commercial meal kits that have been distributed to the storm victims.
DLA's Defense Distribution Center in New Cumberland, Pa., is arranging shipment of the meals, scheduled for delivery today.
A recent Food and Drug Administration recall of some products containing peanut butter has prompted the Defense Logistics Agency and its industry partners to increase surveillance of the peanut butter suppliers to ensure the products are safe to consume, DLA officials said in a statement released today.
"All military MREs are safe," the statement said. "While many of the meals contain peanut butter, they do not contain peanut butter products recalled by the Food and Drug Administration, according to the manufacturers of the MREs."
In addition, 1.5 million self-contained packaged meals, a commercial version of the military MREs, are being readied for distribution to FEMA. Although some of these meals also contain peanut butter, officials said, the manufacturers have certified that the meals do not contain products recalled by the FDA.
Many residents of Kentucky and Arkansas have been without power for prolonged periods since a late-January storm.
Mullen Addresses Need for 'Whole Government' Approach
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - All portions of the U.S. government have a role in dealing with any instability that results from the world's financial crisis, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen gave a public talk sponsored by Princeton University and the Woodrow Wilson School, visited with the college's ROTC detachment and participated in a roundtable discussion with the faculty.
In his remarks, the chairman expressed concern about the militarization of U.S. foreign policy.
"What is overarching is the global financial crisis," Mullen said. "I worry a great deal as we work our way through this – and I think it's going to take longer rather than shorter to do that. I worry about the effect that will have on instability throughout the world."
The chairman noted that throughout history, the United States hasn't been good about predicting where instability will occur. "As this crisis really takes hold, there will be places that become unstable that we haven't anticipated," he said. "We need a whole-of-government approach."
The United States military is a force for freedom and good in the world, Mullen said, but it's not the solution to every problem. "The United States military is necessary, but it is not sufficient alone," Mullen said. He pointed out that the American military is stretched and is doing missions that servicemembers have not been trained to do.
"They are an incredible group of young people who are incredibly adaptive and creative and innovative, and they do this unbelievably well," he said. "But we need to back off of that over time."
Other Cabinet-level departments – State, Treasury, Commerce, Justice – have the proper expertise for "soft-power" missions and need to have personnel able to deploy to address these problems, Mullen said. "But in my opinion," he added, "we are a good decade away from creating a capability in our other departments."
For example, he said, employees in the Agriculture Department do not expect to deploy to Afghanistan. "So I've got soldiers in the [National] Guard who are farmers in Texas and Missouri and Iowa, and they are going to Afghanistan to work on agriculture because it is what we need, because that's the economic base of the country," he said.
In a later interview, the chairman used Iraq as an example. One of the lessons of that conflict, he said, has been the multiplying effect that State Department officials serving at joint security stations have had on the situation. State officials are experts in governance and negotiation in a way that military personnel are not, the admiral said, yet in the first call for civilian volunteers to serve in Iraq, "half of them were from the Department of Defense, which is another extension of the military, and these are people who are available and accept orders and go do it."
Mullen said the government must work to generate the necessary capacity to bring soft-power expertise into implementation of U.S. foreign policy. "And we're going to need it right now," he said. "The president, the leaders of agencies, everybody has to be committed to generating this capacity down through the agencies."
Mullen told the Princeton audience that there are plenty of places to serve, and that the world needs the expertise and commitment of Americans.
"In my view, it is at the base of who we are -- when we are in trouble, to be able to rise up and serve and make a difference," he said. "You can serve in our own country or globally, but you are needed."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - All portions of the U.S. government have a role in dealing with any instability that results from the world's financial crisis, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen gave a public talk sponsored by Princeton University and the Woodrow Wilson School, visited with the college's ROTC detachment and participated in a roundtable discussion with the faculty.
In his remarks, the chairman expressed concern about the militarization of U.S. foreign policy.
"What is overarching is the global financial crisis," Mullen said. "I worry a great deal as we work our way through this – and I think it's going to take longer rather than shorter to do that. I worry about the effect that will have on instability throughout the world."
The chairman noted that throughout history, the United States hasn't been good about predicting where instability will occur. "As this crisis really takes hold, there will be places that become unstable that we haven't anticipated," he said. "We need a whole-of-government approach."
The United States military is a force for freedom and good in the world, Mullen said, but it's not the solution to every problem. "The United States military is necessary, but it is not sufficient alone," Mullen said. He pointed out that the American military is stretched and is doing missions that servicemembers have not been trained to do.
"They are an incredible group of young people who are incredibly adaptive and creative and innovative, and they do this unbelievably well," he said. "But we need to back off of that over time."
Other Cabinet-level departments – State, Treasury, Commerce, Justice – have the proper expertise for "soft-power" missions and need to have personnel able to deploy to address these problems, Mullen said. "But in my opinion," he added, "we are a good decade away from creating a capability in our other departments."
For example, he said, employees in the Agriculture Department do not expect to deploy to Afghanistan. "So I've got soldiers in the [National] Guard who are farmers in Texas and Missouri and Iowa, and they are going to Afghanistan to work on agriculture because it is what we need, because that's the economic base of the country," he said.
In a later interview, the chairman used Iraq as an example. One of the lessons of that conflict, he said, has been the multiplying effect that State Department officials serving at joint security stations have had on the situation. State officials are experts in governance and negotiation in a way that military personnel are not, the admiral said, yet in the first call for civilian volunteers to serve in Iraq, "half of them were from the Department of Defense, which is another extension of the military, and these are people who are available and accept orders and go do it."
Mullen said the government must work to generate the necessary capacity to bring soft-power expertise into implementation of U.S. foreign policy. "And we're going to need it right now," he said. "The president, the leaders of agencies, everybody has to be committed to generating this capacity down through the agencies."
Mullen told the Princeton audience that there are plenty of places to serve, and that the world needs the expertise and commitment of Americans.
"In my view, it is at the base of who we are -- when we are in trouble, to be able to rise up and serve and make a difference," he said. "You can serve in our own country or globally, but you are needed."
Toys for Tots Successful Despite Slow Economy
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - Sixteen million new toys were distributed to 7.6 million children over the Christmas holiday through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The program's aim is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to children in communities where campaigns are conducted.
The 2008 campaign took place in 657 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
"This was a very successful campaign," retired Marine Corps Maj. William J. Grein, vice president of marketing and development for the Toys for Tots Foundation, said. "We were very pleased with the outcome. We feel we touched a lot of needy families over the holidays."
The American people and the campaign's corporate sponsors are to be applauded for their compassion and generosity during tough economic times, he said.
"Toy donations were slightly down, but we did see an increase in cash contributions," Grein said. "This was a very interesting year. Our feelings were, maybe folks couldn't afford to buy a $20 toy, but still were willing to make a $10 or $15 donation."
Despite the economy, the campaign was successful because of outstanding efforts on the part of local Toys for Tots campaign coordinators, the Marine Forces Reserve and the staff of the Toys for Tots Foundation, campaign officials said.
"We are dealing with children that don't often understand the result of a bad economy," Grein said. "They just can't rationalize it. All they know, all they see is Christmas is a time when Santa comes and when good things happen. They want to be a part of that. As a parent, I would be crushed if I was not able to give a gift to my child at Christmas. This program brings hope and smiles to parents and children."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - Sixteen million new toys were distributed to 7.6 million children over the Christmas holiday through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The program's aim is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to children in communities where campaigns are conducted.
The 2008 campaign took place in 657 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
"This was a very successful campaign," retired Marine Corps Maj. William J. Grein, vice president of marketing and development for the Toys for Tots Foundation, said. "We were very pleased with the outcome. We feel we touched a lot of needy families over the holidays."
The American people and the campaign's corporate sponsors are to be applauded for their compassion and generosity during tough economic times, he said.
"Toy donations were slightly down, but we did see an increase in cash contributions," Grein said. "This was a very interesting year. Our feelings were, maybe folks couldn't afford to buy a $20 toy, but still were willing to make a $10 or $15 donation."
Despite the economy, the campaign was successful because of outstanding efforts on the part of local Toys for Tots campaign coordinators, the Marine Forces Reserve and the staff of the Toys for Tots Foundation, campaign officials said.
"We are dealing with children that don't often understand the result of a bad economy," Grein said. "They just can't rationalize it. All they know, all they see is Christmas is a time when Santa comes and when good things happen. They want to be a part of that. As a parent, I would be crushed if I was not able to give a gift to my child at Christmas. This program brings hope and smiles to parents and children."
New Navy Ship's Cost Overstated in News Reports, Official Says
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - The projected unit cost of the next-generation U.S. Navy destroyer is much lower than the figures being cited in some news reports, a senior Defense Department official said here yesterday. The DDG-1000 is a high-tech, guided-missile destroyer that is envisioned to eventually replace the Arleigh Burke class of warships developed 30 years ago.
The Pentagon would pay between $2.2 to $2.5 billion for each new DDG-1000 ship after the regular production line is up and running, John J. Young Jr., undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics told reporters at the Pentagon.
Young said he disagrees with news reports that say DDG-1000 vessels would cost up to $7 billion per copy.
"There's no basis for any [cost] projection that this ship is going to cost 5 or 6 or 7 billion dollars," Young said.
The cost of a first prototype, or lead, DDG-1000 ship is about $3.3 billion because the government pays for the initial drawings and production set-up, Young said. The unit cost of follow-on ships would decrease due to industrial economies of scale, he said.
Conversely, unit production costs can rise if the number of items to manufacture is reduced from the original schedule, Young explained.
The DDG-1000 series is designated the Zumwalt class, named after late Navy Adm. Elmo Zumwalt Jr. The new ships feature computer-aided design, modular construction, high-tech armaments and radar, as well as a unique, streamlined hull design.
Originally, 32 DDG-1000 vessels were to be built at shipyards in Maine and Mississippi. Recent production plans called for two ships to be built.
However, the DDG-1000 is on hold for now, as Pentagon and interagency officials re-examine the project, Young said.
"Aside from the warfighting analysis, we do need to do some producibility analysis, manufacturing analysis and cost analysis," he said.
Some officials suggest that modifying Arleigh Burke class ships would be a less expensive way to create a new vessel, Young said. That approach, he said, wouldn't produce as much cost savings as imagined, and would result in a vessel possessing undesirable mass without the capabilities of the DDG-1000.
"You cannot do that without significant changes in that ship," Young said of proposals to rework Arleigh Burke ships to create a new vessel. "You will have to add cooling capacity; you will have to add electrical generating capacity," as well as upgraded radar equipment.
And, the Arleigh Burke class destroyer "has already gained weight because it is 30 years into its service life and ships are designed with a certain amount of weight-carrying capacity," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - The projected unit cost of the next-generation U.S. Navy destroyer is much lower than the figures being cited in some news reports, a senior Defense Department official said here yesterday. The DDG-1000 is a high-tech, guided-missile destroyer that is envisioned to eventually replace the Arleigh Burke class of warships developed 30 years ago.
The Pentagon would pay between $2.2 to $2.5 billion for each new DDG-1000 ship after the regular production line is up and running, John J. Young Jr., undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics told reporters at the Pentagon.
Young said he disagrees with news reports that say DDG-1000 vessels would cost up to $7 billion per copy.
"There's no basis for any [cost] projection that this ship is going to cost 5 or 6 or 7 billion dollars," Young said.
The cost of a first prototype, or lead, DDG-1000 ship is about $3.3 billion because the government pays for the initial drawings and production set-up, Young said. The unit cost of follow-on ships would decrease due to industrial economies of scale, he said.
Conversely, unit production costs can rise if the number of items to manufacture is reduced from the original schedule, Young explained.
The DDG-1000 series is designated the Zumwalt class, named after late Navy Adm. Elmo Zumwalt Jr. The new ships feature computer-aided design, modular construction, high-tech armaments and radar, as well as a unique, streamlined hull design.
Originally, 32 DDG-1000 vessels were to be built at shipyards in Maine and Mississippi. Recent production plans called for two ships to be built.
However, the DDG-1000 is on hold for now, as Pentagon and interagency officials re-examine the project, Young said.
"Aside from the warfighting analysis, we do need to do some producibility analysis, manufacturing analysis and cost analysis," he said.
Some officials suggest that modifying Arleigh Burke class ships would be a less expensive way to create a new vessel, Young said. That approach, he said, wouldn't produce as much cost savings as imagined, and would result in a vessel possessing undesirable mass without the capabilities of the DDG-1000.
"You cannot do that without significant changes in that ship," Young said of proposals to rework Arleigh Burke ships to create a new vessel. "You will have to add cooling capacity; you will have to add electrical generating capacity," as well as upgraded radar equipment.
And, the Arleigh Burke class destroyer "has already gained weight because it is 30 years into its service life and ships are designed with a certain amount of weight-carrying capacity," he said.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Buffalo Soldier Statue Rededication Opens Black History Month Observance
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - The active-duty grandson of a Buffalo Soldier joined Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. here today to rededicate a statue honoring the soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, all-black units made up of former slaves, freemen and black Civil war soldiers. The rededication of the Army's Eddie Dixon replica Buffalo Soldier statue at the Pentagon kicked off the Army's Black History Month commemoration.
"It is a time for all of us to celebrate the past, present and future contributions of all African-Americans to this nation," Casey said during the ceremony.
The Buffalo Soldiers were highly respected for their tenacity and bravery on the plains during the westward movement and in the Spanish-American War and World War I before being disbanded during World War II.
"They answered the call to service, and in doing so, left an inspiring legacy," Casey said.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Greg Browne, an operations noncommissioned officer at the U.S. Army Reserve Command at Fort McPherson, Ga., is among those younger generations who followed the Buffalo Soldiers' example. His grandfather, Pfc. Sylvanus S. Browne, served with the 9th Cavalry at the turn of the century, and became a commissioned officer in 1917.
The younger Browne said his grandfather's stories about his service filled him with pride and inspired him to join the Army. He enlisted in 1981, the same year his grandfather died, and he has worn the uniform through 28 years of combined active-duty and reserve service.
Today's ceremony felt great, he said, because it ensures the story of the Buffalo Soldiers -- his own family's story -- lives on.
"This is a story that must be told," he said. "I am going to carry it everywhere I go. I want my children to know. I think we have a responsibility to let the ones who come after us to know the history."
At the center of that story, Browne said, is the Buffalo Soldiers' commitment to service when the country needed them.
"It's something very, very strong and very, very powerful, and our family cherishes it," he said. "Everyone needs to serve the country."
Browne and Casey both noted President Barack Obama's call during his inaugural address for all Americans to serve in some capacity. Casey called it striking that Obama had highlighted "the willingness of our armed forces to sacrifice to find meaning in something greater than ourselves" as an example to the country.
The Buffalo Soldiers statue, and the story of service behind it, "represents the very heart of our president's call," Casey said.
"It represents service to the nation during a tough time -- service by Americans determined to make a better future for those who follow them," he added.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - The active-duty grandson of a Buffalo Soldier joined Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. here today to rededicate a statue honoring the soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, all-black units made up of former slaves, freemen and black Civil war soldiers. The rededication of the Army's Eddie Dixon replica Buffalo Soldier statue at the Pentagon kicked off the Army's Black History Month commemoration.
"It is a time for all of us to celebrate the past, present and future contributions of all African-Americans to this nation," Casey said during the ceremony.
The Buffalo Soldiers were highly respected for their tenacity and bravery on the plains during the westward movement and in the Spanish-American War and World War I before being disbanded during World War II.
"They answered the call to service, and in doing so, left an inspiring legacy," Casey said.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Greg Browne, an operations noncommissioned officer at the U.S. Army Reserve Command at Fort McPherson, Ga., is among those younger generations who followed the Buffalo Soldiers' example. His grandfather, Pfc. Sylvanus S. Browne, served with the 9th Cavalry at the turn of the century, and became a commissioned officer in 1917.
The younger Browne said his grandfather's stories about his service filled him with pride and inspired him to join the Army. He enlisted in 1981, the same year his grandfather died, and he has worn the uniform through 28 years of combined active-duty and reserve service.
Today's ceremony felt great, he said, because it ensures the story of the Buffalo Soldiers -- his own family's story -- lives on.
"This is a story that must be told," he said. "I am going to carry it everywhere I go. I want my children to know. I think we have a responsibility to let the ones who come after us to know the history."
At the center of that story, Browne said, is the Buffalo Soldiers' commitment to service when the country needed them.
"It's something very, very strong and very, very powerful, and our family cherishes it," he said. "Everyone needs to serve the country."
Browne and Casey both noted President Barack Obama's call during his inaugural address for all Americans to serve in some capacity. Casey called it striking that Obama had highlighted "the willingness of our armed forces to sacrifice to find meaning in something greater than ourselves" as an example to the country.
The Buffalo Soldiers statue, and the story of service behind it, "represents the very heart of our president's call," Casey said.
"It represents service to the nation during a tough time -- service by Americans determined to make a better future for those who follow them," he added.
High School Students Take Day to Learn About 'IT' Jobs
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - IT, or information technology, was the topic today for about 100 students, mostly from area high schools, as officials at the Pentagon hosted the 3rd annual IT Job Shadow Day. The day was designed to give students a unique opportunity to observe the federal IT work force and learn about federal agencies in support of the Federal Chief Information Officers Council's Information Technology Job Shadow Day.
It also helps to attract future federal IT employees to repopulate the work force, which could possibly lose a large portion of its members to retirement, said Joyce France, director of the Defense Department's Chief Information Officer Management Services.
"Currently, [the Defense Department's] civilian IT work force demographics mirror those of the overall federal work force," she said. "Both have a large retirement-eligible population -- over a third of the IT work force is over age 50." The department employs more than 3 million people, all of whom use information technology in the course of their jobs, she noted.
"From the desktop computer, to the most complex business and war-fighting systems," she said, "we are dependent on IT to perform our mission."
While the Defense Department competes with the rest of the federal government and the private sector for the highly skilled employees with the necessary business, technology and acquisition competencies, France said, she's seen a trend since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"We are finding that ... today's high school students have a sincere interest in wanting to serve their country by working for the federal government," she said. "Particularly at [the Defense Department], there is a real sense of mission, and the IT professional can play a critical role in helping the warfighters protect our nation."
The students, about 40 more than last year, spent the day with several Defense Department components in the national capital region. They learned about cyber security, forensics and the kinds of jobs the IT career field offers. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Indianapolis also hosted students from two high schools, France said, and 36 department agencies and 36 high schools overall participated in the IT Job Shadow Day.
"Each year, we continue to increase participation in IT Job Shadow Day and plan to expand the event worldwide," she added.
"I hoped to gain more knowledge about this field and working with the Department of Defense," said Sami Omer, a junior at Edison High School in Springfield, Va. "Actually talking to people who do work with the Department of Defense, [gave me] some of the inside tips and tricks and how to get your foot in the door. It's definitely been very insightful."
Omer, who is interested in pursuing a career in information assurance, already had made up his mind that he was going to work for the government and work in the IT career field. The IT Job Shadow Day only served to reinforce that decision, he said.
Judson Wheeler, a senior, said he plans on becoming an Army Ranger, but if that doesn't work out, today's event has sparked an interest in the IT field.
"The forensic guy in there was actually pretty interesting," Judson said. "I might actually do that, kind of like a special agent-type thing, but working with IT." Judson splits his school day between Robert E. Lee High School and Edison Academy, where he participates in Army Junior ROTC. Both schools are in Springfield, Va.
Thomas Sterling agreed the opportunity gave him some background he wouldn't have been able to get any other way.
"I kind of want to integrate IT with military applications," he said. "[The day] gave me more of a background, something that you wouldn't get from Web pages or pamphlets. It was more in-depth." Sterling, a senior, splits his day between South Lakes High School in Reston, Va., and Chantilly Academy's Air Force Junior ROTC program in Chantilly, Va. He's applied to the Air Force Academy and received a congressional nomination.
The Pentagon's 3rd annual IT Job Shadow Day was co-sponsored by the Association for Federal Information Resources Management and by Junior Achievement.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - IT, or information technology, was the topic today for about 100 students, mostly from area high schools, as officials at the Pentagon hosted the 3rd annual IT Job Shadow Day. The day was designed to give students a unique opportunity to observe the federal IT work force and learn about federal agencies in support of the Federal Chief Information Officers Council's Information Technology Job Shadow Day.
It also helps to attract future federal IT employees to repopulate the work force, which could possibly lose a large portion of its members to retirement, said Joyce France, director of the Defense Department's Chief Information Officer Management Services.
"Currently, [the Defense Department's] civilian IT work force demographics mirror those of the overall federal work force," she said. "Both have a large retirement-eligible population -- over a third of the IT work force is over age 50." The department employs more than 3 million people, all of whom use information technology in the course of their jobs, she noted.
"From the desktop computer, to the most complex business and war-fighting systems," she said, "we are dependent on IT to perform our mission."
While the Defense Department competes with the rest of the federal government and the private sector for the highly skilled employees with the necessary business, technology and acquisition competencies, France said, she's seen a trend since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"We are finding that ... today's high school students have a sincere interest in wanting to serve their country by working for the federal government," she said. "Particularly at [the Defense Department], there is a real sense of mission, and the IT professional can play a critical role in helping the warfighters protect our nation."
The students, about 40 more than last year, spent the day with several Defense Department components in the national capital region. They learned about cyber security, forensics and the kinds of jobs the IT career field offers. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Indianapolis also hosted students from two high schools, France said, and 36 department agencies and 36 high schools overall participated in the IT Job Shadow Day.
"Each year, we continue to increase participation in IT Job Shadow Day and plan to expand the event worldwide," she added.
"I hoped to gain more knowledge about this field and working with the Department of Defense," said Sami Omer, a junior at Edison High School in Springfield, Va. "Actually talking to people who do work with the Department of Defense, [gave me] some of the inside tips and tricks and how to get your foot in the door. It's definitely been very insightful."
Omer, who is interested in pursuing a career in information assurance, already had made up his mind that he was going to work for the government and work in the IT career field. The IT Job Shadow Day only served to reinforce that decision, he said.
Judson Wheeler, a senior, said he plans on becoming an Army Ranger, but if that doesn't work out, today's event has sparked an interest in the IT field.
"The forensic guy in there was actually pretty interesting," Judson said. "I might actually do that, kind of like a special agent-type thing, but working with IT." Judson splits his school day between Robert E. Lee High School and Edison Academy, where he participates in Army Junior ROTC. Both schools are in Springfield, Va.
Thomas Sterling agreed the opportunity gave him some background he wouldn't have been able to get any other way.
"I kind of want to integrate IT with military applications," he said. "[The day] gave me more of a background, something that you wouldn't get from Web pages or pamphlets. It was more in-depth." Sterling, a senior, splits his day between South Lakes High School in Reston, Va., and Chantilly Academy's Air Force Junior ROTC program in Chantilly, Va. He's applied to the Air Force Academy and received a congressional nomination.
The Pentagon's 3rd annual IT Job Shadow Day was co-sponsored by the Association for Federal Information Resources Management and by Junior Achievement.
MILITARY CONTRACTS February 5, 2009
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $11,760,286 firm fixed price contract for snow blowers. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jan. 15, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0066-0023).
NACCO Material Handling Group, Greenville, N.C., is being awarded a maximum $7,307,085 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for forklifts. Other location of performance is Kentucky. Using service is Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Mar. 15, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0054).
Signature Flight Support Corp., Bedford, Mass., is being awarded a maximum $6,712,764 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other location of performance is in Massachusetts. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Mar. 31, 2013. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-0041).
NAVY
Rolls-Royce Engine Services, Oakland, Calif; StandardAero (San Antonio), Inc., San Antonio, Texas; and Wood Group Turbopower, LLC; Miami Lakes, Fla., are each being awarded firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts to provide depot-level repair for the T56 Series III engine. The award for Rolls-Royce Engine Services is $36,379,415; for StandardAero, Inc., it is $43,165,973; and for Wood Group Turbopower, LLC it is $47,608,704. The three major modules of the engine to be maintained and repaired under this contract will be (a maximum annual quantity of) 160 Power Sections, 180 Reduction Gear Assemblies, and 140 Torquemeters. Depot-level repair of T56 Series III engine modules is required to support fielded P-3 and derivative aircraft, as well as T56-powered C-130 and C-2 aircraft. Place of performance for Rolls-Royce Engine Services is Oakland, Calif.; for StandardAero, it is San Antonio, Texas; and for Wood Group LLC, it is Miami Lakes, Fla. These contracts are expected to be completed in February 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $5,816,296 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured via electronic Request for Proposal and four offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-D-0013; N00019-09-D-0014; N00019-09-D-0012, respectively).
Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systmes - Canada (GDLS-C) is being awarded a $26,791,877 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0004 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of Authorized Stockage List and Prescribed Load List parts to support 673 MRAP vehicles. The staging of these parts allows vehicles that have been damaged to be brought back to full mission capable in a minimal amount of time. GDLS-C uses a multitude of suppliers for these parts, both U.S. based and abroad. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
EnVetCo, Inc.*, New Bern, N.C.; Futron-SDVS LLC JV*, Wilmington, N.C.; International Public Works, LLC*, Mount Pleasant, S.C.; and Robra Construction, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va., are each being awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract for general building type projects at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Base Cherry Point. The maximum dollar value, for the base period for all four contracts combined is $20,000,000. The total contract amount for all four contracts combined, including the base period and four option years, is $100,000,000. Futron-SDVS LLC JV is being awarded task order #0001 at $374,278 for interior and exterior repairs to Building 2628 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Aug. 2009. All work on this contract will be performed in Jacksonville and Cherry Point, N.C., and work is expected to be completed Jan. 2014. Contract funds for task order #0001 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 16 proposals received. These four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-D-5336/5337/5338/5339).
L-3 Services, Inc., Germantown, Md., is being awarded an $11,842,031 task order #0070 under previously awarded firm fixed price contract (M67854-02-A-9010) to provide acquisition, logistics, and administrative support as program management assistance for the Program Manager for Training Systems (PM TRASYS) located at the Central Fla., Research Park, Orlando, Fla. PM TRASYS continues to support Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) and Training Education Command (TECOM) requirements to identify, develop, and field material and non-material solutions as the training systems manager. This support task includes work across the Live Training Systems functional and project teams; Live Training Systems Integrated Program Management, Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) Systems, Range Instrumentation Systems (RIS), Range Training Aides Devices & Simulations (RTADS), Field Operations, and emerging hybrid live-simulated training environments. The focus for Live Training Systems efforts responds to requirements requested by TECOM to support pre-deployment training/alternate training venues and the Marine Corps' operational force capabilities. This includes providing program, logistics, and administrative support for mapping MCSC Product Groups systems acquisition to training requirements, determination of most efficient training methodologies, and implementation and technical documentation for acquisition of training systems and training support. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $11,660,572 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Harris Corp., RF Communications Division, Rochester, N.Y., is being awarded a $9,419,550 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, firm fixed price contract for man pack radios, dismount kits and extended warranties. Harris Corp. will be required to deliver up to 250 Falcon III AN/PRC-117G Man Pack Radios, up to 250 dismount kits, and up to 250 extended warranties (7years) if maximum quantities are ordered. This effort is in support of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) in deployed locations worldwide. Without these radios and the associated warranties, the TACP airmen can not perform their mission which is the terminal control of combat aircraft supporting close air support missions directly in support of ground forces. The work will be performed in Rochester, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-09-D-JS08).
George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $7,176,093 cost no fee research and development contract for counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) research. The contractor will perform research and develop models and methods to enhance the ability of The Joint Improvise Explosive Device Defeat Organization Operations Research Systems Analysis to execute its mission. This contract contains options which, if exercised, will bring the total value of the contract to $10,395,241. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va., (96 percent) and Bowie Md., (4 percent), and work is expected to be completed Jan. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at end of current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under an Office of Naval Research Broad Agency Announcement 08-001 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology dated Sept. 5, 2007. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contract activity (N00014-09-C-0419).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems of San Diego, Calif., for an amount not to exceed $81,273,117. This effort is for two MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and two Mobile Ground Control Stations for the Italy Foreign Military Sales customer. At this time $40,049,760 has been obligated. 703 AESG/SYF, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8620-05-G-3028).
The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to Boeing Satellite Systems Inc., of El Segundo, Calif., for $10,248,866. This action will develop a system concept through the performance of trade studies, modeling and simulation, system analysis, and requirements definition to provide a comprehensive approach that addresses formulation of an architecture providing high-value capabilities for the Department of Defense. Det 8 AFRL/RVKS, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico is the contracting activity (FA9453-09-C-0338).
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $11,760,286 firm fixed price contract for snow blowers. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jan. 15, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0066-0023).
NACCO Material Handling Group, Greenville, N.C., is being awarded a maximum $7,307,085 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for forklifts. Other location of performance is Kentucky. Using service is Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Mar. 15, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0054).
Signature Flight Support Corp., Bedford, Mass., is being awarded a maximum $6,712,764 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other location of performance is in Massachusetts. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Mar. 31, 2013. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-0041).
NAVY
Rolls-Royce Engine Services, Oakland, Calif; StandardAero (San Antonio), Inc., San Antonio, Texas; and Wood Group Turbopower, LLC; Miami Lakes, Fla., are each being awarded firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts to provide depot-level repair for the T56 Series III engine. The award for Rolls-Royce Engine Services is $36,379,415; for StandardAero, Inc., it is $43,165,973; and for Wood Group Turbopower, LLC it is $47,608,704. The three major modules of the engine to be maintained and repaired under this contract will be (a maximum annual quantity of) 160 Power Sections, 180 Reduction Gear Assemblies, and 140 Torquemeters. Depot-level repair of T56 Series III engine modules is required to support fielded P-3 and derivative aircraft, as well as T56-powered C-130 and C-2 aircraft. Place of performance for Rolls-Royce Engine Services is Oakland, Calif.; for StandardAero, it is San Antonio, Texas; and for Wood Group LLC, it is Miami Lakes, Fla. These contracts are expected to be completed in February 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $5,816,296 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured via electronic Request for Proposal and four offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-D-0013; N00019-09-D-0014; N00019-09-D-0012, respectively).
Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systmes - Canada (GDLS-C) is being awarded a $26,791,877 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0004 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of Authorized Stockage List and Prescribed Load List parts to support 673 MRAP vehicles. The staging of these parts allows vehicles that have been damaged to be brought back to full mission capable in a minimal amount of time. GDLS-C uses a multitude of suppliers for these parts, both U.S. based and abroad. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
EnVetCo, Inc.*, New Bern, N.C.; Futron-SDVS LLC JV*, Wilmington, N.C.; International Public Works, LLC*, Mount Pleasant, S.C.; and Robra Construction, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va., are each being awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract for general building type projects at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Base Cherry Point. The maximum dollar value, for the base period for all four contracts combined is $20,000,000. The total contract amount for all four contracts combined, including the base period and four option years, is $100,000,000. Futron-SDVS LLC JV is being awarded task order #0001 at $374,278 for interior and exterior repairs to Building 2628 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Aug. 2009. All work on this contract will be performed in Jacksonville and Cherry Point, N.C., and work is expected to be completed Jan. 2014. Contract funds for task order #0001 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 16 proposals received. These four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-D-5336/5337/5338/5339).
L-3 Services, Inc., Germantown, Md., is being awarded an $11,842,031 task order #0070 under previously awarded firm fixed price contract (M67854-02-A-9010) to provide acquisition, logistics, and administrative support as program management assistance for the Program Manager for Training Systems (PM TRASYS) located at the Central Fla., Research Park, Orlando, Fla. PM TRASYS continues to support Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) and Training Education Command (TECOM) requirements to identify, develop, and field material and non-material solutions as the training systems manager. This support task includes work across the Live Training Systems functional and project teams; Live Training Systems Integrated Program Management, Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) Systems, Range Instrumentation Systems (RIS), Range Training Aides Devices & Simulations (RTADS), Field Operations, and emerging hybrid live-simulated training environments. The focus for Live Training Systems efforts responds to requirements requested by TECOM to support pre-deployment training/alternate training venues and the Marine Corps' operational force capabilities. This includes providing program, logistics, and administrative support for mapping MCSC Product Groups systems acquisition to training requirements, determination of most efficient training methodologies, and implementation and technical documentation for acquisition of training systems and training support. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $11,660,572 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Harris Corp., RF Communications Division, Rochester, N.Y., is being awarded a $9,419,550 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, firm fixed price contract for man pack radios, dismount kits and extended warranties. Harris Corp. will be required to deliver up to 250 Falcon III AN/PRC-117G Man Pack Radios, up to 250 dismount kits, and up to 250 extended warranties (7years) if maximum quantities are ordered. This effort is in support of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) in deployed locations worldwide. Without these radios and the associated warranties, the TACP airmen can not perform their mission which is the terminal control of combat aircraft supporting close air support missions directly in support of ground forces. The work will be performed in Rochester, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-09-D-JS08).
George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $7,176,093 cost no fee research and development contract for counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) research. The contractor will perform research and develop models and methods to enhance the ability of The Joint Improvise Explosive Device Defeat Organization Operations Research Systems Analysis to execute its mission. This contract contains options which, if exercised, will bring the total value of the contract to $10,395,241. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va., (96 percent) and Bowie Md., (4 percent), and work is expected to be completed Jan. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at end of current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under an Office of Naval Research Broad Agency Announcement 08-001 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology dated Sept. 5, 2007. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contract activity (N00014-09-C-0419).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems of San Diego, Calif., for an amount not to exceed $81,273,117. This effort is for two MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and two Mobile Ground Control Stations for the Italy Foreign Military Sales customer. At this time $40,049,760 has been obligated. 703 AESG/SYF, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8620-05-G-3028).
The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to Boeing Satellite Systems Inc., of El Segundo, Calif., for $10,248,866. This action will develop a system concept through the performance of trade studies, modeling and simulation, system analysis, and requirements definition to provide a comprehensive approach that addresses formulation of an architecture providing high-value capabilities for the Department of Defense. Det 8 AFRL/RVKS, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico is the contracting activity (FA9453-09-C-0338).
Troop-support Group Specializes in Adaptive Clothing
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - A troop-support group that provides clothing specially adapted for wounded troops recovering in military hospitals, will roll out a new line of garments later this year. "We are working on wheelchair garments and halo shirts," Michele Cuppy, president of Sew Much Comfort, said. "We are also working on dress pants that will look more like off-the-rack pants. With the talented seamstresses we have, we will be taking special requests for these items."
Since 2004, Sew Much Comfort, based in Burnsville, Minn., has provided adaptive clothing and comfort accessories to injured servicemembers throughout the United States, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. The clothing, made using fabric-fastener openings, allows injured servicemembers to dress themselves easily and provides ready access to the injury or wound area by the servicemember, medical staff or family.
In 2006, Sew Much Comfort volunteers received top honors from the "Newman's Own Awards" program and were invited to the White House by then-President George W. Bush.
The groups' major focus this year is to incorporate wheelchair and dress pants garments into their clothing line, as well as to become more "visible and available" at all the major military hospitals across the world, Cuppy said.
"We want to make sure, no matter what the wound or injury is, troops know that there is clothing available for them," she said. "We believe these new garments will allow injured servicemembers to easily dress themselves and feel more comfortable in public. All garments appear as normal civilian attire, which makes possible a more natural and comfortable recovery."
Lisa Schroeder of Beaumont, Calif., whose son, Army Sgt. Christopher Schroeder, broke his arm in Iraq, said she was very pleased with the clothing her son received last year.
"Our son broke his right elbow and left wrist in Iraq and was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for surgeries," Schroeder said. "My worries were for his recovery and how soon we could arrive to help him. We had no time to think of practicalities like clothing. Sew Much Comfort adaptive shirts were one of the biggest blessings for him. He wanted some 'real' shirts to wear while recovering, and we were so happy when someone brought the care package of shirts to his room."
With the help of more than 1,500 volunteer seamstresses, Sew Much Comfort made nearly 30,000 pieces of adaptive clothing and comfort accessories last year. Cuppy said the program's seamstresses are the driving force behind her organization.
Sew Much Comfort volunteers include ambassadors who deliver the clothing to the hospitals. Medical personnel also call and request clothing to be sent to them, Cuppy noted. This year, Sew Much Comfort has added an online order form on its Web site so servicemembers can order clothing directly.
"With our distribution facility, we are able to grab from the shelves and ship in two to three days," Cuppy said.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - A troop-support group that provides clothing specially adapted for wounded troops recovering in military hospitals, will roll out a new line of garments later this year. "We are working on wheelchair garments and halo shirts," Michele Cuppy, president of Sew Much Comfort, said. "We are also working on dress pants that will look more like off-the-rack pants. With the talented seamstresses we have, we will be taking special requests for these items."
Since 2004, Sew Much Comfort, based in Burnsville, Minn., has provided adaptive clothing and comfort accessories to injured servicemembers throughout the United States, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. The clothing, made using fabric-fastener openings, allows injured servicemembers to dress themselves easily and provides ready access to the injury or wound area by the servicemember, medical staff or family.
In 2006, Sew Much Comfort volunteers received top honors from the "Newman's Own Awards" program and were invited to the White House by then-President George W. Bush.
The groups' major focus this year is to incorporate wheelchair and dress pants garments into their clothing line, as well as to become more "visible and available" at all the major military hospitals across the world, Cuppy said.
"We want to make sure, no matter what the wound or injury is, troops know that there is clothing available for them," she said. "We believe these new garments will allow injured servicemembers to easily dress themselves and feel more comfortable in public. All garments appear as normal civilian attire, which makes possible a more natural and comfortable recovery."
Lisa Schroeder of Beaumont, Calif., whose son, Army Sgt. Christopher Schroeder, broke his arm in Iraq, said she was very pleased with the clothing her son received last year.
"Our son broke his right elbow and left wrist in Iraq and was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for surgeries," Schroeder said. "My worries were for his recovery and how soon we could arrive to help him. We had no time to think of practicalities like clothing. Sew Much Comfort adaptive shirts were one of the biggest blessings for him. He wanted some 'real' shirts to wear while recovering, and we were so happy when someone brought the care package of shirts to his room."
With the help of more than 1,500 volunteer seamstresses, Sew Much Comfort made nearly 30,000 pieces of adaptive clothing and comfort accessories last year. Cuppy said the program's seamstresses are the driving force behind her organization.
Sew Much Comfort volunteers include ambassadors who deliver the clothing to the hospitals. Medical personnel also call and request clothing to be sent to them, Cuppy noted. This year, Sew Much Comfort has added an online order form on its Web site so servicemembers can order clothing directly.
"With our distribution facility, we are able to grab from the shelves and ship in two to three days," Cuppy said.
Logistics Agency Leads in Recruiting Students With Disabilities
By Tonya Johnson
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - The Defense Logistics Agency hired 91 college students with disabilities under the federal government's Workforce Recruitment Program in 2008, more than any other federal agency. The jointly sponsored Defense and Labor department program matches students with disabilities with internships at government agencies or private-sector companies. Since it started in 1995, about 4,500 students have participated, and more than 350 of them have been interns at DLA, officials said.
The Army hired the most WRP interns from 2004 to 2007, Famia Magana, director of DLA's Equal Employment Office, said. With 86 hires in 2008, the Army had the second-highest total in the federal government. Magana said DLA officials set a goal to make the most WRP hires in 2008.
"The fact that we have achieved No. 1 status within the federal government for the 2008 WRP cycle means that what we're doing is working," Magana said. "Last year, we came in second place and hired 51 students." The agency's strategy, implemented over the past five years, is driving better results, she said.
"We have dramatically increased the agency's participation in this program and increased the participation of individuals with disabilities and targeted disabilities within DLA," she added.
The Workforce Recruitment Program is the only recruitment and referral program that connects federal-sector employers nationwide with highly motivated post-secondary students and recent graduates with disabilities, Eric Spanbauer, manager of DLA's disability program and WRP, said. "[These students] are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs anywhere in the enterprise," he said.
The program helps DLA officials meet the agency's goal of a 3 percent representation of people with targeted disabilities within its work force, he added.
Representatives from DLA headquarters and the field activities visit colleges and universities to meet students and explain the agency's mission during the recruitment phase of the program's cycle.
Students wishing to participate in WRP must be enrolled at an accredited institution on a full-time basis and be seeking an undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree. The 14-week summer program offers interns a chance to participate annually until the summer after graduation.
DLA interns have worked in a variety of offices, including public affairs, human resources, general counsel and equal employment opportunity, and most come in at the GS-4 or GS-5 level.
One of the goals of the program is for interns eventually to be hired as full-time employees, Magana said. Many WRP interns who meet eligibility requirements can be hired noncompetitively through the Schedule A hiring authority. Interns also can apply for the DLA Corporate Intern Program, a two-year training program that employees enter as GS-7s and graduate from as GS-11s, with experience in multiple areas of the agency's business operations.
Magana said she encourages hiring officials and managers to take advantage of WRP and has received positive feedback from both interns and supervisors who have participated in the program.
"I would challenge DLA hiring officials to consider WRP candidates to fill their hiring needs," she said. "They are highly qualified, and their turnover rate is low once they get their foot in the door and show their capabilities."
Defense Department officials allocate the number of individuals an agency can hire under this program each year based on a dollar value. If an agency does not hire the interns allocated, then other agencies can receive the additional unused funds. Agencies also have the option of hiring more individuals than the Defense Department will pay for under the Workforce Recruitment Program by funding the extra positions themselves.
In 2008, DLA received $640,000 to hire students under the Workforce Recruitment Program. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and the Defense Distribution Center each hired 19 interns. The two organizations also requested additional slots -- DSCP and DDC funded two and three interns, respectively, from their own budgets.
DLA's 2009 allocation calls for 68 funded positions, but Magana said she hopes the agency can surpass last year's results and hire more than 91.
"The number of WRP hires is only limited by how the agency embraces the program," she said. "It just makes sense to hire qualified people from this program to work in different occupations to support the warfighter."
The program kicks off in mid-March, when hiring officials can access a database of more than 1,800 students screened to participate in the program.
(Tonya Johnson works at the Defense Logistics Agency public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - The Defense Logistics Agency hired 91 college students with disabilities under the federal government's Workforce Recruitment Program in 2008, more than any other federal agency. The jointly sponsored Defense and Labor department program matches students with disabilities with internships at government agencies or private-sector companies. Since it started in 1995, about 4,500 students have participated, and more than 350 of them have been interns at DLA, officials said.
The Army hired the most WRP interns from 2004 to 2007, Famia Magana, director of DLA's Equal Employment Office, said. With 86 hires in 2008, the Army had the second-highest total in the federal government. Magana said DLA officials set a goal to make the most WRP hires in 2008.
"The fact that we have achieved No. 1 status within the federal government for the 2008 WRP cycle means that what we're doing is working," Magana said. "Last year, we came in second place and hired 51 students." The agency's strategy, implemented over the past five years, is driving better results, she said.
"We have dramatically increased the agency's participation in this program and increased the participation of individuals with disabilities and targeted disabilities within DLA," she added.
The Workforce Recruitment Program is the only recruitment and referral program that connects federal-sector employers nationwide with highly motivated post-secondary students and recent graduates with disabilities, Eric Spanbauer, manager of DLA's disability program and WRP, said. "[These students] are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs anywhere in the enterprise," he said.
The program helps DLA officials meet the agency's goal of a 3 percent representation of people with targeted disabilities within its work force, he added.
Representatives from DLA headquarters and the field activities visit colleges and universities to meet students and explain the agency's mission during the recruitment phase of the program's cycle.
Students wishing to participate in WRP must be enrolled at an accredited institution on a full-time basis and be seeking an undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree. The 14-week summer program offers interns a chance to participate annually until the summer after graduation.
DLA interns have worked in a variety of offices, including public affairs, human resources, general counsel and equal employment opportunity, and most come in at the GS-4 or GS-5 level.
One of the goals of the program is for interns eventually to be hired as full-time employees, Magana said. Many WRP interns who meet eligibility requirements can be hired noncompetitively through the Schedule A hiring authority. Interns also can apply for the DLA Corporate Intern Program, a two-year training program that employees enter as GS-7s and graduate from as GS-11s, with experience in multiple areas of the agency's business operations.
Magana said she encourages hiring officials and managers to take advantage of WRP and has received positive feedback from both interns and supervisors who have participated in the program.
"I would challenge DLA hiring officials to consider WRP candidates to fill their hiring needs," she said. "They are highly qualified, and their turnover rate is low once they get their foot in the door and show their capabilities."
Defense Department officials allocate the number of individuals an agency can hire under this program each year based on a dollar value. If an agency does not hire the interns allocated, then other agencies can receive the additional unused funds. Agencies also have the option of hiring more individuals than the Defense Department will pay for under the Workforce Recruitment Program by funding the extra positions themselves.
In 2008, DLA received $640,000 to hire students under the Workforce Recruitment Program. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and the Defense Distribution Center each hired 19 interns. The two organizations also requested additional slots -- DSCP and DDC funded two and three interns, respectively, from their own budgets.
DLA's 2009 allocation calls for 68 funded positions, but Magana said she hopes the agency can surpass last year's results and hire more than 91.
"The number of WRP hires is only limited by how the agency embraces the program," she said. "It just makes sense to hire qualified people from this program to work in different occupations to support the warfighter."
The program kicks off in mid-March, when hiring officials can access a database of more than 1,800 students screened to participate in the program.
(Tonya Johnson works at the Defense Logistics Agency public affairs office.)
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