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November 6, 2019 | International, Aerospace

Finland warns fighter contenders to keep their budget-busting offers real

By: Gerard O'Dwyer

HELSINKI — Finland has issued a formal notification to industry candidates in its multibillion-dollar fighter program, urging them to keep their proposals within the prescribed budget constraints.

“We do not envisage that we will see withdrawals because of the revised request for quotations. We expect no change there,” said Lauri Puranen, who directs the Finnish Air Forces' HX-fighter program. He said the move was meant simply to stress the need for all of the five international contenders to respect the program's €10 billion, or $11.1 billion, limit.

Defense officials here have conceded that all five bidders, including Saab (Gripen), Dassault Rafale, the pan-European Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing (F/A-18 Super Hornet), Lockheed Martin (F-35) have struggled with the project's rigid budgetary ceiling.

"The budget set for the HX project has been an issue for all bidders and candidate aircraft,“ said Maj. Gen. Kari Renko, the deputy chief of the Finnish Defense Force's Logistics Command.

Finland's recently-elected, conservative-left coalition government has shown no willingness or flexibility to deviate from the billion budget cap. The defense ministry has been instructed to look for a fighter replacement solution within the budgetary range of €7 billion to €10 billion, or $7.7 billion to $11.1 billion.

Whatever flexibility exists in the HX project will impact the number of fighter aircraft purchased and weapons selected as part of the total acquisition program to replace the air force's Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornets. The last of the service's Hornets are expected to be retired by 2030.

The defense ministry is seeking responses to the reviews request for quotations to be submitted by the end of January 2020. This will be followed by a request for final offers during the second half of 2020, a process that will commence after stage-two negotiations.

The Finnish government plans to reach a decision on the HX fighter platform in 2021. The decision will cover the acquisition of a new aircraft, weapons, sensors, training, and spare parts.

Bidders are expected to use their responses to the revised solicitation to clarify the industrial-cooperation elements of their respective offers. Finland is looking for a solution that will benefit the country's defense industry, and where parts and systems connected to the eventual contract will be produced under collaborative partnership contracts and joint venture agreements in Finland.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/11/05/finland-warns-fighter-contenders-to-keep-their-budget-busting-offers-real/

On the same subject

  • The Army looks to build up its cyber arsenal

    May 8, 2019 | International, Land, C4ISR

    The Army looks to build up its cyber arsenal

    By: Mark Pomerleau The Army is building a new tactical cyber force and it's going to need an arsenal. Immediately stocking one is another story, however, because “offensive cyber” tools are currently developed and owned by U.S. Cyber Command for the joint mission, so the Army is working on how to best equip its teams' specific needs. The Army's 915th Cyber Warfare Support Battalion (CWSB) will be capable of conducting localized cyber effects through the electromagnetic spectrum, rather than the IP-based operations conducted by Cyber Command, though it might have a tie-in with these forces and capabilities. The CWSB will operate as an Army Cyber Command asset. It will live at the division level with 12 expeditionary cyber teams, each consisting of 45-person detachment-sized elements that will be in support of brigade combat teams and arrayed over that brigade's battlespace on the ground. They will likely operate alongside companies. In order to prepare these new cyber teams, the Army will have to work through the Joint Cyber Warfighter Architecture (JCWA), a singular approach to tools and platforms for high-end, remote cyber operators established by Cyber Command. “By defining that architecture, then Cyber Command encourages the service cyber components with their acquisition entities to propose capabilities that would meet that architecture,” Ronald Pontius, deputy to the commanding general at Army Cyber Command, told Fifth Domain on the sidelines of an industry conference May 1. “Cyber Command should lead the architecture and standards, then they should be looking to the services to actually build the capability.” The JCWA is intended to guide capability development across all the services, as Cyber Command doesn't want capabilities designed and used by one service. How that translates into equipping these Army-specific entities requires working out “synergies” between that tactical force and the larger force, so determining what common and custom tools the CWSB uses will be in concert with the joint Cyber Command forces. “It all has to be integrated from top to bottom,” Kenneth Strayer, deputy program manager for electronic warfare and cyber at Program Executive Office-Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, told Fifth Domain. “All the way from sanctuary through developing capabilities to delivering capabilities. This all has to be integrated and it's all nested on Cyber Command and ARCYBER, [which] is a component, and the tactical units are all nested under ARCYBER.” Strayer added that he wouldn't separate them, but obviously the needed capabilities will be different depending on the placement of units, either in the close fight on the ground or in remote sanctuary. Questions Army Cyber Command leaders will have to wrestle with regarding using tools from the joint force at the tactical level include what infrastructure forces will operate on, and whether the tool will be attributable or not. Pontius said generally tools should be 100-percent attributable in the tactical space [letting victims know the United States is attacking them as a deterrent of further action], while that is not always the case in the joint environment. Having the CWSB in Army Cyber Command and not distributed throughout the service, he added, aids in answering these questions, optimizing tool development, and keeping the force trained and certified much more efficiently than if members of this force were spread out across different Army entities. One way the Army is potentially benefiting the CWSB separate from the joint mission is a recent $1 billion contract for research and development work in support of the cyber mission. Contractors awarded are tasked with providing research into cyber and electromagnetic activities (CEMA) capabilities. The contract currently is not asking for any materiel development. https://www.fifthdomain.com/dod/army/2019/05/06/the-army-looks-to-build-up-its-cyber-arsenal/

  • Dassault, Airbus, Safran et MTU joueront les premiers rôles dans le futur avion de combat franco-allemand

    November 23, 2018 | International, Aerospace

    Dassault, Airbus, Safran et MTU joueront les premiers rôles dans le futur avion de combat franco-allemand

    HASSAN MEDDAH La ministre des armées Florence Parly et son homologue allemande Ursula Von der Leyen attribueront l'an prochain aux industriels européens les premiers contrats d'études pour affiner l'architecture du système aérien de combat du futur et préparer les premiers démonstrateurs. Elles ont déjà confirmé les noms des heureux élus. Quid de Thales? Les avionneurs Dassault Aviation et Airbus ainsi que les motoristes français et allemand Safran et MTU vont enfin pouvoir faire plancher leurs équipes sur le programme SCAF, le système de combat aérien du futur. Il s'agit du principal programme de coopération franco-allemand dans le domaine de la Défense avec le programme de char de combat du futur. Le futur chasseur devra remplacer à l'horizon 2035-2040 le Rafale français et l'Eurofighter déployé dans les armées allemandes. Se mettre au travail En marge de la réunion des ministres des affaires étrangères et de la Défense qui a démarré à Bruxelles le 20 novembre, la ministre française des armées Florence Parly et son homologue allemande ont fait un point sur leurs grands programmes militaires en coopération. Le délégué général de l'armement Joël Barre et son vis-à-vis allemand étaient également présents. Les partenaires ont décidé d'attribuer les premiers contrats d'études aux industriels dans le courant de l'année 2019 pour éviter de prendre tout retard. "La réunion avait pour but de clarifier l'architecture industrielle des programmes en coopération. Ces études lancent réellement le programme SCAF. Les industriels vont pouvoir se mettre au travail", souligne une source proche de la ministre française des Armées. Un premier contrat d'études générales sera confié début 2019 à Dassault Aviation et Airbus qui se partageront le leadership. Il s'agit de définir l'architecture et le concept du système de combat aérien du futur, qualifié de système de systèmes, avec en son cœur une flotte d'avions de chasse en communication avec des avions de renseignement, des satellites, des drones, des infrastructures terrestres.... Il faudra répondre notamment au type et au nombre de drones qui intégreraient un tel dispositif. Cette étude devrait durer environ deux ans. L'objectif est de présenter les grands choix d'architecture du SCAF en 2021. Quid de Thales Deux autres contrats d'études ont été également décidés en vue de préparer des démonstrateurs, étape majeure en vue de dérisquer un programme d'une telle envergure. Il est prévu qu'elles soient lancées au plus tard au moment du Bourget en juin 2019. La première étude concerne le démonstrateur lié à l'appareil lui-même. Dassault Aviation, désigné leader de cette étude, est ainsi confirmé dans son rôle de chef de file industriel du programme SCAF. Il travaillera avec Airbus comme sous-traitant. La seconde étude concerne le démonstrateur pour le moteur. Safran, fabricant du moteur M88 du Rafale est désigné comme maître d'œuvre leader. Il retrouvera une vielle connaissance, le motoriste allemand MTU avec lequel il a déjà collaboré sur le moteur de l'A400M, l'avion de transport militaire d'Airbus Military. En avril dernier, au salon aéronautique de Berlin, Dassault Aviation et Airbus avaient confirmé leur volonté de collaborer sur le programme SCAF. "Nos deux entreprises s'engagent à travailler ensemble de façon pragmatique et efficace. Notre feuille de route commune pour le programme SCAF comprendra des propositions pour le développement de démonstrateurs à partir de 2025", avait alors précisé Eric Trappier, PDG de l'avionneur français. Thales, qui produit l'électronique du Rafale mais n'est pas mentionné en premier rang dans l'attribution des études, fait figure de grand perdant. "Il sera sur la photo finale" souligne toutefois une source proche de la ministre française de la Défense soulignant le caractère crucial de son expertise dans le domaine dit de système de systèmes. Aucun montant n'a été précisé pour le coût des études. Le programme d'un avion de combat de nouvelle génération se chiffre toutefois en dizaines de milliards d'euros. La France et l'Allemagneont déjà rappelé qu'ils comptaient ouvrir leur collaboration a d'autres pays européen et notamment l'Espagne. Quant au Royaume-Uni, il s'est engagé sur un projet d'avion alternatif avec le soutien de l'Italie. https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/dassault-airbus-safran-et-mtu-joueront-les-premiers-roles-dans-le-futur-avion-de-combat-franco-allemand.N772314

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - August 13, 2020

    August 14, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - August 13, 2020

    NAVY BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California, is awarded a $103,590,841 firm-fixed-price contract to prepare for and accomplish repair and alteration requirements for USS Preble (DDG 88) Chief of Naval Operations scheduled depot maintenance period. This contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $117,754,630. The purpose is to maintain, modernize, and repair the USS Preble. The USS Preble will receive comprehensive modernization for DDG-51 class ships to ensure a mission relevant service life. This is a “long-term” availability and was solicited on a coast-wide (West Coast) basis without limiting the place of performance to the vessel's homeport. BAE Systems will provide the facilities and human resources capable of completing, coordinating, and integrating multiple areas of ship maintenance, repair, and modernization for USS Preble. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by February 2022. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) (89.8%); and operations and maintenance (Navy) (10.2%) funding in the amount of $103,590,841 will be obligated at time of award, of which $10,553,208 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition via the Federal Business Opportunities website with two competitive proposals received in response to Solicitation No. N00024-20-R-4400. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-4400). Ribcraft USA LLC,* Marblehead, Massachusetts, is awarded a $38,608,278 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, single award contract for construction of 132 seven-meter (7M) Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs). The total contract is for the construction and delivery of up to 278 7M RHIBs. The base contract also included options for associated support efforts related to the construction and delivery for engineering and industrial services, and provisioned items orders. At the time of contract award, 48 7M RHIBs are being purchased. Work under the first order will be performed in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by March 2023. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $78,241,197. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) (69%); and other procurement (Navy) (31%) funding in the amount of $12,649,937 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was procured as a small business set-aside. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-20-D-2210). RQ Construction LLC, Carlsbad, California, is awarded a $33,602,000 firm-fixed-price contract for 5th Battalion, 10th Marines High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) located at the Marine Corps Base in Camp Lejeune. Work will be performed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and is expected to be completed by March 2023. The construction project will result in an operations complex for the activation of 5th Battalion, 10th Marines HIMARS. The work to be performed provides for construction of a battalion/company headquarters, automotive vehicle maintenance shop, humidity-controlled warehouse, electronics communications maintenance shop, combat vehicle maintenance shop, armory addition, and a high-explosive magazine to comply with UFC 4-420-01 ammunitions and explosives storage magazines. All structures will be low-rise steel frame with reinforced concrete masonry unit with reinforced masonry walls, brick veneer, reinforced concrete floors, and standing seam metal roof. The battalion/company headquarters facility includes the necessary administrative space to conduct the day-to-day operations of both the battalion and its companies. The automotive vehicle maintenance shop includes administrative and support space, work bays for inspection, maintenance and repair of transportation equipment, classrooms, and storage areas for parts and supplies. The humidity-controlled warehouse will be a high bay facility that will house a 10-ton capacity overhead crane. The facility includes administrative and support space, storage bays, secured storage, and shipping/receiving area. The electronics communication maintenance shop includes administrative and support space, equipment maintenance and training areas, and storage areas for parts and supplies. The combat vehicle maintenance shop includes administrative and support space, work bays for inspection, maintenance and repair of transportation equipment, classrooms, and storage areas for parts and supplies. The armory addition includes administrative and support space for armorers/custodians, secure space for storing and maintaining weapons and a covered outdoor weapons cleaning area. The magazine will be used for the storage and handling of reduced range practice rounds to support live-fire HIMARS training. Fiscal 2020 military construction, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $33,602,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Government Point of Entry Contract Opportunities on beta.SAM.com with 10 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-20-C-0145). Pacific Maritime Industries Corp.,* San Diego, California (N00189-20-D-0021); Tri-Way Industries Inc.,* Auburn, Washington (N00189-20-D-0022); and Spec-Built Systems Inc.,* San Diego, California (N00189-20-D-0023), are awarded an estimated $25,938,325 multiple award, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that will include terms and conditions for the placement of firm-fixed-price task orders to provide a means to purchase of light weight modular berths and related materials in support of the Shipboard Habitability Improvement Program at competitive prices in accordance with the delivery schedules listed on the statement of work. The contracts will run concurrently and will include a 60-month base ordering period with an additional six-month ordering period option pursuant of Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-8, which if exercised, will bring the total value of this contract to $28,996,501. The base ordering period is expected to be completed by August 2025; if the option is exercised, the ordering period will be completed by February 2026. Specific requirements for habitability support cannot be predicted at this time; therefore, the various locations of where the supplies will be delivered cannot be determined at this time. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,500 ($2,500 on each of the three contracts) will be obligated to fund the contracts' minimum amounts, and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Individual task orders will be subsequently funded with appropriate fiscal year appropriations at the time of their issuance. This contract was competitively procured with the solicitation posted on beta.sam.gov as a small business set-aside, with four offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Norfolk Office, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. PTC Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, is awarded a $17,131,314 firm-fixed-price contract modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-6121 to exercise and fund an option for integration and development efforts in support of Model Based Production Support. This option exercises and funds an option for Model Based Production Support integration and development support. Work will be performed in Boston, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by June 2025. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $370,949 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. is the contracting activity. Boston Ship Repair LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, is awarded a $16,567,594 firm-fixed-price contract (N3220520C4002) for a 64-calendar day shipyard availability for the mid-term availability of the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193). The $16,567,594 consists of the amounts listed in the following areas: Category “A” work item cost, additional government requirement, other direct costs and the general and administrative costs. Work will include main and emergency switchboard cleaning; lifeboat and rescue boat davit maintenance and testing; 6,000-hour overhaul of port and starboard main engine exhaust valves, port and starboard main engine fuel injection pumps; annual firefighting inspection and certification; inspection and overhaul of shaft brakes; preparation and paint saltwater ballast tanks 10 port and starboard; preparation and paint fore peak tank; preparation and paint distillate fuel marine cargo tank seven port; preparation and paint jet propellant 5 contaminated tank; preparation and paint distillate fuel marine contaminated tank; tank deck non-slip renewal frames 20 through 40; miscellaneous steel repairs; miscellaneous valve and actuator repairs; tank deck overhead preservation; bi-annual gauge calibration; blast and paint 02 Level lifeboats; pump room bilge preservation; number one and two constant tension winch overhaul; refrigeration plant room; tank deck sprinkler system flush; inspection and painting of the distillate fuel marine piping; sea valve and waster piece overhaul; replace anti-slip on 05, 06 and 07 Levels, various pump overhauls; underway replenishment station permanent repairs to Stations Three, Four and Eight; various steel deck renewals; miscellaneous pipe repair; and underway replenishment gear maintenance. The contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $17,860,194. Funds will be obligated Aug. 12, 2020. Contract completion will be Dec. 4, 2020. Work will be performed in Boston, Massachusetts, and is expected to begin Oct. 1, 2020. Contract funds in the amount of $16,567,594, excluding options, are obligated for fiscal 2021 using working capital funds (Navy). This contract was competitively procured, with proposals solicited via the beta.sam.gov website and three offers were received. The U. S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220520C4002). GM/Bulltrack JV LLC,* Clackamas, Oregon, is awarded firm-fixed-price task order N6247820F4221 at $9,165,646 under a multiple award construction contract for Wharf 2 structural repairs at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The work to be performed includes performing spall and crack repairs to concrete pile caps, beams, curtain wall, utility vault, deck (above and below), deck curbs, and mooring foundations; replacing timber deck curbing with concrete; repairing concrete piles by installing epoxy-filled fiberglass jackets; installing a cathodic protection system for the steel sheet piles; replacing timber fender piles with precast concrete fender piles with rub strips; replacing timber wales and chocks at the deck level and timber framing near the waterline with plastic lumber; refurbishing steel cleats and connection hardware; replacing potable water piping and deteriorated utility hangers. Work will be performed in Oahu, Hawaii and is expected to be completed by September 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,165,646 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62478-18-D-4027). Katmai Integrated Solutions LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, is awarded an $8,004,940 hybrid firm-fixed-price, time and materials, and cost reimbursement contract for a wide range of experimentation, business, and operational support services in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command Warfighting Laboratory. This contract includes a 12-month base period, four 12-month option periods, and one six-month option period which, if exercised, could bring the cumulative value of this contract to $59,492,149. Work will be performed in Quantico, Virginia (92%); and with the Marine Corps Expeditionary Forces (8%). Work is expected to be completed Aug. 14, 2021. If all options are exercised, work will continue through Feb. 14, 2026. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps); and research and development (Navy) funds will be utilized to award this contract. The contract will be incrementally funded at award with $670,000 in fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds; and $2,291,661 in fiscal 2020 research and development (Navy) funds, for a total of $2,925,825. This amount will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively solicited via beta.SAM.gov, with 10 proposals received. The Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region-Regional Contracting Office, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M00264-20-C-0006). ARMY Power and Instrumentation Service Inc.,* Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, was awarded a $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for numerous rapid-response temporary roofing projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the event of an emergency. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2027. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-20-D-0044). KBRwyle Technology Solutions LLC, Columbia, Maryland, was awarded a $23,727,971 modification (000274) to contract W52P1J-12-G-0061 for maintenance, supply, transportation and other logistics functions for the Army Prepositioned Stock-3 Charleston Afloat Program. Work will be performed in Goose Lake, South Carolina, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 14, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $4,462,109 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Native American Services Corp.,* Kellogg, Idaho, was awarded an $8,315,231 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a standard design general purpose storage building. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed at Fort Hood, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 21, 2020. Fiscal 2020 military construction, Army funds in the amount of $8,315,231 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-20-C-0005). Barnett Southern Corporation Inc.,* Washington, Georgia, was awarded a $7,775,643 firm-fixed-price contract for furnishing all plant, equipment, labor, transportation, fuel, lubricant, supplies and materials; and performing all operations in connection with raising dikes and berms, and installation of new spillway systems in the Atlantic Intercoastal Water Way in South Carolina. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Charleston, South Carolina, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 29, 2022. Fiscal 2020 civil operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,775,643 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston, South Carolina, is the contracting activity (W912HP-20-C-0005). R&D Maintenance Services Inc.,* Tulsa, Oklahoma, was awarded a $7,146,969 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price) contract for operation and maintenance of government-owned facilities and equipment at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and Okatibbee Lake projects in Alabama and Mississippi. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Columbus, Mississippi, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2025. Fiscal 2020 civil operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $364,430 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W91278-20-C-0018). AIR FORCE First RF Corp.,* Boulder, Colorado, has been awarded a maximum $24,900,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee completion orders for radio frequency electronic antenna cancellation/beamforming technology software/hardware prototypes. This contract provides for research, development, testing, evaluating and deploying advanced radio frequency (RF) systems. These systems may support any of the various RF functions such as radar, communications, electronic warfare, signals intelligence, direction finding, etc. Work will be performed in Boulder, Colorado, and is expected to be completed Aug. 13, 2026. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $300,000 are being obligated at the time of award on the first task order. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-20-D-0500). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2312498/source/GovDelivery/

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