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February 6, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

Germany’s plan to boost defense spending hits a snag

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COLOGNE, Germany — Germany may be unable to deliver on its pledge to increase the defense budget due to smaller-than-expected economic growth, according to a new Finance Ministry analysis.

The projections peg the military budget to be several billion euros short of the trajectory to meet the government's goal of reaching 1.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2024. Analysts even see the current spending curve unable to sustain 1.35 percent in the years ahead.

NATO members in 2014 agreed to boost their defense spending to 2 percent of GDP within 10 years.

Germany's defense budget is roughly €43 billion (U.S. $49 billion) for 2019, or about 1.2 percent of GDP. That is a boost of €4 billion over the previous year.

Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Monday said Germany remains committed to hitting the self-declared 1.5 percent target in 2024. She portrayed the Finance Ministry's analysis as a mere first step toward a budget proposal negotiated by Cabinet secretaries. The government is expected to unveil such a plan in late March.

The Trump administration has often criticized Germany for underspending on defense, arguing Berlin rides on American coattails when it comes to security. News that the country's spending target is at risk is sure to embolden the narrative in Washington that Europe is somehow taking advantage of the United States. It could weaken the negotiating position of German government delegates at two high-profile events in mid-February: a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, and the Munich Security Conference.

The Finance Ministry's economic outlook estimates that agencies will have to reconcile new spending priorities within their previously established budget targets. That means no fresh money would become available for the government's push on artificial intelligence, for example, according to the document.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/02/05/germanys-plan-to-boost-defense-spending-hits-a-snag/

On the same subject

  • Sea-Air-Space Exposition 2019 Day One

    May 7, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land

    Sea-Air-Space Exposition 2019 Day One

    By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brittney Kinsey, Defense Media Activity Public Affairs NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (NNS) -- Sea service chiefs and civilian defense leadership discussed myriad opportunities and challenges commanders face while operating on land, sea and air during the first day of the 54th annual Sea-Air-Space Exposition (SAS), May 6, 2019. Derived from the Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO) Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority 2.0 (Design 2.0), this year's exposition theme is “Sustainability, Agility, Superiority.” CNO Adm. John. M. Richardson, Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert B. Neller, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Karl Schultz and Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration retired Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby each addressed during the sea service chiefs panel the specific obstacles their services contend with in the current maritime environment. Richardson explained that rapid changes in technology and maritime security requires a level of trust and confidence in leaders tasked with commanding maritime forces. “It's very important that our leaders are people of character and integrity so that when we put them in front of our Sailors to lead them, not only do they know their business in warfighting but also that we would be proud for our sons and daughters to follow them,” he said. “Whether at sea or near the sea, responding to any man-made or natural crisis, [they] are so much more than a maritime warrior, [they] are also diplomats and are securing our prosperity.” Richardson also stressed the importance of improving the logistical capabilities, stating that services will only maintain an upper hand in the maritime environment by becoming more agile. ‘'We have got to get capabilities into the hands of our soldiers, Sailors, airmen and Marines – more and faster,” he said. “It's important that as the pace quickens, as new technology enters the fray, as the security environment manifests itself in a really fast-changing world that we don't forget those fundamentals in terms of providing sustainable forces. ” During a panel on the Arctic, speakers explained why partnering with other services is also crucial to maintaining superiority, particularly in places like the Arctic Circle where there hasn't been a large naval presence. “When it comes to maritime readiness in the Arctic, we cannot and should not go alone,” said Rear Adm. John A. Okon, commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. “Collaboration is key. Resources and access points are limited, so we must work with our maritime partners to be successful.” Richardson echoed Okon's comments during his keynote remarks at the Sea Services Luncheon. “The Arctic is a very dynamic situation,” he said. “There are seaways that are open that were not open before, continental shelves that are being exposed that weren't exposed before, so I think that merits a response from our maritime forces and there's tremendous value in partnering with our fellow services such as the Coast Guard.” Keeping the waters open for Indo-Pacific trade routes, which bolster global economic prosperity, also remains a top priority for the Navy. “A third of the world's trade flows through the South China Sea, 90% of the world's trade flows by the sea, tens of trillions of U.S. dollars flow through that body of water,” said Richardson. “It's extremely important that those lines of communication and sea lanes remain open, and that's why the United States Navy is there and that's why we're going to stay there.” Other scheduled keynote speakers and panelists include Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer, Undersecretary of the Navy Thomas Modly, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition James “Hondo” Geurts and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith. Founded in 1965 and the largest maritime exposition in the United States, SAS brings together the U.S. defense industrial base, private sector U.S. companies and key military decision makers for an annual event to share the most current policies, programs, information and technology relevant to maritime service. SAS takes place May 6-8 and will include speaker and professional development sessions and dynamic maritime and defense exhibits on the latest technology and military equipment. https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=109502

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  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - December 19, 2018

    December 20, 2018 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - December 19, 2018

    NAVY Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $114,065,820 cost-plus-fixed fee, firm-fixed-price, cost only contract for air and missile defense radar AN/SPY-6(V) integration and production support efforts. The work to be performed is the integration and production support for continued combat system integration and test, engineering, training, software and depot maintenance, and field engineering services, as well as the procurement of spare parts. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $357,827,708. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts (64 percent); Kauai, Hawaii (18 percent); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (8 percent); San Diego, California (7 percent); Fair Lakes, Virginia (2 percent); and Moorestown, New Jersey (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $46,221,947 will be obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $6,887,511 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. This contract was procured under the statutory authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-5501). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $90,428,967 for modification P00002 to a previously awarded cost-reimbursable contract (N00019-18-C-1012). This modification provides for the performance of studies and analysis related to the MQ-25 unmanned air vehicle engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the program. The work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in August 2024. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,000,000 will be obligated at time of award; none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland is the contracting activity. Deloitte Consulting LLP, Arlington, Virginia, is awarded an estimated value $23,041,113 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a Training Virtual Environment (TVE) that will host the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) training curriculum and deliver curriculum packages for CANES baselines. Orders issued under the contract will produce a training environment capable of being accessed from Navy electronic classrooms and provide multiple instances of cloud-based training for CANES system administrator training that will be established. The TVE will include a virtualized computing environment that fully replicates the functionality of CANES to provide realistic and testable training and scenarios. The TVE will provide a centrally located and integrated learning management system that allows for rapid curriculum updates and configuration changes. The TVE will facilitate training as well as record keeping (e.g., synchronization with current approved fleet training tracking databases) to document and track progress and training completion. Additionally, the scope of this procurement will include conducting front-end analysis; job, duty, task analysis; curriculum delivery; and training delivery, as well as conduct train-the-trainer and course events. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by December 2023. Fiscal 2017 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,800,000 will be obligated with the first task order at the time of award. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with seven bids received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N00039-19-D-0007) . CSRA LLC, a General Dynamics Information Technology company, Stafford, Virginia, is awarded a $78,804,642 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract (N00039-17-D-0002) for Information Technology (IT) services to support the Navy's outside the U. S. (OCONUS) Naval Enterprise Network (ONE-Net). The ONE-Net contract is used to continue IT services during the transition from the ONE-Net contract to the proposed Next Generation Enterprise Network Re-compete family of contracts in support of the Naval Enterprise Networks program office. ONE-Net provides OCONUS Navy commands and claimants core IT services such as: Non-Classified Internet Protocol Router Network and Secret Internet Protocol Router Network access, network connectivity and security, mobile access and desktop support. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $159,641,872. Work will be performed in Navy and Marine Corp locations in Bahrain, Greece, Guam, Italy, Japan, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Singapore, Spain and United Arab Emirates, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 18, 2020. If all options are exercised, work could continue until May 2020. Contract funds in the amount of $19,920,766 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. No funds will be placed on contract or obligated at the time of award. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Orbital Sciences Corp., Chandler, Arizona, is awarded a $46,471,808 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable contract (N00019-18-C-1047) that exercises an option to procure 15 full-rate production Lot 13 GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea skimming target base vehicles, 14 for the Navy and one for the Army. The Army procured target vehicle will be used to test and evaluate the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, Limited User Test target system. Work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona (50 percent); Camden, Arkansas (37 percent); Vergennes, Vermont (6 percent); Lancaster, Pennsylvania (5 percent); Hollister, California (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2022. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $46,471,808 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($43,378,169; 93 percent); and the. Army ($3,093,639; 7 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is awarded $40,313,300 for a firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the repair of the Multi-Spectral Targeting system in support of the H-60 aircraft. The contract will include a two-year base period and a one-year option period which if exercised, the total value of the contract will be $58,777,194. All work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida. Work is expected to be completed by July 2020; if all options are exercised, work will be completed by July 2021. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $11,268,133 will be issued as a delivery order (N00383-19-F-U200) that will be awarded concurrently with the contract. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement and one offer was received in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. (N00383-19-D-U201) BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, New York, is awarded $18,623,000 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001919F0033 against a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N00019-17-D-0007). This delivery order provides for the procurement of eight Mode 5 upgrade kits for the government of Canada; and 265 receiver transmitter upgrade kits (179 for the Navy, 43 for the government of Switzerland and 43 for the government of Kuwait) in support of the F/A-18 series aircraft. Work will be performed in Greenlawn, New York (85 percent); and Austin, Texas (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2021. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS)funds in the amount of $18,623,000 will be obligated at time of award, $918,176 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This award combines purchases for the Navy ($11,739,536; 63 percent); the government of Switzerland ($2,820,112; 15 percent); the government of Kuwait ($2,820,112; 15 percent); and the government of Canada ($1,243,240; 7 percent) under the FMS program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded $13,999,253 for modification P00086 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-13-C-0004) that exercises an option for the installation of one E-6B Block I/Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase 3/Block IA Very Low Frequency Transmit Terminal/Nuclear Planning and Execution System kit. Additionally, this modification provides field support engineering, differences training for one aircraft, software licenses, technology refresh activities, isolation software lab support, and program management oversight in support of E-6B Block I full-rate production contract. Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas (58 percent); and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (42 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2020. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement; and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,999,253 will be obligated at time of award, $300,000 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, California, is awarded $12,845,212 for cost-plus-fixed-fee modification P00004 under a previously awarded contract (N00030-18-C-0100) to exercise an option for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed system support. The work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California (85.19 percent); Titusville, Florida (9.12 percent); Denver, Colorado (5.69 percent), and work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $12,845,212 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Boston Ship Repair LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, is awarded a $10,960,315 firm-fixed-price contract for a 60-calendar day shipyard availability for the Regular Overhaul Dry Docking (ROH / DD) of USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195). Work will include general services; laundry room deck steel replacement; jacket water pump room steel replacement; ship service diesel generator 60K overhaul; port main engine 24K service; 06 level fan room port side steel replacement, and underwater hull and freeboard preservation. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $11,995,109. Work will be performed in Boston, Massachusetts, and is expected to begin on March 4, 2019, and is expected to be completed by May 2, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,960,315 are obligated at the time of award. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured having proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C4011). Marshall Communications Corp. ,* Ashburn, Virginia, is awarded $9,671,972 for firm-fixed-price order N0042119F0244 against a previously issued NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement contract (NNG15SD82B). This order provides for the customization and configuration of the Teamcenter Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system. The Teamcenter PLM system will be a common system used to manage maintenance and repair data across Fleet Readiness Centers. This order also provides for the migration of existing maintenance and repair data that resides within separate standalone systems into the Teamcenter PLM system. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (70 percent); Cherry Point, North Carolina (10 percent); Jacksonville, Florida (10 percent); North Island, California (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,671,972 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Cubic Defense Applications Inc., San Diego, California, is awarded a $7,582,658 firm-fixed-price contract for non-recurring engineering efforts to include specification and requirements, definition and development, qualification testing, the procurement of three full motion video test articles, verification and validation activities, test support and refurbishment of test articles in support of the H-60 Multi-Mission aircraft. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (90 percent); Norcross, Georgia (4 percent); Poway, California (3 percent); Centennial, Colorado (2 percent); and Greenville, Tennessee (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,582,658 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; two offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0025). AIR FORCE Pivotal Software Inc., San Francisco, California, has been awarded a $100,116,589 fixed-base, production-other-transaction agreement for support of the Kessel Run Experimentation Lab and will utilize the prototyped methodology and the software and services that support them across the entire Air Force enterprise architectures. Work will be performed in Boston, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Washington, District of Columbia, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 18, 2019. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,620,123; and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $764,500 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract is a follow-on to the successful prototype contract between Pivotal Software Inc. and the Army Contracting Command-New Jersey. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-19-9-0002). Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $99,254,206 undefinitized contract to procure equipment and tooling needed to increase Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile/Long Range Anti-Ship Missile production to a maximum rate where installation is required during the construction phase of the new facility. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2022. This award is the result of sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8682-19-C-0008). Switching Power Inc., Ronkonkoma, New York, has been awarded a ceiling $57,981,395 firm‐fixed‐price, single‐award, five‐year, indefinite‐delivery/indefinite‐quantity contract for Sub‐array Power Supply Energy Savings (SAPS-ES) with an option to extend the ordering period one year. This contract provides for the production of SAPS-ES units and line replacement units spares to complete a full fleet replacement of legacy units for the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System and Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased Array Warning System radars. Work will be performed in Ronkonkoma, New York, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $8,978,511 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the contracting activity (FA8723‐19‐D‐0002). Raytheon Co., Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, has been awarded a $33,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification (P00008) to contract FA8730-17-D-0006 for the delivery of Identify Friend or Foe transponders and ancillary equipment. work will be performed in Largo, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 7, 2022. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $111,000,000. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Aerospace Management Systems, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Mississippi, has been awarded an estimated $35,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification (P00015) to contract FA8106-17-D-0001 for contractor logistic support of the Air Force C-12 fleet. Work will be performed in Madison, Mississippi; San Angelo, Texas; Okmulgee, Oklahoma; Buenos Ares, Argentina; Gaborone, Botswana; Brasilia, Brazil; Bogota, Columbia; Cairo, Egypt; Accra, Ghana; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Budapest, Hungary; Joint Base Andrews, Maryland; Nairobi, Kenya, Rabat, Morocco; Manila, Philippines; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Bangkok, Thailand; Ankara, Turkey; Edwards Air Force Base, California; Holloman AFB, New Mexico; Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; and Yokota Air Base, Japan. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2019. The estimated cumulative face value of the contract is $70,000,000. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. Applied Research Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been awarded a $33,556,686 cost-plus-fixed-fee/firm-fixed-price contract for Technology Enabler Raptor Environment for Cloud Compute Services. This contract provides for development of cloud-based software development environment(s) within the Amazon Web Services Secret Cloud Compute Service region. Work will be performed in Raleigh, North Carolina; and Fulton, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by November 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition for a task order placed against the General Service Administration. Fiscal 2018 research, development, text and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,609,682 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8611-19-F-0002). Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Hawthorne, California, has been awarded a $28,713,994 competitive, firm-fixed-price, other transaction agreement for experimentation per the advanced research announcement, FA8650-17-S-9300. This agreement allows for experimentation in the areas of establishing connectivity, operational experimentation, and special purpose experimentation. Experimentation will include connectivity demonstrations to Air Force ground sites and aircraft for experimental purposes. For the proposed Phase 2, the awardee proposes to perform experiments in two other key areas: early versions of a commercial space-to-space data relay service and mobile connectivity directly from space to aircraft. Work will be performed in Hawthorne, California, and is expected to be completed by June 18, 2021. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $19,167,989 will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-9-9320). (Awarded Dec. 19, 2018) Sierra Nevada Corp., Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded a $23,917,275 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for the Tactical Systems Emulator (TSE) development and sustainment via sole-source direct award. This contract provides for continued development of the TSE for tactical systems operator airborne signals intelligence terminal guidance training, funds new development for direct support operator training, upgrades delivered TSE classrooms, adds a mobile TSE capability, and provides sustainment to delivered systems and software for the duration of the contract period. Work will be performed in Centennial, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,826,050 are being obligated at the time of award. Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA7037-19-D- A001). Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $16,666,821 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Precision Real-Time Engagement Combat Identification Sensor Exploitation (PRECISE) program. The program will primarily develop technologies that continue to advance combat ID for warfighters. PRECISE will leverage current efforts supporting the Air-to-Air Hydravision program, and is principally focused on radar-based identification of air and ground targets for airborne platforms, both tactical and reconnaissance. The effort may investigate other sensors to include electro-optical, infrared, and multi-and hyperspectral. Improvements in these areas may include technical assessments; prototype hardware and software modifications and development; systems engineering development; performance simulations; system integration; laboratory demonstrations; flight demonstrations, and participation in large demonstrations/exercises. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed March 27, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $100,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-C-1673). CORRECTION: The contract announced on Dec. 14, 2018, to Peraton Inc., Herndon, Virginia (FA8750-19-F-0003) for Xdomain technology through research, evolution, enhancement, maintenance, and support software and report, was actually awarded today, Dec. 19, 2018. The expected completion date is now Dec. 18, 2023. All other information in the announcement is correct. ARMY Phoenix Logistics Inc.,* Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $95,700,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement and deployment of commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software, furniture, fixtures and equipment. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 18, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-19-D-0002). Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Fullerton, California, was awarded a $23,224,795 firm-fixed-price contract for signal data processor kits. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Fullerton, California, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $23,224,795 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-19-C-0021). Affigent LLC, Herndon, Virginia, was awarded an $18,233,752 modification (BA04 08) to contract W91QUZ-09-A-0001 for software maintenance. Work will be performed in Herndon, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of May 24, 2020. Fiscal 2019 Army working capital; research, development, test and evaluation; operations and maintenance Army; and other funds in the combined amount of $18,233,752 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. ACC Construction Co. Inc., Augusta, Georgia, was awarded a $16,474,525 firm-fixed-price contract for special operations forces human performance training center. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with an estimated completion date of June 22, 2020. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $16,474,525 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W912PM-19-C-0007). Sig Sauer Inc., Newington, New Hampshire, was awarded a $13,400,000 firm-fixed-price contract for various Sig Sauer firearm systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Newington, New Hampshire, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 1, 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $13,400,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-19-D-0011). Michael Baker International Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $12,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architectural and master planning services, and architect-engineering and general engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 18, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (W912BU-19-D-0005). Critical Solutions International Inc., Charleston, South Carolina, was awarded a $10,446,373 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for technical support services to support the Product Manager Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Systems and the Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector Husky M1231. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 18, 2021. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-D-0037). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Excel Manufacturing Ltd.,** El Paso, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $72,169,200 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Army Combat Uniform trousers. This was a competitive acquisition with 14 responses received. This is a one-year contract with four one-year option periods. The maximum dollar amount is for the life of the contract, including options. Locations of performance are Texas and Puerto Rico, with a June 18, 2024, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-1120). Gexa Energy LP, Houston, Texas, has been awarded a $30,463,435 firm-fixed-price, requirements contract to supply and deliver retail electricity and ancillary/incidental services. This was a competitive acquisition with 11 offers received. This is a 24-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Texas, with a Jan. 31, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Air Force, Navy, Army Air Force Exchange Service , and NASA. Using customers are solely responsible to fund this requirements contract and vary in appropriation type and fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE604-19-D-8010). Reliant Energy Retail Services LLC, Houston, Texas, has been awarded a $13,351,029 firm-fixed-price, requirements contract to supply and deliver retail electricity and ancillary/incidental services. This was a competitive acquisition with 11 offers received. This is a 24-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Texas, with a Jan. 31, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Air Force and Texas Air National Guard. Using customers are solely responsible to fund this requirements contract and vary in appropriation type and fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE604-19-D-8009). Chevron Product Co., Houston, Texas, has been awarded an $8,038,407 indefinite-delivery, requirements contract for lubricants. This was a competitive acquisition with 12 responses received. This is a two-year contract with a 30-day carry-over period. Locations of performance are Texas, Oregon, and South Carolina, with an April 30, 2021, performance completion date. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE602-19-D-0751). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a maximum $48,050,000 single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract (H92241-19-D-0002) for the production of Mission Enhanced Little Bird (MELB) kits to upgrade the A/MH-6 in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $4,633,100 will be obligated at the time of award as a firm-fixed-price contract. Individual task orders will be funded with procurement appropriations under the appropriate fiscal year and are not multiyear. A majority of the work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by December 2026. This contract is a non-competitive award and is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302.1. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE Ernst & Young LLP, Washington, District of Columbia, is being awarded a labor-hour contract option with a maximum value of $32,961,728 for audit services of the Department of the Air Force General Fund and Working Capital Fund Financial Statements and Examination. Work will be performed in Washington, District of Columbia, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2019. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition for which one quote was received. The contract had a 16-month base period plus three individual one-year option periods, with a maximum value of $135,006,112. This award brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $68,367,603. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Air Force funds in the amount of $32,961,728 are being obligated at the time of this option award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-16-F-0114). *Small business ** Small disadvantaged, woman-owned business in historically underutilized business zone https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1718270/source/GovDelivery/

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