Marines cyber forces to grow

On the same subject

• 

  July 23, 2018 | International, C4ISR

  With cyber forces underequipped, DoD turns to rapid prototyping contracting

  By: Mark Pomerleau U.S. Cyber Command's main warrior cadre has been deemed ready for war and now the organization is shifting its focus to readiness and operations. Sources have told Fifth Domain that DoD's cyber warriors lack certain skills, capabilities and even equipment. One source went so far as to say that the list of what these forces can do is short. As a result, the military wants to quickly get these new cyber warriors the tools they need. To do this, they are turning to contracting vehicles such as other transaction authorities and the so-called IT Box construct as a way to skirt the traditional acquisition system, which is often derided as lethargic, bureaucratic and not optimized for the high tempo of the software-centric world. These approaches allow for the government to partner with non-traditional companies for less mature technologies and prototypes meaning solutions, albeit some that are not always 100 percent mature, get to warfighters faster. This approach allows DoD to be more agile and flexible in procuring and equipping, multiple industry sources told Fifth Domain. However, one potential downside to this approach is a lack of competition for this work. What do cyber warriors need? As the command is growing, maturing and standing on its own, it needs training modules, infrastructure to conduct operations on and tools. Leaders say one of the most critical needs of cyber warriors is a training platform. And industry officials add that often the first time cyber warriors face certain techniques is during a mission. This is because of a lack of a holistic and robust training environment, similar to the Army's combat training centers or the Air Force's Red Flag. To change that the Army, on behalf of Cyber Command, is in charge of an effort called the Persistent Cyber Training Environment. The Army, using an OTA approach, is running a series of innovation challenges as a way to prototype capability. This approach would provide an interim solution to cyber warriors while at the same time reduce risk and help the larger program of record. Another capability cyber warriors will need is an operational platform from which to house tools, launch operations and perform command and control. Currently, the Air Force is working this program on behalf of Cyber Command. The Unified Platform, as it's called, is considered one of CYBERCOM's largest and most critical acquisition programs to date. Industry officials have said it is necessary to conduct cyber operations and is critical to national security. The Air Force's acquisition strategy is not totally clear, with some industry sources noting that they are not taking an OTA approach to this critical capability. The service is currently using the General Services Administration's premier enterprise Alliant Government wide Acquisition Contract vehicle in which multiple contractors will be awarded and will compete against each other for individual task orders on the final program. Federal agencies traditionally use Alliant to implement new and innovative technologies. (Potential) Drawbacks Despite being an attractive option to rapidly equip forces, these vehicles come with some risk. Industry officials acknowledge that OTAs were meant for prototyping, research and development and risk reduction for larger programs of record, not as a replacement for procuring large programs and platforms. While Congress has extended the use of OTAs for actual development of production, William LaPlante, senior vice president and general manager for MITRE National Security Sector, calls this “a dodgy area.” LaPlante, who served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition,, told Fifth Domain that the OTAs can limit competition. Since these rapid prototyping vehicles enable DoD to work with non-traditional companies that don't have to bring forth fully developed solutions, they tend to favor smaller tech companies as opposed to larger defense contractors. LaPlante said if one subscribes to the philosophy that the best product comes from a full competition, the competition part of these contracting mechanisms is not very clear. Second, he said, going faster means the upfront homework in the way of budgeting, market research and strategy may be neglected. While this work might take a bit of time, if it's not done, he said, the risk of making mistakes increases. Going forward, LaPlante noted that it will be important how blowback and failure is handled because “there's no question mistakes will be made." There is also the issue of integration. With a series of disparate systems, it is unclear who will be the integrator: government or industry? “It's a perpetual discussion of the last 20-30 years: is the government itself strong enough to assume the role of integrator? Probably not. You need some industry partner,” he said. https://www.fifthdomain.com/dod/2018/07/20/with-cyber-forces-underequipped-dod-turns-to-rapid-prototyping-contracting/

• 

  July 6, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 01, 2020

  AIR FORCE The Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute (CMU-SEI), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a $2,697,568,646 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification (P00015) to contract FA8702-15-D-0002 for the operation of the CMU-SEI Federally Funded Research and Development Center. This option extends the contract order period by five years and provides for advanced technology research and development activities that focus on computer software technology development and cyber security. Work will be performed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2025. This option brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $3,429,556,278, and no funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. Accenture Federal Services LLC, Arlington, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0029); Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Boulder, Colorado (FA8612-20-D-0030); Black River Systems, Utica, New York (FA8612-20-D-0031); CAE USA Mission Solutions Inc., Tampa, Florida (FA8612-20-D-0032); CUBIC (GATR Technologies Inc.), Huntsville, Alabama (FA8612-20-D-0033); Global Air Logistics and Training Inc., Del Mar, California (FA8612-20-D-0034); Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0035); Mercury Defense Systems Inc., Cypress, California (FA8612-20-D-0036); Metron Inc., Reston, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0037); Octo Consulting Group Inc., Reston, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0038); Omni Fed LLC, Gainesville, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0039); Rincon Research Corp., Tucson, Arizona (FA8612-20-D-0041); Rise8 Inc., Tampa, Florida (FA8612-20-D-0042); Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0043); Strategic Mission Elements Inc., Chantilly, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0045); Wind River Systems Inc., Alameda, California (FA8612-20-D-0046); Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0047); and NetScoutsystems Inc., Westford, Massachusetts (FA8612-20-D-0048), have been awarded $950,000,000 ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts to compete for future efforts associated with the maturation, demonstration and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control. These contracts provide for the development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber and electromagnetic spectrum) in an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities via multiple integrated platforms. The locations of performance are to be determined at the contract direct order level and are expected to be completed May 28, 2025. These awards are the result of fair and open competition. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds will fully fund initial delivery orders. Air Force Life Cycle Management, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Missiles Systems, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $495,058,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) program support and annual sustainment. The contractor will provide non-warranty repairs, program support, contractor logistics support and service life prediction program analysis supporting the AMRAAM weapon system. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2026. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. No funds are being obligated on the action at the time of award. Concurrently, the first task order will be awarded with $989,450 in fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8675-20-D-0020). Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $27,054,192 firm-fixed-price modification (P00004) to contract FA8675-20-C-0033 for the advanced medium range air-to-air missile program obsolescence. This modification provides for a life of type procurement of known obsolete component in support of production and sustainment through the program of record and foreign military sales procurements. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2021. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Poland, Qatar, Romania and Spain. Air Force fiscal 2020 missile procurement funds in the amount of $8,810,304; Navy fiscal 2020 weapons procurement funds in the amount of $5,277,696; and FMS funds in the amount of $12,966,192 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. Aircraft Services Alliance LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded a $17,550,227 firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, no-fee-requirements contract for on-site depot support. This contract provides on-site depot support (OSDS) program for labor services to accomplish on-site depot level maintenance and modification work on all Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) C-130 weapons systems and sub-systems. OSDS supports multiple AFSOC customers to provide timely and high quality active weapon system maintenance worldwide. Work will be performed at Hurlburt Field, Florida, and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive small business set-aside with a basic solicitation and four offers were received. Fiscal 2020 through 2025 operations and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2020 through 2025 Air National Guard funds will finance this contract. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8509-20-D-0013). Motorola Solutions Inc., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, has been awarded a $9,887,739 firm-fixed-price contract to fulfill Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center's requirement for Land Mobile Radio (LMR) trunking system operations and maintenance of the Air Force Space Command zone core. Work will be performed at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado; Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado; Peterson AFB, Colorado; Schriever AFB, Colorado; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado; Edwards AFB, California; Los Angeles AFB, California; Patrick AFB, Florida; Vandenberg AFB, California; Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; Dyess AFB, Texas; Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; Minot AFB, North Dakota; Whiteman AFB, Missouri; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Eglin AFB, Florida; Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts; Robins AFB, Georgia; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; and Cannon AFB, New Mexico, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $4,819,160 are being obligated at the time of award. U.S. Space Force Headquarters, Peterson AFB, Colorado, is the contracting activity (FA2544-20-F-0002). Vision Building Energy Efficiency LLC, Austin, Texas, has been awarded a $9,700,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) recommissioning and energy optimization services (REOS). This contract provides for HVAC REOS to support base-level civil engineers. Work will be performed at Air Force facilities throughout the U.S. and is expected to be completed June 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The 772nd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8051-20-D0009). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Sierra Nevada Corp., Centennial, Colorado, was awarded a $700,000,000 fixed-price-award-fee, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, time-and-materials and cost-reimbursement-no-fee contract (H92408-20-C-0004) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the development and procurement of Radio Frequency Countermeasure (RFCM) systems. The systems will be integrated onto AC-130J Ghostrider and MC-130J Commando II aircraft operated by Air Force Special Operations Command to help protect aircrews from air- and land-based enemy radar and missile systems. The contract includes RFCM system engineering services, logistics support and spare parts. Funds in the amount of $87,929,352 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract is funded with research, development, test and evaluation appropriation for fiscal 2020; and procurement appropriation for fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020. The under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment determined requirements of Title 10, U.S. Code 2371b (d) were met and approved the use of the authority of Section 2371b as essential to meet critical national security objectives. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. ARMY DRS Advanced ISR LLC, Beavercreek, Ohio, was awarded a $250,000,000 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price) contract to replace aging Joint Tactical Terminals scheduled for end of life in fiscal 2025. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56KGY-20-F-0077). Geo Consultants Corp.,* Kevil, Kentucky, was awarded a $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for foundation pressure relief well engineering with geophysical surveying for the Great Lakes and Ohio River. 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 June 30, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington, West Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91237-20-D-0011). Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $14,434,397 modification (P00308) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 to retrofit mufflers, forward facing cameras, larger rear door transparent armor and muffler robustness into the baseline configuration of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle family of vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 other procurement (Army) funds; 2020 Army Office of the Chief of Army Reserve funds; and Navy procurement funds in the amount of $14,434,397 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. C2RL Inc.,* Alcoa, Tennessee, was awarded a $9,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering in support of the Tennessee Air and Army National Guard. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2025. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, Nashville, Tennessee, is the contracting activity (W50S98-20-D-0001). Translang Ltd.,* Waynesboro, Virginia, was awarded a $7,336,562 firm-fixed-price contract to provide training and support services to ensure the continued sustainment and development of United Arab Emirates National Defense College. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Waynesboro, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2022. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (United Arab Emirates) funds in the amount of $7,336,562 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-20-C-0009). NAVY Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $32,192,842 firm-fixed-price contract modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-5420 to complete engineering and manufacturing development software development, testing and support to complete the government operational test and evaluation of the Block II Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (93%); Koropi Attica, Greece (1%); Nashua, New Hampshire (1%); Andover, Massachusetts (1%); and Aranjuez, Spain (1%). The following locations are less than 1% each and make up the remaining 3%: Hengelo Ov, Netherlands; San Jose, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Eight Mile Plains Brisbane, Australia; Cambridge, Canada; Goleta, California; Mosheim, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Landenberg, Pennsylvania; Golden, Colorado; Glendale, California; Woodridge, Illinois; Petaluma, California; Newmarket, Canada; Warrington, Pennsylvania; Cincinnati, Ohio; Danvers, Massachusetts; Irvine, California; Westlake Village, California; Moorpark, California; and Gilbert, Arizona. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort to design, develop, test and procure ESSM missiles. The ESSM provides enhanced ship defense. Work is expected to be completed by August 2021. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and 2019 and 2020 Other Customer Funds, International funding in the amount of $26,065,965 will be obligated at the time of award. Funds in the amount of $560,210 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract modification was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4) – international agreement. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a $21,227,308 modification (P00021) to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract N00019-18-C-1021. This modification exercises an option to procure additional Lot 15 F135 propulsion systems long lead components, parts and materials in support of the Navy, the Marine Corps and the governments of the United Kingdom and Italy's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana (80%); and Bristol, United Kingdom (20%), and is expected to be completed by November 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,171,706; and non-Department of Defense participant funds in the amount $6,055,602 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. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is awarded an $8,269,563 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost order N00019-20-F-5008 against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-20-G-0005. This order provides for aircrew, flight test engineering, instrumentation, aircraft technicians and test management personnel to support E-2D Integrated Test Team Delta System/software configuration builds. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (91%); and Melbourne, Florida (9%), and is expected to be completed by June 2021. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,626,041 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. Systems and Technology Research, Woburn, Massachusetts, is awarded a $7,735,180 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to develop a binary structure inference system to extract software properties from binary code to support repository-based reverse engineering for assured micro-patching that minimizes lifecycle maintenance and sustainment costs. This four-year contract includes one two-year option period which, if exercised, will bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated $9,135,073. All work will be performed in Woburn, Massachusetts. The period of performance of the base award is from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2024. If all options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through June 2026. Funds in the amount of $1,150,000 will be obligated at the time of award. The type of obligated funds will be for research, development, test and evaluation (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency broad agency announcement solicitation published on the beta.SAM.gov website. Thirty-four proposals were received and 12 were selected for award. The Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-20-C-4019). CORRECTION: The June 29, 2020, announcement of a contract modification (P00004) to Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas (N00019-20-C-0009), for $67,690,000 included incorrect procurement information. This modification is for the procurement of long lead materials, parts, components and support necessary to maintain on-time production and delivery of nine Lot 16 F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the government of The Netherlands, as well as seven F-35A Lightning II and two F-35B Lightning II aircraft for the government of Italy. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2244841/source/GovDelivery/

• 

  October 13, 2021 | International, Aerospace, Land

  Army aviation chief: Programs may need to sacrifice perfect solutions

  As the Army looks to field future aviation programs, it should think more holistically about those efforts, the service's program executive officer for aviation said Tuesday.