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July 2, 2024 | International, Naval

Three NATO allies activate Black Sea task force

Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria have activated a naval task force dedicated to countering mine warfare in the Black Sea.

https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2024/07/02/three-nato-allies-activate-black-sea-task-force/

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  • Boeing Australia confirms Loyal Wingman production centre

    October 6, 2020 | International, Aerospace, C4ISR

    Boeing Australia confirms Loyal Wingman production centre

    Jon Grevatt Boeing Australia has announced that Queensland, Australia, will be the manufacturing hub for the Loyal Wingman unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) it is developing in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The company said in a joint statement with the Queensland government that the two parties have entered a partnership that will leverage Boeing's 1,700 staff in the state and its partnerships with 400 Queensland-based suppliers. Since 2018 Boeing has also undertaken a joint project with the Queensland state government to develop autonomous technologies that are supporting the Loyal Wingman programme. Boeing's regional president Brendan Nelson said the partnership will help support the development of capabilities in technologies, such as robotics, as well as facilitate investment in local companies and create export opportunities. “This investment could unlock global defence and aerospace opportunities for Queensland to gain future work share in other Boeing programmes,” he said. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said investment in the new aerospace facility could see the Loyal Wingman produced in the state by the middle of the decade, with prototype testing and certification taking place before that. She added, “Our investment in this advanced manufacturing project will provide critical skills for suppliers, academia, and Boeing, and culminate in Queensland becoming the primary final assembly facility for the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS), conditional on orders.” Boeing rolled out the first Loyal Wingman prototype in early May and its first flight is scheduled before the end of 2020. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/boeing-australia-confirms-loyal-wingman-production-centre

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - June 29, 2020

    June 30, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - June 29, 2020

    NAVY Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $936,032,309 fixed-price-incentive-firm-target modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-2307 to exercise the fiscal 2020 option for the construction of a USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 class ship (DDG 135). This modification also includes options for engineering change proposals, design budgeting requirements and post-delivery availabilities on the fiscal 2020 option ship. If exercised, the cumulative value of the fiscal 2020 option ship will increase to $947,695,871. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (91%); Erie, Pennsylvania (1%); and other locations below 1% (collectively totaling 8%), and is expected to be completed by June 2027. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $926,032,309 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $360,800,000 not-to-exceed undefinitized contract modification (P00038) to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract N00019-17-C-0001. This modification provides for the procurement of four F-35C Carrier Variant Lot 14 aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (63%); El Segundo, California (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Orlando, Florida (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); Baltimore, Maryland (3%); San Diego, California (2%); various locations within the continental U.S. (1.3%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (0.7%). Work is expected to be completed by May 2023. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds for $170,000,000 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. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $67,690,000 not-to-exceed modification (P00004) to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target advance acquisition contract N00019-20-C-0009. This modification procures 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 semiconductors and two F-35B Lightning II aircraft for the government of Italy. Work will be performed in Cameri, Italy (24%); Fort Worth, Texas (22%); El Segundo, California (11%); Warton, United Kingdom (7%); Baltimore, Maryland (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); San Diego, California (2%); various locations within the continental U.S. (21%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (6%). Work is expected to be completed by May 2025. Non-Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $67,690,000 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. Applied Systems Engineering, Niceville, Florida, is awarded a $48,640,357 indefinite- delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price delivery orders contract with a five-year ordering period to provide Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Advanced Tactical Navigator (ATACNAV) units, SAASM ATACNAV-High Accuracy (HA) units, SAASM ATACNAV-HA-Single Enclosure. ATACNAV mini purchases, ATACNAV units, reconfigurable avionics test sets and global positioning system military code receivers. In addition to procurement of ATACNAV units, system upgrades and repairs from Applied Systems Engineering will be required throughout the life of the contract. The program is in support of the Weapons Control and Integration Department (H) of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division and Battle Management Systems Program. This contract does not include options. Work will be performed in Niceville, Florida, and is expected to be completed by June 2025. Fiscal 2018 procurement defense agencies funding in the amount of $692,493 will be obligated on the first delivery order at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was procured sole-source in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304c1, with one responsible source. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00178-20-D-4400). IAP World Services Inc., Cape Canaveral, Florida, is awarded a $13,586,127 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the exercise of an option for base operating support services at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $119,645,912. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland. The work to be performed provides for recurring and non-recurring facility maintenance; facility investment; integrated solid waste management; swimming pool; wastewater; water; and environmental management. Work is expected to be completed by December 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $13,586,127 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This award is issued under Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 6.302-2, “Unusually and Compelling Urgency.” The purpose of this modification is to ensure critical services continue as the agency responds to a post-award protest on the re-procurement of this contract. A total funding amount of $8,808,011 will be obligated at the time of award. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-14-D-0302). Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $11,610,581 firm-fixed-price order (N00019-20-F-0022) against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0008. This order procures intel diminishing manufacturing sources parts that have reached end of life in support of the F-35 Lightning II Program future aircraft deliveries for the Air Force, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $2,356,880; fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,056,717; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $1,619,315; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $631,782; non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $3,982,886; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $963,001, will be obligated at time of award, $4,413,597 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., Herndon, Virginia, is awarded a $9,528,561 modification (P00028) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00019-17-C-0009. This modification provides for the installation of the multi-role tactical common data link into two E-6B Mercury aircraft. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (56%); and Lake Charles, Louisiana (44%), and is expected to be completed by October 2021. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds for $9,528,561 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. AREPII SA Hotel LLC, doing business as Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia, is awarded an $8,139,274 firm-fixed-price, three-month contract for lodging, meal and laundry services. This contract includes one three-month option period which, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $15,970,741. Work will be performed in Atlanta, Georgia. Work is expected to be completed October 2020. If all options are exercised, work will continue through January 2021. Fiscal 2020 military personnel (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $8,139,274 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.SAM.gov website and 23 proposals were received. The Regional Contracting Office, Parris Island, South Carolina, is the contracting activity for (M00263-20-C-0001). ARMY Sharp Minds LLC,* Alexandria, Virginia, was awarded a $473,021,064 hybrid (firm-fixed-price and time-and-materials) contract to provide Letterkenny Army Depot with labor support. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2026. Fiscal 2020 Army working capital funds in the amount of $26,577,042 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W911N2-20-F-0494). Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $25,408,756 modification (P00353) to contract W31P4Q-04-C-0046 for support services for the Javelin weapon system. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2025. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales (United Kingdom) funds in the amount of $25,408,756 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Taunton, Massachusetts, was awarded a $19,298,469 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to procure engineering and testing contractor support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Taunton, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2020 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $19,298,469 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W15P7T-20-F-0159). Welch Construction Inc.,* Marcellus, New York, was awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for repair and construction of real property facilities at Watervliet Arsenal, New York. 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 21, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-20-D-0005). Skookum Educational Programs, Bremerton, Washington, was awarded a $9,971,669 firm-fixed-price contract for inspection, testing and maintenance work; demand maintenance order work; and preventative maintenance order work and sustainment, restoration and modernization services in support of Fort Riley. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed at Fort Riley, Kansas, with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W912DY-20-C-0026). Techwerks LLC,* Arlington Heights, Illinois, was awarded an $8,685,042 modification (P00024) to contract W911QY-17-C-0101 for labor, other direct costs and travel in support of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Work will be performed in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of July 1, 2021. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $178,340 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Ross Island Sand & Gravel Co., Portland, Oregon, was awarded an $8,362,290 firm-fixed-price contract for annual maintenance dredging of the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Stockton, California, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 civil operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,362,290 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco, California, is the contracting activity (W912P7-20-C-0009). AIR FORCE Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Atlanta, Georgia, has been awarded a $22,562,480 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00008) to contract FA8523-18-C-0002 for reactivation of the Band 8 transmitter associated with the AN/ALQ-161A defensive avionics system supporting the B-1B aircraft. The contract modification is for the delivery of a Band 8 reactivation fleet-wide implementation plan. Work will be performed in Atlanta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed June 29, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The Electronic Warfare Contracting Branch, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. Spartan Air Academy Iraq LLC, Irving, Texas, has been awarded a $14,769,952 firm-fixed-price modification (P00006) to contract FA8617-20-C-6232 for the Iraq T-6A contractor logistics support and training maintenance program. The modification provides for the exercise of an option to extend the term of the contract for the continued services needed in order to effectively maintain and operate a fleet of 15 T-6A training aircraft. Work will be performed at Balad Air Base, Iraq, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2020. This modification involves 100% Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Iraq. FMS funds in the full amount will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been awarded a $7,038,279 firmed-fixed-price contract with some cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursable contract line item numbers for follow-on support sustainment of the Republic of Korea Peace Krypton Program. This contract provides for support of the field service representatives, program management, core/field engineering, System Depot Support Facility sustainment, technical manuals sustainment and obsolescence management. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Seoul, Republic of Korea, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2020. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Republic of Korea and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FMS funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright‐Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (FA8620‐20-C-3099). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Jamaica Bearings,* New Hyde Park, New York, has been awarded a maximum $18,230,335 firm-fixed-price contract for wire ring race kits. This is an 18-month contract with a one-year option period. This was a competitive acquisition with one offer received. Locations of performance are South Carolina and New York, with a Dec. 17, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-20-C-0034). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND CORRECTION: The contract announced on June 26, 2020, to Arcticom LLC, Anchorage, Alaska (H92240-20-C-0004), for $18,772,155, was announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is June 29, 2020. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2241727/source/GovDelivery/

  • NIWC Atlantic is Named First DoD Entity to Join Amazon Web Services Academy

    July 24, 2019 | International, Naval

    NIWC Atlantic is Named First DoD Entity to Join Amazon Web Services Academy

    By Diane Owens, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Public Affairs CHARLESTON, S.C. (NNS) -- Certified cybersecurity instructors at Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic's Cyber Education and Certification Readiness Facility (CERF) in Charleston are collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to train active duty military members and civilian employees in cloud computing. The training is part of the first Department of Defense (DoD) AWS academy and is offered to all branches of service. AWS Academy is a pathway for students and educators to gain AWS cloud computing skills and knowledge via AWS-authorized curriculum; the courses prepare students to pursue industry-recognized AWS certifications. “This is a tremendous honor and an incredible opportunity to lead the way in cloud computing education for DoD employees,” said Andrew Mansfield, NIWC Atlantic technical director. “Cloud computing is a key component of the next generation of IT and is critical to maintaining the military's technological advantage. It represents significant change – end-to-end.” CERF instructors met stringent requirements for certification as part of NIWC Atlantic's commitment to develop and retain a credentialed workforce. “The CERF team is providing active duty military members and civilian employees foundational opportunities to learn about and stay abreast of emerging technology domains such as cloud,” said Mansfield. Wesley Jones, NIWC Atlantic CERF instructor, taught the first one-week, face-to-face portion of the AWS Academy Cloud Foundations course to Marine Corps active duty members and civilian employees at the Pentagon June 10 – 14. The instructors used AWS-provided coursework including lectures, self-assessments and hands-on lab projects. In addition to classroom training, AWS Academy provides students with one-year online access to remote curriculum that supplements classroom training. Jones also distributed a step-by-step checklist he developed for self-study to help students pass the related AWS certification exam. He plans to track and encourage class members as they obtain certification. “The students loved the class; everyone was amped up,” Jones said. “Because I'm a government employee, it put them at ease. We were able to discuss and apply classroom concepts used in government projects during class.” The CERF has also partnered with AWS Educate, which makes a free online IT sandbox – Amazon Console – available to students for classroom labs and scenarios they create on their own. The students' sandbox and fresh expertise deploy and test networks, systems and applications relevant to their customers' requirements. “Bringing the instructor to the classroom to avoid having students travel to vendor training is convenient – and it's a huge cost avoidance,” said Jeff Hays, NIWC Atlantic Marine Corp team lead. “Classroom networking is also extremely beneficial; it allows students to discuss specific challenges from the perspective of a DoD environment and facilitates sharing experiences. You don't get that at vendor training.” NIWC Atlantic instructors Jones, Kamau Buffalo and Fred Bisel are working diligently to pass additional certification exams so they can teach more AWS courses as they are released. “The instructors are stars,” said Bisel. “They teach part-time and have other jobs as members of various integrated products teams – many involving cloud computing. Most of their certification study and classroom preparation occurs after business hours -- and they're also staying abreast of innovations that affect material in existing classes. It's a continuous learning process and they're highly motivated.” The second AWS Academy course for Marine Corps members took place at the Marine Corps Information Technology Center in Kansas City, Missouri, in July. To inquire about DoD cloud computing training, contact Bisel at earl.bisel@navy.mil. As a part of Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, NIWC Atlantic provides systems engineering and acquisition to deliver information warfare capabilities to the naval, joint and national warfighter through the acquisition, development, integration, production, test, deployment, and sustainment of interoperable command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, cyber and information technology capabilities. Get more information about the Navy from US Navy Facebook or Twitter. For more news from Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/spawar/. https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=110327

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