News

A l'ombre des soubresauts politiques régionaux, Doha met en place sa holding de défense. https://www.intelligenceonline.fr/grands-contrats/2018/10/24/barzan-choisit-ses-partenaires-etrangers-avec-soin,108329268-art

"Je suis fière de lancer officiellement le programme de renouvellement de notre porte-avions", a déclaré mardi Florence Parly au Bourget, lors du salon Euronaval. La ministre des Armées Florence Parly a annoncé mardi le lancement du programme du futur porte-avions de la France, qui succédera au Charles-de-Gaulle, avec une phase d'études de 18 mois, lors du salon du secteur naval de défense Euronaval. Première étape : la phase d'étude. "Le Charles de Gaulle aura besoin d'un successeur (...) C'est pourquoi je suis fière, aujourd'hui, ici, au Bourget, lors de ce salon Euronaval, de lancer officiellement le programme de renouvellement de notre porte-avions", a déclaré Florence Parly. Le montant du projet sera de 40 millions d'euros, a précisé une source gouvernementale. "Cette étape numéro un, qui se lance aujourd'hui, c'est la phase d'étude", a-t-elle précisé. Il s'agit de déterminer "ce que nous voulons et comment nous le voulons pour notre futur porte-avions". La fin du Charles-de-Gaulle prévue autour de 2040. La France dispose d'un unique porte-avions, le Charles-de-Gaulle, qui a vocation à terminer sa vie active autour de 2040. Il subit depuis début 2017 à Toulon une vaste rénovation longue de 18 mois, qui doit lui donner une seconde vie pour les 20 prochaines années. Le Charles-de-Gaulle reprendra ensuite la mer et doit se rendre dans l'océan Indien en 2019. Établir l'architecture du futur porte-avions. La phase d'étude, qui s'achèvera en 2020, doit permettre ensuite d'établir l'architecture du futur porte-avions et de poser les bases de l'organisation industrielle nécessaire pour le b'tir dans les délais et les coûts, a souligné Florence Parly. Cette phase servira à examiner les menaces que le futur porte-avion devra affronter et les missions qu'il devra accomplir, mais aussi son dimensionnement et notamment sa capacité d'accueillir l'avion de combat du futur, le Scaf, lancé en coopération avec l'Allemagne en 2017. La période d'étude permettra aussi d'étudier le mode de propulsion, nucléaire ou classique, de ce porte-avion de nouvelle génération, et les nouvelles technologies qu'il sera capable d'accueillir, notamment les catapultes électromagnétiques, déjà utilisés par la marine américaine. http://www.europe1.fr/politique/florence-parly-lance-le-programme-de-futur-porte-avions-francais-successeur-du-charles-de-gaulle-3785138

By: David B. Larter PARIS – Lockheed Martin is planning to shift from its littoral combat ship's water-jet propulsion to a propulsion system that the U.S. Navy is more familiar with for its future frigate offering, Lockheed's vice president for small combatants and ship systems told reporters at the 2018 Euronaval show. As it works through the Navy's requirements for its FFG(X) program, Lockheed is hoping that a more traditional twin-screw design with independent drive trains will entice the service towards its offering. One of the major hang-ups with the design requirements for all the competitors has been requirement that the engineering spaces be separated by a certain number of meters so that if the ship takes damage in one area, the other space should be online to drive the ship. If the design can't meet the spacing requirement, an alternative propulsion unit has to be installed. For Lockheed, the decision was to try and meet the spacing requirement, which is making its FFG(X) offering a bigger ship than the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship. “We felt the more traditional approach to the suite, going with more of the ... port and starboard side, redundant type of propulsion trains, that familiarity would be well received by the Navy. Going to more of a common system sized for the FFG(X),” said Joe DePietro. “It does require the ship to be longer, given those separation requirements and how you plan to stagger your port and starboard configuration of the combining gear/reduction gear, running into a single shaft into a screw on either side. You have to have a certain amount of separation and they have to be fully independent.” As for the system itself, Lockheed is keeping its options open, but is looking hard and combined diesel and gas systems, or even combined diesel and diesel, give the speed requirements for FFG(X), which are well reduced from what they were for the speedy LCS. The fleet has been receptive but mixed on the idea of a straight diesel propulsion system. But the trade-off for gas turbines is less fuel efficiency, which impacts range, DePietro said. In February, the Navy announced that it had awarded design contracts to asked to Huntington Ingalls, Lockheed Martin, Austal USA, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri have all been asked to submit mature designs. Lockheed is playing a strong hand going into selection, however, because of its partnership with Fincantieri on the Freedom-variant LCS, which is built at Fincantieri's Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin. Lockheed will either win the award for its modified LCS or it will be a systems integrator for Fincantieri's FREMM, which is another leading competitor for the program. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/euronaval/2018/10/23/lockheed-planning-big-shift-away-from-lcs-propulsion-system-for-its-future-frigate-offering

Alexis Pfefferlé Que produire en Suisse ? Mercredi 17 octobre 2018, 0800, Lausanne. Troisième journée BtoB et troisième introduction du Président du Groupe romand pour le matériel de Défense et de Sécurité (GRPM). « On ne vient pas en Suisse pour produire des choses simples et pas chères, on vient produire en Suisse des biens complexes ou pour dépasser des challenges techniques » C'est direct mais le ton est donné. Pour détendre l'atmosphère, l'introduction est ponctuée par une petite plaisanterie bienvenue car, on le sait bien à Berne, le rire, c'est bon pour la santé. D'European Fighter Aircraft à Typhoon Troisième journée BtoB et dernier avion européen en lice pour le programme AIR2030, l'Eurofighter-Typhoon. Produit d'une coopération unique en Europe et dans le monde, l'Eurofighter –Typhoon est un biréacteur de 4ème génération + né du souhait, au début des années 80, de plusieurs pays de fabriquer en coopération un avion multi-rôles européen dans un contexte de guerre froide. Partenaire au début, la France quitte rapidement le programme en 1985 pour développer son propre chasseur, le Rafale, lequel a fait l'objet de la journée BtoB du 16 octobre dont le compte rendu est disponible ici. Les « Eurofighters » ont tour à tour pris différents noms, d'abord EFA (European Fighter Aircraft) puis Eurofighter, puis Eurofighter 2000 pour enfin prendre le nom d'Eurofighter Typhoon. L'exemple de la coopération européenne et industrielle La présentation du jour se veut ambitieuse. En effet, l'Eurofighter Typhoon est aujourd'hui produit par un consortium industriel composé de quatre entreprises principales rattachées au quatre pays piliers du programme, AIRBUS pour l'Allemagne, BAE SYSTEMS pour le Royaume-Uni, LEONARDO pour l'Italie et EUROJET pour l'Espagne. Les différents pays / industries se partagent la production selon les investissements de leur pays dans le programme. Nous avons donc 33 % pour l'Allemagne, 33 % pour le Royaume-Uni, 21 % pour l'Italie et 13 % pour l'Espagne. Les quatre sociétés vont se succéder sur scène en l'espace d'une petite heure. Nous démarrons avec une introduction par le représentant d'AIRBUS. La force du programme Eurofighter c'est l'expérience industrielle et la coopération maitrisée. Les chiffres sont impressionnants : 623 avions commandés dont près de 500 actuellement en utilisation dans 5 forces aériennes européennes, 9 pays utilisateurs au total, 100'000 places de travail et plus de 400 sociétés impliquées dans 180 lieux de production différents. Toutefois, comme pour le Rafale, l'Eurofighter Typhoon est un programme mature avec peu ou pas de place pour une compensation directe dans le cadre du programme lui-même. Cependant, le consortium a fait ses devoirs avant de venir en Suisse et les exemples de coopération possibles ne vont pas manquer. Les quatre piliers On enchaine donc avec LEONARDO. Le groupe italien a décidé de mettre l'accent sur son expérience en matière d'affaires compensatoires. En chiffres, LEONARDO c'est 40 ans d'expérience dans les affaires compensatoires dans près de 30 pays, 100 projets en cours dans 12 pays différents et près de EUR 3mia à compenser dans les 15 prochaines années. Pour LEONARDO, l'EUROFIGHTER en Suisse c'est prendre part à un grand projet européen et pouvoir s'offrir un accès privilégié au marché international au travers des entreprises qui composent le consortium. C'est au tour du représentant de BAE SYSTEMS d'intervenir. Il insiste sur la taille du groupe, 3ème mondial, plus de 80'000 employés dans 40 pays et 80 pays clients. Pour son représentant, le groupe peut ouvrir à la Suisse les portes de marchés très intéressants comme les Etats-Unis ou le Golfe. BAE SYSTEMS met en avant les domaines du groupe à forte croissance et dans lesquels la Suisse pourra jouer un rôle de premier plan : Le cyber, l'électronique, surtout dans le domaine civil/commercial avec AIRBUS, et l'espace. Avec « la nouvelle philosophie suisse en matière de satellites » (petits satellites utilisés en réseaux) ils viennent chercher chez nous la technologie du futur. Touché, l'assemblée est flattée. Nous passons sans transition à l'espagnole EUROJET. Pour son représentant, la force d'EUROJET c'est sa capacité à travailler en équipe. EUROJET travaille sur l'EUROFIGHTER, l'A400 ou encore l'hélicoptère tigre, ces projets ont apporté au groupe l'expérience de la coopération internationale et de la coordination. Intégrer la Suisse ne sera pas un problème nous dit-on. S'en suit une présentation technique du moteur de l'Eurofighter. Comme mes voisins, je ne comprends pas tout mais je crois comprendre que pour son créateur, c'est un excellent moteur. Après cet interlude technico-ibérique, c'est au tour du représentant d'AIRBUS de conclure. En premier lieu quelques chiffres sur le groupe : EUR 59mia de chiffre d'affaire en 2017, 12'000 sous-traitants qui se partagent EUR 50 mia de commandes et 129'442 employés. Précis, allemand, efficace. Il précise qu'AIRBUS a 7'265 avions en commande dont 1'019 commandés en 2017. Vous cherchez un partenaire solide et pérenne ? Vous l'avez trouvé. En second lieu, comme pour BAE SYSTEMS, le représentant d'AIRBUS confirme que les secteurs qui montent et dans lesquels ils cherchent des partenaires sont le cyber, l'espace, l'urban mobility ou encore les drones. Autant de secteurs qui, très justement, aiguisent depuis quelques années l'appétit de l'industrie suisse et des EPF. Enfin, et c'est le premier constructeur à le soulever, AIRBUS souligne que remplir CHF 6mia en offset c'est une t'che difficile. Les partenaires d'EUROFIGHTER ne veulent pas acheter pour acheter ou simplement faire leur marché. La présentation se conclut en ces termes : Le consortium souhaite une vraie collaboration bilatérale avec la Suisse (!). L'Europe n'aura de cesse de nous surprendre. https://blogs.letemps.ch/alexis-pfefferle/2018/10/22/air2030-a-la-rencontre-du-consortium-eurofighter-et-du-typhoon-3-5/

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, has been awarded an estimated $1,036,726,575 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for support of the following platforms: Ground Start Carts, C-130 Auxiliary Power Units (APU), B-2 APU, F-15 components, A-10 APU, E-3 APU, B-1 APU and F-16 turbine power units. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a three-year, six-month base contract with one three-year option, and one three-year and six-month option period. Using military service is Air Force. Location of performance is Utah, with a July 31, 2028, performance completion date. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2029 Air Force working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPRPA1-18-D-001U). NAVY Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $717,410,825 firm-fixed-priced, performance-based logistics requirements contract for logistics and repair support for 98 components in support of CH-53 and MH-53 aircraft weapon replaceable assembly components and their related shop replaceable assembly components. This contract includes a 50-month base period with no options. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (75 percent); and Cherry Point, North Carolina (25 percent). Work is expected to be completed by December 2022. Working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $142,662,162 will be issued for delivery order (N00383-19-F-0U00) that will be awarded concurrently with the contract. Fiscal 2018-2022 working capital (Navy) funds will be obligated to fund delivery orders as they are issued, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One source was solicited for this non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-19-D-U001). Canadian Commercial Corp., Ontario, Canada, is awarded a $27,673,372 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity single-award contract for the Mk 200 Mod 0 Propelling Charge. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $74,920,000. This contract involves foreign military sales to Australia and India. Work will be performed by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Quebec, Canada, and is expected to be completed by November 2019. Fiscal 2018 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) funding in the amount of $15,001,914; fiscal 2019 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) funding in the amount of $7,337,384; and foreign military sales (Australia) funding in the amount of $5,334,074 will be obligated on the first delivery order at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00174-19-D-0002). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Charlottesville, Virginia, is awarded an $18,118,858 firm-fixed-price contract to provide common Integrated Bridge and Navigation Systems (IBNS) for the DDG-51 New Construction Ship Program and DDG-51 Midlife Modernization Program. The IBNS is a hull, mechanical and electrical upgrade and part of the comprehensive plan to modernize the DDG-51 class to ensure the ships remain combat relevant and affordable throughout their life. This contract will serve as the base hardware production contract for IBNS systems. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $163,963,639. Work will be performed in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2018 and 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the total amount of $18,118,858 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-4101). AIR FORCE KIRA Training Services LLC, Boulder, Colorado, has been awarded a $221,379,030 firm-fixed-price contract for civil engineering services. This contract provides for engineering services, installation management services, facilities/infrastructure maintenance and repair services, emergency management services, and housing management services. Work will be performed at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with 12 proposals received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $100,134 will be obligated on Oct. 1, 2018. The 10th Contracting Squadron, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, is the contracting activity (FA7000-19-C-0001). United Launch Services, Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded a $152,429,417 firm-fixed-price contract for Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Delta IV heavy launch services. This contract provides launch vehicle production services for National Reconnaissance Office Launch Mission One. Work will be performed in Centennial, Colorado; and Decatur, Alabama, and the launch will occur in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida; or Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The work is expected to be completed by June 30, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 missile procurement funds in the amount of $152,429,417 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center Los Angeles Air Force Station, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-19-C-0002). L3 Technologies Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, has been awarded a $55,382,155 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable contract for the Organic Depot Activation of the MQ-9 communications and data link parts at Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pennsylvania; and Warner-Robins Air Logistics Complex, Georgia. Work will be performed at Tobyhanna Army Depot and Warner-Robins Air Logistics Complex, and is expected to be completed by Oct 21, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $44,425,521 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-19-C-2008). DynCorp International LLC, McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a $22,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Egypt personnel support services. This contract provides for housing, transportation, security, vehicles and labor to support defense contractor employees and department of defense employees. Work will be performed in Egypt and is expected to be completed by Sept. 24, 2023. This contract involves foreign military sales (FMS) to Egypt and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $2,742,237 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8630-19-D-5016). TF Powers Construction Co., Fargo, North Dakota, has been awarded a $12,374,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction services. Contractor will provide all plant, labor, materials, equipment, supplies and supervision necessary for the construction and renovation of building 541 for the Ground Segment Modernization Program: to replace building systems and construct server rooms, offices, auditoriums and conference rooms, a mission control/operation center, remote equipment control rooms, and substantial communications infrastructure all built to security standards. Work will be performed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 12, 2019. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and four offers received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $12,374,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The 319th Contracting Flight, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, is the contracting activity (FA4659-19-C-C001). ARMY HDR Engineering, Omaha, Nebraska (W912UM-19-D-0001); Jacobs Government Services Co., Pasadena (W912UM-19-D-0002); Stanley-WSP JV, Muscatine, Iowa (W912UM-19-D-0003); Tetra Tech Inc., Marlborough, Massachusetts (W912UM-19-D-0004); and Thomas J. Davis Inc.,* Seguin, Texas (W912UM-19-D-0005), will compete for each order of the $100,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineer services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 10 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 23, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seoul, Republic of Korea, is the contracting activity. Norfolk Dredging Co., Chesapeake, Virginia, was awarded a $13,501,500 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging of the Delaware River. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in New Castle, Delaware, with an estimated completion date of March 13, 2019. Fiscal 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $13,501,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (W912BU-19-C-0002). West Consultants Inc.,* San Diego, California (W912BV-19-D-0001); and Halff Associates Inc., Fort Worth, Texas (W912BV-19-D-0002), will compete for each order of the $8,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for engineering, design, and construction phase services for hydrologic and hydraulic engineering, design, modeling and manual development services. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 21, 2021. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1671864/

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Loffredo Fresh Produce Co. Inc.,* Des Moines, Iowa (SPE300-19-DP-341; $9,000,000); and Greenberg Fruit Co.,* Omaha, Nebraska (SPE300-19-DS-731; $27,000,000), have each been awarded a firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quality contract under solicitation SPE300-16-R-0042 for fresh fruits and vegetables. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. These are 54-month contracts with no option periods. Locations of performance are Iowa and Nebraska, with an April 22, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and non-DoD schools and tribes. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Contitech USA Inc., Fairlawn, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $20,151,800 firm-fixed-price contract for M109 vehicle tracks. This is a one-year base contract with one-year option that is being exercised at time of award. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is Ohio, with a July 8, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-19-C-0022). Synergy Logistics Services LLC,** North Kansas City, Missouri, has been awarded a $17,754,019 hybrid fixed-price-incentive-firm, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for government-owned/contractor-operated warehouse and distribution operation services. This is a five-year task order contract with no option periods, inclusive of a three-month transition period. This is a small business set-aside with two responses received. Location of performance is Guam, with an Oct. 31, 2023, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. In this ordering period, $2,864,945 will be obligated using fiscal 2019 funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania (SP3300-19-D-5001). National Industries for the Blind,*** Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a $13,144,298 modification (P00008) exercising the second option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-17-D-B003) with four one-year option periods for the advanced combat helmet pad suspension system. This is a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Locations of performance are Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, with an Oct. 26, 2019, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NAVY Alliant Techsystems Operations (ATK), Northridge, California, is awarded $12,792,480 for modification P00007 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N68936-15-D-0019). This modification provides additional funding for the design and development studies and engineering services for rapid technology development of Orbital ATK products. Work will be performed in China Lake, California, and is expected to be completed in June 2020. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity. Railroad Construction Co. Inc., Paterson, New Jersey, is awarded a $9,095,206 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for maintenance and repair of railroad trackage services at the Naval Weapon Station, Earle and Naval Station Activity, Mechanicsburg. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, all labor, management, supervision, tools, material, and equipment required to provide maintenance, repair, alteration, demolition and minor construction for installation trackage. The maximum dollar value including the base period and four option years is $48,933,014. Work will be performed in Colts Neck, New Jersey (63 percent); and Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (37 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of October 2023. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $1,770,200 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with two proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-19-D-9024). Colonna's Shipyard Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia, is awarded a $7,966,158 firm-fixed-price contract for a 67-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry docking of USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1). Work will include furnishing general services for the ship; physical security at private contractor's facility; clean and gas-free tanks, voids, cofferdams and spaces, heater exchangers; structural inspection and weld repair; aluminum hull repair and structural repairs; support for main propulsion engine overhauls and support for generator overhauls; reduction gear maintenance; annual stern ramp maintenance; communication and navigation annuals; lifesaving equipment annuals; annual ride control maintenance; stern ramp control system and extension swap; tunnel paint expansion and underwater hull paint touch up; and docking and undocking of the vessel. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $9,162,956. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 10, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $9,162,956 are obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside, with more than two companies solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received, with two found to be in the competitive range. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C6700). * Small business ** Woman-owned small business *** Mandatory source https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1668500/

U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Wyle Laboratories Inc. (KBRwyle), Houston, Texas, has been awarded a $500,000,000 maximum ceiling value, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H92400-19-D-0001) for contractor-provided personal services and expertise to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to support the Preservation of the Force and Family Program. The support will be provided at 26 geographic locations inside and outside of the continental U.S. The contract has a base period of five years with one three-year option period for a total ordering period of up to eight years. This contract was awarded through full and open competition with eight proposals received. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. ARMY General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, was awarded a $192,660,310 modification (P00071) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0018 for Gray Eagle performance-based logistics. Work will be performed in Poway, California, with an estimated completion date of April 23, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $41,825,728 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. NAVY Konecranes Nuclear Equipment and Services LLC, New Berlin, Wisconsin, is awarded a $54,928,445 firm-fixed-price contract to provide one 140-ton portal crane at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The work to be performed provides for the contractor to design, fabricate, assemble, shop test, deliver, install, inspect, field test and make ready for use one 140-ton portal crane. The crane shall be a portal type with a rotating superstructure, luffing boom, main hoist and an auxiliary hoist designed to meet the dimensional and functional requirements of the specification. Crane installation and utilization will be performed in Kittery, Maine, and is expected to be completed by May 2021. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $54,928,445 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with two proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-19-C-1000). General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is awarded a $18,537,696 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development, and sustainment efforts for the U.S. SSBN Fire Control Sub-system (FCS); the United Kingdom FCS; and the U.S. SSGN Attack Weapon Control System, including training and support equipment and U.S./UK Shipboard Data System. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (98 percent); Kings Bay, Georgia (1 percent); and Dahlgren, Virginia (1 percent), with an expected completion date of September 2019. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,904,897; United Kingdom funds in the amount of $2,635,000; and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $406,801 are being obligated on this award. Funds in the amount of $406,801 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Subject to the availability of funding, fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,590,998 will be obligated which will also expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00030-19-C-0003). Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $8,700,187 for cost-plus-fixed-fee order N0001919F0276 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides support services to design a non-Department of Defense (DoD) participant strategic facility in support of the F-35 aircraft. Work will be performed in Kansas City, Missouri (72 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (28 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Non-DoD participant funds in the amount of $8,700,187 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is being awarded a $7,316,141 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-15-C-4305) to exercise a priced option to maintain Navy certification, protect and operate the Navy floating dry dock, ARDM-4 Shippingport. The contractor will also accomplish organizational level repairs and preservation to the government furnished dry dock. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by October 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,900,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair, Groton, Connecticut, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Unimed Government Services,* Lakeville, Minnesota, has been awarded a maximum $25,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hospital equipment and accessories for the Defense Logistics Agency electronic catalog. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. This was a competitive acquisition with 58 responses received; 17 contracts have been awarded to date. Using customers are Department of Defense and other federal organizations. Location of performance is Minnesota, with an Oct. 22, 2023, performance completion date. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DH-19-D-0005). *Woman-owned small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1669872/

Richard Scott, London and Luca Peruzzi, Genoa - Jane's Navy International Romania's Ministry of Defence is nearing a decision on the procurement of new multirole corvettes after receiving final bids at the beginning of October from Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding of the Netherlands, Italy's Fincantieri, and France's Naval Group. The EUR1.6 billion (USD1.85 billion) programme covers the acquisition of four corvettes, as well as the combat system modernisation of the Romanian Navy's two ex-UK Royal Navy Type 22 frigates Regina Maria and Regele Ferdinand . A source selection is scheduled for 26 October, although industry sources suggest this could slip by a number of weeks. Romania's requirement calls for a 2,500-tonne class multipurpose ship with capabilities across anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, electronic warfare, naval gunfire support, and search and rescue. The design is also required to provide aviation facilities suitable for an IAR 330 Puma 10-tonne helicopter and a shipborne unmanned aircraft system. In line with Romanian stipulations for local industry participation, all three contenders are proposing build and in-service support in conjunction with subsidiaries or partners based in country. Romania has asked for the first corvette to be delivered inside three years, with the programme to be completed in seven years. Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding is bidding a variant of its SIGMA 10514 design with sister yard Damen Shipyards Galati. To meet the Romanian requirement, Daman has specified a Thales Nederland combat management system (CMS)/sensor fit, the Raytheon Evolved SeaSparrow Missile System and Boeing Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles. The underwater warfare suite would be provided by General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada. Fincantieri, which owns the Vard Braila and Tulcea shipyards in Romania, is offering a customised variant of the Abu Dhabi corvette previously built for the United Arab Emirates. It is likely that Vard Braila would be the focal point for both construction and in-service support if Fincantieri is selected. https://www.janes.com/article/83937/romania-set-to-choose-four-new-corvettes-frigate-upgrade

By: Stephen Losey The Air Force, under fire for throwing down $1,280 apiece to replace in-flight reheating cups after their handles break, is pledging to use 3-D printing to get that replacement cost down to 50 cents. But Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is still wondering why these pricey water heaters are necessary in the first place, and plans to keep pushing the Air Force to find cheaper waysto warm up their coffee. The cups, which plug into outlets on cargo planes to reheat liquids such as water or coffee, have a faulty plastic handle that easily breaks when the cups are dropped. And because replacement parts for the cup are no longer made, the Air Force has had to order a whole new cup when the handle breaks. In an Oct. 2 letter to Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, Grassley said that 25 replacement cups, each costing roughly $1,280 each, have been bought this year alone, for a total of roughly $32,000. The 60th Aerial Port Squadron at Travis Air Force Base in California spent nearly $56,000 to replace broken cups over the past three years. And the price is rising. Grassley noted that Travis said each cup cost taxpayers $693 in 2016. “Paying nearly $700 for a single cup is bad enough, but it's simply beyond reason to continue to pay ever-increasing prices for something as simple as a coffee cup that is so fragile that it needs to be constantly replaced,” Grassley said. “This latest example of reckless spending of taxpayer dollars gives me no confidence that the Air Force is taking real steps to reduce wasteful spending practices.” In an Oct. 17 letter to Grassley, Wilson said that “it is simply irresponsible to spend thousands of dollars on manufactured parts when we have the technology available to produce them ourselves,” once a supplier either stops producing those parts or goes out of business. Wilson said that in July, she ordered a new Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office to be created to find ways to develop and deliver parts at a fraction of the cost of traditional manufacturing methods. This office has recently shown it can 3-D print replacement handles for the reheating cup for about 50 cents each. Wilson told Grassley that this cup is specially manufactured to plug into aircraft systems, and because it connects to the aircraft, the replacements need to be certified as airworthy by the FAA. This has driven up the cost of buying 391 of these cups since 2016 to $326,785, Wilson said, or about $836 apiece. The water heaters are used on 59 KC-10s, 52 C-5s, and 222 C-17s, Wilson said. But with planes aging, and the average KC-10 at 34 years old, it's harder and harder to find replacement parts for those aircraft, she said. And the price tag for raw materials for those parts is also increasing, Wilson said, with copper and chrome plating costs have increased 180 percent since 2016. Wilson told Grassley that she and Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein have ordered the new sustainment office to look for items in the procurement process that it can self-produce, or other overpriced items that it can stop buying without hurting the Air Force's mission. Grassley was dissatisfied with Wilson's response, and said he will keep digging. “It leaves me with more questions,” Grassley said. “While I appreciate that the Air Force is working to find innovations that would help save taxpayer dollars, it remains unclear why it cannot find a cheaper alternative to a $1,280 cup. Government officials have the responsibility to use taxpayer dollars efficiently. Too often, that's not the case.” The Air Force also said that Air Mobility Command is no longer buying the heaters for large transport aircraft as they try to find more cost-effective solutions. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/10/22/battle-over-air-forces-1300-coffee-cups-heats-up