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ARMY Arora Group Inc.,* Gaithersburg, Maryland, was awarded an $85,457,545 firm-fixed-price contract to provide personal and non-personal services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 25 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2023. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K00-19-D-0002). Birdon America Inc.,* Denver, Colorado, was awarded a $44,452,448 modification (P00062) to contract W56HZV-14-C-0015 for bridge erection boats and crew protection kits. Work will be performed in Denver, Colorado, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $44,452,448 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. URS Federal Services Inc., Germantown, Maryland, was awarded a $20,000,000 modification (0002 36) to contract W52P1J-12-G-0028 for logistic support services, maintenance, supply and transportation. Work will be performed in Mannheim and Dulmen, Germany, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 20, 2021. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $20,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. CSRA LLC, Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded an $8,790,283 modification (000033) to Foreign Military Sales (Uganda, Iraq, Croatia, Greece, Tunisia, Indonesia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan) contract W31P4Q-05-A-0028 for non-standard rotary wing aircraft project office systems engineering and technical assistance support services. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 19, 2019. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army; and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $8,790,283 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. NAVY Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia (N00189-19-D-Z006); Capstone Corp., Alexandria, Virginia (N00189-19-D-Z007); Science Applications Information Corp., Reston, Virginia (N00189-19-D-Z008); General Dynamic Information Technology, Fairfax, Virginia (N00189-19-D-Z009); Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia (N00189-19-D-Z010); and CALIBRE Systems Inc., Alexandria, Virginia (N00189-19-D-Z011), are awarded an estimated $577,471,075 in multiple award cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts that will include terms and conditions for the placement of both cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price task orders to provide Joint Force development and training support services to enhance and improve the joint fighter's ability to adapt and overcome an ever-evolving threat environment in support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The contracts will run concurrently and include a 60-month base ordering period with an option for an additional six-month ordering period. If the option period is exercised, the total estimated value of the contracts combined will be $636,917,163. Work will be performed at government facilities in Suffolk, Virginia (90 percent); and at various contractor locations throughout the U.S. (10 percent). The percentage of work at each of the contractor facilities cannot be determined at this time. The base ordering period of the contract is anticipated to begin May 2019 and is expected to be completed by April 2024; if all options are exercised, the ordering period will be completed by October 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Defense Acquisition) funds in the amount of $60,000 will be obligated ($10,000 on each of the six contracts to fund the contracts' minimum amounts); and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured for the award of multiple contracts pursuant to the authority set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation 16.504. The requirement was solicited through the Federal Business Opportunities website, with eight offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $41,509,096 firm-fixed-price delivery order (N00019-18-F-2494) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This modification procures Xilinx and Intel-Altera Diminishing Manufacturing Sources parts that have reached end-of-life in order to support future aircraft deliveries for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy as well as Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in February 2019. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force); 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); 2019 operations and maintenance (Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy); and FMS funding in the amount of $41,509,096 will be obligated at time of award, $32,836,293 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This delivery order combines purchases for the Air Force ($22,936,546; 55 percent); Marine Corps ($13,505,208; 33 percent); Navy ($4,766,733; 11 percent); and FMS ($300,609; 1 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. CRP Contracting,* Columbus, Ohio, is awarded a $31,116,904 firm-fixed-price contract for airfield lighting repairs at Naval Air Station Kingsville. The work to be performed provides for repairs to the airfield electrical infrastructure. The work also includes removal and installation of a new standing seam roof and removal and replacement of windows and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Kingsville, Texas, and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $31,116,904 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, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-19-C-0503). Triton Marine Construction Corp., Bremerton, Washington, was awarded a $17,914,200 firm-fixed-price contract for the repair of trestle box beams at Naval Weapons Station Earle. The work to be performed provides for concrete spall repairs on the underside of Trestle 1A to the pile caps, beams, and deck; carbon fiber reinforced polymer strengthening of existing reinforced concrete box beams using the wet layup process; and installation of five new pile bents ten new piles will be driven on Trestle 1A to strengthen the existing box beams. Work will be performed in Colts Neck, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by March 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $17,914,200 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 six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-19-C-9032). (Awarded Nov. 16, 2018). Telephonics Corp., Farmingdale, New York, is awarded a $15,130,351 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for the procurement of a maximum quantity of 50 Identification Friend or Foe Interrogator (IFFI) AN/UPX-43(V) 1 and 50 IFFI mounting trays, repair of repairables and required technical data in support of P-8A Poseidon Production Lots 9, 10, and 11 for the Navy, partner countries and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Farmingdale, New York, and is expected to be completed in November 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy); and FMS funds in the amount of $3,588,904 will be obligated at time of award; none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The first order combines purchases for the Navy ($2,687,946; 75 percent); and the government of the United Kingdom ($900,958; 25 percent). This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (N68335-19-D-0002). CFM International Inc., West Chester, Ohio, is awarded $13,033,283 for modification P00002 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N0001918C1071) to exercise an option for the procurement of one Poseidon CFM56-7B27AE engine for the government of Norway in support of the P-8 Poseidon aircraft under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Villaroche, France (53 percent); Evendale, Ohio (43 percent); Singapore (3 percent); and Bromont, Canada (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2019. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $13,033,283 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. Colonna's Shipyard Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia, is awarded an $11,884,493 firm-fixed-price contract for a 90-calendar day shipyard availability for the post shakedown availability and dry docking of USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9). Work will include clean and gas-free tanks, voids, cofferdams and spaces, heater exchangers; modify fore peak structure, perform annual stern ramp maintenance, install heat tracing and thermal insulation on piping, perform annual maintenance of ride control system, bilge cleaning, reduction gear maintenance, self-contained breathing apparatus annual certification, high expansion foam system certification, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system annual maintenance, annual sewage plant maintenance, docking and undocking, evacuation system annual certification, waterjet hydraulics maintenance, and installation of the adaptive force package. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value of this contract to $13,593,593. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to begin Jan. 7, 2019, with completion by April 6, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $13,593,593 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 two offers received, with two found to be in the competitive range. The Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C6702). 3 Phoenix Inc.,* Chantilly, Virginia, is awarded a $10,271,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-13-C-6264 to exercise an option for engineering and technical services and other direct costs in support thereof for the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase III contract, topic number N04-138-Real-time Data Fusion and Visualization Interface for Environmental Research Data. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virginia (40 percent); Wake Forest, North Carolina (40 percent); and Hanover, Maryland (20 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2019. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2018 and 2019 other procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $6,753,273 will be obligated at the time of award and funding in the amount of $724,610 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Kellogg Brown and Root Services Inc., Houston, Texas, is awarded $9,847,635 for task order A00012 under previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N62470-17-D-4012 for modification of the first option period for base operations support services at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, and other areas within Africa. The work to be performed provides for all management and administration, public safety, galley, ordnance, air operations, fire and emergency services, bachelor quarters, housing, pest control, integrated solid waste, base support vehicles and equipment, custodial, electrical, water, wastewater, port operations, supply, morale-welfare-recreation, facilities investment, and environmental services to provide base operations support services. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $132,110,862. Work will be performed at various installations in territory of Djibouti, Africa; and other areas within Africa, and is expected to be completed November 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Europe Africa Southwest Asia, Naples, Italy, is the contracting activity. VT Halter Marine Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, was awarded a not-to-exceed $9,000,0000 undefinitized contract action for functional design engineering, procurement of long-lead time material, and limited advanced production to support the Oceanographic Survey Ship (T-AGS 67). Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (85 percent); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (13 percent); and New Orleans, Louisiana (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by May 2019. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $6,750,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with 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 (N00024-18-C-2208). (Awarded Nov. 16, 2018) Lockheed Martin Corp. Mission Systems and Training, Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded $7,105,135 for a firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture of spare and repair parts used in the MK-41 Vertical Launching System. This is a one-year contract with no option periods. Work will be performed in Ventura, California (85 percent); and Baltimore, Maryland (15 percent), and will be completed by November 2019. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $7,105,135 will be issued as a delivery order 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 response to the original solicitation in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00104-19-D-ZD21). AIR FORCE Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, San Diego, has been awarded a $489,924,430 definitization and increase in scope fixed-price-incentive-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (FA8620-18-C-1000 PZ0004) for the Japan Global Hawk program. The contract provides for: three RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30i air vehicles each containing an enhanced integrated sensor suite payload, two ground control elements, spares and support equipment, system engineering and program management tasks required to execute, manage, control, and report on all program activities, and a site survey. Work will be performed in San Diego and is expected to be completed by Sept. 1, 2022. This contract involves foreign military sales (FMS) to Japan and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. This action will increase funding by $294,542,454 for a total of $425,012,030 in FMS funding. FMS funding in the amount of $64,912,400 will be awarded as priced options to be exercised as soon as Japan releases the remaining funds. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Thales Air Traffic Management Inc., Clarksburg, Maryland, has been awarded a $30,634,338 firm-fixed-price contract option for Deployable Instrument Landing System (D-ILS) production units and spare parts. This contract option provides 9 D-ILS to be deployed worldwide. Work will be performed in Clarksburg, Maryland, and is expected to be completed September 2020. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $30,634,338 are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $126,104,149 and has not changed with this award. Aerospace Management Systems Contracting Office, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-18-C-0034). Engility Corp., Andover, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $30,304,806 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for systems engineering and integration follow-on services. This contract provides support to ensure the Air Force Space Overhead Persistent Infrared and Space Based Environmental Monitoring program requirements are met in a timely manner. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2021. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $15,48,920; space procurement funds in the amount of $783,582; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of 1,934,075 will be obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8810-19-F-0001). MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Lockheed Martin Corp. - Rotary and Mission Systems, Colorado Springs, Colorado, is being competitively awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract with a maximum amount of $240,000,000. Under this new contract, the contractor will support the development, deployment and sustainment of the Objective Simulation Framework Modeling & Simulation framework that leverages existing or mature capabilities with a modular, scalable, reconfigurable, and composeable architecture. A task order in the amount of $49,703,444 is being issued immediately after the award of this contract. The work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama. The ordering period is from Nov. 19, 2018, through Nov. 18, 2023. This contract was competitively procured via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website with three proposals received. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $1,700,000 are being obligated on the award of the first task order and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0147-19-D-0002). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Coastal Pacific Food Distributors, Stockton, California, has been awarded a maximum $52,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for full food-line distribution. This is a 142-day bridge contract, which could possibly end early when the guaranteed minimum is met. Locations of performance are California, Japan, Singapore, Philippines and Diego Garcia, with an April 30, 2019, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-19-D-4046). Burlington Apparel Fabrics, Greensboro, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $47,951,352 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery contract for blue poly/wool cloth. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a one-year contract with four one-year option periods. The maximum dollar amount is for the life of the contract. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Nov. 18, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. 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-1113). *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1694434/source/GovDelivery/

The Council adopted an updated list of projects to be undertaken under PESCO. There will be 17 new projects in addition to the initial 17 projects agreed on 11 December 2017 and formally adopted on 6 March 2018. The projects cover areas such as training, capability development and operational readiness on land, at sea and in the air, as well as cyber-defence. Background On 11 December 2017, the Council adopted a decision establishing Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). PESCO enables EU member states to work more closely together in the area of security and defence. This permanent framework for defence cooperation allows willing and able member states to develop jointly defence capabilities, invest in shared projects, and enhance the operational readiness and contribution of their armed forces. The 25 member states participating in PESCO are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden. Updated overview of the collaborative PESCO projects (table) Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) - Factsheet https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/11/19/defence-cooperation-council-launches-17-new-pesco-projects/

OTTAWA -- Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY) is pleased to announce that it has been selected to deliver a significant training contract for the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Army Simulation Centre (CASC). The initial term of the Training and Support Services Contract is valued at $93 million over five years. With two optional extension periods of two years each, the aggregate contract value over the full nine-year period is approximately $170 million. The current Training and Support Services Contract expires March 31, 2019 and management expects demand on the new contract will continue to run at current levels. Through CASC, a Center of Excellence for Constructive Simulation, the Canadian Army accepts training projects on behalf of its own members as well as other branches of the Canadian Armed Forces and federal government departments. For these training exercises, Calian's expert team of some 600 full- and part-time resources apply their substantial experience, knowledge and passion to create realistic and cost-effective synthetic training environments. Calian Training ensures maximum value from the training delivered through CASC while preparing future military leaders and security authorities for events in which failure is unacceptable. Through CASC, Calian Training also designs and delivers complex, multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional emergency management exercises to help ensure safety and security readiness for major events. These exercises have supported the Vancouver Olympics and G7, G8 and G20 world leader summits in Canada. Calian, an award-winning veteran friendly employer, has proudly supported military training and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operational readiness through this contract for over 20 years. Calian and CASC have developed tools and a framework and methodology supporting a wide range of military and emergency management training exercises for government and military clients, nationally and internationally. In partnership with CASC, Calian's skilled exercise design experts have integrated custom 2D/3D software for virtual and constructive simulation exercises, tailored to specified training objectives. The result is a total immersive training experience that replicates the operational environment that the CAF or customer may face. “Our innovative technology solutions allow the training audience to be immersed into complex environments, complete with real-world considerations such as simulated social media channels. These tools, combined with our passionate, expert employees, put us in a position to offer these complex exercises and training programs,” said Donald Whitty, Vice President, Calian Training. “We're seeing increased demand for the expertise we bring to CASC, particularly in the field of emergency management. There's no company quite like Calian to deliver these specialized, innovative and scalable services.” “This contract supports the CAF and the customer retention pillar of our four pillar growth framework. For Calian, supporting the operational readiness of the Canadian Forces is more than just a commitment – it's a passion and a privilege. I'm proud of our delivery of state-of-the-art, realistic learning and training exercises that help keep soldiers and all Canadians safe,” added Kevin Ford, President and CEO, Calian. “The innovation happening at Calian Training, and with CASC, is very exciting. Calian's advanced toolset is integrated with those of the Canadian Armed Forces, demonstrating our focus on continuous process improvement both at Calian and in the work we do with our customers.” To see exclusive footage from inside a CFB Kingston training facility, watch Calian's three-minute video on CASC here. About the Canadian Army Simulation Centre The Canadian Army Simulation Centre provides training capabilities in support of land operations and concept development. This world-class training organization provides support to the Canadian Army, RCAF, CJOC, CAF, and other government departments. Calian designs, develops and delivers training services for CASC under the Training and Support Services Contract. CASC is located in Kingston with Divisional Simulation Centres in Edmonton, Petawawa, Valcartier and Gagetown. About Calian Training For more than 20 years Calian Training has been providing a full-suite of specialized training services to both public and private sector organizations, including the Canadian Armed Forces and nuclear power operators. We help customers in both the emergency management and military domains validate their plans and team performances. Calian's training experts help large and small organizations prepare for events in which the consequences of failure are unacceptable. About Calian Calian employs over 3,000 people with offices and projects that span Canada, U.S. and international markets. The company's capabilities are diverse with services delivered through two divisions. The Business and Technology Services (BTS) Division is headquartered in Ottawa and includes the provision of business and technology services and solutions to industry, public and government in the health, training, engineering and IT services domains. Calian's Systems Engineering Division (SED) located in Saskatoon provides the world's leading space technology companies with innovative solutions for testing, operating and managing their satellite networks. SED provides leading-edge communications products for terrestrial and satellite networks, as well as providing commercial (including agriculture) and defence customers with superior electronics engineering, manufacturing and test services for both private sector and military customers in North America. For investor information, please visit our website at www.calian.com or contact us at ir@calian.com https://www.calian.com/en/calian-rewins-defence-training-contract-valued-170-million

DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN New submarines won't be part of the future mix for the Royal Canadian Navy, at least in the foreseeable future. Several years ago there were some suggestions that a possible replacement for the Victoria-class submarines might be in the works. In 2017 a Senate defence committee recommended the subs be replaced. The Commons defence committee also recently recommended that the Victoria-class subs, bought used in 1998 from the United Kingdom, be replaced with submarines capable of under-ice capabilities. But the Liberal government has rejected that recommendation. The recommendation was the only one of the 27 made by the Commons defence committee that was rejected outright in a response delivered to the committee last month. The committee had recommended that the federal government respond to NATO calls to improve the quality of their naval fleets and underwater surveillance capabilities by starting the process of replacing Victoria-class submarines with new boats that have under-ice capabilities. It also recommended increasing the size of that fleet to enhance Canada's Arctic and North Atlantic defence preparedness. But the Liberal government pointed out in its response that it is in the midst of the most intensive and comprehensive fleet modernization and renewal in the peacetime history of the Royal Canadian Navy. Canada is recapitalizing and increasing the size of its surface fleet through investments in 15 Canadian Surface Combatants, two Joint Support Ships, and five to six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, it added. “The government has also committed to modernizing the four Victoria-class submarines to include weapons and sensor upgrades that will enhance the ability of the submarines to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and deliver necessary improvements of platform and combat systems to extend operational capability to the mid-2030's,” the government response noted. Canada is also engaged in the re-building of the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the fleet through the introduction of technologies, sensors and weapons while preparing to transition to the fleet of the future, it added. “As part of the NATO S&T Organization, Canada is participating in the Maritime Unmanned Systems S&T Pre-Feasibility Studies that focus on ASW and naval mine warfare capabilities with Allied nations that have the same capability targets,” the government stated. “In addition to increasing existing platform capabilities, the RCN is also in the process of re-vitalising individual and collective ASW training and advancing distributed mission training and synthetic training environments.” Last year Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan praised the capability submarines provide Canada. “No other platform in the Canadian Armed Forces can do what a submarine can do,” Sajjan said. “No other platform has the stealth, the intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance capability and the deterrence to potential adversaries that a sub does.” Upgrading the Victoria-class subs is more “prudent” than buying new subs, Sajjan said at the time. Without upgrades, the first of the submarines will reach the end of its life in 2022, according to documents obtained last year through Access to Information by the Canadian Press. The last of the boats would be retired in 2027. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/liberals-reject-committee-recommendation-to-replace-victoria-class-subs-no-desire-for-subs-with-under-ice-capability

Murray Brewster · CBC News It was more than the usual sky-is-falling rhetoric we're used to seeing in national security reports out of Washington. It came from some pretty sober, respected voices in the defence community. A special commission report, presented to the U.S. Congress this week, delivered one of the most stark — even startling — assessments in the last two decades of the limits of American military power. The independent, nonpartisan review of the Trump administration's 2018 National Defence Strategy said the U.S. could lose future wars with Russia or China. "This Commission believes that America has reached the point of a full-blown national security crisis," reads the 116-page document written by 12 leading defence and security experts and released Wednesday. "If the United States had to fight Russia in a Baltic contingency, or China in a war over Taiwan, Americans could face a decisive military defeat." Those are sobering words for Canada, in light of this country's contribution of over 450 troops to the NATO-led deterrence mission in Latvia. Time for a defence policy rewrite? And it has prompted a call from at least one Canadian defence expert for a re-assessment — perhaps even a full-blown rewrite — of the Liberal government's own defence policy. More than simply another rote, boilerplate plea for fatter U.S. defence budgets, the commission's report lays out in precise detail the kind of geopolitical threats Washington — and, by extension, other Western capitals — are facing from rivals and enemies at many levels and in multiple spheres. "The security and well-being of the United States are at greater risk than at any time in decades. America's military superiority — the hard-power backbone of its global influence and national security — has eroded to a dangerous degree," says the report. "America's ability to defend its allies, its partners, and its own vital interests is increasingly in doubt. If the nation does not act promptly to remedy these circumstances, the consequences will be grave and lasting." The report acknowledges that the U.S. and its allies may be forced to fight a localized nuclear war in the future, given how Russia has restored the once-unthinkable concept to its military planning and training exercises. The commission also paints various grim scenarios that could confront Western allies between now and 2022, including an invasion of the Baltics under the guise of a "peacekeeping" mission to protect Russian minorities: "As U.S. and NATO forces prepare to respond, Russia declares that strikes against Russian forces in those states will be treated as attacks on Russia itself — implying a potential nuclear response. "Meanwhile, to keep America off balance, Russia escalates in disruptive ways. Russian submarines attack transatlantic fibre optic cables. Russian hackers shut down power grids and compromise the security of U.S. banks." The consequences, said the report, would be severe: "Major cities are paralyzed; use of the internet and smartphones is disrupted. Financial markets plummet as commerce seizes up and online financial transactions slow to a crawl. The banking system is thrown into chaos." While the report doesn't mention U.S. President Donald Trump by name, it notes the effect of his bruising rhetorical fights with world leaders and criticism of international institutions, such as NATO. "Doubts about America's ability to deter and, if necessary, defeat opponents and honour its global commitments have proliferated," said the report. Cautious optimism At this weekend's Halifax International Security Forum, Canada's marquee defence conference, some leading experts struck a less pessimistic note and suggested that the West still has a major technological lead on Moscow. "Russia is a great country. It is a great country, historically. But Russia is also a failing country," said Peter Van Praagh, president of the Halifax Security Forum, at the opening of the event on Friday. "Russia does not have the same advanced tools that NATO has, that Canada and NATO and the American alliance [have]." Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan also expressed cautious optimism about the threat. "In NATO we're taking this extremely seriously. We're learning from the various missions that are ongoing," he said. A former military adviser to one of Sajjan's predecessors said Canada could learn from the commission exercise, which was meant to challenge the Trump administration's defence plans. "It's certainly something we don't have," said Richard Cohen, an ex-army officer who served as former defence minister Peter MacKay's adviser. "Our government would never dream of inviting anyone to come and criticize its defence policy." The current government sought extensive input before the new Canadian policy was presented 18 months ago. The U.S. commission report calls on NATO and its allies to "rebuild" substantial military forces in Europe, among things. Cohen said that, if anything, should trigger a fresh look at the Liberal government's own defence policy. "Our defence policy is predicated on the kind of asymmetric warfare we have faced since the end of the Cold War and it really ignores the looming strategic threats that Russia, China and maybe some others pose as well," he said. "At least the United States realizes this growing strategic threat," Cohen added, noting that the current Liberal defence policy makes only passing mention of China "in very gentle terms" and limited references to Russia. "If the United States is in a national security crisis, then we're in a national security crisis." https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/defence-policy-trump-china-russia-1.4910038

David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen Neither Canada's top soldier nor the commander of the air force had or produced any records about a fighter jet “capability gap” in the year leading up to the Liberal government's announcement that such a critical issue had to be dealt with by spending billions to buy aircraft. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan used the capability gap argument in November 2016 to justify a $5-billion program to buy new Super Hornet jets, a deal since scuttled, and later a $500-million program to purchase used F-18 planes from Australia. But in the year leading up to Sajjan's announcement about the urgent need to acquire such planes, neither Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jon Vance nor Lt.-Gen. Mike Hood, then head of the Royal Canadian Air Force, produced any documentation indicating there was ever a capability gap, according to Department of National Defence's Access to Information branch. In addition, no such documents exist among the records of various members of Sajjan's staff, according to the department. It would be normal practice to have hundreds, if not thousands of pages of records, discussing such a key defence issue or gap if it existed, military insiders tell Postmedia. But records obtained by Postmedia through the Access law do show that just before Sajjan's announcement that the 18 jets were needed in the “interim” to deal with the capability gap, the minister was told the existing fleet of CF-18s was in better shape than expected and could keep flying until 2032. Conservative MPs allege the capability gap didn't exist and was concocted by the government to delay a larger project to buy new jets, a competition that might end up selecting the F-35 stealth fighter the Liberals vowed never to purchase. When asked about the lack of documentation about the capability gap, a DND official said the department could not comment. Taxpayers may get more information Tuesday when the Auditor General's office releases its examination of the fighter jet plan. Full article: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/military-has-no-documents-about-fighter-jet-capability-gap-claim-used-to-justify-aircraft-purchase

AIR FORCE Space Vector Corp., Chatsworth, California (FA8818-19-D-0001); and OrbitalATK Inc., Chandler, Arizona (FA8818-19-D-0002), have been awarded a combined ceiling $424,000,000 multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee for Sounding Rocket Program-4 (SRP-4). The SRP-4 contract provides suborbital launch services and launch support services necessary to accomplish the Rocket Systems Launch Program's suborbital mission. This contract will be used to meet Department of Defense and other government agency requirements for sub-orbital research, development, and test launch services, including prototype demonstrations and missile defense targets. Work will primarily be performed in Chatsworth, California; Chandler, Arizona, and a variety of government launch sites, depending on mission requirements. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with a seven-year ordering period. Space and Missile Systems Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Labatt Food Service, San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $295,636,225 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity with economic-price-adjustment contract for full line food distribution support for the San Antonio region. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a two-year base contract with one one-year option period, and one two-year option period. Location of performance is Texas, with a Nov. 15, 2023, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-19-D-3206). Allison Transmission, Indianapolis, Indiana, has been awarded a maximum $20,781,402 firm-fixed-price contract for transmission overhaul kits. 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 13-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Indiana, with a Dec. 31, 2019, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-19-C-0057). Peckham Vocational Industries,** Lansing, Michigan, has been awarded an $8,609,660modification (P00003) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-18-D-N029) with two one-year option periods for drawers. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Location of performance is Michigan, with a Nov. 21, 2019, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded a $282,085,646 not-to-exceed undefinitized contract action modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-18-C-2301 for long-lead-time material and detail design in support of the construction of four Multi-Mission Surface Combatant ships (MMSC). The MMSC is a lethal and highly maneuverable surface combatant capable of littoral and open-ocean operation. This contract involves foreign military sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Work will be performed in Marinette, Wisconsin (55 percent); Baltimore, Maryland (23 percent); Herndon, Virginia (11 percent); Moorestown, New Jersey (6 percent); Manassas, Virginia (1 percent); San Diego, California (1 percent); and various places below one percent (3 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2025. Foreign military sales (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) funding in the amount of $124,201,733 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4) (international agreement). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia (N00189-19-D-Z012); Cydecor Inc., Arlington, Virginia (N00189-19-D-Z013); and Whitney, Bradley and Brown Inc., Reston, Virginia (N00189-19-D-Z014), are awarded an estimated $69,920,361 multiple award cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts that will include terms and conditions for the placement of both cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price task orders to provide management support services to facilitate warfighting, manpower and business transformation initiatives in support of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Information Dominance. The contracts will run concurrently and will include a 60-month base ordering period with no additional options. Work will be performed at government facilities in Arlington, Virginia (90 percent), and at the various contractor locations in which the percentage of work at each of those locations cannot be determined at this time (10 percent). The ordering period will begin March 2019 and is expected to be completed by February 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $100,000 will be obligated (approximately $33,333 on each of the three contracts to fund the contracts' minimum amounts) and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured for the award of multiple contracts pursuant to the authority set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation 16.504. The requirement was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website, with ten offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Kellogg Brown and Root Services Inc., Houston, Texas, is awarded $55,452,842 for task order A00011 under previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62470-17-D-4012) to exercise the first option period for base operations support services at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, and other areas within Africa. The work to be performed provides for all management and administration, public safety, galley, ordnance, air operations, fire and emergency services, bachelor quarters, housing, pest control, integrated solid waste, base support vehicles and equipment, custodial, electrical, water, wastewater, port operations, supply, morale-welfare-recreation, facilities investment, and environmental services to provide base operations support services. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $122,263,227. Work will be performed at various installations in Territory of Djibouti, Africa and other areas within Africa, and work is expected to be completed November 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Europe Africa Southwest Asia, Naples, Italy, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, California is being awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee $49,069,660 modification (P00002) to a previously awarded contract (N00030-18-C-0100) for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed system support. The work will be performed in Kings Bay, Georgia (22.25 percent); Bangor, Washington (22.80 percent); Cape Canaveral, Florida (22.22 percent); Sunnyvale, California (12.59 percent); Borgo San Dalmazzo, Italy (6.81 percent); Biddeford, Maine (3.70 percent); Denver, Colorado (2.06 percent); and other various locations (less than 1.00 percent each; 7.57 percent total), and work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2023. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $31,281,073; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $17,788,587 will be obligated on this award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, California, is awarded $41,329,513 for cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification P00016 to a previously awarded contract (N00030-17-C-0100) for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed system support. The work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California (69.71 percent); Denver, Colorado (10.92 percent); Clearwater, Florida (8.78 percent); Cape Canaveral, Florida (3.04 percent); Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (1.99 percent); Santa Clara, California (1.06 percent); and other various locations (less than 1.00 percent each; 4.50 percent total) with work expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2023. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $11,513,121; and fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $29,816,392 are being obligated on this award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Military Aircraft Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is being awarded $32,730,879 for modification P00003 to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-18-C-1037) for long-lead items for Japan E-2D Aircraft JAA5 under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York (22.04 percent); Potez, Aire-sur-l'Adour, France (11.50 percent); Edgewood, New York (8.42 percent); Menlo Park, California (6.12 percent); Woodland Hills, California (5.53 percent); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (5.01 percent); Marlborough, Massachusetts (4.59 percent); Greenlawn, New York (3.06 percent); Owego, New York (3.06 percent); Independence, Ohio (3.06 percent); Gardena, California (2.29 percent); Melbourne, Florida (2.09 percent); Clemmons, North Carolina (1.81 percent); Falls Church, Virginia (1.53 percent); Melville, New York (1.49 percent); Long Beach, California (1.17 percent); Laval, Quebec, Canada (0.04 percent); and various locations within the U.S. (17.19 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2022. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $32,730,879 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. IAP Worldwide Services Inc., Cape Canaveral, Florida, is awarded a $20,881,626 contract modification for recurring/non-recurring services type contract for base operations services at Naval Support Activity Annapolis. The work to be performed provides for all management, supervision, labor hours, training, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform base operating services to include but not limited to facility investment, service calls, pest control, operation of utility plants, refuse collection, special events, and snow and ice removal. Work will be performed in Annapolis, Maryland, and work is expected to be completed July 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2019 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $14,629,883.85 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the contract period. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N40080-18-D-0500). Triton Marine Construction Corp., Bremerton, Washington, is awarded a $17,914,200 firm-fixed-price contract for the repair of trestle box beams at Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle. The work to be performed provides for concrete spall repairs on the underside of Trestle 1A to the pile caps, beams, and deck; carbon fiber reinforced polymer strengthening of existing reinforced concrete box beams using the wet layup process; and installation of five new pile bents ten new piles will be driven on Trestle 1A to strengthen the existing box beams at NWS Earle waterfront complex. Work will be performed in Colts Neck, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by March 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $17,914,200 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 six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-19-C-9032). EMR Inc.,* Niceville, Florida, is awarded $16,897,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N6945019F1000 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N69450-17-D-0507) for renovations to Colmer Dining Facility Building 367 at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport. Renovations include expansion of cold storage areas, improvements to electrical and mechanical systems, updated parking and architectural components. In addition, a temporary kitchen facility composed of modular units will be placed in service at a separate location. The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, engineering, materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies and transportation to perform all work described in the request for proposal. Work will be performed in Gulfport, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2021. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $16,897,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One proposal was received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. Technology Unlimited Group,* San Diego, California, is awarded a $15,059,071 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple-award contract to provide systems engineering support for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence programs. This is one of six contracts awarded. All awardees will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This two-year contract includes three, one-year options which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated $38,798,332. All work will be performed in San Diego, California. The period of performance of the base award is from Nov. 16, 2018 through Nov. 15, 2020. If the options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through Nov. 15, 2023. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using research, development, test and evaluation (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); operations and maintenance (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); other procurement (Navy and Air Force); foreign military sales; and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-16-R-0180 published on the Federal Business Opportunities and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 21 offers received and six selected for award. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-D-0005). Harmonia Holdings Group LLC,* Blacksburg, Virginia, is awarded a $15,028,289 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple-award contract to provide systems engineering support for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence programs. This is one of six contracts awarded. All awardees will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This two-year contract includes three, one-year options which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated $39,540,512. Work will be performed at government facilities in San Diego, California (90 percent), and at contractor facilities in Blacksburg, Virginia (10 percent). The period of performance of the base award is from Nov. 16, 2018 through Nov. 15, 2020. If the options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through Nov. 15, 2023. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using research, development, test and evaluation (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); operations and maintenance (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); other procurement (Navy and Air Force); foreign military sales; and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-16-R-0180 published on the Federal Business Opportunities and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 21 offers received and six selected for award. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-D-0004). Effecture LLC,* San Diego, California, is awarded a $14,803,612 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple-award contract to provide systems engineering support for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence programs. This is one of six contracts awarded. All awardees will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This two-year contract includes three, one-year options which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated $38,403,117. All work will be performed in San Diego, California. The period of performance of the base award is from Nov. 16, 2018 through Nov. 15, 2020. If the options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through Nov. 15, 2023. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using research, development, test and evaluation (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); operations and maintenance (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); other procurement (Navy and Air Force); foreign military sales; and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-16-R-0180 published on the Federal Business Opportunities and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 21 offers received and six selected for award. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-D-0002). Trabus Technologies Inc.,* San Diego, California, is awarded a $14,704,521 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple-award contract to provide systems engineering support for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence programs. This is one of six contracts awarded. All awardees will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This two-year contract includes three, one-year options which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated $38,129,755. All work will be performed in San Diego, California. The period of performance of the base award is from Nov. 16, 2018 through Nov, 15, 2020. If the options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through Nov. 15, 2023. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using research, development, test and evaluation (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); operations and maintenance (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); other procurement (Navy and Air Force); foreign military sales; and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-16-R-0180 published on the Federal Business Opportunities and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 21 offers received and six selected for award. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-D-0007). Grove Resource Solutions Inc.,* Frederick, Maryland, is awarded a $14,704,521 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple-award contract to provide systems engineering support for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence programs. This is one of six contracts awarded. All awardees will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This two-year contract includes three, one-year options which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated $39,258,893. Work will be performed at Government facilities in San Diego (90 percent) and at contractor facilities in Frederick, Maryland (10 percent). The period of performance of the base award is from Nov. 16, 2018 through Nov.15, 2020. If the options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through Nov. 15, 2023. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using research, development, test and evaluation (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); operations and maintenance (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); other procurement (Navy and Air Force); foreign military sales; and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-16-R-0180 published on the Federal Business Opportunities and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 21 offers received and six selected for award. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-D-0003). Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon, is awarded an $11,668,324 firm-fixed-price contract for a 56-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry docking of USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204). Work includes general services, structural steel repairs, repair oil leaks in both port and starboard main engines, replace ballast tank level indicators, repairs to the emergency diesel generator, tank repairs and preservation to the marine sanitation device and vacuum collection holding and transfer tanks, renew valves for the ballast system, repairs to the main seawater piping, overhaul number one main seawater cooling, pump, overhaul number three ships service diesel generator turbocharger, repairs to staterooms, ship dry-docking and undocking, preservation to the ship's underwater hull and freeboard, refurbish the hauling winch assembly and motors on station number three, refurbishment of the rollers on the sliding block/transfer head/guide and refurbishment to the kingpost for station three. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $13,586,233. Work will be performed in Portland, Oregon, and is expected to begin on Jan. 7, 2019 and is expected to be completed by March 3, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,668,324 will be obligated. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C4001). Trandes Corp.,* Lanham, Maryland, is awarded an estimated $11,619,097 contract modification to increase the ceiling of an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursement contract (N66001-15-D-0146). Support includes removal of old and installation of new commercial-off-the-shelf precision approach radar; logistics and training support; remote landing site tower generator repair; tactical air navigation systems installation support; and Marine Air Traffic Control and Landing System, and Amphibious Assault Direction System sustainment support. This modification increases the estimated value of the contract from $19,226,946 to $30,846,043. This ceiling increase does not obligate funds. Funding will be obligated via task/delivery orders, which will be placed using operations and maintenance (Navy); and other procurement (Navy) funds. This modification is issued using other than full and open competition in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 6.302-1 and 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Data Intelligence LLC,* Marlton, New Jersey, is awarded a $11,314,171 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple-award contract to provide systems engineering support for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence programs. This is one of six contracts awarded. All awardees will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This two-year contract includes three, one-year options which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated $28,840,430. Work will be performed at government facilities in San Diego, California (90 percent), and at contractor facilities in Marlton, New Jersey (10 percent). The period of performance of the base award is from Nov. 16, 2018 through Nov. 15, 2020. If the options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through Nov. 15, 2023. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using research, development, test and evaluation (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); operations and maintenance (Navy, Air Force and Defense Agency); other procurement (Navy and Air Force); foreign military sales; and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-16-R-0180 published on the Federal Business Opportunities and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 21 offers received and six selected for award. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-D-0006). Ratcliff Construction Inc.,* Orange Park, Florida, is awarded $9,990,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N6945019F0850 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N69450-18-D-1315) for consolidation and repair of Aviation Hangar 600 at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The work to be performed provides for complete exterior and interior repairs consisting of underutilized space in the west “lean-to” two story structure. Remotely located areas will be consolidated into renovated spaces. This includes complete renovation of Aviation Hangar 600 to include demolition of structures and repair by replacement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems. Work will be performed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and is expected to be completed by August 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,990,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Six proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. ARMY DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, was awarded a $30,439,974 firm-fixed-price contract for small enclosure kits to support production of the Chemical Biological Protective System. 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 Nov. 15, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-19-D-3009). General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, St. Petersburg, Florida, was awarded a $14,413,028 firm-fixed-price contract for Army Ground Mobility Vehicles and associated kits. 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 Nov. 16, 2019. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-F-0072). VSE Corp., Alexandria, Virginia, was awarded a $13,068,557 modification (P00014) to contract W911SA-16-C-0002 for labor, equipment and transportation necessary to provide logistics readiness support services to perform and assist with property accountability, vehicle operations and supporting functions, maintenance management services, field and sustainment level maintenance, storage site operations, hands-on-training mission support, and refurbishment support at various locations in Arizona, California, Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada, Arkansas and New Mexico. Work will be performed in Mountain View, California, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 29, 2019. Fiscal 2019 other funds in the amount of $11,715,802 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, is the contracting activity. *Small business **Mandatory source https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1693147/source/GovDelivery/

By: Kelsey D. Atherton Russia's Defense Ministry announced Nov. 6 that the nation had extended the range on its drone-carried jammers to 100 km, or over 60 miles. Drones as a platform for, and not just the target of, electronic warfare means that the sight of a flying robot overhead could signal incoming strikes as well as a sudden inability to call for help. “Russia has been using a UAV-mounted cellphone jammer for a number of years now,” said Samuel Bendett, a research analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses. The drones operate in a two- or three-vehicle pod with a ground station, collectively grouped as a “Leer-3” system. “When these UAVs fly in teams, one acts as a signal-and-comms relay while another acts as a jammer,” Bendett said. “These Leer-3 systems have been around for about two years at this point.” What is changed is the range of the jammer. The Orlan-10 drones already have a range of 75 miles, which means that, with the latest update on the jammer, the drone pod can interfere with signals up to 135 miles away from where the drone was launched. TASS reports that the 60-mile range is a 3.5 times increase in distance from the initial range. In addition, Bendett said there's a chance this capability, or an earlier version of it, has already been witnessed in conflict. “Ukrainian forces claim to spot Leer-3 systems in eastern Ukraine, while there is potential evidence that Leer-3 was used in Syria as well,” Bendett said. “Russian forces are constantly training with Leer-3 UAVs as they practice adversary signal and cell comms suppression, identification and eventual destruction of the enemy force. In fact, this kind of training is part of the official [tactics, techniques and procedures] in electronic warfare and other forces across the Russian military.” Advancements in electronic warfare are one of the key components guiding the development of autonomous systems for the military. For now, drones are conducting electronic warfare against cellular communications, but it's not hard to imagine the same doctrines applied with new technology. In that scenario, it easy to picture other vehicles transforming into jamming machines on future battlefields ... and maybe even present ones. https://www.c4isrnet.com/newsletters/unmanned-systems/2018/11/16/russian-drones-can-jam-cell-phones-60-miles-away

HALIFAX, Canada — NATO member Slovakia is on track to purchase 14 Lockheed Martin F-16V fighters to replace its MiG-29 jets in a wider effort to break from Russia, the Slovak Ministry of Defence's No. 2 official said Saturday. In an interview on the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum, MoD State Secretary Róbert Ondrejcsák said of the Russian defense industrial relationship: “We are cutting off as quickly as we can. “The most important connection with Russia is still the MiG-29, which is still Russian manufactured, and it's what we are cutting now with the decision about the F-16s,” Ondrejcsák said. “There several are other smaller systems.” In the same vein, Slovakia also expects to receive five more Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, which completes its planned purchase of nine. (Long-term plans call for at least 18 multi-role helicopters to replace Soviet-designed Mi-17 rotorcraft, though no platform has been selected as yet.) “By replacing them, we are also cutting those ties with Russia,” Ondrejcsák said, adding that Slovakia will fly the UH-60 and Mi-17 for several years while the UH-60 is phased in. Slovakia was a part of the Soviet bloc during the Cold War but joined the European Union and the NATO military alliance in 2004. Slovakian officials understand the purchase of American hardware strengthens their strategic relationship, but Ondrejcsák emphasized — on the anniversary of Czechoslovakia's velvet revolution in 1989 — the partnership is based on faith in liberal democratic values. “We want to see America as a leader in the free world, as they did for 70 years,” Ondrejcsák said. “We hear a lot here [at Halifax] about the values-based international order, but it's very real for us.” Beyond the U.S., leaders of Slovakia and the Czech Republic announced in September the two countries will cooperate on joint purchases of weapons and military equipment. Both have moved to increase their respective defense budgets following Russia's alleged military intervention in Ukraine's eastern part and its annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. As to the F-16s, Ondrejcsák said the intent is for his government to finalize the legislative vehicle and contract in the coming months to ensure timely delivery of the first F-16s in 2022 or 2023. In part driven by maintenance costs, Slovakia decided to make a switch from the MiG-29 and ultimately chose the F-16V over the Saab Gripen based on price and internal analysis, according to Ondrejcsák. The announcement came in July after U.S. State Department in April approved the potential sale of 14 Block 70/72 F-16Vs for Slovakia. Otherwise, negotiations are also underway for the U.S. to further improve Slovakian air fields in Sliač, which is in central Slovakia and in Malacky, which is in in Western Slovakia. “We take it as a win-win situation because they are investing in infrastructure, which will be crucial for us too,” Ondrejcsák said of the U.S. military. “Of course its good for them (the U.S. military) because in case of potential operations, they (the airfields) are available.” The U.S. Air Force has ramped up investments that would enable it to deploy to allied bases in Eastern Europe and operate close to Russia's western flank. U.S. air field improvements have already included partner air bases in Hungary, Estonia and elsewhere. As Slovakia upgrades its heavy mechanized units, it is also exploring the modernization of its existing fleet of T-72 main battle tanks, Ondrejcsák said, rather than wait for the next generation of MBT to be developed. No platform has been selected. “We will upgrade them to the highest possible standards which will allow them to operate in the framework of the mechanized brigade,” he said. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/11/18/with-f-16-buy-slovakia-cutting-off-russian-hardware