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By: Andrew Chuter LONDON – Britain's Ministry of Defence has taken back management control of its nuclear weapons facilities from an industry-led consortium that has been running the operation for two decades. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement to parliament that the Atomic Weapons Establishment will become wholly owned by the MoD, with the new arrangement expected to be in place by June 2021. “Under the revised arrangements, AWE plc will become an arms-length body wholly owned by the MoD. It will continue to be managed by a world-leading team and a new board will be appointed by the MoD,” he told lawmakers. Since 1999 AWE has been managed and operated by a Lockheed Martin-led consortium, which also includes Jacobs Engineering and Serco, in a deal which had been expected to run until 2025. The arrangement, won in competition, followed several years of commercial management by Hunting-BRAE. The establishment, based at Aldermaston in southern England, is at the core of British activities toward developing, producing and disassembling nuclear warheads for the Royal Navy's fleet of Trident missile-armed submarines. In February the MoD committed itself to development of a new nuclear warhead to allow the Navy to field an effective deterrent for deployment on the new fleet of Dreadnought-class submarines due to start replacing the existing boats early in the next decade. The MoD owns the AWE sites and facilities. The day-to-day management, operations and the maintenance of Britain's nuclear stockpile are the responsibility of the consortium, which employs the workforce and maintains the nuclear site operating licenses. Wallace said the MoD has been looking at a successor arrangement for the current deal since July last year. “Although the existing arrangements have brought stability to the organization the MoD has concluded that AWE will revert to a direct government ownership model,” said the defence secretary in his statement to parliament. The MoD appears to have left the door open to some degree of commercial involvement in AWE. In his statement Wallace said the new business model will see AWE “continue to draw on private sector specialist support to strengthen capability as well as playing a key role in managing capital projects and contracts.” In a separate statement the defense ministry said removal of the current commercial arrangements would "enhance the MoD's agility in the future management of the UK's nuclear deterrent, whilst also delivering on core MoD objectives and value for money to the taxpayer. “The decision was taken in order to simplify and further strengthen the relationship between AWE and the MoD,” the statement said. AWE Management Limited, the name of the company formed by the consortium to manage and operate the nuclear facilities, only appointed a new chief executive, Alison Atkinson, in May. An industry competition for what is thought to be a three-year transformation program at AWE is already in its early stages. An industry executive who asked not to be named said the MoD had invoked what is known as a “termination of convenience” clause in the contract to prematurely end the deal with the consortium. “It was not performance related. Lockheed Martin and its partners could be due compensation,” said the executive. AWE has not been without its problems though, and, along with the MoD, most recently attracted criticism from the National Audit Office, the government financial watchdog, for its handling of a program known as Mensa to build a facility to assemble and disassemble nuclear weapons. Progress on Mensa has quickened recently but the program is expected to be over six years late and 146 percent over budget, according to an NAO report published in the summer. In a statement, a Lockheed Martin spokesman said the company remains “fully committed to the delivery of the UK's continuous at-sea deterrent. We'll continue to support the UK government, as the Atomic Weapons Establishment transitions to a new operating model and delivers current and future requirements.” https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/11/02/uk-government-to-retake-control-of-its-atomic-weapons-management-from-industry/

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded a sole-source, cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus fixed-fee contract. The total value of this contract is $724,001,438, inclusive of all options. Under this follow on contract, the contractor will conduct full development and lifecycle engineering for the Aegis Weapon System (AWS) fielding for cruisers, destroyers and Aegis Ashore configurations. The AWS contract will support the following efforts: Aegis Baseline (BL) 5.4.1 (Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) 4.2) development; BL 9 (BMD 5.X) development; Aegis BMD In-Service support; BMD ground and flight test support; modeling and simulation support; Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex combat system engineering, testing, site support, modernization, technical and logistics support; and Aegis BMD ship installation and planning. The work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, with an estimated completion date of February 2024. Fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 research, development, test, and evaluation; and fiscal 2021 procurement defense wide, and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $45,036,867, will be obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0851-21-C-0002). Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a sole-source, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a ceiling value of $722,400,000. This contract is a hybrid of fixed-price incentive firm-target, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee. This contract is for fiscal years 2021-2029. Under this contract, the contractor will provide the management, material and services associated with the sustaining engineering and product support services of the Standard Missile-3 Block missile variants for the U.S. and Foreign Military Sales partners. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona; and Huntsville, Alabama, with an ordering period of nine years from contract award through Oct. 29, 2029. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $6,695,129 will be obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0851-21-D-0001). DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE Ernst and Young LLP, New York, New York, is being awarded a maximum $263,438,451 labor-hour contract for financial statement audit services for the Navy. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Virginia, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. The contract has a one-year base period with four individual one-year option periods. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition for which one quote was received. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $50,270,811 are being obligated at the time of the award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-21-F-0002). AIR FORCE Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Sierra Vista, Arizona, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $158,390,024 undefinitized contract action for Global Hawk (RQ-4) aircraft sustainment. This contract provides for aircraft spares and contractor logistics support. Work will be performed in the Republic of Korea and Sierra Vista, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 29, 2024. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the Republic of Korea. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $33,835,878 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8690-21-C-1001). Velocity/CFM JV LLC, San Antonio, Texas (FA3016-21-D-0002); King & George LLC, Fort Worth, Texas (FA3016-21-D-0003); Henock Construction LLC, San Antonio, Texas (FA3016-21-D-0004); JVR SouthBay JV, San Antonio, Texas (FA3016-21-D-0005); Belt Built/Con-Cor JV, San Antonio, Texas (FA3016-21-D-0006); Northcon Inc., Hayden, Idaho, (FA3016-21-D-0007); and Tejas Premier Building Contractor Inc., San Antonio, Texas (FA3016-21-D-0008), have been awarded one of seven multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts with a $140,000,000 program ceiling for non-complex construction. Subsequent task orders will be in support of real property maintenance, repair, alteration and minor construction. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 8, 2030. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 33 proposals were received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,000 per basic contract will be obligated at the time of award. The 502nd Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, is the contracting activity. Hologic Inc., Marlborough, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $119,285,089 firm-fixed-price contract for SARS-CoV-2 molecular test production and capacity expansion. This contract provides for the expansion of manufacturing capabilities through additional equipment, material/supplies and facility infrastructure. Work will be performed in Somerset, Wisconsin; Hudson, Wisconsin; Menomonie, Wisconsin; Anaheim, California; Baldwin, Wisconsin; Guilford, Maine; and San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by January 2022. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition. Funding is authorized through Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266) from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in the full amount which is being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8656-21-C-0002). L3Harris Technologies Inc., Clifton, New Jersey, has been awarded a $97,505,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide repair and return (R&R) services for unclassified and classified line-replaceable unit/standard equipment module assets of the ALQ-211 (V)4, (V)8, and (V)9 systems of the airborne F-16 Advanced Integrated Defense Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS) weapon systems. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to support air forces of Chile, India, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Turkey, Iraq and Morocco. Procurement of these R&R logistical support services is necessary to restore F-16 AIDEWS systems to mission capable condition and to equip partnering F-16 FMS fleets with airborne self-defense and survivability against electromagnetic threats. Work will be performed in Clifton, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 29, 2025. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $73,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8523-21-D-0001). Tyonek Services Overhaul Facility – Stennis LLC,* Kiln, Mississippi, has been awarded a $92,800,000 contract for C‐5M sustainment. This contract provides for alternative modification installation services. Work will be performed in Waco, Texas, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2030. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. A combination of fiscal 2020 transportation working capital funds and fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,577,182 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8525‐21‐D‐0001). Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $15,537,424 modification (P00120) to contract FA8705-14-C-0001 for transportable install kit/electronic equipment (IKEE) kits under already established contract line item numbers 0004, 0005 and 0006 respectively for a global aircrew strategic network terminal. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2023. Fiscal 2019 other procurement funds in the amount of $8,011,905; and fiscal 2020 other procurement funds in the amount of $7,525,519 are being obligated at time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $559,045,880. The Air Force Material Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a $13,365,920 time and materials task order to provide time and materials for Mobility Air Forces Automated Flight Planning Service (MAFPS) Functional On-Site Support Element. This contract provides services to include support desk activities and assistance with MAFPS flight plan requests, data management, application training, creation/routing/tracking/analysis of customer requests/trouble tickets (trend analysis) and resulting products to ensure Air Operations Center mission requirements are met. Work will be performed in Rockville, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 30, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,690,571 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-20-F-0202). InBios International Inc., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $12,670,301 firm-fixed-price contract for expansion of production capability for COVID-19 Rapid test. This contract provides for expansion of production capability for the SCoV-2 IgG/IgM Detect and SCoV-2 Ag Detect tests. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed by April 2021. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition. Funding is authorized through Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266) from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and funds in the full amount will be obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8656-21-C-8877). PAE Applied Technologies LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $12,665,242 firm-fixed-price modification (P00016) to contract FA4890-17-F-3053 for forward operating location/base operating support. The contract modification exercises Option Year Three. Work will be performed at Hato IAP, Curacao; and Reina Beatrix IAP, Aruba, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $71,784,016. The Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a $7,801,213 hybrid firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable modification (P00040) to contract FA8823-17-C-0003 for system sustainment of the Meteorological Data Station. This modification provides for the exercise of the Option Year Four pre-priced contract line items for additional sustainment services under the basic contract. Work will be performed in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $900,000; and spectrum relocation funds in the amount of $498,822 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $63,259,109. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Brad Hall and Associates Inc., Idaho Falls, Idaho (SPE605-21-D-4501, $53,709,214); American Energy & Fuel System,* Santa Fe Springs, California (SPE605-21-D-4502, $53,709,214); Petroleum Traders Corp.,** Fort Wayne, Indiana (SPE605-21-D-4504, $44,230,576); Mansfield Oil Company of Gainesville Inc., Gainesville, Georgia (SPE605-21-D-4503, $11,383,071); and Stonewin LLC,* Miami, Florida (SPE605-21-D-4505, $10,923,079), have each been awarded a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract under solicitation SPE605-20-R-0225 for various types of fuel. This was a competitive acquisition with 57 responses received. This is a 30-month contract with one six-month option period. Locations of performance are Idaho, California, Georgia, Indiana, Florida, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming, with a June 30, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Aurora Industries LLC,*** Camuy, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $49,763,100 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for duffle bags. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a two-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Puerto Rico, with an Oct. 29, 2022, ordering period end date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-21-D-1408). US Foods Inc., Salem, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $37,260,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for full-line food distribution. 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 108-day bridge contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Missouri and Illinois, with a Feb. 16, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-21-D-3300). L3 Technologies Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, has been awarded a maximum $21,897,981 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract for Data Link Compatibility Module components. 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 five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Utah, with an Oct. 30, 2025, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2026 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA1-21-D-0006). Belleville Shoe Co.,* Belleville, Illinois, has been awarded a maximum $12,462,522 modification (P00008) exercising the third one-year-option period of one-year base contract (SPE1C1-18-D-1001) with four one-year option periods for hot-weather combat boots. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is Illinois, with an Oct. 30, 2021, ordering period end date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Avfuel Corp., Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been awarded a $9,610,200 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for jet fuel. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is an 18-month contract with one six-month option period. Locations of performance are California and Michigan, with a May 31, 2022, performance completion date. Using customer is Air National Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE605-21-D-4500). NAVY The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $28,912,436 for a firm-fixed-price delivery order (N00383-21-F-A30P) under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00383-17-G-A301 for the procurement of radomes for the total quantity of 99 each in support of the F/A-18 E-G aircraft. All work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by March 2025. Fiscal 2021 working capital (Navy) funds in the full amount of $28,912,436 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. The Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, is awarded $17,932,332 for ceiling-priced delivery order N00383-21-F-Y500 under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00383-20-G-Y500 in support of five line items for the procurement of the electronic consolidated automated support system used on a support equipment test bench. All work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by October 2021. Fiscal 2021 working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,786,843 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One firm was solicited for this non-competitive requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. The Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $16,590,126 modification (P0001) to firm-fixed-price order N00019-20-F-0256 against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0029. This modification procures 190 spare parts and provides support for the repair and maintenance of the CH-53K Low Rate Initial Production configuration aircraft. Work will be performed in Rochester, United Kingdom (21.02%); Stratford, Connecticut (13.03%); Garden Grove, California (12.98%); Windsor, Connecticut (12.41%); Forest, Ohio (9.85%); Quebec, Canada (8.95%); Chesterfield, Missouri (8.8%); Windsor Locks, Connecticut (6.31%); Hazelwood, Missouri (2.01%); Rockmart, Georgia (1.66%); Lebanon, New Hampshire (1.18%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (1.8%), and is expected to be completed in December 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $16,590,126 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. Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is awarded $14,230,773 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N00383-21-F-U203 under previously awarded long-term contract (LTC) N00383-19-D-U201 for the repair of the turret, sensor-sight in support of the H-60 aircraft. The current delivery order will exceed the total estimated value of $58,777,194. The original LTC award announcement was published on Dec. 19, 2018. Per Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 205.303(a)(i)(B), this delivery order must be publicized as the estimated value has been reached and this delivery order has a face value of more than $7.5 million. This delivery order brings the new total amount of the LTC to $70,140,189. All work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, and is expected to be completed by May 2023. Annual working capital (Navy) funds in the full amount of $14,230,773 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. The Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, is awarded a $12,899,128, 18-month contract option under existing cost-reimbursement contract N66001-19-C-4019 for the development of a novel, nonsurgical, bi-directional brain-computer interface with high spacio-temporal resolution and low latency for potential human use. Exercise of this option increases the overall value of this contract to $15,804,682. Work will be performed at the contractor's facilities in Columbus, Ohio (31%); Weston, Florida (47%); Miami, Florida (11%); and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (11%). The period of performance from Oct. 30, 2020, through April 29, 2022. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,854,743 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency broad agency announcement solicitation published on the beta.SAM.gov website. Nineteen proposals were received and six were selected for award. The Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-C-4019). General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $10,186,100 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-09-C-2104 for execution of USS Delaware (SSN 791) guaranty period. General Dynamics Electric Boat will perform planning and execution efforts, in preparation to accomplish the maintenance, repair, alterations, testing and other work on USS Delaware (SSN 791) during its scheduled guaranty period. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by July 2021. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $10,186,100 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair, Groton, Connecticut, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is awarded a $9,789,348 modification (P00004) to cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N00019-20-F-0025 against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-15-G-0026. This modification exercises an option to provide labor to retrofit link 16 crypto-modernization/hybrid-beyond line of sight capabilities on 34 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia (39.2%); Ronkonkoma, New York (23.98%); Bethpage, New York (18.02%); Petaluma, California (6.8%); Irvine, California (6.76%); Melbourne, Florida (3.25%); Minden, Nebraska (1.5%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (0.49%), and is expected to be completed in April 2022. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,789,348 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. Railroad Construction Co. Inc., Paterson, New Jersey, is awarded a $9,759,564 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification under previously-awarded contract N40085-19-D-9024 for the exercise of Option Two under a contract for base operations support services at Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey; and Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The work to be performed provides for preventive maintenance of railroad switch turnouts, maintenance of railroad track rights-of way, to include weed control and tree trimming; ultrasonic testing of railroad track components; maintenance of railroad crossings; and the repair of railroad trackage, to include the replacement of crossties, switch timbers and rail and switch turnout components. No percentage estimates of the amount of work at each location is available, as work will be performed based on individual task orders. This modification brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $28,242,820. Work will be performed in Colts Neck, New Jersey; and Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by October 2021. No funding is being obligated with this award, but an anticipated task order during the option period will be awarded for recurring work at Public Works Department, Earle, New Jersey. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,841,872 will be awarded at that time under that task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic Public Works Department, Earle, Colts Neck, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. GE Aviation Systems LLC, Dowty Propellers, Sterling, Virginia, is awarded an $8,091,000 modification (P00020) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00019-17-D-0089. This modification adds scope to provide logistics services in support of KC-130J R391 propeller upgrades for the Marine Corps. Specifically, this effort provides durability upgrades to the propeller blade polyurethane and leading edge guard. Work will be performed in Sterling, Virginia (56%); and Gloucester, United Kingdom (44%), and is expected to be completed in May 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. ARMY J&J Maintenance Inc., Austin, Texas, was awarded a $25,483,823 firm-fixed-price contract for healthcare housekeeping services at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2025. Fiscal 2021 Defense Health Program (Defense) funds in the amount of $25,483,823 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K04-21-C-0001). Test & Evaluation Services and Technologies LLC, Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a $15,217,605 modification (P00002) to contract W900KK-20-D-0012 for threat systems operations and maintenance integrated support. Work will be performed in Herndon, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 26, 2027. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $15,217,605 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Oct. 21, 2020) ICF Inc. LLC, Fairfax, Virginia, was awarded a $14,155,272 modification (P00040) to contract W911QX-17-C-0018 for mission critical defense cyber operation services. Work will be performed in Adelphi, Maryland; Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; San Antonio, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fort Meade, Maryland; and Columbia, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2021. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $2,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. National Conferencing Inc., Dumfries, Virginia, was awarded a $13,492,970 modification (P00003) to contract W9124J-20-C-0018 to provide event planning, coordination and logistical support for training requirements of Department of the Army, Chief of Chaplains. Work will be performed in Dumfries, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $9,124,231 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Field Directorate Office, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity. *Small business **Veteran-owned small business ***8(a) small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2400904/source/GovDelivery/

By Mercedes Stephenson & Marc-André Cossette Global News With the U.S. presidential election just days away, the Canadian government is steeling itself for the weeks of uncertainty that could ensue if the result is unclear or contested. In the corridors of power in Ottawa, planning for this election started early, according to a senior government official who requested anonymity. Those preparations have been intense, generating a flurry of briefings and threat assessments, as Canada braces for all scenarios. Much hinges on how U.S. President Donald Trump will react on Election Night and the weeks that follow. Throughout his presidency, Trump has shattered expectations of normal political behaviour. He now appears willing to defy one of the most basic of democratic norms, having refused to say unequivocally whether he'll accept the results of the election if he loses. John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser, warns the president won't leave graciously if defeated. “There could be turmoil,” Bolton said. “If he thinks confusion and chaos can help him hang on, can help affect recounts and contests, I think there's every prospect he'll engage in it.” U.S. election highlighting need for ‘unified' response In the aftermath of the election, multiple sources told Global News that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team will lean heavily on Canada's embassy in Washington and especially on Ambassador Kirsten Hillman. Her predecessor, David MacNaughton, said Hillman has likely been in near-daily communication with the Prime Minister's Office, funnelling information that she has gleaned from her contacts in the White House, Congress, the U.S. State Department and American security agencies. Back in Ottawa, the prime minister will want premiers and opposition parties on side too, MacNaughton said. “When we're dealing with something as important as our relationship with the United States, we need to be unified,” he said, citing the non-partisan Team Canada approach that was taken when renegotiating NAFTA. “That's what's going to be necessary, regardless of what happens with the outcome of this election.” But so long as there's any doubt about the result, the prime minister would be wise to keep his powder dry, said Roland Paris, Trudeau's former foreign policy and defence adviser. “Canadian prime ministers rarely have anything to gain by involving themselves in U.S. domestic politics, and they often have quite a bit to lose,” he said. Aside from reaffirming Canada's confidence in the U.S. electoral process, the federal government will do all it can to avoid being drawn into the political firestorm raging south of the border. Preparing for civil unrest and the ‘nightmare scenario' Still, multiple sources said Canada can't ignore the possibility of civil unrest and violence in the United States. For 10 years, Ward Elcock served as Canada's top spy, leading the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). He said there's no question that Trump's heated rhetoric has fuelled the resurgence of far-right extremism in the United States: a phenomenon that poses a serious threat as Americans decide who should lead their country for the next four years. “There may well be some people who do weird things in the aftermath of the election, particularly if — as seems likely at this point — Mr. Trump loses and loses badly,” Elcock said. “There may be some of his supporters who do get pushed into violent scenarios that are hard for us to imagine.” Just one month ahead of the election, a report by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security called white supremacists “the most persistent and lethal threat” in the country. That threat is on Canada's radar too, according to Thomas Juneau, a professor of international affairs at the University of Ottawa and a former analyst with the Department of National Defence. “One scenario that is always a nightmare scenario for Canada is the issue of security threats coming from Canada, crossing the Canadian-American border and reaching the U.S.,” he said. “The fear on our side is always that the response on the American side will be to close the border, which economically would be devastating for us.” Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior national security source told Global News the federal government is quietly assessing the risk that election-related violence in the United States could spill over into Canada. As a result, Canadian intelligence agencies will closely monitor potential flashpoints. Those include border states like Michigan, where the FBI recently foiled a militia plot to kidnap the state's governor, and Washington, where waves of anti-racism protests may have attracted more far-right extremists. ‘Not our first rodeo' managing U.S. disruption: experts Despite the uncertainty swirling around the election, experts agree that ties between the Canadian and American defence and intelligence communities likely won't be affected. “The underlying relationship is very strong,” Elcock said, describing it as one of interdependence. “We may be a smaller partner, but we're not necessarily just a bit player,” he said. And what if Trump were to issue wild orders in the post-election chaos — demanding, for example, that U.S. agencies cease all intelligence-sharing with allies? Several intelligence sources said the U.S. defence and security apparatus likely won't take orders that it considers illegitimate. “The United States is not disintegrating,” Elcock said. “It may need a period of rest and rejuvenation after Mr. Trump passes from the scene, as inevitably he will at some point. But the reality is most of those organizations are still there and they're still capable.” In other words, Trump may be disruptive, but the U.S. military and intelligence community is still run by professionals who won't toe the president's line if he goes rogue. No matter what happens on Nov. 3, the overwhelming consensus appears to be that Americans will find a way to endure. “This is not our first rodeo,” Bolton said. “We've had bitterly contested elections before and we've gotten through it — and we'll get through this one, too.” See this and other original stories about our world on The New Reality airing Saturday nights on Global TV, and online. https://globalnews.ca/news/7432158/us-election-canada-preparations/

Nathan Strout Even as the U.S. Army attempts to integrate cutting edge technologies into its operations, many of its platforms remain fundamentally in the 20th century. Take tanks, for example. The way tank crews operate their machine has gone essentially unchanged over the last 40 years. At a time when the military is enamored with robotics, artificial intelligence and next generation networks, operating a tank relies entirely on manual inputs from highly trained operators. “Currently, tank crews use a very manual process to detect, identify and engage targets,” explained Abrams Master Gunner Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Harris. “Tank commanders and gunners are manually slewing, trying to detect targets using their sensors. Once they come across a target they have to manually select the ammunition that they're going to use to service that target, lase the target to get an accurate range to it, and a few other factors.” The process has to be repeated for each target. “That can take time,” he added. “Everything is done manually still.” On the 21st century battlefield, it's an anachronism. “Army senior leaders recognize that the way the crews in the tank operate is largely analogous to how these things were done 30, 45 years ago,” said Richard Nabors, acting principal deputy for systems and modeling at the DEVCOM C5ISR Center. “These senior leaders, many of them with extensive technical expertise, recognized that there were opportunities to improve the way that these crews operate,” he added. “So they challenged the Combat Capabilities Development Command, the Armaments Center and the C5ISR Center to look at the problem.” On Oct. 28, the Army invited reporters to Aberdeen Proving Ground to see their solution: the Advanced Targeting and Lethality Aided System, or ATLAS. ATLAS uses advanced sensors, machine learning algorithms and a new touchscreen display to automate the process of finding and firing targets, allowing crews to respond to threats faster than ever before. “The assistance that we're providing to the soldiers will speed up those engagement times [and] allow them to execute multiple targets in the same time that they currently take to execute a single target,” said Dawne Deaver, C5ISR project lead for ATLAS. At first glance, the ATLAS prototype the Army had set up looked like something out of a Star Wars film, albeit with treads and not easily harpooned legs. The system was installed on a mishmash of systems — a sleek black General Dynamics Griffin I chassis with the Army's Advance Lethality and Accuracy System for Medium Calibur (ALAS-MC) auto-loading 50mm turret stacked on top. And mounted on top of the turret was a small round Aided Target Recognition (AiTR) sensor — a mid-wave infrared imaging sensor to be more exact. Constantly rotating to scan the battlefield, the sensor almost had a life of its own, not unlike an R2 unit on the back of an X-Wing. Trailing behind the tank and connected via a series of long black cables was a black M113. For this demonstration, the crew station was located inside the M113, not the tank itself. Cavernous compared to the inside of an Abrams tank, the M113 had three short seats lined up. At the forward-most seat was a touchscreen display and a video game-like controller for operating the tank, while further back computer monitors displayed ATLAS' internal processes. Of course, ATLAS isn't the tank itself, or even the M113 connected to it. The chassis served as a surrogate for either a future tank, fighting vehicle or even a retrofit of current vehicles, while the turret was an available program being developed by the Armaments Center. The M113 is not really meant to be involved at all, but the Army decided to remotely locate the crew station inside of it for safety concerns during a live fire demonstration expected to take place in the coming weeks. ATLAS, Army officials reminded observers again and again, is agnostic to the chassis or turret it's installed on. So if ATLAS isn't the tank, what is it? Roughly speaking, ATLAS is the mounted sensor collecting data, the machine learning algorithm processing that data, and the display/controller that the crew uses to operate the tank. Here's how it works: ATLAS starts with the optical sensor mounted on top of the tank. Once activated, the sensor continuously scans the battlefield, feeding that data into a machine learning algorithm that automatically detects threats. Images of those threats are then sent to a new touchscreen display, the graphical user interface for the tank's intelligent fire control system. The images are lined up vertically on the left side of the screen, with the main part of the display showing what the gun is currently aimed at. Around the edges are a number of different controls for selecting ammunition, fire type, camera settings and more. By simply touching one of the targets on the left with your finger, the tank automatically swivels its gun, training its sights on the dead center of the selected object. As it does that, the fire control system automatically recommends the appropriate ammo and setting — such as burst or single shot — to respond with, though the user can adjust these as needed. So with the target in its sights, weapon selected, the operator has a choice: Approve the AI's recommendations and pull the trigger, adjust the settings before responding, or disengage. The entire process from target detection to the pull of the trigger can take just seconds. Once the target is destroyed, the operator can simply touch the screen to select the next target picked up by ATLAS. In automating what are now manual tasks, the aim of ATLAS is to reduce end-to-end engagement times. Army officials declined to characterize how much faster ATLAS is than a traditional tank crew. However, a demo video shown at Aberdeen Proving Ground claimed ATLAS allows “the operator to engage three targets in the time it now takes to just engage one.” ATLAS is essentially a marriage between technologies developed by the Army's C5ISR Center and the Armaments Center. “We are integrating, experimenting and prototyping with technology from C5ISR center — things like advanced EO/IR targeting sensors, aided target algorithms — we're taking those technology products and integrating them with intelligent fire control systems from the Armaments Center to explore efficiencies between those technologies that can basically buy back time for tank crews,” explained Ground Combat Systems Division Deputy Director Jami Davis. Starting in August, the Army began bringing in small groups of tank operators to test out the new system, mostly using a new virtual reality setup that replicates the ATLAS display and controller. By gathering soldier feedback early, the Army hopes that they can improve the system quickly and make it ready for fielding that much faster. Already, the Army has brought in 40 soldiers. More soldier touchpoints and a live fire demonstration are anticipated to help the Army mature its product. In some ways, ATLAS replicates the AI-capabilities demonstrated at Project Convergence in miniature. Project Convergence is the Army's new campaign of learning, designed to integrate new sensor, AI and network capabilities to transform the battlefield. In September, the Army hauled many of its most advanced cutting edge technologies to the desert at Yuma Proving Ground, then tried to connect them in new ways. In short, at Project Convergence the Army tried to create an environment where it could connect any sensor to the best shooter. The Army demonstrated two types of AI at Project Convergence. First were the automatic target recognition AIs. These machine learning algorithms processed the massive amount of data picked up by the Army's sensors to detect and identify threats on the battlefield, producing targeting data for weapon systems to utilize. The second type of AI was used for fire control, and is represented by FIRES Synchronization to Optimize Responses in Multi-Domain Operations, or FIRESTORM. Taking in the targeting data from the other AI systems, FIRESTORM automatically looks at the weapons at the Army's disposal and recommends the best one to respond to any given threat. While ATLAS does not yet have the networking components that tied Project Convergence together across domains, it essentially performs those two tasks: It's AI automatically detects threats and recommends the best response to the human operators. Although the full ATLAS system wasn't hauled out to Project Convergence this year, the Army was able to bring out the virtual prototyping setup to Yuma Proving Ground, and there is hope that ATLAS itself could be involved next year. To be clear: ATLAS is not meant to replace tank crews. It's meant to make their jobs easier, and in the process, much faster. Even if ATLAS is widely adopted, crews will still need to be trained for manual operations in case the system breaks down. And they'll still need to rely on their training to verify the algorithm's recommendations. “We can assist the soldier and reduce the number of manual tasks that they have to do while still retaining the soldiers' ability to always override the system, to always make the final decision of whether or not the target is a threat, whether or not the firing solution is correct, and that they can make that decision to pull the trigger and engage targets,” explained Deaver. https://www.c4isrnet.com/artificial-intelligence/2020/10/29/how-the-army-plans-to-revolutionize-tanks-with-artificial-intelligence/

AIR FORCE The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $342,120,528 firm-fixed-price modification (P00009) to contract FA8609-18-F-0006 for KC-46A Aircraft 3 and 4 for Japan. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of two KC-46A Japan aircraft being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Everett, Washington, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2023. Foreign Military Sales funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of this contract is $800,972,411. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. The Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $192,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) field team and lab support. This contract provides support for the AMRAAM system development test activities to include laboratory management, field-team test support, testing and analysis. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona; Fort Worth, Texas; St. Louis, Missouri; Seattle, Washington; Edwards Air Force Base, California; Hill AFB, Utah; and Eglin AFB, Florida, and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2030. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) funds in the amount of $479,372; and fiscal 2021 RDT&E funds in the amount of $800,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin AFB, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA86785-21-D-0030). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Northridge, California, has been awarded a $75,006,130 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, requirements contract for common munition built-in-tester reprogramming equipment (CMBRE) system. This contract provides for the program management support, sustaining engineering, repairs, consumable parts depot, and production of CMBRE systems, initial spares kits and associated items belonging to the CMBRE configuration. Work will be performed in Northridge, California, and is expected to be completed Oct. 29, 2026. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance funds will be used and obligated via an individual delivery order against the contract as requirements are made known. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8533-21-D-0001). ARMY Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, was awarded a $312,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of monoclonal antibody therapeutic LY-CoV555. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2021. Fiscal 2021 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds in the amount of $312,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QY-21-C-0016). (Awarded Oct. 27, 2020) Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Wilmington, Delaware, was awarded a $286,927,159 firm-fixed-price contract for the delivery of 200 million doses of AZD1222 vaccine for COVID- 19. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in West Chester Township, Ohio; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2021. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $286,927,159 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-21-C-0003). (Awarded Oct. 28, 2020) DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE KPMG LLP, McLean, Virginia, is being awarded a maximum $224,033,259 labor hour contract for audit services for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General audits of the Army financial statements. Work will be performed in McLean, Virginia, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. The contract has a one-year base period with four individual one-year option periods, and is the result of a competitive acquisition for which three quotes were received. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $43,696,323 are being obligated at the time of the award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-21-F-0005). Ernst and Young LLP, New York, New York, is being awarded a maximum $98,142,615 labor hour contract for audit services for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General audits of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) financial statements, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. The contract has a one-year base period with four individual one-year option periods, and is the result of a competitive acquisition for which two quotes were received. Subject to availability of funding, fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (DLA) funds in the amount of $18,838,861 will be obligated when funds are available for this contract. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-21-F-0010). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY WGL Energy Services Inc., Vienna, Virginia (SPE604-21-D-8005, $84,270,116); Reliant Energy Northeast LLC, Houston, Texas (SPE604-21-D-8004, $48,256,472); AEP Energy Inc., Chicago, Illinois (SPE604-21-D-8000, $15,924,871); MP2 Energy NE LLC, The Woodlands, Texas (SPE604-21-D-8003, $15,124,148); and Dynegy Energy Services (East) LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio (SPE604-21-D-8006, $9,060,198), have each been awarded a firm-fixed-price, requirements-type contract under solicitation SPE604-20-R-0408 to supply and deliver retail electricity and ancillary/incidental services. These were competitive acquisitions with nine responses received. They are two-year contracts with no option periods. Locations of performance are Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Ohio, with a Dec. 31, 2022, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Army Reserve, Argonne National Laboratory, Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, U.S. National Arboretum, Naval Research Laboratory, National Institutes of Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Communication Support System Group, National Agricultural Library, Army Corps of Engineers, Defense Intelligence Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Contract Management Agency and other federal civilian agencies. Using customers are solely responsible for funding this contract and vary in appropriation type and fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $9,455,861 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRMM1-21-F-DK02) against five-year basic ordering agreement SPRMM1-18-G-DK01 for electronic switches. 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 35-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Massachusetts, with a Sept. 30, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. (Awarded Oct. 27, 2020) Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a maximum $9,008,686 firm-fixed-price, one-time buy, requirements contract for cooler reservoirs used in the Air to Air Stinger weapon system parts. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 (a)(2). This is a 29-month contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Arizona and India, with a Nov. 30, 2022, performance delivery date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA2-20-C-0039). Burlington Industries LLC, Greensboro, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $8,134,668 modification (P00006) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-19-D-1112) with four one-year option periods for wool, serge, sponged mothproof cloth. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Nov. 4, 2021, ordering period end date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NAVY Bowen Engineering Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded an $83,424,684 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of an underwater launch test facility at Naval Support Activity, Crane, Indiana. The work to be performed provides construction of a new underwater launch test facility, to include a launch test pit, operational support building, warehouse building, water treatment building, mechanical and electrical building, waste staging area, electrical substation and other site improvements. This contract contains an option which, if exercised, would increase the cumulative contract value to $84,624,684. Work will be performed in Crane, Indiana, and is expected to be completed by August 2022. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,882,001 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.SAM.gov website, with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-21-C-0009). Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $73,844,598 modification to previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract N00019-20-C-0037. This contract modification exercises an option to provide continued F-35 development lab infrastructure activities as well as recurring administration, maintenance and preparation of the F-35 laboratories to test developed configurations across the F-35 platform. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in October 2021. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $15,128,657; fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,564,329; fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $7,564,329; and non-Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $6,664,984 will be obligated at time of award, $30,257,315 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity Dyncorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $60,040,851 modification (P00046) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract N68936-17-C-0052. This modification exercises an option to provide organizational level aircraft maintenance and logistics support on aircraft, systems, subsystems, aircrew systems, search and rescue equipment and support equipment for P-3 Orion, C-130 Hercules, F/A-18 Hornet, E/A-18 Growler, AV-8B Harrier II, H-60 Seahawk and E-2D Hawkeye aircraft in support of the Naval Test Wing Pacific Command. Work will be performed in China Lake, California (50%); Point Mugu, California (40%); Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii (2%); Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California (2%); Patrick Air Force Base, Florida (1%); Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico (1%); Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland (1%); Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona (1%); Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, California (1%); and North Island, California (1%), and is expected to be completed in October 2021. Working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $46,709,814 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity. Aircraft Readiness Alliance LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska, is awarded a $56,339,955 modification (P00016) to previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract N68936-17-C-0081. This modification exercises an option to provide depot level maintenance services for aircraft, aircraft engines, associated systems, equipment, components and materials. These services may involve rework of existing aviation end items, systems and components and the manufacture of items and component parts that are otherwise not available, modernization, conversion, in-service repair and disassembly for AV-8B, C-130, C-2, E-2, EA-6B, F/A-18, H-1, H-53, H-60, MQ-8, P-3, P-8, F-35 and V-22 aircrafts in support of Fleet Readiness Center Southwest. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (79.5%); Lemoore, California (8.5%); Camp Pendleton, California (3.4%); Yuma, Arizona (2.4%); Miramar, California (2.2%); Whidbey Island, Washington (1.7%); Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (1%); Nellis, Nevada (1%); and Fallon, California (0.3%), and is expected to be completed in October 2021. Fiscal 2021 working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $20,073,043 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity. Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon, is awarded a $17,861,520 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-4447 to support USS Chosin (CG 65) extended dry-docking selected restricted availability. This modification will provide production work in the superstructure for various interior spaces to USS Chosin (CG 65) during the performance of the extended availability at Vigor Shipyard, Seattle, Washington. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed by October 2021. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $17,861,520 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Everett, Washington, is the contracting activity. Detyens Shipyard Inc., Charleston, South Carolina, is awarded a $10,884,056 firm-fixed-price contract for a 75-calendar day shipyard availability. The work to be performed provides for services for the post shakedown availability and dry-docking of the expeditionary fast transport USNS Puerto Rico (T-EPF 11). The contract also contains nine unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $13,039,037. Work will be performed in Charleston, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed by April 2021. Fiscal 2021 working capital contract funds (Navy) in the amount of $10,884,056 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.SAM.gov website, with two proposals received. The Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N32205-20-C-4088). Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Syracuse, New York, is awarded a $7,659,000 cost-plus incentive-fee modification to previously awarded task order N00024-19-F-6201 under indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00024-19-D-6200 for the design, prototyping and qualification testing for the Technical Insertion-20 AN/BLQ-10 electronic warfare system. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York, and is expected to be completed by February 2021. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) in the amount of $7,659,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-19-D-6200). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2399096/source/GovDelivery/

Located throughout the country, all Danish Defence staff members will be able to access a variety of fleet vehicles – from cars to mini-buses – through a keyless reservation system, called Carsharing. COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Oct. 29, 2020 /CNW/ - Danish Defence subscribed its 2,000 service vehicles for Fleet Complete's fleet management and carsharing solution. Through an online mobile reservation system, the Defence will be able to improve access to vehicles for its personnel nationwide and maximise the use of assets for more economical and environmentally responsible operations. The pool of vehicles comprises regular cars, mini-vans and other service transport used by the Defence staff across Denmark. The Carsharing app will accommodate all employees with RFID access, minimizing the need for keys. The in-app booking system will suggest to users the closest available vehicle upon request and pinpoint its location on a web map for easy pickup with their driver ID card. Carsharing is an effective means of reducing organisation's operating costs and ensuring better utilisation of existing vehicles in the fleet. The administrators get full visibility into what vehicles are being driven, where, how often and by whom. Usage reports provide clear data on whether vehicles are located in the best spot according to employee's needs and whether they are used in the most optimal way. Additional reporting on maintenance and driving behaviour provides insight into personnel safety and conduct on the road. With more efficient allocation and use of resources, the fleet drives fewer kilometers, consumes less fuel, and lowers CO2 emissions as a result, contributing to greener, cost-effective operations. "Fleet Complete's Carsharing is an advanced, mature solution," says Tony Lourakis, CEO of Fleet Complete. "The benefits are almost immediate. Today, most companies use Outlook or Excel to manage their internal car reservations, which is both time consuming and inaccurate. Our car sharing solution has everything – an app with a booking module to reserve the best available vehicle on your smartphone, keyless entry, and automatic usage reports that you can export or integrate directly into ERP and other information systems. It's an easy choice." For more information on Carsharing, please visit [www.fleetcomplete.dk/delebiler/] About Fleet Complete® Fleet Complete® is a leading global provider of connected vehicle technology, delivering mission-critical fleet, asset and mobile workforce management solutions. The company is servicing approximately 600,000 subscribers and over 40,000 businesses and government organizations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Australia, and across Europe. It maintains key distribution partnerships with AT&T in the U.S. and Mexico, TELUS and Rogers in Canada, Telstra in Australia, Telia in Denmark, Cosmote in Greece, and Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile) in multiple European countries. Fleet Complete cultivates strong OEM partnerships with global market leaders, such as Cummins, Ford, General Motors, Mitsubishi Australia, and Toyota, among others. It remains one of the fastest-growing companies globally, having won numerous awards for innovation and growth. For more information, please visit fleetcomplete.com SOURCE Fleet Complete For further information: David Prusinski, EVP, Sales and Marketing, Fleet Complete, marketing@fleetcomplete.com https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/danish-defence-sets-up-2000-vehicles-with-fleet-complete-carsharing-solution-821749117.html

Le projet de budget 2021 des armées est examiné en séance publique ce vendredi 30 octobre à l'Assemblée nationale. A hauteur de 39,2 milliards d'euros, en hausse de 4,5%, ce projet de budget apparaît toujours comme une priorité nationale, relève Le Monde. Les crédits de 2021 sont destinés à «réparer» et «moderniser» la défense. Ils permettront notamment d'acquérir trois avions tankers multirôles supplémentaires (MRTT), d'admettre le nouveau sous-marin Suffren au service actif, d'accroître les moyens cyberoffensifs des armées, et d'acheter des missiles air-sol AASM dans le cadre de la reconstitution des stocks de munitions. Florence Parly confirme qu'un texte législatif sera émis pour procéder à l'actualisation de la Loi de Programmation Militaire d'ici à fin 2021. Pour plus de détails : https://www.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/articles/projet-de-loi-de-finances-2021-engagements-tenus-pour-le-budget-de-la-defense

Tom Kington ROME — Italy has announced a major boost to its defense budget even as the country spends millions of euros battling the devastating effect of COVID-19 on its economy. Overall defense ministry spending is up 9.6 percent this year to €15.3 billion (U.S. $18.1 billion), with the procurement budget emerging as the big winner as it rises by 26 percent from last year if coupled with top-up spending from the industry ministry. “This is a very positive budget for the armed forces, especially for procurement during this challenging economic climate,” said Paolo Crippa, a defense analyst at the CESI think tank in Rome. The figures are included in Italy's 2020 budget, which should have been released in the spring, but was held up by the COVID-19 crisis which hit Italy hard in March and is now threatening the country again. This year's €15.3 billion defense ministry spending compares to just under €14 billion last year, signaling a halt in a series of year-on-year falls. Procurement takes up €2.8 billion of the budget, up 50 percent on last year, but for a true picture of Italian procurement spending the annual top-up for domestic procurement provided by the Italian industry ministry must be added, which amounts to €2.64 billion, also up from last year. The total to spend on procurement therefore comes to €5.45 billion, up 26 percent on last year's €4.32 billion. Of the other two other spending categories in the ministry budget, Maintenance and Operations rises 23 percent to €2.15 billion, while personnel spending remains stable at €10.4 billion. “The rise in M&O spending follows claims by generals that cuts were damaging military readiness,” said Crippa. The budget was drawn up by defense minister Lorenzo Guerini, a member of the center-left Democratic Party which governs in a coalition government with the anti-establishment Five Star party. Since first entering government in 2018, Five Star has softened its anti-military stance, which saw it initially push to scrap the F-35 program. This year, the F-35 program receives €800 million to help conclude the purchase of the first 28 of Italy's planned 90 aircraft buy. A further €126 million is also budgeted to get the purchase of the next 27 aircraft underway. Other ongoing programs that get more funding in 2020 include the purchase of 650 new VTLM 2 vehicles – an upgrade of the army Lince vehicle, as well as a mid-life refurbishment for Italy's Storm Shadow missiles and the purchase of T-345 and T-346 jet trainers. Further programs also getting a dose of regular funding are Italy's new, €1.17 billion LHD vessel the Trieste, a €2 billion acquisition of 150 new Centauro II wheeled tanks and a €974 million purchase of 16 new CH-47F helicopters. Comparing the total envisaged price tag of some programs in the budget to the price listed in last year's budget reveals costs are rising. A plan to buy four new U-212 NFS submarines has risen from €2.35 billion to €2.68 billion this year, a hike of over €300 million. The ongoing purchase of ten PPA naval vessels has risen over €400 million to €4.27 billion. Some programs appear for the first time in the budget, including two new “DDX” destroyers for the Navy. No money is earmarked in 2020 but €4.5 million is due to be used for a de-risking study beginning in 2021. A second new entry is a listing for a “multi-mission, multi-sensor” Gulfstream G-550 jet. Without stating how many aircraft Italy plans to order, the budget gives the total price tag of the program as €1.23 billion and states that funding will start in 2021. The capabilities of the platform listed include command-and-control, “electronic superiority” and “electronic protection of forces.” An Italian analyst who declined to be named said the program was a reprisal of a long nurtured Italian plan for a sensor platform dubbed JAMMS, which would offer signals intelligence, communications relay and radar capabilities. The Italian Air Force declined to comment on the program. An illustration of the aircraft in the budget document resembles Israel's “Shavit” Signals Intelligence Gulfstream. Italy already flies two Gulfstream 550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning aircraft it purchased from Israel's IAI in 2012 as part of a swap deal under which Israel purchased 30 M-346 trainers from Italian firm Leonardo. The budget document states that after getting underway, the new program will take onboard future technology advancements and the benefits of “international cooperation accords.” The analyst said, “There is a plan to buy the platform now since the Gulfstream G550 is going out of production, then add Israeli systems in return for purchases by Israel from Italian industry.” Programs on the military's wish list which do not have any funding earmarked yet also get a mention in the budget document, starting with investment in the U.K.-led Tempest program for a future sixth-generation fighter. But the absence of cash for the program, which the U.K. and Sweden have already invested in, risked making Italy the weakest partner in the trio, wrote Italian defense publication RID. “In this way, there is the risk that Italy's ability to influence the development decreases and it will be weaker when it comes to future talks on the dividing of manufacturing,” the publication stated. The document also confirms Italy's interest in joining the U.S. Future Vertical Lift helicopter initiative to build next generation helicopters, which is currently being pursued by the United States only. Government officials have already mulled investing in the program using funds paid out by the EU to help the Italian economy rebound from COVID-19. Analysts have suggested that buying into FVL may overlap with work by Italy's Leonardo to build the AW249, a replacement for Italy's AW129 Mangusta attack helicopter. This year, the plan to complete a €2.7 billion purchase of 48 of the AW249 helicopters receives funding in the budget. “There is cash for the successor to the AW129 but seeing the mention of the FVL confirms Italy is also interested in that initiative,” said Crippa. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/10/28/italy-defense-budget-rebounds-despite-covid-crisis/

AIR FORCE Megan-PCI JV LLC, Dayton, Ohio (FA8601-21-D-0002); CPM-AWA LLC, Dayton, Ohio (FA8601-21-D-0003); Peak Runge Co. JV, Port Clinton, Ohio (FA8601-21-D-0004); John Cecil Construction Co., Columbus, Ohio (FA8601-21-D-0005); NISOU LGC JV LLC, Detroit, Michigan (FA8601-21-D-0006); CAM Management and Services, Dayton, Ohio (FA8601-21-D-0007); Pontiac Drywall Systems Inc., Pontiac, Michigan (FA8601-21-D-0008); OAC Action Construction, Miami, Florida (FA8601-21-D0009); Butt Construction Co., Dayton, Ohio (FA8601-21-D-0010); Dawn Inc., Warren, Ohio (FA8601-21-D-0011); A&H Ambica JV LLC, Livonia, Michigan (FA8601-21-D-0012); and Pinnacle Construction & Development, Independence, Ohio (FA8601-21-D-0013), have been awarded a $247,000,000 multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for construction projects. Work will be performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2025. These awards are the result of a competitive acquisition and 21 offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,500 are being obligated to each contractor at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Syracuse, New York, has been awarded a $25,000,000 ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Atmospheric Early Warning System AN/FPS-117 Radar program. This contract provides for contractor logistics support and radar hardware/spares procurement. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York, as well as various sites in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Puerto Rico and Utah. The work is expected to be complete by March 2026. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,946,336 are being obligated at the time of award. Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8217-20-D-0006). NAVY Q.E.D. Systems Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, is awarded a $76,360,281 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for specification development and availability execution support, formerly known as third party planning services for guided missile cruiser (CG), guided missile destroyer (DDG), landing helicopter assault, landing helicopter dock landing platform dock, and dock landing ship class vessels. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $229,411,097. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia (51%); San Diego, California (43%); and Everett, Washington (6%), and is expected to be completed by October 2023. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,825,931 is being obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $2,825,931 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured; a history of one bids and a lack of sources sought responses form the basis of the justification and approval for this effort. This single source contract to Q.E.D. will allow the government additional time to conduct extensive market research in preparation for a follow-on competitive effort. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-21-C-4200). DRS Systems Co. Inc., Melbourne, Florida, is awarded a $10,503,852 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-13-C-4229 for an engineering change to the Energy Magazine Prototype design for the DDG51-class destroyer program. This award is for an engineering change proposal to the Energy Storage Module that will provide capability to supply power to a directed energy load and includes design, build and testing for a total of two prototype units. Work will be performed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is expected to be completed by June 2022. No funding will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, is awarded a $9,835,348 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N00019-21-F-0062) against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0029. This order provides non-recurring engineering for the production of target designator sets and electro-optical in support of AH-1Z Light Attack helicopters for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (97%); and Ocala, Florida (3%), and is expected to be completed in November 2022. FMS funds in the amount of $9,835,348 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. ARMY General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, was awarded a $70,706,229 modification (P00019) to contract W31P4Q-15-D-0003 for engineering and technical services required to accomplish research, development, integration, test, sustainment and operation across the family of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. unmanned aircraft systems. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 27, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2397509/source/GovDelivery/