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By: Daniel Cebul WASHINGTON — The U.S. strategic bomber program plays a vital role in U.S. nuclear and conventional posture, providing both penetrating and standoff capabilities that allow the U.S. to hit targets almost anywhere in the world. But as the Air Force expands from 312 to 386 operational squadrons — planning to increase the bomber squadron from nine to 14 — how can the service keep costs within reason? A key to keeping down modernization costs will be the force's ability to field systems that can easily be updated as new technology develops, according to Gen. Timothy Ray, commander of Global Strike Command. “What I really want to drive home is that if we have a force, whatever the size of the force, it has to be affordable,” Ray said at the Air Force Association's annual Air, Space and Cyber Conference on Sept. 18. Ray believes prices will be affordable depending on the service's “ability to field a relevant force as part of our integrated capabilities, both nuclear and conventional, that has a rapid capability to be updated and modified.” Communications systems, weapons, sensors and defensive capabilities are very sensitive to technological change, which “is already going on much faster than what we can field right now using the old legacy processes,” Ray said. Ray pointed to the B-21 bomber as having "the right attributes that are going to set us up for success.” Others suggest that looking at the unit price for bombers is deceptive and does not allow the Air Force to address its critical modernization needs. “It is very easy to look at individual unit cost [per bomber], but that does not equate to value," Retired Lt. Gen David Deptula said. "People, particularly programmers, like to talk about cost, but they don't talk about the effectiveness piece.” This sentiment was echoed by retired Lt. Gen. Bob Elder Jr., who feels the public and some military members do not appreciate the active role bombers play in defending the U.S. As busy as these bombers are, Edler said, “it's a bargain” for how much the Air Force pays for them. Deptula also believes that if the Air Force is serious about modernization, it is past time that requirements for meeting U.S. strategic goals determine force structure, rather than depending on “arbitrary budget lines.” “For way too long our force structure has been solely driven by the budget and not the war-fighting demands of our nation's security strategy,” he said. “I dare say no one will argue with the preamble of the Constitution, which basically talks about how we form government to provide for the common defense, and then to promote the general welfare. It doesn't say the other way around.” “People will say the new enterprise is going to be too expensive, so don't keep it. I don't agree,” Ray said, adding that a more competitive approach will enable the Air Force to drive down procurement and modernization costs. “I have got to know our competitive nature of our approach will draw the talent from industry; or if I'm not quite certain with a technical capability or the capability is so far advanced I can't draw the talent from industry, now I find myself with an important issue,” Ray noted. In regard to ensuring the service can get the funding to grow its squadrons, Ray added: “Where you drop cost down and have a rapid modification capability or a relevant force for an extended period of time, then you begin to tell a more complete story,” which he explained should help dollars keep flowing into necessary programs. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/air-force-association/2018/09/20/how-does-the-us-air-force-plan-to-keep-bombers-affordable

By: Kyle Rempfer As the U.S. military turns its attention to the threats posed by near-peer adversaries, Air Force leadership is shifting its focus to great power approaches to combat, like multi-domain operations and expeditionary warfare. A culture of innovation among airmen will be pivotal in preparing for such a conflict, and the effort to foster that independence and creativity is already underway. In the coming weeks, the Air Force will be rolling out a new initiative to crowdsource solutions from airmen around the service. Across all specialty codes, the service is calling on airmen to design apps, develop algorithms and create new approaches to the problems that plague their career fields or help the Air Force carry out its missions. The program — dubbed the Vice Chief's Challenge — will be spearheaded by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson. “We want to take the ideas our airmen have to see around corners, anticipate what's next and solve these really complex national security challenges,” Wilson told Air Force Times. Those challenges range from fusing open-source social media information into actionable intelligence with new software, to upgrading legacy aircraft with gadgets to help airmen stay in the fight longer. “Navigation apps like Waze change the way we travel across town by giving us an intuitive display that integrates traffic, hazards, and route recommendations in real time. Companies like Uber and Amazon have transformed our view of logistics," according to a copy of the Vice Chief's Challenge provided to Air Force Times. "They are not the only ones leaning forward. I am sure each of you have seen opportunities to enhance [multi-domain operations]. I want to hear your best ideas.” The initiative is designed to deliver capabilities to the Air Force in months, rather than the usual years, Wilson said. And it's going to become routine, always running against the backdrop of the service's other acquisition initiatives. “It's this cultural change and this shift that happens ... and today, I think it's clear in this great power competition, we need this urgently," Wilson said. “I need to remove barriers to innovation." The Vice Chief's Challenge will consist of three phases. First, ideas will be solicited from across the service in a broad announcement. Then, workshops will be set up in which subject matter experts help refine the most promising proposals and draft development plans for the budding ideas. The final phase will involve developing and demonstrating prototypes for the chosen concepts. “We'll start small by gathering ideas from individual airmen, rapidly evolve concepts with national thought leaders, and scale fast by working with industry to build and demonstrate prototypes in the next year,” Wilson said. Each phase will be led by a different organization, but the Air Force Research Lab and the Office of the Vice Chief of Staff will serve as executive agents to ensure smooth transition between phases. The initiative is similar to last year's first-ever Spark Tank innovation proposals. “Each of the [major commands] went out to their different wings and solicited ideas, picked their best ones and came to us," Wilson said. "There were a dozen ideas, of which we picked six of them and presented them at the [Warfighter's Edge] conference.” The idea chosen for development ended up being that of a boom operator on the KC-135 Stratotanker. He proposed a plan to re-engineer the boom operator platform instructor position for the entire KC-135 fleet at a projected cost of $1.5 million. The proposed innovation aims to both reduce back and neck injuries and save the Air Force $132 million each year in this critical aircrew specialty, according to Air Mobility Command. “It was across the fleet, easy to implement, and that's what we're using now,” Wilson said. Other innovative ideas that Wilson has already seen, and clearly wants more of, involve software development that connects sensors, platforms and nodes to share information across the force. “We had an airman and second lieutenant who briefed me on software development they had done that was unbelievable — the capability they were bringing me and the speed at which they were doing it,” Wilson said. The duo took SIPRNet information and found a way to fuse it together using complex computer coding for targeting purposes. The result was a tool dreamed up in-house that directly solved a pressing issue. Much of that is simply owed to the fact that those airmen knew what they needed to do, how to do it and already worked in a position to provide the service. “The CEO of Pivotal [Software Inc.] pulled me aside and said ‘I work with all the Fortune 500 companies across the world, and I would put these two people against any company, anywhere,'” Wilson said. That's the sort of innovation the Vice Chief's Challenge is looking to tap into. Wilson doesn't know yet how many ideas will be taken to completion, but by this time next year, he's hoping that the Vice Chief's Challenge will be handing out some awards. “I can't compensate them like industry can, but I can offer them purpose," he said. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/09/20/ill-be-their-angel-investor-air-force-vice-chief-wants-to-crowdsource-airmens-ideas

By: Sebastian Sprenger COLOGNE, Germany – Dutch defense minister Ank Bijleveld has eliminated the country's budget cap for F-35 purchases, opening the possibility of buying more planes in the future, a spokesman confirmed to Defense News. The defense ministry spokesman described the move as “just a formality” that would not require parliamentary approval, as the Dutch objective of buying 37 copies of the Lockheed Martin-made jet for €4.7 billion remains in place. But it means “we leave the option open to buy new planes” beyond those already envisioned in the budget, the spokesman said. The development was first reported by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, which wrote that the air force was angling to eventually get 67 aircraft. That amount would be enough to field four squadrons in the Netherlands, according to the newspaper. Dick Zandee, a defense analyst at the Dutch Clingendael foreign policy think tank, said the recently released 2019 budget still reflects the government's target of buying 37 planes. But the budget cap elimination at this time could set the stage for additional contracts in a few years' time, once deliveries of the batch already on order are nearing completion. The Dutch are set to take delivery of eight F-35s in 2019. That's in addition to two test aircraft already produced. The fifth-generation aircraft are meant to replace the country's fleet of 60 or so F-16s, with yearly deliveries scheduled between six to eight planes until the target number of 37 is reached. That inventory will allow the Netherlands to field four F-35s for operations, considering that a certain number is always set aside for training, undergoing maintenance or otherwise unavailable to deploy, said Zandee. “There is a lot of pressure from NATO that 37 are not enough,” he said, adding that there has been talk in Dutch defense circles to up the number to 52. “The air force always wants more” of the planes, and the service would consider an increase to 52 as an intermediate step to get an even greater number later, Zandee told Defense News. Meanwhile, the jet is facing some pushback in the Netherlands over its development price tag and the high cost of ownership. “The criticism is that you're buying an aircraft that is not fully developed yet," said Zandee. But, he added,"The attitude is that the Americans are throwing so many billions at the program that problems will be solved." https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/09/20/dutch-defense-chief-opens-door-for-more-f-35s

By: Christopher Torchia, The Associated Press JOHANNESBURG — South Africa is one of the continent's biggest defense spenders but its military is increasingly stretched as the country faces recession and a weakening currency. This week's biennial Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition is a showcase for the country's military, which is one of the top 20 contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions and helps with anti-piracy operations off Mozambique's coast. Concerns also are growing about possible corruption linked to state-owned defense conglomerate Denel, part of a wider inquiry into the alleged plundering of state resources under former President Jacob Zuma. South Africa's military "has got a lot on its plate," said Guy Martin, editor of defenceWeb, an industry news site. The country has a defense budget of more than $3 billion. However, the weakening South African currency and the economic recession are making it harder for the military to acquire new equipment and training. President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the fair this week with a speech acknowledging the "economic reality" and pledging support for the defense industry, a key earner of foreign currency. Despite the problems, soldiers at the five-day trade fair were enthusiastic. Capt. T.G. Netshineulu encouraged a group of schoolchildren to consider joining the military after they finish their studies. “I can die for this country,” he said. “And I'm willing to do so.” https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2018/09/20/how-a-defense-expo-reflects-troubles-for-south-african-military

DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN The Department of National Defence has released this photo above of the first C-295W in the process of being built by Airbus for the RCAF. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered next year. The RCAF will receive 16 such aircraft for search and rescue missions. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadas-new-fixed-wing-search-and-rescue-aircraft-takes-shape-first-delivery-expected-next-year

Par Challenges.fr La ministre des Armées Florence Parly a annoncé que le budget des armées 2019 qui sera présenté lundi sera de "35,9 milliards d'euros, soit 1,7 milliard de plus qu'en 2018", dans un entretien au Parisien paru vendredi. La ministre des Armées Florence Parly a annoncé que le budget des armées 2019 qui sera présenté lundi sera de "35,9 milliards d'euros, soit 1,7 milliard de plus qu'en 2018", dans un entretien au Parisien paru vendredi. "Cette année, ce sera la première fois que l'on démarre une nouvelle programmation sur des bases très saines," se réjouit la ministre qui précise que la part des investissements dans ce budget s'élèvera à 19,5 milliards d'euros. "Un budget sincère" Mme Parly affirme qu'en 2025 "l'engagement pris par le président de la République de consacrer 2% du PIB à notre défense (NDLR : 1,82 % aujourd'hui) sera bien atteint." Elle assure également qu'il ne devrait pas y avoir de surcoût lié aux opérations extérieures et à Sentinelle. "Dans le budget 2019, la provision sera de 850 millions d'euros. Nous aurons un budget sincère", précise-t-elle en relevant que "sous la précédente mandature, une provision notoirement insuffisante avait été inscrite en 2017." A l'époque, c'est l'actuel ministre des Affaires étrangères, Jean-Yves Le Drian, qui était à sa place à la Défense. Six drones armés en 2019 La ministre a également annoncé la livraison de six drones armés en 2019, l'arrivée en octobre à Istres du "premier avion ravitailleur de nouvelle génération, un Airbus A330", ainsi que de 89 véhicules blindés "Griffon" (nouvelle génération) en 2019. (avec AFP) https://www.challenges.fr/entreprise/defense/le-budget-des-armees-2019-en-hausse-d-1-7-milliard-d-euros_614271

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY United Technologies Corp., East Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded a maximum $2,460,000,000 modification (P00024) exercising the five-year option period of a five-year base contract (SPE4AX-15-D-9436), with one five-year option period for the Defense Logistics Agency to supply the Air Force depot level repairables and consumable parts. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $4,930,000,000 from $2,460,000,000. This is a fixed-price prospective redetermination, multiple-year requirements contract. The location of performance is Connecticut, with a Sept. 26, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia. American Purchasing Services LLC, doing business as American Medical Depot, Miramar, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $49,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hospital equipment and accessories. This was a competitive acquisition with 52 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Florida, with a Sept. 19, 2023, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DH-18-D-0012). Accent Controls Inc.,* Kansas City, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $7,694,857 modification (P00055) exercising the fourth one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SP3300-14-C-5005), with four one-year option periods for warehousing and distribution support services. This is a fixed-price incentive firm, cost-reimbursement contract. This was a small business set-aside acquisition with five offers received. Locations of performance are Missouri and Florida, with a Sept. 30, 2019, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. ARMY Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Austin, Texas, was awarded a $143,158,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Bureau of Engraving and Printing Western Currency facility expansion project. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 11, 2022. Fiscal 2018 non-appropriated funds in the amount of $143,158,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-18-C-0061). Colt's Manufacturing Co. LLC, West Hartford, Connecticut, was awarded a $57,722,819 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Jordan, Morocco, Afghanistan, Senegal, Tunisia and Pakistan) contract for procurement of up to 10,000 additional M4 and M4A1 5.56mm carbine rifles. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 20, 2019. Fiscal 2018 foreign military sales funds in the amount of $57,722,819 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-18-F-0115). J. Kokolakis Contracting Inc., Bohemia, New York, was awarded a $52,494,000 firm-fixed-price contract for renovation of Grant Barracks building. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in West Point, New York, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $52,494,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-18-C-0015). AECOM Energy & Construction Inc., Greenwood Village, Colorado, was awarded a $40,648,775 modification (P00005) to contract W912P5-17-C-0007 for lock chamber replacement, foundation preparation for both the land wall and river wall, and construction of the upstream river wall. Work will be performed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 1, 2020. Fiscal 2018 inland waterway trust funding and civil works funds in the amount of $40,648,775 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville, Tennessee, is the contracting activity. Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $27,595,202 modification (P00119) to Foreign Military Sales (Australia, Estonia, Lithuania, Turkey, Taiwan and Ukraine) contract W31P4Q-13-C-0129 for Javelin weapons system full-rate production. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $27,595,202 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. R8I Cabrera Remediation and Construction LLC,* Elizabeth, Colorado, was awarded a $25,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for labor, equipment, operators, supervision, supplies, materials and incidentals necessary in providing continued support of environmental remediation program. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis, Missouri, is the contracting activity (W912P9-18-D-0023). Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded a $19,884,400 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance pipeline dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of July, 7, 2019. Fiscal 2014 and 2018 operations and maintenance Army; and general construction funds in the combined amount of $19,884,400 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-18-C-0073). Bering Straits Technical Services LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded a $13,335,173 firm-fixed-price contract for operations, maintenance, and sustainment of training areas. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2022. 413th Combat Support Battalion, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W912D0-18-D-0008). Cray Inc., Seattle, Washington, was awarded a $12,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract to increase the processing capability of the current Cray XC 40 High Performance Supercomputer and purchase of 2083 additional nodes compatible with the existing system architecture. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Vicksburg, Mississippi, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2018. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $12,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Mississippi, is the contracting activity (W912HZ-18-C-0027). KZF Design Inc.,* Cincinnati, Ohio, was awarded a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect-engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 23 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91236-18-D-0009). Messer Construction Co., Dayton, Ohio, was awarded an $8,650,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design and replacement of a process cooling tower (Building 18 Complex). Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2020. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,650,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky, is the contracting activity (W912QR-18-C-0032). NAVY Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded $58,395,297 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001918F0567 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0004). This delivery order provides for the procurement of 866 interim spare parts necessary to support the repair and maintenance of CH-53K low-rate initial production, Lot 2 configuration aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (26 percent); Longueuil, Quebec, Canada (10 percent); Redmond, Washington (9 percent); Cudahy, Wisconsin (5 percent); various locations within the continental U.S. (42 percent); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (8 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $58,395,297 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $40,323,606 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0003) for the procurement of aircraft armament equipment in support of 12 F/A-18E/F and 14 EA-18G Lot 40 and 41 aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Meza, Arizona (26 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (20 percent); Grand Rapids, Michigan (15 percent); El Segundo, California (11 percent); Grove, Oklahoma (6 percent); Minneapolis, Minnesota (4 percent); Placentia, California (4 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (14 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2022. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $40,323,606 are obligated at time of award, $18,258,354 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Summit Technologies Inc., Winter Park, Florida (N00189-18-D-Z075); Analytic Services Inc., Falls Church, Virginia (N00189-18-D-Z076); The Tauri Group, Alexandria, Virginia (N00189-18-D-Z077); Information International Associates, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (N00189-18-D-Z078); and Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio (N00189-18-D-Z079), are awarded a combined estimated $27,866,679 multiple award of 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 professional services in the areas of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense and countering weapons of mass destruction operational and risk analysis. The contracts will run concurrently and will include a 60-month base ordering period. Work will be performed at various contractor locations throughout the U.S. (85 percent) and percentage of work at each of those locations cannot be determined at this time. Work will also be performed at government facilities in Arlington, Virginia (15 percent). The base ordering period of the contract is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $50,000 will be obligated ($10,000 on each of the five 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 five offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. L-3 Communications EOTech Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, is awarded a $23,637,320 firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the procurement of Miniature Aiming System – Day Optics close quarter combat sights and clip-on magnifiers in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. Work will be performed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Fiscal 2018 procurement (Defense-wide) funding in the amount of $308,570 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured pursuant of 10 U.S. Code 2304(a). This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with four offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-18-D-JQ26). TFS-APTIM JV,* Wasilla, Alaska, is awarded a $21,445,996 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a fuel truck offload facility at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The basic project components include the fuel truck offload facility and associated piping and equipment. Additional supporting infrastructure includes a building for a generator and electrical service, petroleum, oil, and lubricants fuel truck parking, and site improvements. Work will be performed in Yigo, Guam, and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Defense-wide) contract funds in the amount of $21,445,996 are obligated on this award, of which $3,696,512 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with one proposal received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity (N40192-18-C-1300). Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a not-to-exceed $17,599,557 for modification P00008 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-15-D-0033). This modification exercises an option to procure T56-A-427A engines, power section modules and reduction gearbox modules for the E-2D aircraft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in September 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is being awarded a $16,310,246 cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price contract for AN/BVY-1 Integrated Submarine Imaging System (ISIS) Technical Insertion 20-24 production and engineering services. The ISIS provides visual and other capabilities for Navy submarines. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $753,086,000. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (66 percent); Chantilly, Virginia (18 percent); Marion, Massachusetts (10 percent); and Newport, Rhode Island (6 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $250,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-18-C-6258). Coffman Specialties Inc., San Diego, California, is awarded $15,845,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247318F5362 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-15-D-2442) for airfield pavement repairs at March Air Reserve Base. The work to be performed provides for repairs to the portland concrete cement on Runway 14/32 Keel, Taxiway A and Taxiway C. The airfield areas must be repaired to facilitate use by currently assigned KC-135, C-17 and other transient aircraft. Adjacent asphalt concrete and airfield lighting may be impacted. Work will be performed in Moreno Valley, California, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Air Force Reserve) contract funds in the amount of $15,845,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is awarded $12,880,531 for modification P00027 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00030-16-C-0005), for sustainment of the U.S. and United Kingdom (UK) SSBN Fire Control System, the U.S. SSGN Attack Weapon Control System, including training and support equipment. Also included is the Missile Fire Control for the U.S. Columbia-class and UK Dreadnought-class Common Missile Compartment program development, through first unit UK production, and Strategic Weapon Interface Simulator. Work will be performed in Pittsfield Massachusetts (90.5 percent); Bremerton, Washington (3.6 percent); Kings Bay, Georgia (2.7 percent); Dahlgren, Virginia (1 percent); Cape Canaveral, Florida (0.9 percent); Portsmouth, Virginia (0.9 percent); and the United Kingdom (0.4 percent), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2023. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,944,140; United Kingdom funds in the amount of $1,015,493; and fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $498,006 are being obligated on this award. Funds in the amount of $498,006 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Subject to the availability of funding, fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,192,842; and United Kingdom funds in the amount of $1,230,050 will be obligated. Funds in the amount of $7,192,842 will expire at the end of fiscal 2019. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. FlightFab Inc.,* Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded a $12,620,604 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of solid waste processing equipment for naval ships. This contract provides production, testing and delivery of solid waste processing equipment in the form of plastic shredders, metal glass shredders, large pulpers, small pulpers and control valves for small and large pulpers. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland. This action will contain a five-year ordering period and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $423,825 will be obligated immediately after contract award via the first delivery order and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-18-D-4010). Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Northridge, California, is awarded a $12,072,734 ceiling-priced indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of up to 60 Common Munitions Built-In Test Reprogramming Equipment test sets; up to 22 ADU-891(V)1/E adaptor units; up to one lot of spares; and up to two ADU-891(V)3/E adaptor units in support of the Navy, Air Force, and the governments of Morocco, Belgium, Australia, Japan, and Oman. Work will be performed in Northridge, California, and is expected to be completed in May 2020. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy and Air Force); fiscal 2016 missile procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2018 operation and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2016 weapons procurement (Navy), as well as foreign military sales funds in the amount of $10,021,938, will be obligated at time of award, $2,600,972 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity (N6893618D0037). APTIM Federal Services Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, is awarded a $12,022,779 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N62473-17-D-0006) to increase the maximum dollar value of a firm-fixed-price contract task order for the Parcel G Radiological Characterization at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The work to be performed provides new data to replace suspect radiological removal action data used to support a radiological unrestricted release recommendation for the sanitary sewer and storm drain lines, and impacted former building sites in Parcel G. After award of this modification, the total cumulative task order value will be $18,395,960. Work will be performed in San Francisco, California, and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2018 base realignment and closure environmental, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $12,022,779 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Huntron Inc.,* Mill Creek, Washington, is awarded an $11,956,849 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract for Model 32 test instruments, accessory kits and transit cases. Work will be performed in Mill Creek, Washington, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2018 Navy working capital funding; fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Homeland Security/Coast Guard); and foreign military sales funding in the amount of $137,228 will be obligated at time of award, of which Navy working capital funding in the amount of $29,097 will 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 Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity (N66604-18-D-H800). Pacific Commercial Services LLC,* Kapolei, Hawaii, is awarded a maximum amount $10,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for all services necessary for the final treatment/disposal of hazardous waste in accordance with all local, state, and Federal regulations, to include Department of Defense (DOD) component directives within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for services that shall include all necessary personnel, including applicable subcontractors, transportation, packaging and equipment to remove and properly dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. The contractor is required to meet all Department of Transportation requirements to include packaging of the wastes. The contractor must also comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration and DOD safety regulations and procedures, including State of Hawaii regulations and procedures. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Pacific AOR, including, but not limited to Hawaii (75 percent); Guam (15 percent); and other DOD locations within the NAVFAC Pacific AOR (10 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of September 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy) funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one proposal received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-18-D-1801). Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, is awarded a not-to-exceed $8,127,897 for a ceiling-priced, undefinitized contract action delivery order N00383-18-F-HA04 under previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-15-G-003H) for the repair of 193 units across weapon repairable assemblies used in support of the F-18 active electronically scanned array radar system. Work will be performed in Forest, Mississippi, and will be completed by September 2019. Fiscal 2018 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $6,095,923 will be obligated at time of award, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The requirement was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Pacific Defense Solutions LLC, Kihei, Hawaii, has been awarded a $39,894,065 cost-reimbursement type contract for spacecraft object tracking and characterization capabilities. This contract award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $ 3,601,646 will be obligated at the time of award. Work will be performed in Kihei, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed December 2023. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico is the contracting activity (FA9451-18-C-0035). The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, Laurel, Maryland, has been awarded a $23,848,171 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee completion task order. The contractor will provide the technical and program support of Tactical Space and small satellite portfolio's core competencies and mission lifecycle to include support of the mission phases from concept through design, implementation, operations, and transition of space assets. Work will be performed in Laurel, Maryland, and is expected to be completed Sept. 29, 2023. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $500,000 are being obligated at time of award. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition and one offer was received. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-18-D-0018 TASK ORDER FA9453-18-F-0007). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a $15,186,972 modification (P00042) to contract FA8634-16-C-2653 for APG-82 Radar Modernization Program test requirements document. This contract provides for test requirements documents that lay the foundation for organic depot repair. Work will be performed in St. Louis, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 procurement funds in the amount of $15,186,972 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,363,368,877. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 17, 2018) International Business Machines Corp., San Jose, California, has been awarded a $14,863,208 cost-reimbursable contract for NorthPole software/hardware. This contract provides for the study, design, development, implementation, test, integration, document and delivery of the software and hardware specification for NorthPole, the next generation neural inference machine. Work will be performed in San Jose, California, and is expected to be completed by June 20, 2019. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and two offers were received. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $893,208; and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $13,970,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-18-C-0015). Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, has been awarded a $10,080,902 firm-fixed-price contract for Jet Fuel Starter repair components for the RC-135 aircraft. This contract provides the remaining stock of Jet Fuel Starter components necessary to sustain the RC-135 fleet through the year 2040. Work will be performed in Phoenix, Arizona, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,080,902 are being obligated at the time of award. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-18-C-4004). DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY EMR Inc., Niceville, Florida, is awarded $15,990,000 for a firm-fixed-price contract for an addition/alteration to an existing commissary at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. The contract is for a 539 calendar day period based on the issuance of the notice to proceed which is expected in November 2018. Offers were solicited via full and open competition, and three offers were received. The contracting activity is the Defense Commissary Agency, Enterprise Acquisition Division, Construction Design Branch, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, Texas (HDEC03-18-C-0003). MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY L.C. Wright Inc.,* McLean, Virginia, is being awarded an $8,497,407 competitive firm-fixed-price contract with a two-year base value of $3,384,136 for Protocol Support. Protocol professionals provide support for the director and general officer/Senior Executive Service members that are geographically dispersed throughout the U.S. The work will be performed in the National Capital Region; Dahlgren, Virginia; Huntsville, Alabama; Fort Greely, Alaska; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and other locations as directed, with an estimated completion date of October 2023. This contract was competitively procured via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website with three proposals received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $223,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0147-18-R-0007). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Hardwire LLC, Pocomoke City, Maryland, has been awarded an estimated $8,000,000 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract (H92403-18-D-0007) for the purchase of Special Operations Forces personal equipment advanced requirements (SPEAR) soft body armor ballistic inserts in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) procurement division. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $100,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The majority of work will be performed in Pocomoke City, and work is expected to be completed by September 2023. This contract was awarded through full and open competition with six proposals received. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC, Dulles, Virginia, has been awarded a $7,542,049 modification #17 to previously awarded contract HDTRA1-11-D-0007, Task Order 12 Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation Prevention Program on the Jordan Border Security Project. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $58,317,910.57 from $50,775,861.57. Work will be performed in Jordan, with an expected completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. This contract involves fiscal 2018 Cooperative Threat Reduction funds in the amount of $2,675,182 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is the contracting activity. WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES DirectViz Solutions LLC, Chantilly, Virginia, is being awarded a $7,429,544 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract will to provide Joint Service Provider with technical, analytical, management, and professional support services for Identity Protection Management Services. Work will be performed at the Pentagon, Mark Center, and Crystal City, Virginia, with an expected completion date of Sept. 29, 2022. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,429,544 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was competitively procured, with three proposals received. The Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-17-C-0093). *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1641072/source/GovDelivery/

By Canadian Press OTTAWA — The Canadian Press has learned the United States has backed down from its contentious Buy American demands for lucrative procurement projects in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Mexico and Canada are each taking credit for standing firm against the controversial U.S. position that would have effectively limited their respective countries' ability to bid on valuable American government infrastructure projects. Multiple sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, cited the competing claims as one example of the animosity between Canada and Mexico that has arisen since Mexico reached its own NAFTA deal with the Trump administration last month. Canada and the United States are trying to renegotiate their portion of the three-country trade pact, but major sticking points such as dairy, dispute resolution and culture remain. Canada has credited Mexico with making significant concessions in its deal with the U.S. on automobiles and for permitting large wage increases for Mexican auto workers. But sources say Mexico has done much of the “heavy lifting” on getting the Americans to back down on its demand to limit the ability of Canadian and Mexican firms to bid on U.S. infrastructure projects, while seeking greater access for American firms to Mexican and Canadian government projects. https://ipolitics.ca/2018/09/19/u-s-buy-american-demand-gone-from-nafta-sources/

Air Force Busts Out Credit Cards To Buy High Tech Gear The Air Force can be an “angel investor” for some startups, said Will Roper, the service's top acquisition official. By PAUL MCLEARY WASHINGTON The Pentagon has been trying for years to replicate the speed of Silicon Valley-style startup culture, with only sporadic — and limited — success. But the Air Force says it's doubling down on the effort, and is looking to start using government credit cards to buy small amounts of gear from tech firms that don't have much interest in forming long-term relationships with the government. The Air Force can be an “angel investor” for some startups, said Will Roper, the service's top acquisition official (and former head of the Pentagon's Strategic Capabilities Office). “The benefit is huge because it finally pulls startups into orbits around our program offices,” Roper told reporters at the Air Force Association conference on Tuesday. “Even if round one of their product isn't ready, they're aware of us as an angel investor. We're not trying to have them work for the government. We just want their products to make sense for us.” Roper is eyeing a series of startup days that will be held across the Air Force, beginning with an initiative between the Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX to knock out fifty contracts in fifty hours by the end of October. In 2015, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter established the DIUx office in Silicon Valley, in the hope that a presence in the midst of tech startup boom country would convince small companies that working with the government would pay off. So far, the results have been modest, with most firms declining to sign up to be a part of the painfully slow and cumbersome government contracting process. What worries the Pentagon is that rivals like China don't suffer the same competition with the private sector for top talent. The government in Beijing compels technology firms to work with the government, which has led to a series of rapid-fire advances in artificial intelligence and surveillance technologies developed by large tech firms being sucked up by the government. In the United States, many tech firms are far more wary. Over 3,000 Google engineers recently signed a petition to refuse to work with the Pentagon on Project Maven, a program that collects and sorts data from drones to assist in targeting. The engineers objected to working on a program that could be used in bombing campaigns. Google will withdraw from the program. At the same time, Google leadership is working with the Chinese government on developing a Chinese-specific search engine that censors information Beijing wants to keep from its citizens. Roper knows the hurdles he faces. He's not looking to lock these companies into long-term contracts or relationships: “We're looking to buy into their ideas...I would love for them to sell us their product on their way to being bought up by Amazon.” In order to get there, the plan is for the Air Force to review the companies who want to partner with them and send out invitations to do a live pitch. At the end of a day of pitches, the idea is for 60 to 80 percent of the companies to walk out with a deal the same day. That's where the credit cards come in. Roper said he wants his people to use theirs to literally buy tech on the spot with a swipe. “The authorities that govern government purchase cards are broad and so we had both our government contracting professionals and legal professionals come back and they determined that we can do small business awards using a [government card],” he said. The new authority helps both sides: The companies get the cash, and the government doesn't drive away a potential partner by throwing months of lag time at them before a deal can be done. Even other transaction authority agreements, which are used when the Pentagon needs to move fast, “take three to four months — and that's in a good case — [but] that's too long for a startup.” https://breakingdefense.com/2018/09/air-force-busts-out-credit-cards-to-buy-high-tech-gear/