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By: Shawn Snow Marines will soon be getting their hands on a new lighter and better fitting plate carrier. On Wednesday, the Defense Department announced that a five-year contract of $62,612,464 was awarded to Vertical Protective Apparel LLC, a New Jersey-based company, to produce the Corps' Plate Carrier Generation III. The contract calls for a maximum of 225,886 new plate carriers over a five-year period. The Corps has been in collaboration with the Army for new lighter and better fitting plate carrier and ballistic armor since a policy update in 2016 from the Capabilities Development Directorate called for a fit update. “The legacy carrier fit the span of the Marine Corps, but this new system is more tailorable to fit Marines of various sizes with three new smaller-stature options,” Flora “Mackie” Jordan, body armor engineer for the Infantry Combat Equipment Team at Marine Corps Systems Command, said in a command release. “We wanted to give as much mobility back to Marines as possible by reducing the weight and bulk of the vest without decreasing ballistic protection. We were able to reduce the weight of the vest by 25 percent.” The Corps managed to shave an inch-and-a-half from the bottom and removed some material from the shoulders.The new fit will help lighten the load and reduce fatigue on the battlefield. The new plate carrier is "less bulky, lighter in weight, and provides a smaller overall footprint than the current plate carrier while maintaining the same soft armor coverage and protection level," Barbara Hamby, a spokeswoman for Marine Corps Systems Command, told Marine Corps Times last July, while describing a prototype of the new plate carrier. The new carrier also comes with a quick release, which will help Marines take the carrier off faster than the legacy system Marines are also amid plans to procure lighter ballistic armor. https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/09/27/marines-award-contract-for-new-plate-carrier

Par Emmanuel Huberdeau Thales présente au salon ADS Show un outil expérimental pour la maintenance prédictive. Depuis plusieurs mois, les équipes de Thales développent un outils expérimental de maintenance prédictive destiné à anticiper les pannes et les réparations sur les systèmes électroniques. Ce système de maintenance prédictive se nourrit de données récoltées par les utilisateurs, les responsable des réparations et les industriels. Un algorithme calcul ensuite les probabilités de panne de chaque équipement. L'outil peut ainsi identifier la probabilité qu'un matériel tombe en panne sur une période donnée et anticiper les pannes. L'utilisateur peut ainsi gérer sa flotte en opération en fonction de ces chiffres mais aussi optimiser sa logistique. Plus le volume de données est important plus les résultats de l'outil sont précis. C'est pourquoi Thales cherche a obtenir plus d'informations encore via l'intégration de capteurs dit HUMS capables d'enregistrer les paramètres liés à chaque équipements. Thales annonce être le premier industriel a développer des outils de maintenance prédictive pour des systèmes électroniques. Pour mener ses expérimentations, Thales s'est basé sur des équipements embarqués sur le Rafale. Les essais ont démontré une capacité du système à prévoir huit pannes sur dix. Les expérimentations ayant porté leurs fruits, Thales prévoit désormais de présenter mi 2019 un système industrialisé. Celui-ci pourra alors servir de base pour développer une interface homme-machine adaptée aux besoins des militaires français. Outre le Rafale, Thales pense pouvoir appliquer son outils de maintenance prédictive dans un premier temps à l'ATL2 et à l'hélicoptère Tigre. http://www.air-cosmos.com/ads-show-thales-avance-sur-la-maintenance-predictive-115353

Supply Chain Competition Continues to Reduce Cost and Enhance Capability FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has selected Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) to develop and deliver the next generation Integrated Core Processor (ICP) for the F-35 fighter jet. The Lockheed Martin-led competition within the F-35 supply chain will significantly reduce cost and enhance capability. The F-35's ICP acts as the brains of the F-35, processing data for the aircraft's communications, sensors, electronic warfare, guidance and control, cockpit and helmet displays. "We are aggressively pursuing cost reduction across the F-35 enterprise and, after conducting a thorough review and robust competition, we're confident the next generation Integrated Core Processor will reduce costs and deliver transformational capabilities for the warfighter," said Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. "The next generation Integrated Core Processor for the F-35 will have positive benefits for all customers in terms of life cycle cost, capability, reliability and more." The new Integrated Core Processor is a key element of the planned "Technology Refresh 3" modernization that takes advantage of fast evolving computing power to ensure the advanced F-35 remains ahead of evolving threats. Additional elements in the tech refresh include the Panoramic Cockpit Display Electronic Unit and Aircraft Memory System, which were also recompeted and awarded to Harrislast year. Reduce Costs, Increased Performance The Harris-built ICP will be integrated into F-35 aircraft starting with Lot 15 aircraft, expected to begin deliveries in 2023. The next generation ICP system is targeted to generate the following results compared to the current system: 75 percent reduction in unit cost 25 times increase in computing power to support planned capability enhancements Greater software stability, higher reliability, and increased diagnostics resulting in lower sustainment costs An Open System Architecture to enable the flexibility to add, upgrade and update future capabilities "The new F-35 ICP will pave the way for system scalability well into the future," said Ed Zoiss, president, Harris Electronic Systems. "Open systems are the future of avionics and Harris has invested substantial R&D to deliver more affordable and higher performance solutions than would have been possible using proprietary technology." Supply Chain Optimization The ICP selection comes on the heels of Lockheed Martin's selection of Raytheon for the Next Gen Distributed Aperture System, which will reduce lifecycle costs by more than $3 billion, enhance reliability and increased capability. "With production ramping up and the operational fleet growing fast, we are looking at every layer of our global supply chain to find opportunities to increase capacity, reduce production and sustainment costs, improve parts reliability and enhance capabilities," said Ulmer. In addition to competition, the company is transitioning several F-35 suppliers to longer term Performance Based Logistics contracts to enhance parts availability and reduce sustainment costs. Previously under annual contracts, the new 5-year PBLs allow each supplier to make longer term investments and actions to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. With radar evading stealth technology, advanced sensors, enhanced weapons capacity, supersonic speed and superior range, the F-35 is the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft ever built. More than a fighter jet, the F-35's ability to collect, analyze and share data is a powerful force multiplier enhancing all airborne, surface and ground-based assets in the battlespace and enabling men and women in uniform to execute their mission and come home safe. For additional information, visit www.f35.com. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. This year the company received three Edison Awards for ground-breaking innovations in autonomy, satellite technology and directed energy. About Harris Corporation Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers' toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems, and Electronic Systems. Learn more at harris.com. SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2018-09-27-Lockheed-Martin-Selects-Harris-Corporation-to-Deliver-F-35s-Next-Generation-Computer-Processor

Ryan Pickrell Russia's most advanced fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-57, will reportedly carry the hypersonic R-37M long-range air-to-air missile, a new weapon with the ability to strike targets hundreds of miles away. The Chinese are developing similar systems for their fighter jets. These weapons, assuming US rivals can take them from testing to deployment, could pose a threat to rear support aircraft such as early warning and aerial refueling aircraft, key force multipliers for American jets like the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Russia reportedly plans to arm its most advanced fighter jet with a powerful hypersonic air-to-air missile that can take aim at aircraft nearly two hundred miles away, making them a potential threat to critical US air assets. The Su-57 multipurpose fighter jet, a fifth-generation stealth fighter built for air superiority and complex attack operations that is still in development, will be armed with the new R-37M, an upgraded version of an older long-range air-to-air missile, Russia Today reported Thursday, citing defense officials. The Russian Ministry of Defense is reportedly close to completing testing for this weapon, the development of which began after the turn of the century. With a reported operational range of 186 to 248 miles and a top speed of Mach 6 (4,500 mph), the R-37M is designed to eliminate rear support aircraft, critical force multipliers such as early warning and aerial refueling aircraft. Russia asserts that the missile possesses an active-seeker homing system that allows it to target fighter jets during the terminal phase of flight. While Russia initially intended to see the weapon carried by the MiG-31 interceptors, these missiles are now expected to become the primary weapons of the fourth-generation Su-30s and Su-35s, as well as the next-generation Su-57s. The weapon's specifications were modified to meet these demands. The Russians are also apparently developing another very long-range air-to-air missile — the KS-172, a two-stage missile with a range said to be in excess of the R-37M's capabilities, although the latter is reportedly much closer to deployment. China, another US competitor, is also reportedly developing advanced long-range air-to-air missiles that could be carried by the reportedly fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighter. The China Dailyreported in January 2017 that photos of a J-11B from the Red Sword 2016 combat drills appeared to show a new beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. "China has developed a new missile that can hit high-value targets such as early-warning planes and aerial refueling aircraft, which stay far from conflict zones," the state-run media outlet reported, citing Fu Qianshao, an equipment researcher with the People's Liberation Army Air Force. Slow, vulnerable rear-support aircraft improve the overall effectiveness of key front-line fighter units, such as America's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, which just conducted its first combat mission. The best strategy to deal with this kind of advanced system is to "send a super-maneuverable fighter jet with very-long-range missiles to destroy those high-value targets, which are 'eyes' of enemy jets," Fu told the China Daily, calling the suspected development of this type of weapon a "major breakthrough." The missiles being developed by US rivals reportedly have a greater range than the American AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), giving them a potential edge over US military aircraft. The Russian Su-57 is expected to enter service in 2019, although the Russian military is currently investing more heavily in fourth-generation fighters like the MiG-29SMT Fulcrum and Su-35S Flanker E, which meet the country's air combat needs for the time being. Russia canceled plans for the mass production of the Su-57 in July after a string of development problems. There is some evidence the aircraft may have been active in Syria earlier this year, but the plane remains unready for combat at this time. Military analyst Michael Kofman previously told Business Insider that the Su-57 is "a poor man's stealth aircraft," adding that it doesn't quite stack up to the F-35 or F-22. https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-plans-to-arm-su-57-jets-with-new-hypersonic-air-to-air-missiles-2018-9

By: Shawn Snow The Corps is in the beginning stages of researching a new, lighter alternative ballistic body armorplate for counterinsurgency style conflicts that is nearly six pounds lighter than the legacy plates. And on Thursday, it held an industry day with 16 companies vying to produce the Corps' latest body armor. The goal is to reduce battlefield fatigue and provide commanders with flexibility on the type of armor protection they decide to carry into combat, according to Keith Pierce, the armor team lead for Infantry Combat Equipment at Marine Corps Systems Command. While the current Enhanced Small Arms Protective, or ESAPI, have been highly effective in saving lives on the battlefield, they weigh nearly a combined 15 pounds, the Corps wants to shave that down to roughly 8.6 pounds for a medium-sized Marine, Pierce said. But don't expect the ESAPI to disappear just yet. The new plates are being crafted for low intensity threat environments like the counterinsurgency style wars that have embroiled American forces for nearly 20 years. While the new plates will “defeat a preponderance of threats” in low intensity conflicts, the ESAPIs will still be “critical in some threat environments,” Pierce explained to Marine Corps Times. But the changes to the new plates are still likely to be minimal. The Corps has decided to keep the same basic shape of the ESAPI, and there's unlikely to be any major changes in materials used to construct the armor plates “The materials for plates haven't had a big tech leap,” Pierce said. “A lot of people are trying to find that next leap.” The Army recently fielded a new plate, but its relatively of the same construction as the ESAPI, according to Pierce. “There may be incremental changes ... like the ceramic improving a little bit,” Pierce explained. But Pierce said he didn't expect any major changes over the next five years. “We are looking at some unique things,” he added. A lot of data and analysis is being pored over, to include assessments of the threat environment by the intelligence community for the construction of the new plates. So far, the Corps has tested a prototype of the lighter plates and found Marines had nearly eight percent faster mobility over the heavier ESAPIs. The new plates — when combined with the new Plate Carrier Gen III system — will reduce a Marine's load burden by a total of eight to 10 pounds, according to Pierce. The Corps expects to award a contract sometime in fiscal 2019 for the lightweight plates, and fielding might kick off in 2020, Pierce said. https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/09/27/heres-how-the-corps-wants-to-shave-about-6-pounds-off-body-armor/

By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — A Boeing-Saab partnership has won a $9.2 billion contract to produce the U.S. Air Force's next-generation training jet. Boeing's award for the T-X trainer program marks the third major victory by the company in about a month, following an $805 million contract to build the Navy's first four MQ-25 unmanned tankers, and a contract worth up to $2.38 billion to manufacture the Air Force's Huey replacement helicopter. The T-X downselect was first reported by Reuters. As the winners of the competition, Boeing and Swedish aerospace firm Saab are set to capture sales of at least 351 training jets to the U.S. Air Force, with possibly more in the international market. The program promises to keep Boeing's tactical aircraft business strong after the F-15 and F/A-18 Super Hornet lines disappear in the next decade. "Today's announcement is the culmination of years of unwavering focus by the Boeing and Saab team,” said Leanne Caret, president and CEO of Boeing's defense business. “It is a direct result of our joint investment in developing a system centered on the unique requirements of the U.S. Air Force. We expect T-X to be a franchise program for much of this century.” The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract will allow the Air Force to buy up to 475 aircraft and 120 simulators, the Air Force said in a Sept. 27 statement, although the current plan is to buy 351 T-X aircraft, 46 simulators and associated ground equipment. The Air Force stated that the T-X program originally was to cost about $19.7 billion, and that Boeing's bid shaved $10 billion off that amount. “This new aircraft will provide the advanced training capabilities we need to increase the lethality and effectiveness of future Air Force pilots,” Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said in the news release. “Through competition we will save at least $10 billion on the T-X program.” Although the contract could be worth up to $9.2 billion, that sum is by no means a sure thing for Boeing. During a briefing with reporters on Thursday afternoon, Will Roper, the service's acquisition executive, and Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, its top uniformed acquisition official, said the $9.2 billion amount would be obligated to Boeing if the service executes all of options that would allow it to buy more aircraft at a quicker pace, purchasing all 475 planes. Additionally, Boeing assumes the preponderance of the risk with the T-X program, which starts as a fixed-price incentive fee contract, but at the fifth lot will transition to a firm-fixed price structure, Roper and Bunch said. Boeing and Saab's clean-sheet trainer, designed specifically for the Air Force, beat out Leonardo DRS and a Lockheed Martin-Korea Aerospace Industries partnership. Throughout the competition, the Boeing-Saab jet was seen as the front-runner by analysts like Roman Schweizer of Cowen Washington Research Group, who pointed to Boeing's aggressive bidding strategy and ability to absorb financial losses on programs like the KC-46 tanker aircraft. The T-X program is the Air Force's last major aircraft procurement opportunity up for grabs for some time, as the service's contracts for its next-generation fighter, tanker and bomber have already been awarded, as have the last remaining new-start helicopter contracts. As such, the decision could potentially trigger a protest with the Government Accountability Office. But Roper and Bunch pointed to the repeated interaction with industry through the competition, which could shield it from a protest, and lessons learned from previous programs on how to structure a competition. Roper also defended the service's selection of Boeing's design, which was the only proposed aircraft that was not a modified version of an existing plane. “We have a very deliberate process to evaluate risk, cost, and technical factors in the program and so its rigorous because we do have to evaluate things that have variances in them. The team looked at that, rolled up cost benefit, technical factors sand risk, to give best value to the government and overall our assessment was Boeing had a proposal that was best value,” Roper said. Under the initial $813 million award, Boeing will be responsible for delivering five T-X aircraft and seven simulators, with the first simulators arriving at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, in 2023. According to the T-X request for proposals issued in December 2016, the Air Force will then execute contract options for two batches of low-rate production and eight rounds of full-rate production. The contract also includes ground training systems, mission planning and processing systems, support equipment, and spares. Initial operating capability is planned by the end of fiscal 2024 when the first squadron and its associated simulators are all available for training. Full operational capability is projected for 2034. Beyond the 351-aircraft program of record, analysts have speculated there could be significant international interest in T-X from countries that plan to fly the F-35 fighter jet or from the U.S. Air Force as it considers buying new aggressor aircraft for air-to-air combat training, making the opportunity potentially even more lucrative. Although each of the three competing teams offered very different trainers to the Air Force, they were united by their cooperation with international aircraft manufacturers. Boeing partnered with Saab, which is building the aircraft's aft fuselage and other systems. The team produced two single-engine, twin-tailed prototypes, which were unveiled at Boeing's St. Louis, Missouri, facility to much fanfare in 2016. Saab promised that, should the partnership emerge victorious, it would build a new plant in the United States for its T-X work, although a location has not been announced. Leonardo DRS and Lockheed Martin offered modified versions of existent designs, hoping that a mature aircraft would be more palatable as the U.S. Air Force continues to foresee budgetary challenges in its future. DRS' T-100 is based on the Leonardo M-346 trainer, which is being sold to two F-35 users — Italy and Israel — as well as Singapore. Leonardo initially looked to partner with a big-name U.S. defense prime, first joining with General Dynamics and then, when that teaming agreement fell apart, Raytheon. Ultimately, Leonardo and Raytheon couldn't agree on pricing for the T-100, leading that partnership to also break up in January 2017. After Leonardo DRS was tapped to prime the program, the company announced its intention to do structural subassembly, final assembly and check out of the aircraft stateside at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, where it would build a new $200 million facility. Lockheed Martin meanwhile joined with Korea Aerospace Industries — a longtime collaborator who manufactured South Korea's version of the F-16 — for a modified version of KAI's T-50. Lockheed said that its T-50A would be built in Greenville, South Carolina, where it also plans to fabricate the F-16 in the future. https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2018/09/27/reuters-air-force-awards-9b-contract-to-boeing-for-next-training-jet/

Les récentes déclarations de François Hollande au journal Mediapart sur le choix du partenaire local du projet Rafale (l'entreprise Reliance), et qui a également financé le film de sa compagne Julie Gayet, ont relancé la polémique en Inde sur les conditions d'attributions et d'achat de ces avions de combat. Pour autant, au-delà du potentiel conflit d'intérêts, cette histoire cache une réalité beaucoup plus complexe qu'il n'y peut paraître vu de France. Cet énorme contrat mêle, de façon concomitante, des enjeux de politique interne, de relations internationales mais aussi des enjeux industriels et économiques. La phrase ambiguë de François Hollande Afin de bien comprendre pourquoi les propos de François Hollande ont eu autant de retentissement en Inde, il est bon de recontextualiser l'histoire. Vendredi dernier, François Hollande interrogé sur le financement d'un film de Julie Gayet par le groupe indien Reliance, chargée également de fabriquer des pièces de l'avion de chasse Rafale dans le cadre d'une joint-venture avec Dassault Aviation, a déclaré à Mediapartque le gouvernement français n'avait pas eu de mot à dire sur le choix du partenaire indien : « C'est le gouvernement indien qui a proposé ce type de services, et Dassault qui a négocié avec Anil Ambani (le PDG de Reliance) [...] Nous n'avons pas eu le choix, nous avons pris l'interlocuteur qui nous a été donné. » Cette phrase ambiguë a permis à l'opposition, et notamment au Parti du Congrès, de prendre à partie le gouvernement de Narendra Modi et de l'accuser une nouvelle fois d'avoir favorisé Ambani et Reliance pour l'obtention de ce contrat. Une polémique ancienne Pourtant, cette polémique est bien plus ancienne et complexe. Celle-ci commence en avril 2015 lorsque le premier ministre Narendra Modi, en visite officielle à Paris, annonce que l'Inde achètera 36 Rafales pour un montant d'environ 8 milliards d'euros. Cette annonce remet en cause l'accord négocié par le précédent gouvernement UPA (une coalition entre le parti du Congrès et d'autres partis) en 2008 et qui proposait l'achat de 126 avions Rafale pour 20 milliards de dollars. Le gouvernement Modi avait jugé cet accord trop cher, d'une durée trop longue (plus de 10 ans) et limitant ainsi les plans de modernisation de l'armée indienne. L'acquisition à court terme de ces avions était aussi liée à la nécessité de rapidement remplacer une flotte de combat vieillissante et en sous-effectif. Les débats ont alors porté sur trois éléments que l'on retrouve encore aujourd'hui dans la controverse : le coût d'acquisition de ces avions Rafale ; le choix de la compagnie en charge de construire certains éléments aéronautiques ; et enfin le fait qu'il n'y ait pas de réel transfert de technologie compris dans l'accord. L'opposition maintient que ces Rafales sont plus chers sous ce nouveau contrat que sous l'accord passé en 2008. Le gouvernement indien prétend que ce nouvel accord permet, au contraire, une baisse de coût de 9 % de moins par avion par rapport à l'ancien accord. Mais, dans le même temps, il refuse de s'exprimer devant le Parlement sur le prix total, mettant en avant l'accord de confidentialité signé en janvier 2016 avec la France et Dassault et des considérations de secret défense et de sécurité nationale. Une préférence du privé au public qui pose question L'opposition questionne aussi vivement le fait que le gouvernement ait autorisé que le partenaire de Dassault soit une compagnie de défense privée (Reliance Aerospace Limited) dans le cadre de l'accord de 2016 et n'ayant qu'une expérience très limitée dans le domaine de l'aéronautique de défense. Par ailleurs, celle-ci, au moment de l'accord, connaissait de fortes pertes financières. L'ancien accord prévoyait que le partenaire principal soit l'entreprise publique Hindustan Aeronotics Limited (HAL) qui possède une importante expertise dans l'industrie des avions de combat depuis l'Indépendance. Cette préférence du privé au public, couplée à la question de la compétence, ont suffi pour jeter la suspicion sur l'aval donné à ce choix. D'autant plus que les frères Mukesh et Anil Ambani, originaires du Gujarat (État à l'ouest du pays), tout comme le premier ministre, sont considérés comme très proches de ce dernier. Ainsi que l'a dit François Hollande, le gouvernement indien a toujours maintenu le fait que la compagnie privée retenue a été du choix du vendeur français et que les gouvernements ne sont pas intervenus dans ce choix. Ils sont rejoints par les déclarations de Dassault qui revendique cette liberté de décision. Comment Reliance Aeronotics s'est imposé Ce qui est plus intéressant dans cette polémique, c'est de comprendre pourquoi Reliance Aeronotics Limited, entreprise ayant peu d'expérience et très endettée, s'est imposé par rapport à Hindustan Aeronotics. Reliance Aeronotics avait déjà discuté avec Dassault dans le cadre du premier accord de 2008. À cette époque, l'entreprise était sous l'égide de l'aîné des Ambani, Mukesh, et ce dernier n'avait pas souhaité participer au projet jugeant les procédures administratives et légales trop contraignantes. Ce n'est qu'après 2012, quand Anil Ambani a pris la direction de Reliance Aeronotics à la place de son frère, que les discussions ont repris. Les plans d'une joint-venture auraient été discutés lors d'Aero India (le salon aéronautique indien) deux mois avant l'annonce par Modi du nouvel accord. Or, une vidéo d'Éric Trappier (le PDG de Dassault Aviation) prise 15 jours avant l'annonce du nouveau contrat de 2015 le montre se réjouissant d'un partenariat avec Hindustan Aeronotics Limited. Dassault se défend en expliquant que cette vidéo a été prise avant que le nouvel accord ait été proposé et que cette phase était logique dans le cadre de l'ancien accord ou Hindustan Aeronotics apparaissait. L'enjeu central des transferts de technologie Ce qui est plus probable, c'est que ce changement d'accord opportun ait permis à Dassaut d'avoir plus de coudées franches par rapport au projet, l'évitant ainsi d'avoir à faire un transfert de technologie trop important. Les discussions préliminaires avec Hindustan Aeronotics portaient a priori sur le fait de construire sur place une partie des structures du Rafale alors que l'accord avec Reliance Aeronotics prévoit la participation de Reliance sur la construction de certains composants d'avions d'affaire (comme le Falcon 2000), et de façon anecdotique ceux du Rafale (dont l'assemblage sera fait en France). Et c'est sans doute bien sur ce point que les commentaires des opposants au nouveau deal sont les plus pertinents. En effet, à son arrivée au pouvoir, Modi a souhaité faire en sorte que tout nouvel accord avec des entreprises étrangères réponde au cahier des charges de sa politique du « Make in India » : la production ou l'assemblage doit être en partie localisée en Inde. Ici, ce cahier des charges n'est pas réellement complet, même si, par le nouveau contrat, Dassault s'est engagé à réinvestir la moitié de la somme du contrat (qui est de presque 8 milliards d'euros) à travers le système des offset (investissements compensatoires). Le partenariat avec Reliance Aeronotics et la joint-venture ne porte, pour l'instant, que sur 100 millions d'euros pour l'usine commune qui est construite à Nagpur. Dans son communiqué de presse du 21 septembre, Dassault indique néanmoins d'autres partenariats vont être signés avec d'autres entreprises comme BTSL, DEFSYS, Kinetic, Mahindra, Maini, et SAMTEL. La bataille politique de l'armement en Inde Les controverses autour du Rafale et la véhémence du Parti du Congrès contre le BJP s'inscrivent en fait dans la longue continuation de la bataille politique entre le Congrès et ses opposants depuis les années 1980 vis-à-vis de la question de l'armement. Chaque contrat avec des puissances étrangères a fait l'objet des mêmes attaques pour un gouvernement comme pour l'autre, et un nombre substantiel de contrats n'ont pu voir le jour. La conséquence de ce jeu politique n'est pas neutre pour l'Inde. Le pays a été contraint de faire ses achats d'armements sans réelle cohérence dans la construction de sa politique de défense, plus souvent basée sur le contrat créant le moins de polémiques que sur l'efficacité technique ou la cohérence des commandes. Par contre, Narendra Modi, en refusant d'apporter un peu plus de transparence sur le prix et les conditions d'achat du Rafale, fait sans doute une erreur tactique. Et il semble retomber dans le même travers que Rajiv Gandhi (le père de Rahul Gandhi, le plus véhément principal opposant de Modi sur cette affaire et leader du parti du Congrès) lors du scandale Bofors dans les années 1980. Ce dernier y perdit ses soutiens politiques dans son propre parti, le soutien de l'armée et cette affaire provoqua la chute du gouvernement (et l'arrêt du contrat par la même occasion). En fin tacticien, c'est certainement avec le souvenir de cette histoire en tête que Rahul Gandhi cherche à préparer le terrain des élections générales de l'année prochaine. L'art délicat de la diplomatie des ventes d'armes Par ces propos ambigus, François Hollande a certainement cherché à se prémunir contre toute attaque vis-à-vis d'un conflit d'intérêts entre les choix stratégiques de la France et sa vie privée. Cette priorisation de l'intérêt personnel par rapport aux intérêts français est une option risquée et qui a d'ailleurs conduit l'ancien Président à faire machine arrière sur ses propos suite à une contredéclaration du Quai d'Orsay. Cet incident pourrait néanmoins porter à long terme préjudice à la France. N'oublions pas que l'Inde est le premier importateur d'armes au monde et le premier client export de Dassault Aviation ainsi que de la France en termes d'armement sur la période 2007-2016. L'achat de matériel militaire ne se joue pas uniquement sur la performance de celui-ci mais est un art délicat de diplomatie et d'équilibre des rapports de pouvoir entre les États et les entreprises. Et l'ancien Président est pourtant bien placé pour le savoir. https://theconversation.com/histoire-dun-faux-pas-ce-qui-se-joue-vraiment-derriere-laffaire-du-rafale-en-inde-104014

AIR FORCE Lockheed Martin Corp., Littleton, Colorado, has been awarded a $1,362,089,314 contract for GPS IIIF Space Vehicles 11 and 12. This contract provides for the non-recurring engineering, space vehicle test bed and simulators, and production of GPS IIIF Space Vehicles 11 and 12 as well as options for the production of up to 22 GPS III Space Vehicles, Space Vehicle storage, and launch and on-orbit support. Work will be performed in Littleton, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2027. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with one solicitation mailed and one proposal received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $10,152,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile System Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8807-18-C-0009). AT&T Corp., Oakton, Virginia, has been awarded an $87,377,959 other transaction agreement to execute the enterprise information technology as a service network as a service experiment. This agreement provides for experimentation of a secure, reliable, measured, commercial data and voice network in order to enable access to Department of Defense data and applications from DoD facilities, as well as enable access for mobile and remotely located users. Work will be performed at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado; Offutt AFB, Nebraska; and Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8726-18-9-0001). Honeywell International Inc., Clearwater, Florida, has been awarded an $80,112,194 modification (P00013) to contract FA8540-13-D-0002 for Embedded Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System (EGI). The contract modification is to extend the current indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, consisting of platform integration, modernization, diminishing manufacturing sources, flight test support, technical support following integration efforts, training, engineering support/studies, contractor depot repair, spares, and data for the EGI. Work will be performed in Clearwater, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 26, 2019. This modification involves foreign military sales to India, Turkey, Singapore, Oman, Canada, Italy, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Korea, Slovenia, Israel, Egypt, Australia, Ghana, Taiwan, Kuwait, and Iraq. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $565,570,194. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity Engility Corp., Andover, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $49,500,000 requirements-type, firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable contract for the Joint Range Extension/Joint Range Extension Tactical Equipment Package program. This contract provides software sustainment support services. Work will be performed in San Diego, California; Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; and Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, and is expected to be completed by May 27, 2023. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,234,886 are being obligated on the first order at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8574-18-D-0004). QuantiTech, Inc., Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded a $47,352,975 modification (P00080) to contract FA2486-16-F-0034 for Technical and Management Advisory Services range support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Arnold AFB, Tennessee; Holloman AFB, New Mexico; Hill AFB, Utah; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and Eielson AFB, Alaska, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds; production funds; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $646,620 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $123,653,694. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, Florida, is the contracting activity. Torch Technologies Inc., Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded a $44,456,840 modification (P00068) to contract FA2486-16-F-0030 for Technical and Management Advisory Services Armament support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, technical, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Kirkland AFB, New Mexico; and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $4,980,727 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $113,184,124. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, Florida, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $38,722,467 indefinite-delivery requirements type contract for contractor logistics support of the Common Organization Level Tester System. This contract provides for program management, engineering and repair services. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2028. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $823,254 will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8533-18-D-0002). Bevilacqua Research Corp., Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded a $36,081,359 modification (P00059) to contract FA2486-16-F-0033 for Technical and Management Advisory Services Platforms support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Duke Field, Florida; Hurlburt Field, Florida; Nellis AFB, Nevada; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; and Edwards AFB, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 research and development; procurement; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $831,385 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $96,476,260. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, Florida, is the contracting activity. Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, has been awarded a $34,350,473 other transaction agreement under to execute the enterprise information technology as a service network as a service experiment. This agreement provides for experimentation of a secure, reliable, measured, commercial data and voice network in order to enable access to Department of Defense data and applications from DoD facilities, as well as enable access for mobile and remotely located users. Work will be performed in Hurlburt Field, Florida; Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico; and Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8726-18-9-0002). GE Aviation Systems, doing business as Dowty Propellers Inc., Sterling, Virginia, has been awarded a $19,565,172 firm-fixed-price contract for the C-130J R391 Propeller Depot Activation requirement. The contractor shall establish an organic depot repair/overhaul capability for the C-130J R391 propeller which will include training for organic repair/overhaul capability for the line replaceable unit and shop replaceable unit. Work will be performed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 20, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source commercial acquisition. Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $19,565,172 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8504-18-C-0008). DCS Corp., Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a $16,252,479 modification (P00045) to previously awarded FA2486-16-F-0032 for Technical and Management Advisory Services Electronic Warfare support. The contractor will provide additional research, development, test and evaluation, and acquisition support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; and Edwards Air Force Base, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research and development; procurement; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,161,841 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $30,469,693. This modification involves foreign military sales to Belgium, Greece, Iraq, Korea, Morocco, NATO, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, Florida, is the contracting activity. Omni Medical Systems Inc., Colchester, Vermont, has been awarded a $15,498,493 firm-fixed-priced contract for bladder relief devices, training and six months of supplies. This contract provides for an external bladder relief device for aircrew capable of hands-free, eyes-free, seated, harnessed use in military aircraft operating at positive and negative Gs, and at high altitude. Work will be performed in Colchester, Vermont, and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2019. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $15,498,493 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8606-18-C-0034). Delaware Resource Group, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has been awarded a $12,675,528 firm-fixed-price contract for the Pacific Air Forces Distributed Mission Operations/Live, Synthetic and Blended Operational Training environment that allows aircrew to practice basic and emergency procedures. It also enables aircrew to experience advanced weapon-system capabilities and hone the complex skills required to operate in a contested and degraded combat environment. Work will be performed at airbases in both the continental U.S. and outside the continental U.S., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 24, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,782,432 are being obligated at the time of award. The 766th Specialized Contracting Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (FA5215-18-C-8010). AAI Corp., doing business as Textron Systems, Hunt Valley, Maryland, has been awarded an $11,075,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile sustainment. This contract provides for 32 each of NSN 1450-01-441-4107-AH (PN 33307-40055-10), the Guided Missile Maintenance Platform. This platform is used to access both the missile and the missile silo using a hoist to allow for two individuals to access all areas to complete required maintenance. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and is expected to be complete by June 26, 2020. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2016 procurement funds in the amount of $11,075,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Sustainment Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8206-18-C-0005). CACI Inc. - Federal, Chantilly, Virginia; and Rome, New York, has been awarded a $9,709,489 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Cavalieri software. This contract provides for systems engineering, software development, integration, demonstration, prototyping, documentation, and testing and systems administration to deliver software tools for Space Situational Awareness and Space Battle Management Command and Control. Work will be performed in Rome, New York, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 25, 2021. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-18-C-0180). Mantech Advanced Systems International, Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $12,918,248 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for security support. This contract provides Sensitive Compartmented Information and Special Access Program security services to the Space and Missile Systems Center and Air Force Space Command operational units. Work will be performed at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California; Vandenberg AFB, California; Peterson AFB, Colorado; and Schriever AFB, Colorado. The work is expected to be completed by Nov. 16, 2019. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with three offers received. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $10,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, California, is the contracting activity (FA8819-18-C-1001). ARMY The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $198,927,812 firm-fixed-price contract for performance-based logistics support of the Chinook H-47 forward and aft rotor blades and associated containers. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-18-D-0111). BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc., Kingsport, Tennessee, was awarded a $59,856,516 modification (P00664) to contract DAAA09-98-E-0006 for construction of a fluid energy mill at Holston Army Ammunition Plant. Work will be performed in Kingsport, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2021. Fiscal 2016 and 2018 Air Force; aircraft procurement, Army; and other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $59,856,516 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., Jacksonville, Florida, was awarded a $47,901,600 firm-fixed-price contract for channel dredging in Hillsborough County, Florida. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Tampa, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $47,901,600 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (W912EP-18-C-0028). Laboratory Corp. of America, Burlington, North Carolina, was awarded a $46,371,667 firm-fixed-price contract for clinical reference laboratory testing services. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K04-18-D-0029). C.J. Mahan Construction Company LLC, Columbus, Ohio, was awarded a $35,495,500 firm-fixed-price contract for demolition and removal of Lock and Dam 52 in Brookport, Illinois. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Brookport, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 14, 2020. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $35,495,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky, is the contracting activity (W912QR-18-C-0033). The Boeing Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $33,786,581 firm-fixed-price contract for cargo platform health environment kits for cargo helicopters. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 26, 2020. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-18-D-0124). Heeter Geotechnical Construction LLC, Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $28,260,132 firm-fixed-price contract for construction for Kentucky lock downstream excavation. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 24, 2020. Fiscal 2018 Inland Waterways Trust; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $28,260,132 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville, Tennessee, is the contracting activity (W912P5-18-C-0017). General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida, was awarded a $19,979,953 modification (P00013) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0024 to procure 120mm M1002 new production cartridges for 120mm tank training ammunition. Work will be performed in St. Petersburg, Florida, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2020. Fiscal 2017 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $19,979,953 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Norfolk Dredging Co., Chesapeake, Virginia, was awarded an $18,076,560 firm-fixed-price contract for dredging beach-compatible sand from the sand bypass dredging area north of the Canaveral Harbor Inlet and transporting the dredged material to a designated beach placement site south of the inlet. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Cape Canaveral, Florida, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $18,076,560 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (W912EP-18-C-0029). Oak Grove Technologies LLC,* Raleigh, North Carolina, was awarded an $18,019,000 firm-fixed-price contract for squad advanced marksmanship training. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Raleigh, North Carolina, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 25, 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $18,019,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-18-F-0008). Marco-Z-Technology Co.,* Santa Ana, California, was awarded a $14,975,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a 31,800 sq. ft., two-story academic facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in March Air Reserve Base, California, with an estimated completion date of May 1, 2020. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $14,975,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, California, is the contracting activity (W912LA-18-C-8004). Raytheon Co., Fort Wayne, Indiana, was awarded a $13,579,174 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (United Arab Emirates, Australia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and Thailand) contract to procure ARC-231 hardware. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 foreign military sales funds in the amount of $13,579,174 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-18-F-5021). Donald L. Mooney Enterprises LLC, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a $13,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract for licensed vocational nurse and certified nurse assistant services. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2019. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K04-18-D-0031). U.S. Ordnance,* McCarran, Nevada, was awarded a $13,499,098 firm-fixed-price contract to procure M60 weapon systems, spare barrels, conversion kits, training, and spare parts. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 25, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-18-D-0167). Jacobs Government Services Co., Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for planning, design and construction phase services in support of the Department of Defense Education Activity program. 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. 25, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91236-18-D-0011). Burnham Associates Inc.,* Salem, Massachusetts, was awarded a $9,375,800 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging of Plymouth Harbor. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 20, 2019. Fiscal 2018 civil works funds in the amount of $9,375,800 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Concord, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (W912WJ-18-C-0020). CACI-ISS Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $9,202,730 modification (P00043) to contract W15QKN-15-C-0049 for support of project management, integrated personnel and pay system-Army increment II. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2019. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army; and research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,571,752 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. 3M Health Information Systems Inc., Murray, Utah, was awarded a $9,039,841 firm-fixed-price contract for a dictation and transcription software product. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 23, 2021. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K04-18-D-0028). MACRO-Z-Technology Co.,* Santa Ana, California, was awarded an $8,762,000 firm-fixed-price contract for repair of vehicle wash racks. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, with an estimated completion date of July 2, 2020. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $8,762,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Washington, is the contracting activity (W912DW-18-C-0030). Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia, was awarded an $8,647,532 modification (P00034) to contract W15QKN-14-C-0032 for system engineering and technical assistance support services. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of March 10, 2019. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,846,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. G. E. Johnson Construction Company Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado, was awarded a $7,741,573 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of a 3,000 sq. ft., single-story structure, and demolition of an existing approximate 2,300 sq. ft., single-story structure. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Cascade, Colorado, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 9, 2020. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $7,741,573 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-18-C-0049). Avox Systems Inc., Lancaster, New York, was awarded a $7,075,107 modification (P00008) to contract W911SR-15-C-0007 for Joint Service Aircrew Mask - Rotary Wing mask protective unit mask systems and spares. Work will be performed in Lancaster, New York, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 22, 2019. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $7,075,107 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. NAVY Siemens Government Technologies Inc., Arlington, Virginia, is awarded $171,543,614 for firm-fixed-price task order N3943018F9924 under a previously awarded multiple award energy savings performance contract (DE-AM36-09GO29041) for energy improvements at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Naval Station Rota, and Naval Support Activity Naples. The work to be performed provides for design and installation of the following energy conservation measures: boiler plants, chiller systems, motors, water and lighting improvements. The work also provides for performance period services consisting of measurement and verification, operations and maintenance, and repair and replacement services. Work will be performed in Naples, Italy (50 percent); Sigonella, Italy (30 percent); and Rota, Spain, (20 percent). The project is expected to be completed by October 2039. No funds will be obligated with this award, as private financing obtained by the contractor will be used for project implementation. Eight proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity. EMR Inc.,* Niceville, Florida (N69450-18-D-1318); Custom Mechanical Systems Corp.,* Bargersville, Indiana (N69450-18-D-1319); Dawson Federal Inc.,* Ponte Vedra, Florida (N69450-18-D-1320); Windamir Development Inc.,* McDonough, Georgia (N69450-18-D-1321); Southeast Cherokee Construction Inc.,* Montgomery, Alabama (N69450-18-D-1322); and Drace Anderson JV,* Ocean Springs, Mississippi (N69450-18-D-1323), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award design-build construction contract for construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of responsibility (AOR). The maximum dollar value for the five year ordering period for all six contracts combined is $99,000,000. The work to be performed provides for general building type projects (new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition, and repair work) including industrial, airfield, aircraft hangar, aircraft traffic control, infrastructure, administrative, training, dormitory, and community support facilities. EMR Inc. is being awarded the initial task order at $9,872,615 for the construction of K-C130J Enlisted Aircrew Training System Facility at Naval Air Station, Joint Readiness Base, Fort Worth, Texas. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by December 2019. All work on this contract will be performed within the NAVFAC Southeast AOR which includes Texas (40 percent); Louisiana (40 percent); and Mississippi (20 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of September 2023. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Navy Reserve); and fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,877,615 are obligated on this award; of which $5,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction; operations and maintenance (Navy); and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website with 21 proposals received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. Manu Kai LLC*, Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded $90,000,000 for a bridge contract (N00604-18-D-4003) as a bridge action for previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00604-09-D-0001) with both cost-plus-award-fee and fixed-price-award fee line items for range operations support and base operations support services. This contract includes a 15-month performance period with no option periods. Work will be performed at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Island of Kauai, Hawaii, and work is expected to be completed by December 2019. Subject to the availability of funds, fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $20,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award to fund the contract's minimum amount and funds 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). The requirement was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website as a 100 percent 8(a) set-aside requirement, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. Vertical Protective Apparel LLC,* Shrewsbury, New Jersey, is awarded a ceiling $62,612,464 five-year, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of up to a maximum 225,886 Plate Carrier Generation IIIs and data reports. Work will be performed in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, and is expected to be complete by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $2,952,438 will be obligated on the first delivery order immediately following contract award and funds will expire the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with four offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-18-D-1309). American Rheinmetall Munition Inc., Stafford, Virginia, is awarded a ceiling $59,703,284 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of up to a maximum of 2,135,026 MK281 MOD 3 40MM high velocity day/night practice cartridges. MK281 MOD 3 cartridges are for training Marines under day and night/low-light conditions. The MK281 MOD 3 cartridge uses a projectile containing a non-toxic chemiluminescent mixture that becomes visible upon impact at night and low-light conditions. Work will be performed in Camden, Arkansas, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 25, 2022. Fiscal 2017 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $10,187,989; fiscal 2017 overseas contingency operations (OCO) (Marine Corps)) funds in the amount of $480,991; and, fiscal 2018 OCO operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $795,997 will be obligated on the first delivery order immediately following contract award and no funds will expire the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-18-D-5225). KBRwyle Technology Solutions LLC, Jacksonville, Florida, is awarded $51,866,922 for contract modification P00045 to previously awarded contract M67004-09-D-0020. This modification increases the ceiling for prepositioning and Marine Corps logistics support services in support of Blount Island Command. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (85 percent); aboard 12 Maritime Prepositioning Ships (12 percent); Norway (2 percent); and Kuwait (1 percent). Work is expected to be completed by March 31, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps); and fiscal 2019 overseas contingency operations appropriations in the amount of $51,866,922 will be obligated under task orders against this contract. Funds will not expire at the end of this contract year. U.S. Marine Corps, Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. M.A. Mortenson, Co., Minneapolis, Minnesota, is awarded a $50,207,000 firm-fixed-price contract for phase two repairs and improvements to the explosive handling wharf one facility at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. This includes the repair and/or replacement of the roof cladding and attachments, new coatings and sealants, repair of the roof ridge vents, repair of the gutters and downspouts, repair of the roof framing system, and repair of the elevated walkways, handrails and guardrails. The contract also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $95,416,000. Work will be performed in Kings Bay, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $50,207,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with two proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-18-C-0905). Huntington Ingalls Inc., Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $42,600,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-4316) to continue performance of the repair, maintenance, upgrades, and modernization efforts on USS Helena (SSN 725) dry-docking selected restricted availability. The contracted requirements include advance and new work efforts necessary to repair, and maintain full unrestricted operation of the submarine, as well as upgrades and modernization efforts required to ensure the submarine is operating at full technical capacity. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $42,600,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, USN, Newport News, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems, Braintree, Massachusetts, is awarded a $42,058,477 fixed-price-incentive-fee, firm-fixed price, cost and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to test, produce and deliver MK54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedo (LWT) array kits and related spares, production support material, engineering and hardware repair services and maintenance of government-furnished equipment. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $335,924,292. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (51 percent); the government of Taiwan (46 percent); and Canada (3 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Braintree, Massachusetts (70 percent); and Lititz, Pennsylvania (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2022. FMS and fiscal 2018 weapons procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $42,058,477 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-6405). Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is awarded $32,350,663 for cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001918F1645 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-17-G-0002). This order provides for new Large Aircraft Infra-Red Countermeasure System Processor Replacement non-recurring engineering and 60 kits for the MV-22 and CV-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (65 percent); Miramar, California (14 percent); New River, North Carolina (13 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (6 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (1 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2023. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $32,350,663 are being 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. BAE Systems, Land and Armaments LP, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is awarded a $28,900,000 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-13-C-5314 for the procurement of MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) MK 13 MOD 0 canisters and coding plugs. The MK 41 VLS provides a missile launching system for CG 47 and DDG 51 class surface combatants of the Navy, as well as surface combatants of allied navies. This effort includes the manufacture, production and test of the MK 13 Mod 0 canisters, packaging handling storage equipment, and coding plugs for the Standard Missile-2. The canisters provide rocket motor exhaust gas containment and a launch rail during missile firing. The canisters also serve as missile shipping and storage containers. Work will be performed in Aberdeen, South Dakota (90 percent); and Minneapolis, Minnesota (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2021. This contract combines purchases for the governments of Japan (68 percent); Australia (22 percent); South Korea (6 percent); and Netherlands (4 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Foreign military sales funding in the amount of $28,900,000 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, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Inc., Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $26,804,899 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-2121 for continued engineering, technical, design agent, and hull planning yard services in support of the Navy's operational aircraft carrier fleet. This modification will provide for engineering and technical services in support of operational Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) class and propulsion plant related efforts for Nimitz (CVN 68) class aircraft carriers. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to complete by September 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy); 2018 weapons procurement (Navy); 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $9,229,624 will be obligated at contract award, and $8,604,840 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Grunley Construction Inc., Rockville, Maryland, is awarded a $25,977,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of an Operational Archives and Research Facility at the Washington Navy Yard. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of a complete renovation of Buildings 46 and 67 to accommodate research and collections at the Naval History and Heritage Command. The project includes upgrading the architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical and fire protection systems of each building, installation of new elevators, replacement of existing windows, and special construction features and requirements for structural premiums to support the loading dock overhead crane system. The project will also renovate Building 169 to house Naval History and Heritage Command artifacts throughout all three phases of renovations. The contract also contains two unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $40,653,000. Work will be performed in Washington, District of Columbia, and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $25,977,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N40080-18-C-0033). URS Federal Services Inc., an AECOM Co., Germantown, Maryland, is awarded a $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract in support of the Naval Tactical Computer Resource (NTCR) program for the reutilization, repair, or refurbishment of legacy electronic equipment. Contract requirements also include installation of repaired NTCR equipment, incidental cable assemblies, and obsolescence management. The types of equipment being reutilized, repaired, or refurbished include: combat system displays, computer systems, peripheral systems, and videocassette tape recorders. Work will be performed in Odon, Indiana, and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $143,749 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 Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N0016418DWP41). Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense, Simsbury, Connecticut, is awarded a $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a five-year ordering period for MK 165/MK 166 non-electric detonators and MK 167/168/169 delay detonators with integral firing devices in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. The detonators are used to detonate explosives for close quarter breaching, military demolition, and explosive ordnance disposal. Work will be performed in Graham, Kentucky, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 procurement (Defense-wide) in the amount of $1,300,366 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 the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-18-D-JR63). BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Virginia, is awarded a $24,757,239 firm-fixed-price contract modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-18-C-4403 for additional growth requirements identified during the execution of USS Tortuga (LSD 46) fiscal 2018 modernization period Chief of Naval Operations-scheduled availability. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by November 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding; and fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $24,757,239 was obligated at time of award, of which $22,557,239 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. CSRA LLC, a General Dynamics Information Technology Co., Falls Church, Virginia, is awarded a $22,496,620 blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to deliver commercial cloud services by the use of multiple cloud service providers to accelerate Navy cloud adoption. The work encompasses Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, Software as a Service, and other commercially available cloud service offerings in accordance with the Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide at Information Impact Levels 2, 4 and 5 as defined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-145. The BPA holder shall also provide related services that enable mission owners to transition to and operate within the commercial cloud environment. This BPA includes a one-year base ordering period and four one-year optional ordering periods, which if exercised would bring the estimated cumulative value to $95,844,276. The BPA contains firm-fixed-price, time and materials, and labor hour contract line item numbers. This BPA was issued against CSRA's General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule 70 contract (GS-35F-393CA), as well as CSRA's teaming partners' schedules. CSRA responded to the request for quotation as a contractor teaming arrangement. CRSA's team members include Beyond20 (GS-35F-137AA); Carahsoft (GS-35F-0119Y); and Minburn Technology Group LLC (GS-35F-309AA). Cloud service providers include Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services. Additional team members and cloud service providers may be added to the BPA holder's team over the term of the agreement in response to Department of the Navy needs. Work on task orders will be performed at various locations in the United States and internationally. No funding will be obligated at the time of award. Future contract actions will be issued and funds obligated as individual task orders. This BPA wascompetitively procured with quotations solicited via GSA's eBUY Portal from all GSA Schedule 70 holders whose schedule contracts include the relevant special item numbers as specified in the performance work statement. The government received four quotations in response to the solicitation. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N00039-18-A-0003). Leidos Innovations Corp., Gaithersburg, Maryland, is awarded a $20,987,917 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-5202 to exercise the options for ship-installation, integrated logistic support, fleet support, and life-cycle-sustainment of the Navy's AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Surface Ship Undersea Warfare Systems. The AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 is the Surface Ship Undersea Warfare combat system with the capabilities to search, detect, classify, localize and track undersea contacts, and to engage and evade submarines, mine-like small objects and torpedo threats. This contract is for four inter-related areas of support for the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15, logistics, installation, fleet support, and life-cycle-sustainment. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia (26 percent); Everett, Washington (23 percent); Norfolk, Virginia (19 percent); Yokosuka, Japan (14 percent); San Diego, California (13 percent); Bath, Maine (1 percent); Manassas, Virginia (1 percent); Mayport, Florida (1 percent); Pascagoula, Mississippi (1 percent); and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by August 2020. Fiscal 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2017 and 2018 other procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $10,261,096 will be obligated at the time of award, and $75,223 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co. Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is awarded a $20,038,146 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-6423) to procure circuit card assembly kits, signal processor circuit card assembly kits, and digital processor circuit card assembly kits. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and is expected to be completed by March 2020. Fiscal 2016 special defense acquisition fund funding in the amount of $20,038,146, will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Computer Technology Associates Inc.,* Ridgecrest, California, is awarded an $18,535,563 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide programmatic support of the Advanced Weapons Laboratory's Software Management Information System applications and tools. Programmatic support applications include, but are not limited to, planning, estimation, risk management, event scheduling (including flight test events), anomaly tracking, project execution, project monitoring and control, and reporting. Work will be performed in China Lake, California, and is expected to be completed in September 2023. Fiscal 2018 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $3,500,000 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured utilizing an electronic request for proposal set aside for total small business; one proposal was received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity (N68936-18-D-0031). Austal, USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded $16,459,663 for cost-plus-award-fee order N6931618F4003 against a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00024-15-G-2304) to provide engineering and management services in support of work specification development, prefabrication efforts, and material procurement for the Littoral Combat Ship USS Charleston (LCS-18) post shakedown availability (PSA). The PSA is accomplished within a period of approximately 16-20 weeks between the time of ship custody transfer to the Navy and the Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy (SCN) obligation work limiting date. Efforts will include program management, advance planning, engineering, design, prefabrication, and material kitting. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama (60 percent); and San Diego, California (40 percent), and is expected to be completed by August 2019. Fiscal 2014 and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,550,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair Gulf Coast, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $15,422,132 modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-13-C-6402 for air launch accessory engineering in support of the P-8A integration efforts and 14 telemetry kits for the air launch accessory of the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by September, 2020. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and engineering (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,894,563 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, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $14,253,926 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001918F1652 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0001). This delivery order provides for the procurement of 53 Harpoon Block II Plus tactical missile upgrade kits for the Navy. Work will be performed in St. Charles, Missouri (69.5 percent); Galena, Kansas (10.5 percent); Minneapolis, Minnesota (6.6 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (6.5 percent); Lititz, Pennsylvania (2.2 percent); O'Fallon, Missouri (1.1 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (3.6 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2020. Fiscal 2018 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $14,253,926 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. General Electric Aviation, Evandale, Ohio, is awarded $12,080,440 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0042118F0121 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (FA8122-14-G-0001) for the procurement of 1,815 main long spraybars and 265 kits that consists of the 12 main short spraybars, one ignition spraybar, and one bolt in support of F/A-18E/F/G aircraft. Work will be performed in Lynn, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed in August 2019. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $12,080,440 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Digitized Schematic Solutions LLC,** Warren, Michigan, is awarded $12,000,000 for modification P00005 to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract (M67854-17-D-5018) for the procurement of additional Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) kits. This modification increases the maximum contract value by $12,000,000 to $34,000,000. Work will be performed in Warren, Michigan, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 26, 2020. Fiscal 2018 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $2,771,950 will be obligated on the first delivery order immediately following award to procure three ADR kits, and funds will not expire the end of the current fiscal year. This contract modification was not competitively procured in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-5, 15 U.S. Code 637 and 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c) (d). The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-17-D-5018). IDSC Holdings LLC, doing business as Snap-On Industrial, Kenosha, Wisconsin, is awarded an $11,924,503 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 1,482 different brand-name commercial hand tools and toolboxes with a total overall quantity of 158,516 items for Lot 11 low-rate initial production F-35 Lightning II aircraft in support of the Joint Strike Fighter F35A/B/C Tool Control Program. Work will be performed in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and is expected to be completed in September 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance; fiscal 2018 working capital fund (Navy); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $11,924,503 will be obligated at time of award, $160,164 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; one offer was received. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($9,565,654; 80.2 percent); and the governments of Israel ($1,174,474; 9.9 percent); Japan ($777,715; 6.5 percent); and Korea ($406,660; 3.4 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (N68335-18-C-0667). Gilbane Federal, Concord, California, is awarded an $11,192,881 firm-fixed-price task order N6247318F5271 under a previously awarded environmental multiple award contract (N62473-17-D-0005) for Phase IV Non-Time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) for Solid Waste Disposal Area Westside, Installation Restoration (IR) Site 12 at Naval Station Treasure Island. The work to be performed provides for the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act NTCRA at IR Site 12 at Naval Station Treasure Island, in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS). The primary activities conducted under this PWS shall consist of the preparation of planning documents and perform all tasks necessary to continue the Site 12 NTCRA for chemical and radioactive contaminants in accordance with the action memo. Work will be performed in San Francisco, California, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2018 base realignment and closure environmental (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $11,192,881 are obligated on this award and will not 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. University of California San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California, is awarded $9,568,563 for modification P00005 to previously awarded cost reimbursement contract N00014-16-C-3054 for mid-life re-fit and overhaul of research vessel (R/V) Roger Revelle AGOR 24. Work will be performed in Portland, Oregon, and work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,437,916 will be obligated at the time of award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Gilbane Federal, Concord, California, is awarded $9,299,640 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247318F5364 under a previously awarded environmental multiple award contract (N62473-17-D-0005) for Parcel B Radiological Characterization at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The work provides data to allow property transfer and support a radiological unrestricted release recommendation for the sanitary sewer and storm drain lines, impacted buildings and impacted former building sites in Parcel B in accordance with the performance work statement. Work will be performed in San Francisco, California, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2018 base realignment and closure environmental (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,299,640 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. G-W Management Services LLC,* Rockville, Maryland, is awarded $8,906,365 for firm-fixed-price task order N4008018F5114 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40080-17-D-0022) for repairs to the chapel exterior at the U.S. Naval Academy complex. The work to be performed provides for safety and fall protection with work from heights and on domed surfaces; repair and replacement of copper roofing and flashing; cleaning, restoration, repair, and replacement of brick and stone masonry; lightning protection; repair and waterproofing of terrace retaining walls; repair of ornamental metals; restoration of wood windows; protective secondary windows; and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Annapolis, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,906,365 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Public Works Department, Annapolis, Maryland, is the contracting activity. L3 Technologies Inc., doing business as L3 Communication Systems West, Salt Lake City, Utah, is awarded an $8,514,907 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N0016417FJ021) for a research and development effort to design, test and build high gain antenna (HGA) common data link (CDL) engineering development models and production HGA/CDL for the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (PMA-290) and Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PMA-262). Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is expected to be completed by January 2021. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $5,503,778 will be obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $103,778 will expire at the end of fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY SupplyCore Inc.,* Rockford, Illinois, has been awarded a maximum $80,000,000 firm-fixed-price bridge contract for facilities maintenance, repair and operations items. This is a 13-month bridge with no option periods. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Locations of performance are Illinois and the Republic of Korea, with an Oct. 25, 2019, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE8E3-18-D0003). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded an estimated $69,726,565 performance-based modification (P00086) to a five-year base contract (SPRPA11-14-D-002U) with one five-year option period for consumable items supporting various aircraft. This is a fixed-price incentive contract. This was a sole source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) as stated in the Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is Missouri, with a Sept. 16, 2019, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force and various foreign military sales countries. Types of appropriation are fiscal 2019 defense working capital and foreign military sales funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bethel Industries Inc.,*** Jersey City, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $34,907,813 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for various types of coats. This was a competitive acquisition with 13 responses received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is New Jersey, with a March, 25, 2022, estimated performance completion date. Using customer is Afghan National Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2021 foreign military sales funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-18-D-1094). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a $17,350,724 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRPA1-18-F-KH3M) against basic ordering agreement SPE4A1-16-G-0010 for F/A-18 aircraft radomes. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) as stated in the Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is Missouri, with a Dec. 31, 2019 performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Palmdale, California, has been awarded a $9,532,773 modification (P00006) to contract SPRTA1-13-C-0151 for additional aft deck production units. This is a firm-fixed price contract. Locations of performance are California, Missouri and Arkansas, with a Sept. 20, 2020, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Honeywell International Inc., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded an $8,578,415 firm-fixed-price contract for Bradley Fighting Vehicle System generators. This is a three-year contract with one 100 percent option period. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is Arizona, with a Jan. 31, 2021, performance completion date. Usin

Murray Brewster · CBC News A used German drone is one of a handful of aircraft under consideration by Transport Canada for its long-delayed Arctic surveillance program. A spokeswoman for the department said no decision has been made about the kind of remotely-piloted system the department will purchase. Marie-Anyk Cote said the plan is to buy an aircraft to detect and monitor oil spills, survey ice levels and marine habitats and keep track of shipping and ice movement in Canada's far northern waters. "As part of its technical assessment, the government sought information from suppliers to better understand the technology and the solutions available," Cote said in an email. The Associated Press reported on Monday that Canada was negotiating with Germany to purchase a secondhand Global Hawk surveillance drone, which originally cost the Germans $823 million. 'Premature' Cote said "it is still premature to speculate which remotely piloted aircraft system will be purchased" and that the evaluation is still underway. In a statement issued to AP, Germany's defence ministry said talks with Canada were planned, but declined to comment on a possible sale price or closure date. The news surfaced in a response to lawmakers tabled by the German government in the Bundestag, Germany's parliament. It stated that Germany has decided to "begin concrete negotiations with Canada for the sale of the Euro Hawk aircraft, two ground stations and possibly certain spare parts." Northrop Grumman, the maker of the Global Hawk, pitched the Canadian military on buying the high-altitude surveillance system a few years ago. New, the aircraft cost more than US $131 million each. National Defence has its own, separate drone program which is not expected to start delivering aircraft until 2021. That new fleet will not be fully operational until 2023. The drone under consideration by Transport Canada is a prototype that was purchased by the Germans in 2000, according the AP report. It has flown only a handful of times; the program was cancelled because of skyrocketing costs and the German government's inability to get it certified to fly in Europe. According to 2013 German media reports, the manufacturer had refused to share technical data with the German government and the drone lacked an anti-collision alarm required by European regulators. According to the German government's written response, the drone has now been "demilitarized" — meaning it has been stripped of its U.S.-made radio equipment, GPS receiver and flight control system. Drone or missile? There could be more complications ahead if Ottawa is successful in negotiations with the Germans. A year ago, CBC News reported the Arctic drone surveillance program had been delayed because of complex international arms control rules that would categorize the unmanned aircraft as a missile. The federal government approved $39.5 million for a technical assessment in 2015 — and the plan had been to have a small fleet airborne by last spring. Officials told CBC News last year that they were not expecting delivery of the drones until 2020. The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), adopted by Canada and 34 other countries, was intended to prevent the spread of weapons systems that can deliver nuclear missiles. Drones were added to the list recently and the rules restrict missiles and drones from carrying a payload of more than 500 kilograms or travelling more than 300 kilometres. A fully loaded Global Hawk can carry a sensor suite payload weighing up to 540 kilograms. With files from the Associated Press https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/transport-canada-looking-at-used-german-drone-to-patrol-arctic-1.4838364