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QUEBEC CITY and MONTREAL, Aug. 6, 2019 /CNW/ -- Planbox, a leading provider of cloud-based AI-Powered Agile Innovation Management solutions, today announced its partnership with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). A versatile, multipurpose and combat-capable naval force, the RCN will trial Planbox's AI-powered cloud-based agile innovation management solution as part of its innovation program. "Through the PSPC Built in Canada Innovation Program, the RCN has partnered with Montreal-based Planbox to trial their innovation management solution. As a matching agency for this technology, access to this tool will support the RCN's focus on becoming a more agile, digitally-enabled organization," said Rear-Admiral Casper Donovan of the Director General Future Ship Capability. Planbox will provide an innovation management platform through which the RCN's innovation program can gather insights from defined external data sources, and centralize key information in relation to specific problems it is solving, allowing it to accordingly leverage its technology experts to develop the appropriate solutions. "Working with the Royal Canadian Navy has been an incredible experience as we have enabled them to strategically map out their innovation portfolio and define their targets," said Arthur Liberian, Senior Innovation Advisor at Planbox. "We have helped them significantly in their pursuit for tangible innovation results by giving them the ability to view strategic information about their innovation portfolio on demand, allowing them to identify their most impactful opportunities." The RCN intends to use Planbox's powerful crowdsourcing capabilities to develop, evaluate, vet, rank and score ideas to help with its mission to improve conditions for investment, and enhance Canada's overall innovation performance. "It is an absolute honor for both myself and the Planbox team to have this one-of-a-kind opportunity to help our brave men and women in the Navy accelerate their operational agility," said Ludwig Melik, CEO at Planbox. For more information about Planbox's Agile Innovation Management Solutions, visit our website. About Planbox Planbox is the pioneering provider of cloud-based AI-Powered Agile Innovation Management solutions – from creative ideas to winning projects. Our mission is to help organizations thrive by transforming the culture of agile work, continuous innovation, and creativity across the entire organization. Our family of products includes Collaborative Innovation Management, Team Decision Making, and Work Management applications. Planbox is designed to provide agile innovation tools for everyone, built for companies and teams of all sizes. Planbox is the comprehensive innovation solution trusted by some of the world's most recognized brands, including Blue Cross, Cargill, Caterpillar, Dow Chemical, Exxon Mobil, Honeywell, John Deere, Novartis, Ontario Power Generation, Sun Life Financial, Whirlpool and Verizon, with millions of internal and external users. About the Royal Canadian Navy The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is Canada's naval force consisting of approximately 8,300 Regular Force and 3,600 Reserve sailors, supported by around 3,800 civilian employees. The mission of the Royal Canadian Navy is to generate combat-capable, multipurpose maritime forces that support Canada's efforts to participate in security operations anywhere in the world, as part of an integrated Canadian Armed Forces. Contact Information Lucas Potasso-Justino Marketing Specialist +1 (855) 752-6269 ext 608 lucas.potasso@planbox.com https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/planbox-partners-with-the-royal-canadian-navy-880731141.html

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland (HHM402-19-D-0005); Bluehawk LLC,* West Palm Beach, Florida (HHM402-19-D-0008); Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0007); CACI Inc. – Federal, Arlington, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0015); Calhoun International LLC,* Tampa, Florida (HHM402-19-D-0009); Celestar Corp.,* Tampa, Florida (HHM402-19-D-0010); CSRA LLC, Falls Church, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0016); Edge Analytic Solutions LLC,* McLean, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0012); Fulcrum IT Services LLC, Centerville, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0017); Invictus International Consulting LLC,* Alexandria, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0013); Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0018); Mission Essential Personnel LLC, New Albany, Ohio (HHM402-19-D-0019); Preting LLC,* Alexandria, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0014); SOS International LLC, Reston, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0020); The Buffalo Group LLC, Reston, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0021); and Vencore/Perspecta, Chantilly, Virginia (HHM402-19-D-0022), were awarded a five-year base plus five one-year option indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ), multiple-award contract called Solutions for Intelligence Analysis 3 (SIA 3) with a combined ceiling value of $17,100,000,000. This contract will provide worldwide coverage, support and assistance to the Defense Intelligence Agency by delivering timely, objective and cogent military intelligence to warfighters, defense planners and defense and national security policy makers, all vital to the security of the U.S. Work will be performed at contractor facilities and at government facilities in multiple locations in the continental U.S. and overseas with a start date of Aug. 5, 2019, and an estimated completion date of Aug. 4, 2029. The SIA 3 contract was awarded through a full and open solicitation and 29 offers were received. Six of the 16 awardees are small businesses. Each company will receive a $1,000 minimum guarantee. Task orders (TO) will be issued competitively under this ID/IQ, which will allow for the following TO contract types: firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-award-fee and time-and-material. The Virginia Contracting Activity, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. ARMY ZGF-Leo A. Daly JV, Omaha, Nebraska, was awarded a $130,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for engineering, architectural, renovation, construction of new specialty care building, construction of a new parking garage, upgrades to utility and energy plant, demolition of buildings, development and evaluation of alternatives, design, and support during construction. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 4, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, Oregon, is the contracting activity (W9127N-19-D-0002). AECOM Technical Services Inc., Los Angeles, California (W9128F-19-D-0009); Burns & McDonnel, Kansas, Missouri (W9128F-19-D-0007); Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., St. Louis, Missouri (W9128F-19-D-0010); and HDR Engineering Inc., Omaha, Nebraska (W9128F-19-D-0008), will compete for each order of the $49,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect-engineer services, preparation of studies, analysis and design. Bids were solicited via the internet with 13 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 4, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity. Tetra Tech Inc., Marlborough, Massachusetts, was awarded a $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Saudi Arabia) contract for architect-engineer design, quality control, master planning, planning and programming documentation, transportation, force protection, construction phase services and subject matter expert support. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 4, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Winchester, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W912ER-19-D-0013). Messer Construction Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, was awarded a $28,968,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a maintenance hangar, maintenance hangar area, general purpose shop area, corrosion control area and avionics shop area. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Louisville, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 15, 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction funds in the amount of $28,968,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, Tennessee, is the contracting activity (W912L7-19-C-7001). HDR Engineering Inc., Omaha, Nebraska, was awarded a $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect, engineering and design services. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 6, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Missouri, is the contracting activity (W912DQ-19-D-4010). Missouri Department of Social Services, Jefferson City, Missouri, was awarded a $16,675,000 modification (P00005) to contract W911S7-18-C-0011 for full food service. Work will be performed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 5, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $9,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission Installation Contracting Command, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, is the contracting activity. Science Applications International, Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $16,498,835 modification (0001 44) to contract W31P4Q-18-A-0011 for systems engineering support. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 Foreign Military Sales; and operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $16,498,835 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. SourceAmerica, Vienna, Virginia, was awarded a $9,998,043 firm-fixed-price contract for manufacturing and development of the Army Green Service Uniform. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Vienna, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 4, 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation; and military personnel, Army funds in the amount of $9,998,043 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QY-19-C-0063). Integrated Environmental Solutions Inc.,* Crestwood, Illinois, was awarded a $9,737,430 firm-fixed-price contract to stabilize the existing crib structure for the Chicago Lock's North Pier. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Chicago, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2021. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 civil construction funds in the amount of $9,737,430 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W912P6-19-C-0009). NAVY ShadowObjects LLC, Leonardtown, Maryland, is awarded a $34,060,886 cost-plus-fixed-fee, labor hour, cost-reimbursable indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides support services to include acquisition management, acquisition planning, acquisition execution and administration, program management, systems engineering, process automation and financial management in support of the Naval Air Systems Command Logistics and Industrial Operations group; Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers, Corporate Business Office and other Department of Defense commands and activities. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (74%); and Lexington Park, Maryland (26%), and is expected to be completed in August 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; six offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-19-D-0073). The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded $32,078,298 for modification P00149 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-14-C-0067). This modification provides for the performance of damage tolerance analysis on the P-8A aircraft to determine the damage tolerance rating. Additionally, this modification will provide non-destructive inspections for structural components on the P-8A aircraft. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (74%); St. Louis, Missouri (21%); and Huntsville, Alabama (5%), and is expected to be completed in March 2023. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $32,078,298 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Harris Corp., RF Communications, Rochester, New York, is awarded an $18,739,106 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of and repair of various radios and associated communications equipment for the Tactical Air Control Party – Modernization (TACP-M) program. This action supports the Air Force TACP-M program's Air Support Operations Center Gateway Systems, Gateway Lite Systems, Stryker Systems, Mobile Communication Systems and Dismounted Systems. The Harris Corp. radios are hardware that provide tactical communications in a man-pack portable kit that is designed to be packed into a bag or case that can be easily carried or worn by the user. Each of the radios has unique properties. The Harris Corp. radios and related equipment have proven interoperability within the existing TACP-M architecture. Work will be performed in Rochester, New York, and is expected to be complete by December 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Air Force) funding in the amount of $120,080 is obligated at contract award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This sole-source contract was not competitively procured in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, only one responsible source. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-19-D-JV38). The Raytheon Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded $17,486,136 for modification P00002 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-19-C-0056) to procure 72 LAU-115 D/A missile launchers; 16 LAU-116 B/A missile launchers left hand; and 32 LAU-116 B/A missile launchers right hand. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in February 2023. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,486,136 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, is awarded a $9,338,631 cooperative research agreement to research development of an artificial intelligence system that acquires machine common sense through observation from images, video and text by absorbing knowledge from both manually created sources and by human guidance. This research seeks capabilities that can enable artificial intelligence agents to support search and rescue efforts, autonomous vehicle navigation in unfamiliar terrain and machines that can adapt to unforeseen circumstances. This is a four-year contract with no options. Work will be performed at USC in Los Angeles, California, and is expected to be completed Aug. 4, 2023. Research, development, test and evaluation (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) funds in the amount of $1,018,876 will be obligated at the time of award. This agreement was competitively procured via a broad agency announcement and publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 23 proposals received and nine selected for award. Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-2-4032). Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is awarded $8,611,774 for cost-plus-fixed-fee modification P00037 under previously awarded contract N66604-15-C-086C on a sole-source basis to provide additional engineering services. The modification includes 35,000 hours and other direct costs associated with system and shipboard integration, required system changes and support of government led testing and training. Under this modification, Raytheon will provide the required services and deliverables to achieve weight reduction of the Escort Mission Module (EMM) towed systems and associated dry-end components in support of Littoral Combat Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Mission Package. Raytheon is responsible for fabrication, test and delivery of the EMM components. Work will be performed at various contractor site and Department of Defense facilities in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (90%); Ft. Pierce, Florida (5%); and San Diego, California (5%), and is expected to be complete in December 2021. Fiscal 2019 and 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,053,121 will be obligated at award, and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity. U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND Harley Marine Services Inc., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a firm fixed-price contract, HTC711-19-C-W002, in the estimated amount of $19,819,032. The contract provides transportation of Department of Defense-owned fuel and marine diesel by tug and barge to the Defense Logistics Agency. Work will be performed in all ordered U.S. ports and points on the Atlantic and Gulf Coast and their connecting waterways, inland waterways, coastal waterways, rivers and tributaries. The contract base period of performance is from Nov. 1, 2019, to Oct. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2020 defense working capital funds will be obligated at the start of performance. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY Raytheon Co., Goleta, California, was awarded a modification to exercise an option totaling $8,263,421 to previously awarded contract HR0011-19-C-0010 for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency research project. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract from $4,334,736 to $12,598,157. Work will be performed in Goleta, California; Waltham, Massachusetts; Irvine, California; Oxnard, California; and Joplin, Missouri, with an expected completion date of Nov. 4, 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $6,723,915 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1926294/source/GovDelivery/

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lyle Wilkie, USS New York LPD 21 Public Affairs ATLANTIC OCEAN -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) completed a live-fire exercise in which the ship fired missiles at a drone using the ship's self-defense Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system Saturday, Aug. 3 (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) completed a live-fire exercise in which the ship fired missiles at a drone using the ship's self-defense Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system Saturday, Aug. 3. The live-fire exercise is in preparation for the New York's upcoming deployment with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group. The Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), also part of the amphibious ready group, conducted a live-fire exercise Saturday as well. “We are doing this exercise to verify full operation of our kill chain for our RAM system,” said USS New York Fire Controlman Chief Christopher Campbell. “The weekly overall combat system operability tests and RAM's daily system tests assess every part of the kill chain except the actual launch of the missile. This is our opportunity to ensure that the missile will launch prior to deployment.” In order to prepare for an exercise of this magnitude it takes a great deal of preparation. “Preparation for this exercise started a month or longer before we even loaded the missiles,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Austin Jones. “We had to ensure each missile cell received the proper signals to fire missiles and make sure the launcher was in overall good condition before receiving and firing missiles. All the fire controlmen have accomplished more than 150 man hours of maintenance in preparation for this shoot. The exercise was a way to show how effective training in the combat systems department has been and how prepared the New York is to use the RAM system on board.” The fire controlman aboard was not the only one involved in this exercise. “All combat watch standers, bridge watch teams and many other people were involved in this exercise,” said Jones. “Each person has a specific role from safeties to launching the missile to coordinating procedures in case of a dud, or misfire.” This exercise is the last event for the Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise where the New York, alongside the Oak Hill and flagship Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), have been tested in many avenues of war fighting. “This is a culminating event where watch standers and systems can be rigorously tested to prove their capability and effectiveness while also utilizing state of the art data extraction systems to continue our pursuit for perfection,” said Lt. j.g. Joshua Sexton, Fire Control Officer aboard New York. “This is proof of not only capability and effectiveness but also confidence in both the system and, most importantly, the watch standers' ability to stay in the fight.” Warships assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, including New York, are participating in the SWATT, in the Atlantic Ocean, to maintain readiness, proficiency, and lethality. https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=110462

Boeing investment accommodates V-22 fuselage production and MV-22 modification program Allows Ospreys to be delivered with higher quality, efficiency and improved safety PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 1, 2019 — Boeing [NYSE: BA], the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy celebrated the transformation of a 350,000-square-foot facility outside Philadelphia into a modern factory where company employees will build fuselages for the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft and modernize the MV-22 fleet for the Marines. “Boeing's $115 million investment supports U.S. and international demand for the unrivaled capabilities of the V-22,” said David Koopersmith, vice president and general manager, Boeing Vertical Lift. “We started this project two years ago in a mothballed building. Now, it is a state of the art manufacturing center for the only in-service tiltrotor aircraft in the world.” The new factory will improve safety and productivity, lower operating costs, and reduce Boeing's environmental impact. It will be home to the Common Configuration – Readiness and Modernization (CC-RAM) program that standardizes the Marine Corps Osprey fleet by upgrading previously built aircraft to the new Block C configuration. The factory will also house fuselage production for Navy, Air Force, Marines, and international Osprey customers. “The V-22 readiness program is our number one priority,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, V-22 Joint Program Manager. “The CC-RAM program is key in meeting our readiness goals and returning capable and reliable aircraft to Marine units around the world.” Boeing employs approximately 4,600 people in Pennsylvania and supports 16,000 direct and indirect jobs in the commonwealth. https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-08-01-Boeing-Marines-Navy-Celebrate-115-Million-V-22-Facility

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Aug. 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has received a $290 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy to continue planning for the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The contract funds the second and third years of planning, long-lead-time material procurement, shop fabrication, shipboard inspections, and facilities readiness for the RCOH. As part of the planning contract, Newport News also will perform some shipboard work, which will take place in Norfolk. The initial year of planning was funded at a base value of $187.5 million. “The second and third year of planning is important to the overall success of a project of the magnitude of an RCOH,” said Chris Miner, Newport News' vice president of in-service aircraft carriers. “This contract allows us to continue our critical planning for each step of the process so we're ready to begin execution when the ship arrives in the first quarter of 2021.” Stennis will be the seventh Nimitz-class carrier to undergo a major life-cycle overhaul at Newport News, representing 35 percent of all maintenance and modernization completed during its service life. An RCOH is an extremely complex engineering and construction project that involves more than 680 suppliers from 40 states providing material and services critical to the overhaul process. Once completed, a recapitalized carrier is capable of supporting current and future warfare doctrine and continuing to operate as the centerpiece of the Navy's fleet and national defense for another 25 years. About Huntington Ingalls Industries Huntington Ingalls Industries is America's largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. For more than a century, HII's Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HII's Technical Solutions division provides a wide range of professional services through its Fleet Support, Mission Driven Innovative Solutions, Nuclear & Environmental, and Oil & Gas groups. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs more than 41,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit: HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com HII on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries CONTACT INFORMATION Duane Bourne Manager of Media Relations (757) 380-3581 Duane.A.Bourne@hii-co.com https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/releases/photo-release-huntington-ingalls-industries-continues-planning-for-mid-life-refueling-overhaul-of-uss-john-c-stennis-cvn-74

IQALUIT, NU, Aug. 2, 2019 /CNW/ - Canadians across the country rely on the critical services of the Canadian Coast Guard to protect mariners and the marine environment, and to ensure the safe and efficient movement of ships that are key to our vibrant economy. With continued growth in commercial shipping and with climate change already affecting our communities, demands on the Coast Guard continue to grow. The Coast Guard provides critical icebreaking services to ensure commercial ships and ferries have access to Canadian ports during the winter time, and supports summer re-supply activities in Canada's Arctic. To ensure the Coast Guard can continue to deliver these essential services, today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced that the Coast Guard will be procuring six new program icebreakers to replace its current aging fleet of icebreakers. Minister Wilkinson also announced, on behalf of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, that the Government of Canada is officially launching a competitive process, through an Invitation to Qualify, to add a third Canadian shipyard as a strategic partner under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). This new shipyard will build the new program icebreakers for the Coast Guard. Coast Guard program icebreakers are essential to Canada's economy by supporting year-round marine trade in Eastern Canada, the St. Lawrence waterway and the Great Lakes. They enable eastern Canadian ferries to operate during the winter time, and are critical to Canada's commercial fisheries. The program icebreakers are also used to provide service to Canada's northern residents by supporting the annual re-supply of goods to Canada's Arctic communities and their industries. Quotes "The Canadian Coast Guard saves lives at sea, maintains safe shipping, enables an otherwise ice-choked economy, protects the marine environment and supports Canadian sovereign presence in the Arctic. Demands on the Coast Guard will only grow as the impacts of climate change become more frequent and intense. By adding the new program icebreakers to renew the fleet, we are ensuring the women and men of the Canadian Coast Guard have the equipment they need to deliver icebreaking services in the Arctic, on the St. Lawrence waterway and on Canada's East Coast." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard "This is an important undertaking with another significant investment to back it up, and it means even more jobs, more opportunity and more economic development right across the country, while ensuring our Canadian Coast Guard has the ships it needs to do its important work. Together with our partners, we are renewing Canada's federal fleet, advancing Canadian technological innovation and supporting jobs across Canada." The Honourable Carla Qualtrough Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility Quick facts Through the Invitation to Qualify, the Government of Canada will establish a short list of pre-qualified shipyards that will be eligible to submit a formal proposal to become the third strategic partner under the NSS, joining Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards. Interested suppliers have 15 days, starting today, to respond to the Invitation to Qualify. On May 22, 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Government of Canada is investing $15.7 billionto renew the Coast Guard fleet, with up to 16 Multi-Purpose Vessels to be built at Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards and two new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships to be built at Irving Shipbuilding Inc. To date, the Government of Canada has awarded more than $11.4 billion in NSS-related contracts across the country. The Government of Canada's NSS is a long-term, multi-billion-dollar program focused on renewing the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy fleets to ensure that Canada's marine agencies have the modern ships they need to fulfill their missions, while revitalizing Canada's marine industry, creating good middle-class jobs and maximizing economic benefits across the country. Related products Backgrounder – Canadian Coast Guard's new icebreakers Backgrounder – Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy – Process to add a third shipyard Associated links National Shipbuilding Strategy Prime Minister announces renewal of Canadian Coast Guard fleet Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada For further information: Marielle Hossack, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, 819-997-5421; Media Relations, Public Services and Procurement Canada, 819-420-5501, media@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca; Jocelyn Lubczuk, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 343-548-7863, Jocelyn.lubczuk@dfo-mpo.gc.ca; Media Relations, Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 613-990-7537, Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Related Links www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-announces-construction-of-new-icebreakers-for-canadian-coast-guard-821197891.html

KEY WEST, Fla., Aug. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy commissioned USS Billings (LCS 15) – the nation's eighth Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) – in Key West, Florida. This milestone places the ship, built by the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) -led team into active service. "Billings was designed to operate and adapt to a rapidly changing environment," said Joe DePietro, vice president of Small Combatants and Ship Systems at Lockheed Martin. "She is equipped and ready for today's threats and easily modifiable to meet the threats we may not even be aware of yet. Our team is confident Billings will be what the Navy needs when the fleet needs it." Unique among combat ships, LCS is designed to complete close-to-shore missions and is a growing and relevant part of the Navy's fleet. It is fast — capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots. It is automated — with the most efficient staffing of any combat ship. It is lethal — standard equipped with Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) and a Mark 110 gun, capable of firing 220 rounds per minute. It is flexible — with 40 percent of the hull easily reconfigurable, integrating capabilities like the Longbow Hellfire Missiles, 30mm guns, and manned and unmanned vehicles targeted to meet today's and tomorrow's missions. "Having now commanded two freedom class LCS variants, I would like to report that these ships are truly impressive and will fit well in the niche they have been designed for," said LCS 15's Commanding Officer, Commander Nathan Rowan. "They are fast, maneuverable, and their weapon systems are some of the most accurate I've witnessed on any platform of which I've previously served." There are seven ships in various stages of production and test at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin, where the Freedom-variant LCS is built. The next Freedom-variant in the class is LCS 17, the future USS Indianapolis, which was delivered in late July. "On behalf of the proud 2,000 men and women who transform flat steel into a fast, agile surface combatant," said Jan Allman, CEO of Fincantieri Marinette Marine, "we are honored to support the U.S. Navy, and we congratulate the outstanding crew of the USS Billings." Multimedia assets are available here: Social media video: https://vimeo.com/351803068 B-roll: https://vimeo.com/351805414 Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143371902@N04/albums/72157710070352016 For more information, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/lcs. https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2019-08-03-U-S-Navy-Commissions-Littoral-Combat-Ship-15-Billings

AIR FORCE HEBCO Inc., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has been awarded an $80,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for A-10 technical order sustainment. This contract provides for 10 years of non-personal technical services in support of technical order sustainment activities by providing technically accurate and up-to-date digital technical data. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Clearfield, Utah, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 1, 2030. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $445,739 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8202-19-D-0003). The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $55,500,000 undefinitized contract action modification (P00177) to the previously awarded, FA8625-11-C-6600, for KC-46 engineering, manufacturing and development contract. This modification is for the system level hardware and software critical design review of the boom telescope actuator redesign. Work will be performed at Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed February 2021. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $20,845,672 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a $40,219,702 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for E-8 Aircrew Training Device sustainment. This contract provides for contractor logistics support and training system support center operations of the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System Aircrew Training Device. Work will be performed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; and Sterling, Virginia, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 3, 2029. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 Air National Guard operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,556,865 are being obligated on the first delivery order at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8529-19-D-0001). Raytheon Co. Space and Airborne Systems, McKinney, Texas, has been awarded a $23,817,657 contract for two prototype High Energy Laser Weapon Systems (HELWS). This award provides for outside continental U.S. (OCONUS) field assessment for purposes of experimentation including, but is not limited to, 12 months of in-field operation by Air Force personnel against unmanned aerial systems threats. Work will be performed OCONUS and is expected to be completed by Nov. 1, 2020. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $23,817,657 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-9-9326). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY C&C Produce Inc.,* North Kansas City, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $48,000,000 firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruits and vegetables. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a 36-month contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Kansas and Missouri, with a July 30, 2022, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Air Force, and Department of Agriculture schools and reservations. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-19-D-P345). ARMY NTVI Enterprises LLC,* Falls Church, Virginia (W9127S-19-D-6001); Global Engineering & Construction LLC,* Renton, Washington (W9127S-19-D-6002); KJS Support Services JV LLC,* Fort Worth, Texas (W9127S-19-D-6003); and Royce Construction Services LLC,* Reston, Virginia (W9127S-19-D-6000), will compete for each order of the $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for mechanical infrastructure repair services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 10 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 1, 2022. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock, Arkansas, is the contracting activity. American Ordnance, Middletown, Iowa, was awarded a $43,351,782 modification (0003 28) to contract W52P1J-16-D-0050 for M795 155mm projectile load assemble and pack. Work will be performed in Middletown, Iowa, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 procurement of ammunition, Army funds in the amount of $43,351,782 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY HGSNet LLC, Vienna, Virginia, was awarded a Direct 8(a), firm-fixed-price contract, HC1084-19-C-0006, for development, deployment and sustainment (DD&S) services. These services include requirements analysis, software engineering, systems integration and interoperability, data engineering and management, test, deployment, and development, security and operations (DevSecOps), cloud, infrastructure engineering and transitioning systems to operations in support of the National Background Investigations System. The place of performance will be at the contractor's location in Vienna, Virginia. The contract ceiling is $21,932,725 funded by fiscal 2019 research, development, testing and evaluation funds; and operations and maintenance funds. The proposal was solicited via email to HGSNet LLC. The period of performance consists of one one-year base period and one six-month option period. The period of performance for the base year is Aug. 5, 2019, through Aug. 4, 2020, and the option period follows through to Feb. 5, 2021. The Defense Information Technology Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Kapili Services LLC, Orlando, Florida, was awarded a Direct 8(a), firm-fixed-price contract, HC1084-19-C-0005, for system engineering and technical assistance (SETA) support services. The face value of this action is $18,095,364 funded by fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds. The total cumulative value of the contract is $18,095,364. Performance will be at the contractor's facility located in Orlando, Florida. The proposal was solicited via email to Kapili Services LLC. The period of performance consists of one one-year base period and two one-year options. The period of performance is for the base year is Aug. 5, 2019, through Aug. 4, 2020, and the option years follow consecutively through Aug. 4, 2022. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. NAVY The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $8,905,835 for modification P00023 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, N00019-16-C-0032, to continue software development efforts for calendar year 2019 in support of the Next Generation Jammer. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in December 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,905,835 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1924880/source/GovDelivery/

By C. Michaela Judge, Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic Public Affairs CHARLESTON, S.C. (NNS) -- The Land Systems Integration (LSI) Division at Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic continues to be an enterprise leader in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) for their work on land systems modernization and integration. MBSE is an engineering approach that utilizes a common, digital tool suite allowing all team members – from engineer to sponsor – to have awareness, line-of-sight and an understanding of the interaction between the various moving parts across the systems engineering and project lifecycle. LSI's Vehicular Technology Transition (VTT) team incorporates the full range of MBSE techniques into their systems engineering projects to support the Marine Corps and has had great success in continuing this approach in their daily work. “What makes LSI and our team specifically successful is the depth of knowledge in implementation of using the MBSE Tool Suite,” said Tim Turner, VTT team lead. “Our engineering work isn't radically different than any other engineering groups across the Command; it's how we're putting the data in the system and making it transparent to everyone that needs to have access to it.” Though engineers have been performing systems engineering in some capacity for decades, using this model-based approach provides an added advantage to deliver effective and timely solutions to the warfighter. “Our MBSE Tool Suite is a set of seamlessly integrated engineering lifecycle management tools that work together as one,” said Jacob Witmer, VTT team Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) project lead. “We use these tools to manage requirements and architectures, plan projects, track changes, manage quality, and provide an enterprise library management system where you catalog, organize, use, reuse, manage, and report on any type of software, technology, or business asset.” In the vehicle transition domain, the VTT team utilized MBSE techniques to solve real-world challenges for the warfighter. Most recently, they used MBSE to conduct global positioning system (GPS) integration work conducted on the Joint-Light Tactical Vehicle, the MGUE Program's lead platform. “When we look at all of the people our team has to work with on this integration project, we have to manage a lot of different data, to include where the trucks are manufactured, where GPS is managed, the performance level of the GPS card, the truck integration and more,” said Witmer. “There are a lot of players, managing a lot of data in a lot of different formats from different geographic parts of the country. That's really what the MBSE Tool Suite is designed to do – manage, connect and link the data to see how they impact each other.” One cost-avoidance benefit of using the MBSE Tool Suite, in time and man-hours, includes the ability to quickly build reports. “We can build 150-page project requirements documents in three minutes because the data is already in the Tool Suite,” said Ryan Longshore, VTT team technical lead. “There is an investment in time and energy upfront in loading the data, but a report that would take 30 to 90 days is done in a matter of minutes and everything from that project is captured in the report.” The team's use of MBSE is not only essential to connecting and maintaining data across a project, but also a necessary resource in developing physical models and solutions in a fraction of the time previously needed to fulfill a warfighter requirement. “Our team works within the Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) to design and test on multiple vehicular platforms,” said Turner. “The lab allows us to execute MBSE across all team functions, from mission thread to risk analysis or program management.” The team maintains physical models for all of the vehicle platforms they support. When a requirement from a sponsor arrives, the team can use tools within the SIL to design and print a three-dimensional piece of hardware and test it on an existing model before they touch a physical vehicle. The team conducts engineering, mechanical and software-related integration testing and design work all within the laboratory. “It's all about testing upfront, learning upfront, failing faster and learning from it and moving on and improving on the design,” said Turner. As the team designs and tests within the lab, they also update the MBSE Tool Suite is to capture lessons learned, integration challenges and real-time project data for all team members to access. “The beauty of the suite being so integrated is that it doesn't matter what type of systems engineering methodology a project uses, the tools can be tailored to meet a myriad of engineering processes and organizing the data by methodology saves countless hours in digging around trying to find historical artifacts,” said Witmer. The team can now complete an integration project that previously took 18 to 36 months as quickly as six to nine months, without sacrificing quality, thanks to the value of MBSE. With VTT and other teams reaping the benefits of MBSE, NIWC Atlantic created a training and workforce development path to work toward a Command-wide adoption of this method. Communities of interest, industry engagements and training events on MBSE methods are a few of the efforts implemented to date. The VTT uses these training approaches, to a smaller-scale, to continue to encourage MBSE implementation and help employees understand the power of using a model-based approach to apply agility in executing warfighter solutions. “We're seeing the benefits and through MBSE my team has the flexibility to fail fast and learn a lot upfront,” said Turner. The team's success with the MBSE Tool Suite is a Command-wide example of how the transparency and connectivity of engineering data help to provide integration solutions to NIWC Atlantic customers with a high confidence of success. As a part of Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, NIWC Atlantic provides systems engineering and acquisition to deliver information warfare capabilities to the naval, joint and national warfighter through the acquisition, development, integration, production, test, deployment, and sustainment of interoperable command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, cyber and information technology capabilities. https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=110447