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NAVY Ameresco Select Inc., Framingham, Massachusetts, is awarded a firm-fixed-price task order (N39430-19-F-9901) at $402,833,556, under a multiple award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for energy conservation measures at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia. The work to be performed provides for the construction, operations and maintenance of energy conservations to improve energy efficiency and reliability, which include steam distribution upgrades to decrease steam energy loss, energy security upgrades for energy related process improvements, replacement of transformers to improve equipment reliability and water treatment plant improvements to reduce operational and safety risks. Work will be performed at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by January 2043. No funds will be obligated with this award as private financing obtained by the contractor, will be used for the 36-month construction (i.e. implementation) phase of the project. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity for the task order. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Golden, Colorado, is the contracting activity for the basic contract (DE-AM36-09GO29029). Lightforce USA Inc., doing business as Nightforce Optics,* Orofino, Idaho, is awarded a $53,735,930 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a five-year ordering period for Precision-Variable Power Scopes (P-VPS). This procurement is for the P-VPS Standard and the P-VPS Standard, Long Range. The P-VPS is a precision direct view optic with continuously variable magnification ranging from 3x to less than or equal to 7x and greater than or equal to 25x continuous zoom for U.S. Special Operations Command. Work will be performed in Orofino, Idaho, and is expected to be complete by December 2024. Fiscal 2020 defense procurement funding in the amount of $2,351,124 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current continuing resolution period. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-20-D-JQ57). Orion Construction Corp.,* Vista, California, is awarded a $32,363,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of potable water distribution improvements at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. The work to be performed provides for the construction of potable water supply pipelines to transport potable water from the 24 Area to the 20 Area potable water storage tanks on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. This project provides necessary waterline valves, appurtenances and tie-ins to meet operational needs of the Southern Water System and meet applicable standards and codes. The contract also contains one unexercised deductive option, which, if exercised, would decrease cumulative contract value to $30,893,000. Work will be performed in Oceanside, California, and is expected to be completed by May 2022. Fiscal 2019 military construction, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $32,363,000 are obligated on this award and the funds will not 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, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-20-C-0612). Jacobs Technology Inc., Tullahoma, Tennessee, is awarded a $30,429,224 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification for the exercise of Option One to extend services for base operations support services at Naval Station Mayport, Marine Corps Support Facility, Blount Island, and outlying areas. The work to be performed provides for base operations support services to include port operations, facility investment, custodial, pest control, integrated solid waste management, other (swimming pools), grounds maintenance and landscaping, utilities management, electrical, wastewater, steam, water, base support vehicles and equipment and environmental. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $61,139,761. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, Naval Station Mayport (62%); Blount Island (37%); and outlying areas (1%). This option period is from January 2020 to December 2020. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) (O&M,N); fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps); fiscal 2020 Navy working capital funds; and fiscal 2020 family housing O&M,N contract funds in the amount of $24,895,628 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the option period. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-18-D-1800). VLJM LLC,* Fullerton, California, is awarded a maximum $25,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for paving construction alterations, renovations and repair projects at Naval Bases Ventura County, Port Hueneme, California. Projects will be primarily design-bid-build (fully designed) task orders or task order with minimal design effort (e.g. shop drawings). Projects may include, but are not limited to, alterations, repairs and construction of road paving projects. Work will be performed in Port Hueneme (50%); and Point Mugu (50%), California. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of December 2024. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) (O&M,N) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M,N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-20-D-0014). Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $18,055,674 modification (P00055) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0004). This modification provides for the maintenance and operation of the Australia, Canada, United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory (ACURL). This effort includes sustainment support for all ACURL systems to include consumables for the F-35 aircraft in support of the governments of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Eglin, Florida, and is expected to be completed in February 2021. Non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $18,055,674 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. Northrop Grumman, Charlottesville, Virginia, is awarded a $16,055,006 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ), cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price delivery order for engineering and technical services for the design, development, testing, integration and system support of the AN/BPS-16(V)5 radar system. The work will be performed in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by December 2020. The IDIQ ordering vehicle includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $83,253,974 and expire in December 2024. Fiscal 2013 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $410,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire on Aug. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $300,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured under the authority of 10 U.S Code 2304(c)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-20-D-6203). Zero Waste Solutions Inc.,* Concord, California, is awarded a maximum $14,288,305 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity firm-fixed-price contract for integrated solid waste management services at various Navy and Marine Corps installations within the San Diego metropolitan area, as well as three outlying naval training installations in the San Diego County area. The work to be performed provides for labor, supervision, management and materials (except those specified as government furnished), to perform various integrated solid waste management service functions as follows: refuse and recycling collection and disposal services. Initial task order is being awarded at $371,768 for integrated solid waste management services at Naval Base San Diego (45%); Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (24.2%); Naval Base Point Loma (23.7%); Marine Corps Recruit Depot (5.8%); Camp Michael Monsoor (0.6%); Remote Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Camp Warner Springs (0.4%); and Camp Morena, California (0.3%). Work for this task order is expected to be completed by December 2020. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of December 2024. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Navy (O&M,N); operations and maintenance, Defense Health Program (O&M, DHP); and Navy working capital (NWC) contract funds in the amount of $371,768 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M,N; O&M, DHP; and NWC contract funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-20-D-0015). DMR Consulting Inc.,* Panama City Beach, Florida, is awarded an $8,991,202 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N61331-19-D-0002 to exercise the option for the depot level repair, overhaul and modification for the MK-105 Magnetic Minesweeping Gear. This option exercise is for depot level repair and maintenance of the MK105 Magnetic Minesweeping Gear. The MK105 Magnetic Influence Minesweeping System, better known as the "sled," is a high-speed catamaran hydrofoil platform, which is towed behind the MH-53E helicopter and is used to sweep magnetic influence mines. Work will be performed in Panama City, Florida, and is expected to be completed by December 2020. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, Panama City, Florida, is the contracting activity. ARMY HDR Architecture Inc., Seattle, Washington, was awarded a $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architectural and engineering. One bid was solicited with five bids received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 11, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, Oregon, is the contracting activity (W9127N-20-D-0001). Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded a $13,071,000 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Plaquemines, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2020 Recovery Act; civil works and operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $13,071,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-20-C-0007). AIR FORCE The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $12,011,819 firm-fixed-price contract modification (P00047) to previously-awarded contract FA8625-16-C-6599 for the incorporation of two engine Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and 29 engine service bulletins (SBs) on the program's eight Genx-2B engines. This contract modification will allow for VC-25B operational benefits and cost efficiencies with the work being performed concurrently with the VC-25B-specific modifications to the program's 747-8 aircraft engines under the engineering and manufacturing development activity. This contract modification will allow for the avoidance of increased costs and operational capability interruptions to the presidential aircraft by allowing for the incorporation of the ADs and SBs prior to final delivery of the VC-25B aircraft. Work will be performed at San Antonio, Texas; and Peebles, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by November 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $7,831,032 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. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2039244/source/GovDelivery/

By Tony Osborne LONDON – Britain's aerospace industry is waking up to Brexit certainty after Prime Minister Boris Johnson secured a landslide majority in a Dec. 12 general election. Johnson's Conservative party secured a significant majority in the British Parliament – the largest since Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s - which will enable him to push through his vision of Brexit on Jan. 31, 2020 ending Parliamentary and legal deadlocks that have delayed the UK's departure from the EU since the original date of March 29, 2019. For aerospace, the Parliamentary majority means stability in planning and investment, and there are unlikely to be any more delays to the process. It should also mean that the threat of a no-deal Brexit – widely considered the worst-case scenario for aerospace – has largely evaporated for now. The current iteration of the withdrawal agreement between Britain and the EU calls for regulatory alignment with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), but the two sides still have to negotiate future trade agreements once the UK has exited the EU. A lack of agreement here could result in a no-deal. British aerospace and defense trade association ADS said it was looking forward to working with the new government but said that ministers needed to “deliver a close future relationship with the European Union." In a statement, ADS CEO Paul Everitt called on the government to push forward with “investments in innovation and green technologies, develop a defense and security industrial strategy and an ambitious national space program.” Airbus, one of the most vocal aerospace companies against Brexit, said it welcomed the fact that the British government now has a “clear mandate” and is looking forward to “positive discussions.” “Airbus remains concerned by the potential for a ‘no-deal' in December 2020 and we will continue to plan for that scenario as that is the only way any responsible business can plan,” the company said in a statement. “We will continue to run our major Brexit project in order to further eradicate and/or mitigate risks.” If the election result made Brexit more likely, it makes the break-up of the UK more probable too after the Scottish National Party (SNP) secured 48 of the 59 Parliamentary seats in Scotland. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said the result was a mandate for a second Scottish independence referendum. The Conservative government is unlikely to green-light such a referendum, but independence would have significant ramifications for UK defense given the presence of several airbases and the UK's ballistic missile submarines carrying the nuclear deterrent. https://aviationweek.com/defense/brexit-certainty-after-boris-johnson-election-landslide

ARMY Galveston Coastal Services JV, Houston, Texas, was awarded a $228,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 10, 2027. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-20-D-0001). Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $22,441,319 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to design, develop and validate system prototypes for a combined arms squad. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2019 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency funds in the amount of $11,323,800 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912CG-20-C-0005). NAVY Ahtna-CDM JV,* Irvine, California (N62473-20-D-0026); R. A. Burch Construction Inc.,* Ramona, California (N62473-20-D-0027); Bristol Design Build Services LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (N62473-20-D-0028); Insight Pacific LLC,* Brea, California (N62473-20-D-0029); I.E.-Pacific Inc.,* Escondido, California (N62473-20-D-0030); Patricia I. Romero Inc., doing business as Pacific West Builders,* National City, California (N62473-20-D-0031); and Heffler Contracting Group,* El Cajon, California (N62473-20-D-0032), 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) Southwest area of operations (AO). The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition and repair work by design-build or by design-bid-build of commercial and institutional facilities, administrative and industrial facilities, housing facilities, child care centers, lodges, recreational/fitness centers, retail complexes, warehouses, offices, community centers, medical facilities, operational airfield facilities, hangars, armories, fire stations, auditoriums, religious facilities and manufacturing facilities. The maximum dollar value including the base two-year performance period and one three-year option period for all seven contracts combined is $99,999,000. No task orders are being issued at this time. All work on this contract will be performed primarily within the NAVFAC Southwest AO which includes California (55%); Nevada (40%); Arizona (1%); Colorado (1%); New Mexico (1%); Utah (1%); and remainder of the U.S. (1%), with an expected completion date of December 2024. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) (O&M,N) contract funds in the amount of $35,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M,N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 33 proposals received. These seven contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. NAVFAC Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Etolin Strait Partners LLC,* Norfolk, Virginia, was awarded a $30,000,000, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price job order contract for minor construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington, District of Columbia, area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for the accomplishment of various maintenance, repair, alteration and minor new construction projects to government facilities located primarily within the NAVFAC. The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, engineering, materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies and transportation to perform all work described in the task order's request for proposal. Work will be performed primarily in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Navy (O&M) funding in the amount $10,000 and will expire at the end of fiscal 2019. Future task orders will be funded primarily by military construction (Navy); O&M (Navy); O&M (Defense Logistics Agency); and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 11 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N40080-19-D-0007). (Awarded Sept. 30, 2019) AIR FORCE Nightingale Corp., Tonawanda, New York (FA8003-20-A-0001); Great Journey West LLC, Saint Charles, Missouri (FA8003-20-A-0002); SCS Integrated Support Solutions LLC, Manassas, Virginia (FA8003-20-A-0003); Feigus Inc., Wall, New Jersey (FA8003-20-A-0004); Govsolutions Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (FA8003-20-A-0005); SLM Contract Furniture Inc., San Diego, California (FA8003-20-A-0006); Workplace Solutions Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (FA8003-20-A-0007); NxVet LLC, Woodbridge, Virginia (FA8003-20-A-0008); Seating Inc., Nunda, New York (FA8003-20-A-0009); and Trade Products Corp., Fairfax, Virginia (FA8003-20-A-0010), have been awarded an $80,000,000 multiple award blanket purchase agreement for executive, task, conference room and side chairs. This agreement provides for delivery of office chairs at a discount off General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedules pricing to Air Force offices in the continental U.S. Work will be performed at Tonawanda, New York; Hawthorne, California; Buena Park, California; Bryan, Texas; Hillsboro, Oregon; and Nunda, New York, and is expected to be completed by December 2024. This award is the result of a 100% small business set-aside competitive acquisition and 26 offers were received. Current fiscal year operations and maintenance funds will be obligated with each order and no funds are being obligated at the time of award. The 771st Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Thomas Scientific LLC, Swedesboro, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $49,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for laboratory supplies. This was a competitive acquisition with 15 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no options. Location of performance is New Jersey, with a Dec. 18, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DE-20-D-0006). KaVo Dental Technologies LLC, Charlotte, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $45,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hospital equipment and accessories for the Defense Logistics Agency electronic catalog. This was a competitive acquisition with 101 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Dec. 10, 2024, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DH-20-D-0026). Duck Delivery Produce Inc.,* Portland, Oregon, has been awarded a maximum $26,000,000 firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruits and vegetables. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a 48-month contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Oregon and Washington state, with a Dec. 10, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Department of Agriculture schools and reservations. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-20-D-S740). Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $12,141,494 firm-fixed-price, definitive type contract for Biological Agent Warning System 4 Plus Assembly units. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a one-year contract with one one-year option period being exercised at the time of award. Location of performance is North Carolina, with an April 30, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-20-C-0014). KBRwyle Technology Solutions LLC, Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $9,690,076 cost-plus-fixed-fee, bridge contract for hydrant fueling automation maintenance. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 17-month base contract with one three-month option period. Locations of performance are all 50 states, Japan, Wake Island, South Korea, Guam, Diego Garcia, Portugal, Crete, Spain, Germany, Italy, Turkey and the United Kingdom, with a May 12, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services Office, Columbus, Ohio (SP4702-20-C-0006). KBRwyle Technology Solutions LLC, Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $7,936,316 cost-plus-fixed-fee, bridge contract for automated tank gauging, independent alarm system, and overfill protection equipment maintenance. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S .Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 21-month base contract with one three-month option period. Locations of performance are Belgium, Djibouti, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom with a Sept. 12, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services Office, Columbus, Ohio (SP4702-20-C-0005). U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND Marine Terminals Corp., San Pedro, California, has been awarded a firm-fixed-price contract, HTC711-20-D-R003, in the amount of $34,025,191. The contract provides stevedoring and terminal services at Port Naval Base Ventura County-Port Hueneme and the Port of San Diego. Work will be performed at Port Naval Base, Ventura County-Port Hueneme and the Port of San Diego, California. The contract base period of performance is from Feb. 7, 2020, to Feb. 6, 2025. Fiscal 2020 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2038047/source/GovDelivery/

By: Jen Judson WASHINGTON — Congress wants the Pentagon to produce a five-year plan for the European Deterrence Initiative fund, much like what is required each year when the Defense Department rolls out its base budget request. In the fiscal 2020 defense policy bill's conference report released Dec. 9, Congress gives the Pentagon a tight deadline to produce a future years plan for the EDI account for FY20 — no later than the end of the year — that covers “not fewer than the four succeeding fiscal years.” Congress wants the defense secretary and the head of U.S. European Command to submit to congressional defense committees subsequent future five-year plans beginning in FY21 at the same time as budget requests are submitted. The EDI account — initially called the European Reassurance Initiative — was created to help Eastern European allies deter Russia from further incursion into Europe following its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and continued military activity in the region. The U.S. Army's presence at the time of the annexation had dwindled from roughly 200,000 troops in Europe in the 1980s to around 33,000 in 2015. The Army had only two permanently stationed brigade combat teams, had closed more than 100 sites since 2006, and was concentrated in Italy and Germany rather than along NATO's eastern flank. The plans should contain a description of the “intended force structure and posture” of the assigned forces in Europe for the last fiscal year as well as “the manner in which such force structure and posture support the implementation of the National Defense Strategy,” according to the bill's report. The plan should also detail infrastructure and military construction investments and the assessment of resources including cost estimates for each project needed to achieve requirements such as increased presence, exercises, training, enhanced pre-positioning of stocks and building partnership capacity, the bill noted. The Pentagon should also include a timeline to achieve force posture and capabilities to include permanent posture requirements as well as a detailed account of what has changed from the previous year, according to the bill. Additionally, the Defense Department is required to submit a report no later than the end of November 2020 and each year after summarizing in detail funds obligated for EDI for the past fiscal year, as well as a comparison of funds requested for the following fiscal year. Under the bill, the Pentagon must also provide an interim briefing no later than the end of March 2021 and each year after covering the status of all matters to be included in the future years plans and reports on EDI. Funding for EDI has continued to grow since its inception almost five years ago. In FY19, the Pentagon requested $6.5 billion, up from $4.8 billion in FY18 and $3.4 billion in FY17. Only in FY20 did the funding come down, when the Pentagon cut the account by 10 percent. The Pentagon said the cut accounted for some one-time expenses such as military construction and a look toward increased burden-sharing from allies. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2019/12/10/congress-wants-five-year-budget-plan-for-european-defense-fund/

DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a competitive single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling of $6,520,000,000 that includes a mix of fixed price and cost contract type pricing arrangements for Global Solutions Management – Operations (GSM-O) II, which provides support services for the operation, defense, and sustainment of the Department of Defense Information Network/Defense Information System Network. The place of performance is predominantly within the continental U.S. (CONUS); however, support services are also required at multiple locations outside CONUS. Proposals were solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.fbo.gov), now known as beta.SAM.gov website. The solicitation (HC1028-18-R-0024) was issued as a full and open competitive action. Three proposals were received. The period of performance includes a base period of five years (Jan. 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2025), with two two-year option periods, and one one-year option period, for a total period of 10 years (Jan. 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2030). The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity (HC1028-20-D-0001). AIR FORCE Computers Sites Inc., Denver, Colorado (P00008, FA8217-16-D-0002); Eaton, Raleigh, North Carolina (P0006, FA8217-16-D-0003); and AllCom Global, Lake St. Louis, Missouri (P00008, FA8217-16-D-0004), have been awarded an estimated maximum increase modification of $197,000,000 for power converting and continuation interfacing equipment. This modification provides for the installation of uninterruptable power supply systems across every major command. Work will be performed at Air Force bases throughout all major commands and is expected to be completed by Dec. 10, 2021. The estimated maximum value for each contract is being increased from $99,990,500 to $197,984,500, for fiscal years 2016-2021. Other procurement funds are being used and no funds are being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $21,260,075 modification (P00036) to previously awarded contract FA8819-15-C-0007 to exercise Option 5 for Space Based Space Surveillance Block 10 sustainment. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for the sustainment and required development necessary for Air Force operations and maintenance of the Space Based Space Surveillance System and Red Local Area Network. This effort includes systems engineering, operations, operations support, and contractor logistics support. Work will be performed at El Segundo, California; and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by June 20, 2022. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $129,825,811. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Special Programs Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Aurora, Colorado, has been awarded a $13,543,046, bilaterally negotiated contract modification (P00310) to previously awarded contract FA8807-10-C-0001 to modify the technical baseline to fulfill the requirements of four requests for changes (RFC). The contract modification is for implementation of four RFCs (312, 343, 345, and 393) to the technical baseline. Work will be performed at Aurora, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2021. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $3,308,389,602. No additional funds are being obligated at the time of award as the contract is incrementally funded. The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. ARMY Accenture Federal Services, Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $75,820,763 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for unified enterprise resource planning capability support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 9, 2025. Fiscal 2020 Army working capital funds in the amount of $4,858,861 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-20-C-0005). Rigid Constructors LLC,* Opelousas, Louisiana, was awarded a $9,986,105 firm-fixed-price contract for excavation, placement of material for the construction of earthen retention dikes, installation of settlement plates, surveying, clearing, grubbing, steel culvert installation, painting and metalwork fabrication. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work will be performed in Calcasieu, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 5, 2020. Fiscal 2020 civil construction funds in the amount of $9,986,105 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-20-C-0006). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a maximum $45,085,238 firm-fixed-priced delivery order (SPRPA1-20-F-C301) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (SPRPA1-17-G-C301) for APG-79 Radar System spare parts. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is California, with a Dec. 30, 2022, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2022 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $19,483,754 cost-plus-fixed-fee, bridge contract for automated tank gauging, independent alarm system and overfill protection equipment maintenance. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S .Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 19-month base contract with one three-month option period. Locations of performance are the 48 contiguous states, with a July 12, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services Office, Columbus, Ohio (SP4702-20-C-0004). National Industries for the Blind, Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $12,063,451 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for multiple sizes of innerspring mattresses. This is a mandatory procurement contract. This is a one-year base contract with two one-year option periods. Locations of performance are North Carolina and Virginia, with a Nov. 4, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-B074). Atlantic Diving Supply Inc., doing business as ADS Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $7,426,101 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for medical/surgical supplies. This was a competitive acquisition with 16 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Virginia, with a Dec. 9, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DE-20-D-0009). NAVY Moonlite Construction,* Corona, California, is awarded a maximum $20,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for painting and wall coverings construction alterations, renovations and repair projects at Naval Bases Coronado, Point Loma and San Diego and Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, California. Work will be performed in San Diego, California. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of December 2024. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Navy (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M, N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-20-D-0001). Windamir Development Inc., McDonough, Georgia, is awarded a $10,082,338 firm-fixed-price task order which provides for exercise of the first and second options for pier refurbishment of Pier XRay North and XRay South at Joint Base Charleston. After award of these options, the total cumulative contract value will be $17,048,056. Work will be performed in Charleston, South Carolina, and the option period is from December 2019 to July 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $10,082,338 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-19-F-0875). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $9,475,825 firm-fixed-price delivery order (N00019-20-F-0283) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0001). This order provides Harpoon/SLAM-ER missile system and Harpoon launch systems follow-on integrated logistics and engineering services support for the Navy and various Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in St. Charles, Missouri (91.89%); St. Louis, Missouri (5.47%); and Yorktown, Virginia (2.64%), and is expected to be completed in February 2022. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy); and FMS funds in the amount of $9,475,825 will be obligated at time of award, $2,464,306 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy ($2,464,306; 26%); and FMS customers ($7,011,519; 74%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2037058/source/GovDelivery/

AIR FORCE The Korean Airlines Co. Ltd., Aerospace Division, Seoul, South Korea, has been awarded a $213,000,000 ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for A-10 Pacific Air Force depot support. This contract provides depot support for A-10 aircraft that are stationed in South Korea. Work will be performed in Buson, South Korea, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2029. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $166,361 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8202-20-D-0001). ARMY LOC Performance,* Plymouth, Michigan, was awarded a $70,987,890 firm-fixed-price contract for Bradley Engineering Change Proposal kits, spare parts and installation. 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 July 3, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-F-0014). Raytheon Co., Woburn, Massachusetts, was awarded a $26,000,840 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Poland and Romania) contract for field artillery C3, Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Work will be performed in Woburn, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 19, 2021. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $9,235,884 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-20-C-5008). HNTB Corp., Kansas City, Missouri, was awarded a $10,213,080 modification (P00007) to contract W91236-17-F-0012 for architect and engineer 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 Sept. 10, 2022. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Chustz Surveying LLC,* New Roads, Louisiana (W912EE-20-D-0001); Johnson-McAdams Surveying and Mapping LLC,* Greenwood, Mississippi (W912EE-20-D-0002); and Seaside Engineering & Surveying LLC,* Baker, Florida (W912EE-20-D-0003), will compete for each order of the $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for surveying and mapping 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 Dec. 9, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Mississippi, is the contracting activity. CACI Inc. – Federal, Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $9,908,767 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for design, development and to validate system prototypes for a combined arms squad. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency funds in the amount of $5,668,581 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912CG-20-C-0004). NAVY PAE Applied Technologies Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $47,364,653 modification (P00088) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract (N00019-14-C-0038). This modification extends the period of performance and increases the ceiling to continue providing services in support of range engineering, operations and maintenance support to the Atlantic Test Range and the Atlantic Targets and Marine Operations Division of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. This work will employ disciplines embracing various types of system operations, laboratory and field testing, marine operations and target support services, engineering, range sustainability, maintenance, data reduction and analysis. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test, evaluation; and working capital (Navy) funds for $12,645,500 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. Konecranes Nuclear Equipment and Services LLC, New Berlin, Wisconsin, is awarded a $46,014,523 firm-fixed-price contract to provide one 175-ton portal crane at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The work to be performed provides for the contractor to design, fabricate, assemble, shop test, deliver, install, inspect, field test and make ready for use one 175-ton heavy-lift portal crane to be installed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The crane shall be a portal type with a rotating superstructure, luffing boom, main hoist and an auxiliary hoist designed to meet the dimensional and functional requirements of the specification. The contract also contains six unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $329,923,447. Work will be performed in New Berlin, Wisconsin, and is expected to be completed by November 2023. Fiscal 2020 other procurement, (Navy) funds in the amount of $46,014,523 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities websites with two proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-20-C-0002). Alion – IPS Corp., Burr Ridge, Illinois, is awarded a $44,721,438 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-only modification to a previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-0015 to procure professional support services for the Naval Sea System Command's Deputy Commander for Surface Warfare. This procurement is for professional support services in the areas of program management, administrative support, surface ship modernization, inactive ships, surface ships readiness, surface training systems, business and financial management, records management and information technology support. Work will be performed in Washington, District of Columbia (54.7%); Norfolk, Virginia (19%); San Diego, California (17.3%); Mayport, Florida (2.1%); Yokosuka, Japan (1.5%); Sasebo, Japan (1.2%); Manama, Bahrain (1.2%); and various locations of less than 1% each in the U.S. and Europe (3%), and is expected to be complete by August 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding for $5,300,000 will be obligated at time of award and funds for $5,300,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Fincantieri Marine Systems North America Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia, is awarded an $18,006,438 contract modification to exercise Option Year Three of a previously awarded firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity N55236-17-D-0009 contract to provide maintenance support for the Mine Countermeasure-1 Class main propulsion diesel engine and ship service diesel generator. Work will be performed in the homeports of San Diego, California; Sasebo, Japan; Manama, Bahrain; and ports-of-call as required, and work is scheduled to be completed by January 2021. No funding is being obligated at time of award. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this contract was not competitively procured. The independent contractor, under the direction of the Regional Maintenance Center and not as an agent of the government, shall provide diesel engine technical, engineering, and field service support for Mine Countermeasure-1 Class ships homeported in San Diego, California; and forward deployed in Japan and Bahrain. Obligated funding will cover preventive maintenance services and travel in the base year and subsequent option years in accordance with work item specifications and work item plans, drawings, other references, the delivery schedule and all other terms and conditions set forth in the contract. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $11,548,231 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price modification (P00025) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive firm contract (N00019-18-C-1048) to provide work and training necessary for the Autonomic Logistics Information System 3.5 software rollout to the fleet under the low rate initial production Lot XI. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (57%); and Fort Worth, Texas (43%), and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants; and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $11,548,231 are being obligated at time of award, $6,498,614 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($3,043,659; 26%); Marine Corps ($1,476,651; 13%); Navy ($1,978,304; 17%); non-DoD participants ($3,060,938; 27%); and FMS ($1,988,680; 17%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded a $9,140,087 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N00019-20-F-0457) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0026) in support of the MQ-8C Firescout unmanned aircraft system. This order is for the production and delivery of eight AN/ZPY-8 radar modification kits, eight forward access panel modification kits and all associated non-recurring engineering and qualification efforts in support of mission processor unit upgrades. Work will be performed in Santa Clarita, California (38%); San Diego, California (37%); Fort Worth, Texas (22%); and Lititz, Philadelphia (3%). Work is expected to be completed in April 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds for $9,140,087 are being obligated at time of award, $3,921,389 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://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2035907/source/GovDelivery/

EUGENE LANG Eugene Lang is an adjunct professor at the School of Policy Studies, Queen's University, and a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. “It's Canada, they have money,” Donald Trump said at last week's NATO summit. Most of what the U.S. President says is either exaggerated or false, but occasionally he sums up in a sentence what everyone knows to be true. After admonishing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the summit for Canada's failure to meet, or strive toward, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's defence-spending target of 2 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Mr. Trump pointed out an inconvenient truth. The President was saying Canada is rich and cheap. But just how rich is Canada? Among the Group of Seven -- a group of the richest countries in the world -- Canada enjoys the third-highest per-capita income and, since 2016, has led the G7 in economic growth. Canada also has the lowest net-debt-to-GDP ratio among those same seven countries, and the second-lowest national-government-deficit-to-GDP ratio. Which means, in essence, that Canada is the third-richest country in the G7 and the best in class with government finances. Successive governments in Ottawa have spent 20 years boasting about this strong national balance sheet to Canadians at every turn, and telling anyone abroad who would listen. This is why Mr. Trump knows that Canada does indeed have money. We are rich, at least compared with most other countries. But are we cheap? Canada spends about 1.3 per cent of GDP on national defence, tying us for fourth with Italy within the G7. Yet, Ottawa has never fully accepted the validity of the defence-spending-to-GDP measure. Both the Harper government – which signed the Wales Declaration, enshrining the 2-per-cent NATO target – and the Trudeau government have claimed input measures such as the GDP ratio don't tell the full story, and that output indicators are more meaningful. The defence output measure that is best understood is the extent to which a country's military is engaged in operations internationally. On that score, Canada looks terrible. We have fewer troops deployed abroad today on NATO, United Nations and other multilateral missions than in decades. To be sure, having influence internationally and carrying your fair share of global responsibility entails much more than the size or engagement of your military. Official Development Assistance (ODA), or foreign aid, is another important measure in this connection. Canada also ranks fourth among G7 countries in ODA as a percentage of gross national income (GNI). However, Ottawa is spending only 0.28 per cent, up slightly from 0.26 per cent last year, the lowest level this century. Fifty years ago, a World Bank Commission report, titled Partners in Development, recommended developed countries spend 0.7 per cent of GNI on aid. That Commission was chaired by Lester Pearson, former prime minister of Canada, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and a Canadian icon. Over the years, various Canadian governments have paid homage to Mr. Pearson's vision. Yet in the five decades since his report was published, Canada has rarely reached half of the Pearson target in any given year. Whether Ottawa likes or doesn't like input or output measures, or GDP or GNI ratios, doesn't really matter in the world of international politics. For better or worse, these are the indicators that are used to compare and assess the degree to which countries are living up to their obligations and responsibilities internationally. Imperfect as they are, these are measures of burden sharing. They are the statistics countries look at when considering whether Canada or any other country is pulling its weight globally. And on these measures, Canada looks middling at best, and bad at worst, by both international comparative standards. At the same time, we are among the world leaders in economic growth among developed countries, and we have held the gold medal in public finances for years. Rich and cheap, as it were. That was the essence of Mr. Trump's criticism of Canada this week at the NATO Summit. And foreign governments the world over know it to be true. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-canada-is-rich-and-cheap/

Par Roger Jordan 9 décembre 2019 La Chambre des communes du Canada s'est réunie de nouveau jeudi pour la première fois depuis les élections fédérales du 21 octobre, qui ont abouti à un gouvernement libéral minoritaire. Ayant perdu plus de 30 sièges par rapport à son premier mandat, le premier ministre Justin Trudeau a clairement indiqué qu'il cherchera un «terrain d'entente» avec les forces de la droite dure du Parti conservateur, tout en comptant sur son partenariat étroit avec les syndicats et le soutien des néo-démocrates (NPD) pour donner à son gouvernement minoritaire une couverture «progressiste». Le discours du Trône du gouvernement libéral, prononcé par la gouverneure générale Julie Payette, a principalement été consacré à cultiver l'image «progressiste» frauduleuse des libéraux. Des promesses ont été faites pour lutter contre les changements climatiques, travailler à la «réconciliation» avec la population autochtone, élargir l'accès aux services de santé mentale, introduire un régime fédéral d'assurance-médicaments et aider la «classe moyenne» avec une modeste réduction des impôts et une augmentation du salaire minimum fédéral. Le but d'une telle posture progressiste a été révélé cette semaine par la performance de Trudeau au sommet du 70e anniversaire de l'OTAN à Londres. S'exprimant aux côtés du président américain Donald Trump, Trudeau s'est vanté que son gouvernement a déjà entrepris une augmentation de plus de 70 % des dépenses militaires d'ici 2026 et qu'il prévoit en faire davantage. Trudeau a ensuite annoncé mercredi que le Canada affectera six autres chasseurs à réaction et une frégate à la Force de haute disponibilité de l'OTAN, qui vise à faciliter la mobilisation de 30 bataillons terrestres, 30 escadrons aériens et 30 navires de combat dans un délai de 30 jours en cas de crise de guerre avec la Russie. Cela amène la contribution totale du Canada à 12 avions de chasse, une force opérationnelle expéditionnaire aérienne, un avion de patrouille maritime, trois frégates, un sous-marin, un bataillon d'infanterie mécanisée, un hôpital militaire et une section de lutte contre la contamination biologique, radiologique et nucléaire. Lors de l'annonce du nouveau déploiement, Trudeau a salué la participation de l'armée canadienne à une série d'interventions agressives menées par les États-Unis autour du monde. «Aujourd'hui, le Canada dirige des missions de l'OTAN en Lettonie, en Irak et des forces maritimes de l'OTAN en mer Méditerranée et dans la mer Noire, et il fait progresser le programme sur les Femmes, la paix et la sécurité», a-t-il déclaré. Dans une section du discours du Trône largement ignorée dans la couverture médiatique, intitulée «Positionner le Canada pour réussir dans un monde incertain», le gouvernement libéral a décrit sa politique étrangère militariste agressive. Derrière les invocations creuses de «démocratie», de «droits de l'homme» et du «droit international», le gouvernement s'est engagé à renforcer l'engagement du Canada envers l'OTAN et à «défendre l'ordre international fondé sur des règles lorsque cet ordre est remis en question, particulièrement lorsqu'il s'agit de questions de commerce ou de politique numérique». L'«ordre fondé sur des règles» est l'hégémonie mondiale de l'impérialisme américain, qui s'est maintenue depuis la Seconde Guerre mondiale gr'ce au déploiement impitoyable de forces militaires sur chaque continent. Le fait que les libéraux soient prêts à défendre cet ordre «particulièrement lorsqu'il s'agit de questions de commerce ou de politique numérique» est une attaque claire contre la Chine, montrant clairement que l'écrasante majorité de la bourgeoisie canadienne soutient la volonté de Washington d'isoler économiquement son concurrent stratégique et de se préparer au conflit militaire avec lui. Le programme de droite du nouveau gouvernement ne se limite pas aux questions de politique étrangère. L'engagement à chercher un «terrain d'entente» avec les autres partis politiques et les gouvernements provinciaux sert d'écran de fumée pour établir une étroite collaboration avec les forces de la droite dure, notamment les conservateurs unis de Jason Kenney en Alberta, les conservateurs de Doug Ford en Ontario, la Coalition Avenir Québec de François Legault et Scott Moe en Saskatchewan. Depuis les élections fédérales, le gouvernement Kenney a déposé un budget provincial contenant des réductions de dépenses publiques de plus de 10 % en termes réels et a exigé que les travailleurs du secteur public acceptent des réductions salariales allant de 2,5 à 5 %. Ford a imposé un plafond annuel de 1 % sur les augmentations de salaires et d'avantages sociaux d'un million de travailleurs du secteur public pour les trois prochaines années et se prépare à criminaliser les grèves des enseignants. Trudeau a récemment tenu une réunion de réconciliation avec Ford, et les deux politiciens se sont engagés à travailler ensemble. Cela faisait suite à une campagne électorale au cours de laquelle Trudeau et les libéraux, avec l'appui des syndicats, se sont présentés comme des opposants déterminés à Ford et à ses mesures d'austérité. Cela a permis aux libéraux de remporter 79 des 121 sièges de l'Ontario et de défendre leur position en tant que plus grand parti parlementaire. Fait significatif, la ministre responsable de superviser ces relations intergouvernementales est l'ancienne ministre des Affaires étrangères Chrystia Freeland. Principal faucon de guerre du premier mandat de Trudeau, Freeland s'est fait un nom en tant que critique véhémente de la Russie et en tant que partisane d'un partenariat militaire et stratégique plus approfondi avec les États-Unis. Dans son discours de lancement de la nouvelle politique de défense des libéraux en 2017, elle a affirmé que la «force dure», c'est-à-dire la guerre, faisait partie du passé du Canada et devait faire partie de son avenir. Dans le cadre de son rôle nouvellement élargi de vice-première ministre, Freeland communiquera avec Kenney et Moe dans le but manifeste d'écouter les intérêts de l'ouest. En réalité, cela signifie servir les demandes des grandes pétrolières pour des oléoducs vers les eaux navigables, l'expansion de l'exploration énergétique et l'intensification des attaques contre la classe ouvrière pour accroître les profits des entreprises. Freeland continuera également de jouer un rôle de premier plan dans la gestion des relations canado-américaines. Outre Freeland, une autre nomination importante au Cabinet est celle de Bill Blair au poste de ministre de la Sécurité publique. L'ancien chef de la police de Toronto est connu pour avoir dirigé la répression brutale contre les manifestations anti-G20 en 2010. Pendant le premier mandat des libéraux, il était responsable de la supervision de la sécurité frontalière et a donc joué un rôle de premier plan dans l'intégration du Canada à la chasse aux sorcières d'immigrants de Trump. Les premières actions du nouveau gouvernement Trudeau soulignent que, durant son deuxième mandat, il effectuera un nouveau virage à droite en matière de politique étrangère et intérieure et dépendra encore plus des syndicats et du NPD pour se présenter comme étant «progressiste». Le mois dernier, le gouvernement canadien a joué un rôle de soutien important dans le coup d'État de droite appuyé par les États-Unis qui a renversé le président bolivien Evo Morales. Le Canada a appuyé financièrement la mission de l'Organisation des États américains qui a déclaré nulle et non avenue l'élection présidentielle d'octobre, ouvrant la voie à la prise du pouvoir par les militaires et réprimant brutalement l'opposition populaire. Les libéraux ont également travaillé en étroite collaboration avec la bureaucratie syndicale en coulisse pour mettre fin à une grève d'une semaine des travailleurs du CN selon les conditions de l'entreprise. La ministre des Transports, Marie-Claude Bibeau, a effectivement lancé un ultimatum, affirmant que le gouvernement interviendrait pour mettre fin à la grève par voie législative. Un jour plus tard, le syndicat des Teamsters a mis fin à la grève et a refusé de divulguer toute information sur l'entente qu'il avait conclue. La bureaucratie syndicale a joué un rôle central dans la réélection de Trudeau. Au cours de l'été, les congrès annuels de la Fédération canadienne des enseignants et d'Unifor, deux des syndicats les plus influents du pays, se sont transformés en rassemblements de campagne électorale du Parti libéral. Au cours de la campagne, les syndicats ont continué de revendiquer frauduleusement que les libéraux constituaient une alternative «progressiste» à Andrew Scheer et à ses conservateurs. Le rôle du NPD est particulièrement trompeur. Le chef du NPD, Jagmeet Singh, a cherché mercredi à donner l'impression que son parti est en train de conclure un marché difficile en disant aux journalistes que Trudeau devra compter sur l'appui des conservateurs ou du Bloc québécois s'il ne veut pas faire de «progrès significatifs». Pourtant, Singh et le NPD ont passé toute la campagne électorale à pratiquement supplier les libéraux de former une coalition ou une sorte d'arrangement parlementaire pour établir un gouvernement «progressiste». Lorsque les libéraux ont été impliqués dans le coup d'État bolivien, Singh a publié une déclaration hypocrite qui évitait de critiquer directement le gouvernement Trudeau, notant simplement qu'ils devraient se concentrer sur la promotion de la «démocratie» dans le pays sud-américain. Singh a également rencontré Trudeau à la mi-novembre et a fait remarquer par la suite qu'il était sûr que les deux parties pourraient travailler ensemble. Fait révélateur, après avoir critiqué le discours du Trône de jeudi parce qu'il n'allait pas «assez loin», Singh a quand même laissé la porte grande ouverte pour que les députés néo-démocrates votent en sa faveur. La réalité est que même si Singh et le NPD critiquent parfois les libéraux, le gouvernement Trudeau comptera sur les sociaux-démocrates pour leur fournir la couverture de gauche dont ils ont tant besoin. Pour sa part, le NPD jouera le rôle qui lui a été attribué, en faisant fi des prétentions «progressistes» des libéraux et en leur apportant son soutien au besoin, y compris lors de votes parlementaires cruciaux. Cela renforcera la volonté des libéraux d'aller de l'avant avec des attaques sauvages contre la classe ouvrière partout au pays gr'ce à leur collaboration avec des gens comme Kenney et Ford, et alors qu'ils détournent des dizaines de milliards de dollars prévus pour répondre aux besoins sociaux dans le financement de nouvelles flottes d'avions de guerre et de cuirassés dont le gouvernement a besoin pour promouvoir les intérêts et ambitions impérialistes canadiens sur la scène internationale. https://www.wsws.org/fr/articles/2019/12/09/nglm-d09.html

NAVY Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Linthicum, Maryland is awarded a $188,995,364 modification for the firm-fixed-price portion of a previously-awarded contract (M67854-19-C-0043). This modification is for the purchase of six Gallium Nitride full-rate-production systems and associated travel in support of Program Executive Officer Land Systems, Quantico, Virginia. Work will be performed in Linthicum, Maryland, and is expected to be complete by April 4, 2023. Fiscal 2020 procurement (Marine Corps) funds for $188,995,364 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract modification was not competitively procured. The base contract was prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 and 10 U.S. Code § 2304(c)(1). The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-19-C-0043). Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $153,392,916 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously-awarded contract (N00019-19-C-0074). This modification procures special tooling and special test equipment required to meet current and future F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production as well as full-rate production rates. Work will be performed in Rome, Italy (29.9%); Redondo Beach, California (24.4%); Fort Worth, Texas (21.3%); Clearfield, Utah (10.4%); Marietta, Georgia (6.9%); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (3.7%); Papendrecht, Netherlands (0.9%); Irvine, California (0.7%); Williston, Vermont (0.6%); Helena, Montana (0.5%); Kongsberg, Norway (0.4%); and Amityville, New York (0.3%), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps); non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) international partners; and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $153,392,916 will be obligated at time of award, $39,892,893 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($55,841,076; 36%); Navy ($51,887,772; 34%); Marine Corps ($22,286,205; 15%); non-U.S DoD international partners ($17,564,488; 11%); and FMS customers ($5,813,375; 4%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Syracuse, New York, is awarded a $21,381,819 cost-plus-incentive-fee delivery order under a previously-awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00024-19-D-6200 for the procurement of long-lead-time material for two Virginia Block V hulls, one Virginia installation and checkout kit, one pre-production unit and associated hardware assets to support environmental qualification testing. This effort will award the procurement of Navy equipment. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York, and is expected to be completed by December 2020. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding for $21,381,819 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. Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded a $12,819,390 modification (P00015) to a previously-awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N61340-17-C-0014) to procure additional in-scope work and technical data to refurbish and update the E-2D Hawkeye Integrated Training System-III at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed in May 2021. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy-AP, N) funds in the amount of $12,819,390 will be obligated at time of award, $9,615,568 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year — fiscal 2018 AP, N: $9,615,568; fiscal 2019 AP, N: $1,436,802; and fiscal 2020 AP, N: $1,767,020. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity. Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a not-to-exceed $9,198,875 fixed priced incentive firm target (FPI(F)) undefinitized contract action modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-19-C-2227 for the immediate procurement of long-lead-time material, engineering and production to support changes to the arrangement of the 02 and 03 Levels on Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPF) 13 and 14. The EPF class provides high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps and Army. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama, and is expected to be complete by November 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy-SCN) funding for $4,599,438 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year -- fiscal 2018 SCN (62%); and fiscal 2019 SCN (38%). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Invicta Global, LLC, * Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $8,683,299 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for facility support services at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, District of Columbia. The maximum dollar value including the base period and six option years is $62,498,327. The work to be performed provides for all management, supervision, labor, materials and equipment necessary to provide facility support including facility investment, facility management, integrated solid waste management and pavement clearance. Work will be performed in Washington, District of Columbia, and is expected to be completed by June 2027. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2020 Navy working capital fund, (Navy) contract funds for $6,732,669 for recurring work will be obligated on an individual task order issued during the base period. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-20-D-0002). U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND UNCOMN LLC, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois (HTC711-20-D-D001), has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, firm-fixed-price and labor-hour line items, with an estimated amount of $175,701,170. The contract provides enterprise architecture, data and information technology engineering services for the U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command and the Surface Deployment and Distribution Center. Work will be performed at Scott AFB, Illinois. The contract's ordering period is Dec. 6, 2019, to Dec. 5, 2024. Fiscal 2020 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award for the minimum guarantee. Operations and maintenance; transportation working capital funds and research, development, test and evaluation funds may be obligated at task order execution. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Illinois, is the contracting activity. ARMY Riptide Software,* Oviedo, Florida, was awarded a $43,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for target modernization and Targetry Range Automated Control and Recording system. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 2, 2027. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-20-D-0004). General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $12,456,918 cost-plus-fixed-fee foreign military sales (Kuwait) contract for contractor logistics services, maintenance training and technical assistance. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Work will be performed in Kuwait City, Kuwait, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 5, 2023. Fiscal 2018 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $12,456,918 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-C-0031). Smiths Detection, Edgewood, Maryland, was awarded an $11,734,549 modification (P00013) to contract W911SR-18-C-0033 for aerosol vapor chemical agent detector systems. Work will be performed in Edgewood, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of May 29, 2020. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,861,673 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE L3 Technologies Inc., Communication Systems, West, Salt Lake City, Utah, has been awarded a $17,933,366 contract for the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) Call 002 Vendor Flexibility effort. This contract seeks to establish the ability to communicate with Air Force platforms via multiple commercial space internet constellations using common user terminal hardware elements. Work will be performed at Salt Lake City, Utah, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 31, 2022. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition under the DEUCSI Advanced Research Announcement Call 002. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,130,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-20-C-9313). BlueForce Inc., Hampton, Virginia, has been awarded a $15,683,635 firm-fixed-price, Option 1 modification (P00003) to previously-awarded contract FA3002-19-F-A045 for continued support for the Royal Saudi Air Force English language training outside the continental U.S. program. Work will be performed at King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Saudi Arabia, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 3, 2024. This contract involves 100% foreign military sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $28,009,060. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $15,683,635 are being obligated at the time of award. The 338th Specialized Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Randolph, Texas, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corp., San Jose, California, has been awarded a $13,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity for Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP) efforts. This contract provides for solutions for diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages, systems integration lab and cybersecurity support, upgrades to meet routine requirements identified via Air Force IMT 1067 modification proposals and engineering change proposals that are logical follow-ons to maintain and upgrade the ASIP sensor. Work will be performed at Sacramento, California, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. No funding is being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-20-D-3025). BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a $12,608,102 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract modification (P00003) to previously-awarded contract FA8109-18-D-0005 to exercise Option Two. The contract modification extends the contract term for an additional 12 months in order to continue providing diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages support for Air Force and non-Air Force users supporting the Air Force, to proactively reduce mission capability impacts to improve logistics support and weapon system sustainability. This effort will help assure all required parts and materials supporting Air Force-managed weapon systems are available within acceptable production lead times and will reduce the overall cost of ownership of the weapon systems by facilitating economical diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages resolutions costs, reducing the number of reactive solutions, minimizing any delays in organic depot-level repair, as well as contractor repair and by improving weapon system availability. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; and Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and is expected to be completed by June 20, 2021. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $37,386,305. Fiscal 2020 and 2021 consolidated sustainment activity group engineering funds will be obligated on any individual task orders issued during the option two performance period. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $9,947,673 contract for the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) Call 002 Vendor Flexibility effort. This contract seeks to establish the ability to communicate with Air Force platforms via multiple commercial space internet constellations using common user terminal hardware elements. Work will be performed at San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by November 2021. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition under the DEUCSI Advanced Research Announcement Call 002. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,633,549 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-20-C-9315). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2034460/source/GovDelivery/