1 octobre 2020 | International, Terrestre, C4ISR

How new network tools can help find paratroopers faster and improve situational awareness

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — When paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division's First Brigade Combat Team landed in the drop zone during a night jump last week, it took leaders 45 minutes after hitting the ground to locate about 90 percent of their formation.

For contrast, at an exercise early last year, the commander of that brigade didn't achieve 75 percent accountability of formation until the second day of the exercise.

That's one of the major improvements that's coming to three more Army brigades as part of Capability Set '21, a new set of network tools that will be fully fielded to the First Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd in December.

The exercise at Ft. Bragg provided a soldier touch point opportunity for the Army's integrated tactical network (ITN) team, made up of Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical and the Network Cross-Functional Team, to hear what soldiers thought about Capability Set '21.

And leaders from the Army's tactical network modernization team received some important feedback: the technology works, but the training needs improvement.

“It does what we thought it would do, which is increase situational awareness up and down,” Col. Andrew Saslav, commander of the 82nd Airborne's First Brigade Combat Team, said in an interview with C4ISRNET. “That's the critical thing ... we don't know where people are on the battlefield unless we can talk with them. Now, I can see them and that just speeds up processing.”

That's good news for the Army as it's set to deploy Capability Set '21 to three more infantry brigades in fiscal 2021. The exercise, originally scheduled for January, was delayed after the deployment of the brigade to Kuwait in January and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Army's tactical network modernization effort is working to provide a resilient tactical network to enable faster communications and data transfer to enable multi-domain operations (MDO) or Joint All-Domain Command and Control.

“Our obligation is very simple: we have to make this work,” said Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, said at a meeting Sept. 24. “And if it doesn't, MDO, all-domain and everything else, is a pipe dream.”

Lessons learned

While a high-profile Army experiment in the Yuma, Ariz. desert tested various future networking capabilities, this lesser known event in North Carolina found that the network tools fielded to brigades significantly improve communications, but that soldiers need improved training with the batteries and additional cables.

A major difference maker is Capability Set '21′s End User Device, a Samsung Galaxy smartphone that works in tandem with the soldier's radio to broadcast their location to all other users across the formation, as well as provides mapping capabilities. On average, the new “revolutionary” capability allows Saslav to see his formation 45 minutes to two hours, he said, a far cry from last year and a “game changer” when it comes to fighting battles.

“My job is to resource those companies, troops and batteries in the fight and I do that mainly through fires, whether that's Army indirect fires, or its joint aircraft. If I can't see them, if I don't have a real-time data on where they are, then I can't support them. And so now I can support them faster more quickly, I can bring everything in closer to get that into the fight,” Saslav told C4ISRNET.

The devices also allow soldiers to mark enemy positions and broadcast that information back through the rest of the formation. Shared understanding and increased situational awareness across the formation will save lives, and the EUDs increase both by an “untold variable,” Saslav said, because the capability eliminates the game of “telephone” played between the brigade commander and soldiers spread throughout the field.

Another Capability Set '21 technology, known as the Variable Height Antenna, a tethered drone flying a TSM radio, successfully extended communications by several kilometers further than a standard, ground-based antenna would reach, the exercise found. These capabilities are a critical component of the Army's work evolving its network into a mesh network that gets away from line-of-sight communications and uses individual radios as nodes that extend the range of the network to allow soldiers to talk to each other beyond line-of-sight, across the battlespace.

“I can always talk to the lowest radio to the highest radio because we have this mesh network and in ITN terms, that's game changing for us,” Saslav said. “It is moving us beyond line of sight, so for the first time, and that beyond line of sight is movable and fixable.”

While the devices provide greater situational awareness, Saslav said during the exercise the location data wasn't coming in with specific identifiers for what dots representing locations meant. But, in a way that highlighted the DevOps approach that the Army is taking to the modernization of its tactical network, the software was updated during the exercise because the vendor was in the field, Saslav said.

In addition, the Army discovered some linkage challenges between the radio and device, finding that the radio and device would lose the link between them if they were switched off. Leaders in the field want the devices to connect automatically so soldiers don't have to connect them together themselves.

A new approach to training

But one major challenge Army tactical network officials learned from talking to soldiers using the equipment on the ground was that the training process for teaching soldiers how to use the equipment needed to improve. The radio and EUD are connected together to broadcast location information, but soldiers were trained to use the devices separately. But since the devices need to be used as a system, leaders learned that the soldiers needed to be trained on how the system works.

“What needs to happen is soldiers need to be trained with the equipment as they are worn and functions as an overall network because everything affects everything else,” said Capt. Brian Delgado, S6 of the 82nd Airborne Division's first Brigade Combat Team.

And that network can be affected differently depending on the terrain. So while classroom training on the devices is important for the soldiers to learn the technology, they also need to learn how to use the technology in the field and how the terrain can affect it. Capt. Matthew Kane, S6 of the first brigade's 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, told C4ISRNET that his big takeaway was adjustments to training.

“It needs to be as hands on as possible,” Kane said. “You need to get in the terrain and actually test the radio. The classroom won't cut it just because it's no longer programming the radio and walking away.”

These new capabilities also mean soldiers must carry more batteries and more cables with them. Col. Garth Winterle, project manager for tactical radios at PEO C3T, said that the team identified a couple issues with battery life, one that requires training soldiers different configurations to optimize battery life. The other battery life problem was addressed through a firmware update by the vendor.

Several Army personnel in the field also noted that soldiers needed to be taught best practices for cable management.

Soldiers “weren't experts on how it's powered or how to manage cables and that's not a fault of the paratroopers,” Delgado said. “That's a fault with the way that we were addressing training.”

As the Army perfects Capability Set '21 and moves forward with Capability Set '23, its next iteration of network tools, it will continue to rely on the feedback of soldiers to ensure that technology works, while being simple and intuitive enough for the user.

“The beauty of it is that feedback we're going to get because [which] soldier right now has a really good idea that's going to make this better? And that's the feedback we're really looking for,” said Col. Rob Ryan, deputy director of the Network-CFT.

https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/it-networks/2020/09/29/how-new-network-tools-can-help-find-paratroopers-faster-and-improve-situational-awareness/

Sur le même sujet

29 juin 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - June 26, 2020
MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Woburn, Massachusetts, is being awarded a sole-source contract in the amount of $2,271,181,543 under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The contract type will be a hybrid firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee, cost-plus-award-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee contract. Under this production contract, the contractor will provide seven Army/Navy Transportable Surveillance and Control Model 2 radars, radar spares, obsolescence design, sustainment services and initial contractor logistics support for KSA. The work will be performed in Woburn, Massachusetts. The performance period is June 26, 2020, to Aug. 31, 2027. KSA FMS funds in the amount of $2,271,181,543 will be used to fund this effort. The Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0862-20-C-0002). AIR FORCE L3 Technologies Inc., Arlington, Texas, has been awarded a $900,000,000 ceiling, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for simulator common architecture requirements and standards (SCARS). This contract provides for the definition, design, delivery, deployment and sustainment of a simulator common architecture across the Air Force's training portfolio, along with the creation of a security operations center and library and the execution of SCARS management services. The SCARS initiative will also incrementally implement a modular open systems approach, as well as a set of common standards for Air Force simulators. The primary location of performance is Orlando, Florida. SCARS has a 10-year ordering period through June 2030. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and six offers were received. Fiscal 2020 other procurement funds in the amount of $1,216,598; and fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $14,278,992 are being obligated under the first task order. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8621-20-D-0013). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Azusa, California, has been awarded a $222,507,873 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Defense Support Program (DSP) Operations, Mission Threat Analysis and Engineering Sustainment (DOMES). This contract provides on-orbit satellite and anomaly resolution support, root cause analysis, mission threat analysis, mission test bed and space awareness and global exploitation as key components of the lifetime extension of the DSP. Work will be performed in Azusa, California; Redondo Beach, California; Aurora, Colorado; and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed March 31, 2030. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $18,000,000 is being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity (FA8823-20-C-0002). VectorCSP LLC, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, has been awarded a $16,286,599 firm-fixed-price contract for Combat Air Force (CAF) Fighter Squadron (FS), U.S. Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC) and Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) support services to Air Combat Command. This contract provides in-garrison active fighter squadron's functional support for typical additional duties assigned to squadron personnel, such as operations scheduling, training, standards and evaluations, weapons and tactics, mobility, non-aviation programs and readiness, equipment managers and armorer support. Work will be performed at various locations throughout USAFWCs, ASOSs and CAFs in the U.S., and is expected to be completed June 25, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and seven offers were received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,920,289 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity (FA4890-20-F-0048). Apogee Research LLC,* Arlington, Virginia, has been awarded a $13,398,315 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion type contract for SymLang, an invariant driven approach to software via symmetries and software. The objective of this effort includes developing novel software systems that enable automated adaptation of the resulting software system to radical changes in requirements and computational environments. SymLang, new programming language and its associated toolchain will allow for the rapid development and adaption of code that is efficient at run-time over a wide range of operating conditions. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia; Menlo Park, California; and Medford, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by June 26, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 20 offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $766,404 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-20-C-0520). GrammaTech Inc.,* Ithaca, New York, has been awarded a $12,220,510 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for Artemis Framework prototype software. This contract provides for research, design, development, demonstration, test, integration and delivery of the Artemis Framework that will enable rapid adaptation of software to changes in requirements, platforms and computational resources at a scale and speed appropriate for the complex software ecosystem. Work will be performed in Ithaca, New York, and is expected to be completed June 26, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 20 offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $750, 818 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-20-C-0208). Raytheon Technologies, Woburn, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $9,223,822, firm-fixed-price modification (P00052) to contract FA8730-17-C-0010 for the Qatar Early Warning Radar (QEWR). This modification is for the construction of the communications infrastructure at the QEWR site. Work will be performed in Woburn, Massachusetts; and Qatar, and is expected to be completed by December 2020. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $1,117,574,971. This modification involves 100% Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the country of Qatar. FMS funds in the amount of $9,223,822 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. ARMY JCB Inc., Pooler, Georgia, was awarded a $269,425,883 firm-fixed-price contract for electric over hydraulic High Mobility Engineer Excavators, related hardware and ancillary services. 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 June 23, 2028. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-D-0084). GM Defense LLC, Detroit, Michigan, was awarded a $214,297,869 firm-fixed-price contract for acquisition of the Infantry Squad Vehicle, installation kits, ancillary hardware and logistical 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 June 24, 2028. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-D-0066). Walsh Federal LLC, Chicago, Illinois, was awarded a $38,027,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of an information system facility at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Tacoma, Washington, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Army) funds in the amount of $38,027,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Washington, is the contracting activity (W912DW-20-C-0007). KT Consulting, Phoenix, Arizona, was awarded a $12,235,930 firm-fixed-price contract for logistics research and analytic support. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 3, 2025. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $6,142,964 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-20-F-0465). GM Defense LLC, Detroit, Michigan, was awarded an $8,580,666 firm-fixed-price contract for initial delivery of Infantry Squad Vehicles and integrated product 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 June 24, 2021. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-D-0066). MCR Federal LLC, McLean, Virginia, was awarded an $8,579,438 modification (000127) to contract W31P4Q-16-A-0016 for technical engineering services in support of the Fixed Wing Project Office. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of July 28, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Army) funds; and 2018 aircraft procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $8,579,438 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., McLean, Virginia, was awarded an $8,440,579 modification (P00019) to contract W15QKN-17-F-0006 to accelerate enhancements to the identity, credential and access management system, as well as continuation of the Army Knowledge Online enterprise services modernization. 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 March 26, 2021. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. Aerovironment,* Monrovia, California, was awarded a $7,596,820 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to exercise an option for repair, maintenance, training, flight support and field service representatives. Work will be performed in Simi Valley, California, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $7,596,819 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-17-C-0171). NAVY Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is awarded a $132,000,000 cost modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-2305 to fund capital expenditure projects for shipbuilder and supplier industrial base efforts in support of the USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 class destroyer program. This modification will fund shipbuilder and supplier base efforts to address supply chain fragility and to ensure future readiness for the fleet. Work will be performed in Bath, Maine, and is expected to be completed by June 2028. Fiscal 2013, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $132,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Didlake Inc., Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $62,116,404 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for annual custodial services at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNS) and annexes; the Portsmouth and Little Creek site; and the Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Little Creek-Fort Story. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach, Virginia (75%); and Portsmouth, Virginia (25%). The work to be performed provides for annual custodial services, but is not limited to all management, supervision, tools, materials, supplies, labor and transportation services. They are necessary to perform custodial services for office space, restrooms and other types of rooms at the NNS and annexes, Portsmouth and Little Creek site and NAB Little Creek-Fort Story. Work is expected to be completed by June 2025. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $12,128,835 for recurring and non-recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the base period. This contract was procured as a sole-source AbilityOne requirement. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-20-D-0055). Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $62,000,000 cost modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-2307 to fund capital expenditure projects for shipbuilding supplier industrial base efforts in support of the Arleigh Burke DDG 51 class destroyer program. This modification will fund supplier base efforts to address supply chain fragility that ensures future readiness for the fleet. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by April 2029. Fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $62,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Baldi Bros Inc.,* Beaumont, California, is awarded a $50,630,423 firm-fixed-price task order N62473-20-F-4817 under a multiple award construction contract for the construction of a runway and taxiway extension at the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California. Work will be performed in Ridgecrest, California. The work to be performed provides for the construction of extending and widening of Runway 08/26, the construction of Taxiway H and two aircraft arrestor systems, the installation of taxiway lighting on Runway 03/21 and the storm drainage to support the runway and other incidental related work. The runway and taxiway extension project includes, but is not limited to demolition, earthwork, provide drainage, paving, arresting gear, two concrete pads, lighting, airfield signage, power circuitry and control circuitry. Work also provides temporary construction that includes a temporary water line, jersey barriers and access roadwork. Work is expected to be completed by April 2022. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $50,630,423 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-D-2438). Huntington Ingalls Inc., Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $22,791,081 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-4314 for the USS Boise (SSN 764) Smart Start that encompasses continued advance planning, execution services, production and availability preparations for fiscal 2020 USS Boise engineered overhaul. This contract modification includes options, which if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this action to $22,999,003. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia. The contracted requirements also include continued advance planning, execution services, production and availability preparations necessary to repair and maintain unrestricted operation of the submarine. It also includes upgrades and modernization efforts required to ensure the submarine is operating at full technical capacity as defined in the availability work package during the chief of naval operation's scheduled availability. Work is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funding in the amount of $22,791,081 will be obligated at time of award, and funding in the amount of $22,791,081 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Embree Machine Inc.,* Springville, Indiana (N00164-20-D-JN88); J&R Tool Inc.,* Loogootee, Indiana (N00164-20-D-JN89); Loughmiller Machine, Tool & Die,* Loogootee, Indiana (N00164-20-D-JN90); MSP Aviation Inc.,* Bloomington, Indiana (N00164-20-D-JN91); Specialty CNC Inc.,* Bloomington, Indiana (N00164-20-D-JN92); and United Support Solutions – LMT Inc.,* Cedar Grove, New Jersey (N00164-20-D-JN93), are awarded a $17,500,000 five-year, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contracts for build-to-print machined parts for military projects. These contracts includes options which may bring the cumulative value of each contract to $35,000,000, if exercised. Work will be performed at various locations across the U.S. based on each individual task order. These build-to-print machined parts are used for military projects including, but not limited to, the fixed forward firing weapons and interface unit automatic processor systems that are utilized on the MH-60R Seahawk and MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters. Work is expected to be completed by June 2025, or June 2030 if all options are exercised. Working capital funding of a $3,000 minimum contractual award for each vendor ($18,000 total) will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract were competitively procured via the beta.SAM.gov website and 11 offers were received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity. Poole Fire Protection Inc.,* Olathe, Kansas, is awarded an $10,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineer contract for architect-engineer services for fire protection testing, inspection, studies and surveys at various locations in all areas under the cognizance of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Pacific area of operations including, but not limited to Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (40%); Japan (40%); Australia (10%); and Diego Garcia (10%). The work to be performed provides for the following services final acceptance testing and inspection of all types of installed fire protection systems, fire protection and life safety studies, surveys and water flow testing. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months and work is expected to be complete by June 2025. Fiscal 2018 military construction (MILCON) (planning and design) contract funds in the amount of $10,000 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 MILCON (planning and design). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website and four proposals were received. The NAVFAC Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-20-D-0005). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY U.S. Foods Inc., Port Orange, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $28,710,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for full-line food distribution. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 262-day bridge contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Florida; Cuba; and the Bahamas, with a Nov. 8, 2020, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 and 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-20-D-3279). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Melbourne, Florida, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $26,696,992 undefinitized delivery order (SPRPA1-20-F-M40H) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (SPE4A1-16-G-003Z) for aircraft rotodomes. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year nine-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Florida, with a March 31, 2026, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Merchants Foodservice, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has been awarded a maximum $16,160,350 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for full-line food distribution. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 241-day bridge contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Louisiana and Mississippi, with a Feb. 21, 2021, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-20-D-3280). Fort Riley Utility Services Inc., Fort Riley, Kansas, has been awarded a maximum $9,461,376 modification (P00026) to a 50-year contract (SP0600-17-C-8328), with no option periods for water and wastewater utility services at Fort Riley, Kansas. This is a fixed-priced with economic-price-adjustment contract. This modification increases the obligated value from $33,267,059 to $34,393,260. Locations of performance are Kansas and California, with a June 30, 2068, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2068 Army operations and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. International Business Machines Corp., Reston, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $7,635,577 modification (P00005) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SP4701-18-C-0048) with four one-year option periods for technical and functional services for the Defense Agencies Initiative. This is a firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract. Locations of performance are Virginia and other areas in the continental U.S., with a July 31, 2021, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 operations and maintenance funds; and research, development, test and evaluation funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. American Water Operations and Maintenance LLC, Camden, New Jersey, has been awarded a $15,943,623 modification (P00161) to a 50-year contract (SP0600-08-C-8250) with no options periods for the ownership, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater utility systems at Fort Hood, Texas. This is a fixed‐price with prospective-price-redetermination contract. Locations of performance are New Jersey and Texas, with a Jan. 8, 2059, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2059 Army operations and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. (Awarded June 23, 2020) U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Arcticom LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded an $18,772,155 maximum single award “C” type contract (H92240-20-C-0004) with options included to extend services in support of Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) enterprise requirements for NSW Preparatory Course training and support services. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,329,539 are being obligated at the time of award. The work will be performed in Great Lakes, Illinois, and may continue through fiscal 2026 if all options are exercised. The contract was awarded competitively using Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 15 procedures with eight proposals received. NSWC, Coronado, California, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2234393/source/GovDelivery/
17 août 2018 | International, C4ISR

US and Chile agree to cooperate on cyber security
By: Robert Burns, The Associated Press SANTIAGO, Chile — U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chilean counterpart have signed an agreement pledging closer cooperation in combating cyber threats. Mattis and Defense Minister Alberto Espina held a signing ceremony Thursday after meeting to discuss a range of security issues, including military exercises and cooperation in science and technology. Cyber defense is a topic of growing interest throughout the Western Hemisphere. Banco de Chile, one of the country's biggest commercial banks, has said a hacking operation robbed it of $10 million in June. Santiago was the fourth stop for Mattis on a tour of South America that began in Brasilia on Sunday. He also visited Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires and is scheduled to hold talks in Bogota, Colombia, on Friday. Full article: https://www.fifthdomain.com/international/2018/08/16/us-and-chile-agree-to-cooperate-on-cyber-security
13 août 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - August 12, 2019
ARMY Birdon America Inc.,* Denver, Colorado, was awarded a $196,941,052 firm-fixed-price contract for acquisition of M30 bridge erection boats, crew protection kits, stock lists, tools, test equipment, service representative and support, training and storage. 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 Aug. 12, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-D-0093). NAVY Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded $107,353,729 for firm-fixed-price advance acquisition contract modification P00029 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0048). This modification procures long lead items for six CH-53K low-rate initial production lot 4 aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed in August 2020. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $107,353,729 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. Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded $23,099,311 for cost-plus fixed-fee task order N6931619F4002 against previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00024-15-G-2304 to accomplish advance planning, material procurement and accomplishment of work in support of the post shakedown availability (PSA) of littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16). This effort encompasses all of the manpower, support services, material, non-standard equipment and associated technical data and documentation required to prepare for and accomplish the PSA. The work to be performed will include correction of government responsible trial card deficiencies, new work identified between custody transfer and the time of PSA and incorporation of approved engineering changes that were not incorporated during the construction period which are not otherwise the building yard's responsibility under the ship construction contract. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be complete by April 2020. Fiscal 2019 and 2013 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $12,199,311 will be obligated at time of award, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair Gulf Coast, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the contracting activity. SOLPAC Construction Inc., doing business as Soltek Pacific Construction Co., San Diego, California, is being awarded a $12,111,121 firm-fixed-price task order (N6247319F5055) under a multiple award construction contract for the construction of a Littoral Combat Ship Mission Module Readiness Center at Naval Base San Diego. The work provides for the construction of a facility in a portion of the existing northwest wing of Building 3304. The renovated building will support a variety of functions including administration, conference, fabrication, maintenance, storage, locker rooms, secret and non-classified internet protocol router network telecommunications and a wash rack for the facility. The project includes all pertinent site improvements and site preparations, mechanical and electrical utilities, excavation and grading, foundations, roofing, telecommunications, plumbing, fire protection systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The task order also contains two unexercised options and two planned modifications, which if exercised would increase the cumulative task order value to $13,102,121. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by March 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $12,111,121 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-18-D-5855). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY BMK Ventures, Inc.,** Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $10,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hospital equipment and accessories for the Defense Logistics Agency electronic catalog. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. This was a competitive acquisition with 88 responses received; 20 contracts have been awarded to date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Location of performance is Virginia, with an Aug. 11, 2024, performance completion date. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DH-19-D-0013). Epic Aviation LLC, doing business as Epic Card,** Salem, Oregon, has been awarded a maximum $7,955,949 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for fuel. This was a competitive acquisition with 148 responses received. This is a 43-month contract with a six-month option period. Location of performance is Alabama, with a March 31, 2023 performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE607-19-D-0118). *Small business **Service-disabled, veteran-owned small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1932379/source/GovDelivery/

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