Pandemic lengthens delay in US Army’s M113 vehicle replacement program

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  30 janvier 2019 | International, C4ISR

  How the intel community could use machines and AI

  By: Mark Pomerleau The intelligence community has unveiled its multi-pronged plan to compete in the increasingly digital and data-centric world. The strategy, titled “Augmenting Intelligence using Machines (AIM)” and released Jan. 16, outlines how the intelligence community will adjust its investments, personnel and practices to better incorporate associated technologies “To meet its vision of ensuring intelligence advantage, the IC must adapt to the rapid global technological democratization in sensing, communications, computing, and machine analysis of data,” Sue Gordon, principal deputy director of national intelligence, said in the document. “These trends threaten to erode what were previously unique [IC] capabilities and advantages; going forward, we must improve our ability to analyze and draw conclusions from IC-wide data collections at scale.” During remarks at an August 2018 conference, Gordon said she wants the strategy to help focus on what the IC is trying to achieve rather than the technologies that they use.She described the need for getting machines as partners to help derive intelligence as one of the two most existential threats facing the community. The strategy lists four primary investment objectives ranked chronologically. They include: - Immediate and ongoing needs: Creating digital foundations, data and science and technical intelligence. - Short-term needs: Adopting commercial and open source narrow AI solutions, which are AI solutions that are designed with very specific tasks and functions. - Medium-term needs: Make investments in the gaps such as AI assurance and multimodal AI. - Long-term needs: Make investments in basic research focused on sense-making. The strategy notes that the “IC must be willing to rethink or abandon processes and mechanisms designed for an earlier era, establish disciplined engineering and operations practices, and maintain an absolute focus on assuring advantage in an intensely competitive global adversarial environment.” However, it also warns that artificial intelligence and associated technologies are not a panacea or a substitute for creating a digital foundation. Instead, the intelligence community must understand how AI algorithms may succeed and fail. The strategy also aims to bring together disparate efforts in artificial intelligence, process automation, and IC officer augmentation as a way to match investments in AI and data from other countries. One example includes the use of such technologies to create forgeries of audio and video, often referred to as deepfakes, which could lead to difficulties in deciphering fact from fiction. Gordon said in August that the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is using AI to automate image processing and the National Reconnaissance Office is using artificial intelligence tools to automate analysis of streaming multi-intelligence data for detecting activity and automating tasks of scarce and expensive collection resources. The strategy also focuses on the workforce. It notes that it is much more than technology and implementing the strategy will entail addressing workforce challenges and understanding and shaping the policies and authorities governing how the IC deploys and uses AI. https://www.c4isrnet.com/c2-comms/2019/01/28/how-the-intel-community-could-use-machines-and-ai

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  25 novembre 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - November 22, 2019

  ARMY Pegasus Support Services LLC,* Woodstock, Georgia, was awarded a $176,853,950 firm-fixed-price contract for sustainment, restoration and modernization services for the full spectrum of facility types to include ranges, barracks, warehouse, administrative buildings, bridges, worship centers, gyms, and airfields. 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 Nov. 30, 2024. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W9124M-20-D-0001). CACI-ISS Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded an $112,531,961 modification (P00062) to contract W15QKN-15-C-0049 for build and test of the Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2010 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $10,702,978 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Saudi Arabia) contract for the integration and retrofit of 23 AH-6i aircraft with DVR, equipment stowage, and APKWS II capabilities. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2022. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $10,702,978 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-20-C-0001). Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Plymouth, Minnesota, was awarded an $8,072,570 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of the M230 30MM automatic gun and the Bevel Gear. 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 Nov. 19, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-D-0003). NAVY Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $97,334,085 cost-plus-fixed fee, firm-fixed-price, and cost only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-5501 to exercise the options for Air and Missile Defense Radar AN/SPY-6(V) integration and production support efforts. This option exercise is for performance of the integration and production support for continued combat system integration and test, engineering, training, software and depot maintenance in support of the Air and Missile Defense Radar AN/SPS-6(V). Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts (64%); Kauai, Hawaii (18%); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (8%); San Diego, California (7%); Fair Lakes, Virginia (2%); and Moorestown, New Jersey (less than 1%), and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2016, 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $27,075,110 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was procured under the statutory authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). 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. CH2M Hill Constructors Inc., Englewood, Colorado (N62470-13-D-6019); Environmental Chemical Corp., Burlingame, California (N62470-13-D-6020); Kellogg, Brown, and Root Services Inc., Arlington, Virginia (N62470-13-D-6021); and URS Group Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina (N62470-13-D-6022), are awarded a $92,000,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for global contingency construction projects worldwide. The work to be performed provides for the Navy, the Navy on behalf of the Department of Defense, and the Navy on behalf of other federal agencies, when authorized, an immediate response for construction services. The construction and related engineering services would respond to natural disasters, humanitarian assistance, conflict or projects with similar characteristics. Work will be predominately construction. The contractor, in support of the construction effort, may be required to provide initial base operating support services, which will be incidental to construction efforts. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $1,150,000,000. The term of the contract is not to exceed 71 months with a completion date of May 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on subsequent modifications for work on existing individual task orders. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $14,576,017 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-19-C-5112 to exercise an option for the AN/SPY-1 radar solid-state switch assembly mod kit. This contract modification is for the production of solid-state switch assembly ordnance alteration kits for the Navy to support AEGIS modernization efforts. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, (75%); Chesapeake, Virginia (15%); and Marlborough, Massachusetts (10%), and is expected to be completed by April 2023. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $14,576,017 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. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is awarded an $8,230,603 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-5418 to exercise options for NATO Sea Sparrow missile system design agent engineering and technical support services. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (94%); Marlborough, Massachusetts (3%); and San Diego, California (3%), and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); non-expiring other funds; and Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $4,251,731 will be obligated at time of award, and $2,162,681 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Raytheon Missiles Systems Co., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $72,000,000 cost-plus, fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive fee, firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for advanced medium range air to air missile (AMRAAM) technical support. The contractor will provide technical services and analysis supporting the AMRAAM weapon system. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2025. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. No funds are being obligated on the action at the time of award. Concurrently, the first task order will be awarded with $238,173 in fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8675-20-D-0010). BrainGu LLC,* Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been awarded a $12,376,710 commercial firm-fixed price, level of effort direct award for development, security operations teams. This contract provides expert experience in Kubernetes and Istio Mesh implementation utilizing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) process. Work will be performed at San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 21, 2020. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition as the SBIR Phase III vendors are selected from a previously competitive pool of small businesses in Phase I. Fiscal 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $800,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA8307-20-C-0004). Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $10,954,391 fixed-price incentive (firm) modification (P00018) to previously awarded contract FA8675-18-C-0003 for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Production program. This modification provides for acceptance of a voluntary value-engineering change proposal resulting in non-recurring engineering costs for qualification of a second source for the AMRAAM Integrated Wing Restraint rocket motor. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 15, 2021. This contract involves foreign military sales to Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Spain, United Kingdom, Poland, Romania and Morocco. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,252,588,656. Fiscal 2018 missile procurement funds (Air Force and Navy) in the amount of $7,096,254; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $3,858,137 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Northrup Grumman, McClellan, California, has been awarded a maximum $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for production of spare parts in support of the Guardrail/Common Sensor Modernization system. 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 base contract with one five-year option period. Location of performance is California, with a Nov. 21, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (SPRBL1-20-D-0002). ENGlobal Government Services Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been awarded a maximum $11,552,569 cost-plus-fixed-fee, bridge contract for automated fuel handling 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 15-month base contract with one three-month option period. Locations of performance are Virginia, Georgia, Hawaii, California, Washington, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Spain, Greenland and Japan, with a May 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-0002). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2024886/source/GovDelivery/

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  29 octobre 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - October 28, 2019

  NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $7,027,643,109 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm-target, cost-reimbursable contract (N00019-17-C-0001). This modification provides for the procurement of 114 F-35 aircraft for Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy; non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Specifically the modification procures 48 F-35A aircraft for the Air Force, 20 F-35B aircraft for the Marine Corps, nine F-35C aircraft for the Navy, 12 F-35A aircraft for the government of Norway, 15 F-35A aircraft for the government of Australia, and eight F-35A and two F-35B aircraft for the government of Italy. The above U.S. aircraft quantities are inclusive of fiscal 2019 (Lot 13) plus up aircraft. In addition, this modification adds scope for the Air System Diminishing Manufacturing Sources integration, software data loads, critical safety items, red gear, non-recurring engineering, recurring engineering and the Joint Strike Fighter Airborne Data Emulator. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (57%); El Segundo, California (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Cameri, Italy (4%); Orlando, Florida (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); Baltimore, Maryland (3%); San Diego, California (2%); Nagoya, Japan (2%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed in March 2023. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); non-DoD participants; and FMS funds in the amount of $7,027,643,109 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($2,812,512,346); Marine Corps ($1,297,487,314); Navy ($612,389,812); non-DoD participants ($2,243,321,947); and FMS ($61,931,690) customers. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. IAP Worldwide Services Inc., Cape Canaveral, Florida, is awarded an $84,573,278 modification (P00058) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable contract (N00019-15-C-0120). This modification exercises an option to provide logistics services in support of the E-6B aircraft and the requirement for parts industry management and support equipment maintenance for the E-6B Take Change and Move Out and Airborne Command Post aircraft. Logistics support to the aircraft weapon system as well as systems engineering, associated support sites, and supporting organizations. Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (70%); Bellevue, Nebraska (10%); Fairfield, California (10%); and Patuxent River, Maryland (10%), and is expected to be completed in November 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $26,592,990 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary Mission Systems, Owego, New York, is awarded a $43,439,773 modification (P00015) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-18-C-1066). This modification increases the scope and ceiling of the contract to provide electronic warfare capability development and integration in support of the design, development, and integration of the advanced digital receiver/processor upgrade to the existing E-2D AN/ALZ-217 electronic support measures receiver/processor, active front end, and receive antenna weapons replaceable assemblies. Work will be performed in Owego, New York (99%); and Clearwater, Florida (1%), and is expected to be completed in September 2023. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,382,120 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Greenbelt, Maryland, is being awarded a $30,464,008 firm-fixed-price task order (N62473-20-F-4023) under a multiple award construction contract for an applied instruction facility, a training facility, and site utility infrastructure at Naval Base Coronado, California. The work to be performed provides for construction of two facilities and utilities infrastructure to support the Special Operations Forces Naval Special Warfare Center Advanced Training Command mission to train Maritime Special Operations Forces to meet operational requirements. The options, if exercised, provide for recycled water plumbing, additional parking area with permeable pavers, exterior trellis structures, additional floor area for the training facility, aircraft fuselage trainer and concrete pads and helicopter training fuselages. The planned modifications, if issued, provides for furniture, fixtures, and equipment, audio-visual equipment and physical security equipment. The task order also contains 11 unexercised options and six planned modifications, which if exercised would increase cumulative task order value to $37,782,887. Work will be performed in Coronado, California, and is expected to be completed by May 2022. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Defense-wide) contract funds in the amount of $30,464,008 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. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-17-D-0822). Jopana Technologies Inc.,* Oxnard, California, is awarded an $11,474,563 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for the procurement of AN/ALQ-231(V) Intrepid Tiger (IT II) family of systems hardware and incidental engineering services for the Electronic Warfare and Electronic Attack communications jamming, airborne (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, and Unmanned Air Systems), ground based systems, and laboratories. Work will be performed in Oxnard, California (95%); Point Mugu, California (2%); Yuma, Arizona (2%); and China Lake, California (1%), and is expected to be completed in October 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity (N68936-20-D-0003). AIR FORCE The Superior Forge & Steel Corp., Lima, Ohio (FA8681-20-D-0020); and Ellwood National Forge, Irvine, Pennsylvania (FA8681-20-D-0021), have been awarded $90,000,000 multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. These contracts provided for the procurement of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators BLU-J 27C/B Penetrator warhead case assemblies with associated components. Work will be performed at Lima, Ohio; and Irvine, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be complete by Oct. 28, 2027. This award is the result of two sole source acquisitions. Fiscal 2018 ammunition production funds in the amount of $3,000 per contractor for the initial delivery order are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. Industries of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been awarded an estimated $30,000,000 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the customization and distribution of Air Force Sales Promotional Items (SPIs). This contract provides for the customization and distribution of SPIs. Work will be performed at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is expected to be complete by Oct. 31, 2024. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds are being used and no funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Installation Contracting Center, the 338th Specialized Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-20-D-0004). ARMY Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon, was awarded an $8,074,147 firm-fixed-price contract for dredge vessel Essayons ship repair and overhaul. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Portland, Oregon, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2020. Fiscal 2020 revolving funds in the amount of $8,074,147 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, Oregon, is the contracting activity (W9127N-19-G-0002). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2001094/source/GovDelivery/