26 septembre 2018 | International, C4ISR
By Heather Kuldell, Managing Editor
Companies bidding on the Defense Department's multibillion-dollar Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud contract will need to hand-deliver their proposals.
“In lieu of electronic submission, an offeror's entire proposal shall be captured on one or more DVDs and submitted in person only. No other forms of submission will be accepted,” the department said in an amendment to the JEDI request for proposal posted Monday.
The department also pushed the deadline back a few days. Bidders must contact JEDI procurement officials by 5 p.m. Eastern time Oct. 10 to get logistical details for turning in their proposals in person on Oct. 12.
It's the second time the department extended JEDI's original Sept. 17 deadline, following other amendments that answered industry questions and a pre-award bid protest from Oracle.
Defense officials describe the JEDI acquisition as the foundation for hosting mission-critical data for warfighters around the world. But since it was announced a year ago, the procurement has drawn scrutiny from industry and lawmakers for requiring a single cloud service provider instead of multiple vendors. The contract could be worth up to $10 billion over 10 years if all the follow-on options are exercised.
But before the project sees a cent, Congress wants more insight into JEDI and the rest of the department's cloud computing projects. In the final conference report for the Defense-related minibus, appropriators order the defense secretary to deliver a cloud-centric budget accounting plan and a detailed, enterprisewide cloud computing strategy that includes “defining opportunities for multiple cloud service providers.” The department would be prohibited from spending anything on JEDI or the Defense Enterprise Office Solutions—another multibillion-dollar cloud contract—until 90 days after those plans are delivered to defense committees.
“The conferees believe cloud computing, if implemented properly, will have far-reaching benefits for improving the efficiency of day-to-day operations of the Department of Defense, as well as enabling new military capabilities critical to maintaining a tactical advantage over adversaries,” lawmakers wrote in the joint explanatory statement.
The Senate passed the minibus—which also includes labor, health, education and a continuing resolution—last week. The House is scheduled to vote on the package this week.
https://www.nextgov.com/it-modernization/2018/09/pentagon-extends-jedi-deadline-again-catch/151541/
23 mars 2022 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
'Our adversaries have a different philosophy' when it comes to testing tech like hypersonics, Sen. Angus King said. 'They test and test and test and fail and fail and fail, and learn every time and end up beating us."
1 février 2021 | International, Aérospatial
By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin announced Jan. 29 the appointment of Greg Ulmer as the company's executive vice president of aeronautics, making him the top executive overseeing flagship aviation programs such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as well as the secretive Skunk Works development shop. Ulmer, 56, has spent the past three years leading the F-35 program, Lockheed's largest effort and one of its biggest money makers. As vice president and general manager, Ulmer oversaw the program as the focus transitioned from development to driving down procurement and sustainment costs. He also previously worked as the head of operations at Skunk Works, the advanced development arm of Lockheed known for its work on secret projects. “With Greg's wide-ranging experience and impressive record of leadership, we are confident that Aeronautics will continue its legacy of success under his leadership,” said Lockheed President and CEO Jim Taiclet. Ulmer replaces Michele Evans, who passed away earlier this month. Over the past two years, Evans had taken medical leaves of absence due to a cancer diagnosis. During those periods, Ulmer filled in as the head of the aeronautics business. He officially takes over the executive vice president role on Feb. 1, the company stated. Ulmer graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering and obtained a master's degree in business management from the University of Tennessee. In addition to Ulmer's appointment, the company announced that Taiclet will become chairman of the board on March 1, after former CEO Marillyn Hewson retires as executive chairman. Hewson will continue work as a strategic adviser to Taiclet until Feb. 28, 2022. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/01/29/lockheeds-f-35-program-head-to-lead-aeronautics-biz
7 décembre 2020 | International, Aérospatial
France will launch the Future Combat Air System (SCAF) demonstrator next year as part of the enhancement of the armed forces' operational capabilities. Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, made the announcement as part of the discussion of the Finance Bill (PLF) for 2021 in the French parliament on Thursday. In addition to the SCAF demonstrator, equipment deliveries include 157 Griffon and 20 Jaguar armored vehicles for the Army, a new Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM) for the French Navy and three new aircraft-MRTT Phénix for the French Air and Space Army. The Senate adopted the bill which provides a budget hike of 4.5% compared to the 2020 budget. In 2021, the army's budget is increased to 39.2 billion euros, 1.7 billion euros more than in 2020. The main thrusts of this budget are the ramp-up of major facilities, support for the French economy and the dynamism of the regions, and an investment effort in terms of innovation, recruitment and the Family plan, Parly said. Minister Parly was quoted as saying in a MoD release, "the 2021 defense budget assignment for the third consecutive year, followed the commitments and financial trajectory of the Military Program Law (LPM) 2019-2025.” The (FCAS- French acronym SCAF) a French-German-Spanish project, received the go-ahead to commence the demonstrator phase in February this year. On February 12 the French and German governments awarded an initial framework contract to Dassault (France) and Airbus (German), besides major system partners MTU Aero Engines, Safran, MBDA, and Thales. https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28469#.X86XENhKiUk