28 décembre 2023 | International, Sécurité

UK to lead NATO’s 2024 rapid response force

From 1 January 2024, the United Kingdom’s 7th Light Mechanised Brigade will lead NATO’s rapid reaction force, placing thousands of soldiers on standby and ready to deploy within days. NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) was created after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and was deployed for the first time for collective defence of the Alliance after Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The leadership position is rotated annually among Allies. The UK takes over from Germany, which led the force in 2023.

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_221565.htm?selectedLocale=en

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  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - March 11, 2019

    12 mars 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité, Autre défense

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - March 11, 2019

    DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Alon USA LP, Dallas, Texas (SPE602-19-D-0460, $94,761,255); BP Products North America Inc., Chicago, Illinois (SPE602-19-D-046, $336,763,299); BP Products North America Inc., Chicago, Illinois (SPE602-19-D-0462, $94,753,559); Calumet Shreveport Fuels LLC,* Indianapolis, Indiana (SPE602-19-D-0463, $91,042,014); Epic Aviation LLC,* Salem, Oregon (SPE602-19-D-0464, $36,973,147); Equilon Enterprises, doing business as Shell Oil Products, Houston, Texas (SPE602-19-D-0465, $259,795,782); Exxon Mobil Fuels Lubricants & Specialties Marketing Co., Spring, Texas (SPE602-19-D-0466, $90,495,076); Hunt Refining Co., Tuscaloosa, Alabama (SPE602-19-D-0467, $34,052,469); Husky Marketing & Supply Co. Dublin, Ohio (SPE602-19-D-0468, $81,348,500); Lazarus Energy Holdings LLC,* Houston, Texas (SPE602-19-D-0470, $125,906,184); Petromax Refining Co.,* Houston, Texas (SPE602-19-D-0477, $241,944,848); Placid Refining Co. LLC,* Port Allen, Louisiana (SPE602-19-D-0472, $124,968,052); Tesoro Refining & Marketing Co., LLC, San Antonio, Texas (SPE602-19-D-0473, $45,029,489); Valero Marketing and Supply Co., San Antonio, Texas (SPE602-19-D-0474, $141,128,080); Wynnewood Energy Co., Sugarland, Texas (SPE602-19-D-0475, $92,328,466); Hermes Consolidated LLC, doing business as Wyoming Refining Co.,* Houston, Texas (SPE602-19-D-0476, $42,147,054); and Phillips 66 Co., Houston, Texas (SPE602-19-D-0478, $884,362,445), have each been awarded a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPE602-18-R-0717 for various types of fuel. These were competitive acquisitions with 32 offers received. These are one-year contracts with a 30-day carryover. Locations of performance are Texas, Ohio, Alabama, Wyoming, Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, with a March 31, 2019, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency Energy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. ARMY Jacobs Technology Inc., Tampa, Florida, was awarded a $785,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for instructors. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 14, 2026. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-19-D-0004). Jacobs Technology Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was awarded a $38,253,942 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for testing for evaluation of various interactions of chemical and biological agents. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, with an estimated completion date of June 23, 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,392,148 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, is the contracting activity (W911S6-19-C-0002). Atlantic Diving Supply Inc.,* Virginia Beach, Virginia (W81XWH-19-A-0003); American Purchasing Services LLC,* Miramar, Florida (W81XWH-19-A-0004); and TQM LLC, Saint Charles, Missouri (W81XWH-19-A-0005), will compete for each order of the $20,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract for brand-name medical equipment repair parts. 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 March 10, 2024. U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Cubic Global Defense Inc., San Diego, California, was awarded a $7,996,042 modification (P00003) to contract W564KV-18-F-0001 for analytical support services. Work will be performed in Stuttgart, Germany, with an estimated completion date of March 9, 2023. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $7,996,042 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army 409th Combat Support Battalion, Kaiserslautern, Germany, is the contracting activity. (Awarded March 10, 2019) NAVY Dell Marketing LP, Round Rock, Texas, was awarded an estimated $231,170,000 firm-fixed-price blanket purchase agreement (BPA) in accordance with the firm's General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule contract. This agreement will provide VMware brand-name software licenses, software maintenance and services to the Department of the Navy (DON). The products will meet the following functional capabilities: data center and Cloud infrastructure; networking and security; storage and availability; Cloud management; network functions virtualization; digital workspace; desktop and application virtualization; and training. Under the Enterprise Software Initiative, the DON leverages its aggregate buying power to establish enterprise agreements with information technology manufacturers and resellers for high demand, commercial-off-the-shelf IT products and services. This BPA will be available for ordering VMware products and services throughout the Navy, worldwide, and the ordering period is expected to be completed March 7, 2023. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using operations and maintenance (Navy) funds. This contract was competitively procured via publication on the GSA E-Buy website with 895 vendors solicited, three offers received, and one selected for award. Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-A-0055). (Awarded March 8, 2019) Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded an $89,534,733 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide sustainment and engineering services in support of the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System. Additionally, this contract procures the technical expertise of field service representatives, logisticians and test support to ensure MQ-4C air vehicles and mission control and operator training systems are fully sustained and mission capable. Work will be performed at Patuxent River, Maryland (45 percent); Jacksonville, Florida (25 percent); Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (20 percent); and Point Mugu, California (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $69,309,254 will be obligated at time of award, $4,000,000 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-1020). General Atomics, San Diego, California, is awarded $18,898,425 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N0001919F2709 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0006). This delivery order provides Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) integrated test and evaluation effort for EMALS test site operations, Failure Reporting Analysis and Corrective Actions System, prototype and testing, environmental qualification testing and remediation, electromagnetic interference testing, and training efforts. Work will be performed in Lakewood, New Jersey (60 percent); Tupelo, Mississippi (25 percent); and Rancho Bernardo, California (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $18,898,425 will be obligated at time of award, $2,737,924 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Bethel-Webcor JV-1,* Anchorage, Alaska, is awarded $11,470,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N4425519F4123 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N44255-17-D-4032) for the P-253 Fleet Support Facility at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. The work to be performed provides for the construction of P-253 Fleet Support Facility to include construction of a single-story addition to Building 2836. The facility provides space for storage of equipment as well as material receiving, processing, staging and shipping areas associated with the operation. It will also include the renovation of the administration and operations spaces in Building 2836. The project also modifies those spaces which will be required to provide a connection to the new addition. This project will provide Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) features and comply with AT/FP regulations and physical security in accordance with Department of Defense Minimum Anti-Terrorism Standards for Buildings. Work will be completed in Oak Harbor, Washington, and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $11,470,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Washington, is the contracting activity. U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc., Christiana, Tennessee, was awarded an estimated $49,936,300, five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract (H92403-19-D-0002) for the purchase of advanced sniper rifles in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $387,234 are being obligated at the time of award. The work will be performed in Christiana, and is scheduled to be completed by March 2024. The solicitation was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website under “full and open competition” and six proposals were received. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Etegent Technologies Ltd., Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a $24,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for research and development. This contract provides for further development of cognitively-derived analyst tools to support the integration of more fully integrated intelligence products of greater relevance to the warfighter, and transitioning of analyst-aiding tools and technologies within the Department of Defense intelligence community. Work will be performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and is expected to be complete by March 11, 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 24 offers were received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $ $599,250 are being obligated on the initial task order at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Research Site, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-D-6939). DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $9,673,729 modification (P00001) to previously awarded contract FA2860-19-C-0005 for the rotary wing aircraft maintenance contract. This modification provides for services to support all management, personnel, equipment and services necessary to perform helicopter maintenance in support of aircraft assigned to the 11th Wing and their customers. Work will be performed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $75,020,715. The 11th Contracting Squadron, Services Flight, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity. WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES Marcon Inc., Falls Church, Virginia, has been awarded a $10,646,332 firm-fixed-price contract. The contract is to provide technical and managerial assistance as related to all elements of facility planning, program and project execution, including a wide range of analytical and planning, design, and construction management support services to assist the Washington Headquarters Services Facilities Services Directorate in the accomplishment of its missions. Work performance will take place at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. Fiscal 2019 Pentagon Reservation Maintenance Revolving funds in the amount of $10,646,332 are being awarded. The expected completion date is Jan. 30, 2023. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-17-D-0016). *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1782108/

  • Europe Switzerland’s $6.5 billion fighter jet plan narrowly passes referendum

    29 septembre 2020 | International, Aérospatial

    Europe Switzerland’s $6.5 billion fighter jet plan narrowly passes referendum

    Sebastian Sprenger COLOGNE, Germany — Swiss voters have approved a government plan to spend $6.5 billion on new fighter aircraft by a margin of 8,670 votes, with the two U.S. vendors in the race feeling the backlash of anti-Trump sentiments. Sunday's vote translates into a razor-thin majority of 50.1 percent, or 1,605,700 votes, in favor of the acquisition. There was 49.9 percent, or 1,597,030 votes, against. The voter turnout was 59.4 percent, according to figures published online Sunday evening by the Federal Chancellery. Defence Minister Viola Amherd told reporters she considers the result, however close, a mandate to continue ongoing evaluations of the Eurofighter, the Rafale, the F-18 Super Hornet and the F-35A. “The vote represents a long-term investment in the security of the Swiss population and infrastructure,” she said. Prodded by reporters about the the narrowness of the vote, she said: “In a democracy it's a given that we respect the majority decision.” The Swiss legislature last week approved the budget for the Air 2030 modernization program, which includes $6.5 billion for 30-40 new aircraft and $2 billion for a complementary ground-based, air defense system. Amherd stressed that the aircraft budget is to be seen as a ceiling. “If we can get suitable aircraft for less, we will certainly look at that,” she said. All vendors must meet a deadline of Nov. 18 to deliver final proposals. The government will then evaluate the bids throughout the first half of 2021 and make a decision on the aircraft type and missile defense hardware by June. Opponents of the plan could still derail it by seeking another referendum, a step that would require 100,000 signatures and could take years to unfold. The Swiss opposition was energized in part by voters' views about the government of U.S. President Donald Trump, according to local media reports. During the pre-referendum campaign, the two U.S. vendors in the running, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, saw themselves lumped in with his foreign policy approach, considered reckless by many in the wealthy European countries such as Switzerland. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/09/28/switzerlands-65-billion-fighter-jet-plan-narrowly-passes-referendum/

  • CAE Wants to Help the Pentagon Train Pilots Through Data Analysis

    29 avril 2019 | International, Aérospatial

    CAE Wants to Help the Pentagon Train Pilots Through Data Analysis

    By Brian Garrett-Glaser Canadian simulator and training provider CAE is in talks with the U.S. Navy to add its new high-tech data analysis tool suite, CAE Rise, to existing and future programs, including aircrew training services for the T-44C Pegasus, according to the company. Launched for the civil aviation market in 2017, CAE Rise allows instructors to objectively assess pilot competencies using live data during training sessions, accessible via iPad interface. CAE pitches the system as a means of using big data analysis to reduce subjectivity in pilot assessment, allow instructors to focus more on teaching and help create more efficient training programs. The CAE Rise system can "detect everything for a maneuver, and it's able to tell the instructor what parameter went out of whack, where [the pilot] did not do according to standards,” said Terry Constantakis, CAE's director of civil aviation training solutions. “So in terms of key benefits for CAE Rise, we often use the term ‘better than the naked eye' in terms of detecting errors and helping the instructor provide assessments,” he added. “It also allows the instructor to focus more on soft skills. For example, when we look at things like grading, we noticed that when instructors have RISE they spend more time providing comments on soft skills like teamwork, communication and workload management — things that are not necessarily performance-based or technical skills.” CAE Rise has been adopted by a number of airlines in Asia, including a five-year agreement with AirAsia to train its long-haul pilots to fly for affiliate airline AirAsia X on the Airbus A330. More recently, in late 2018, CAE released its RISE data suite for the defense market, with key features like development on Microsoft Azure Government for cloud computing to meet government cybersecurity and compliance requirements. The company is offering CAE Rise to the Pentagon as an enhancement to its current contract for T-44C aircrew training devices, which the company began delivering in 2014. “As far as what branches of the U.S. military have expressed an interest, I will say we have had ongoing discussions with the U.S. Navy,” said a company spokesperson. “We have briefed and demonstrated to the Navy how CAE Rise could be used to enhance and improve naval aviator training.” “There are no other CAE Rise customers on the defense side that we can disclose currently,” the spokesperson added. CAE hopes the platform will, in addition to improving the quality of aviation training services, help address the global civil and military pilot shortage that is expected to worsen in coming decades. The company's analysis on pilot demand published in 2016 estimated a need for 180,000 new captains globally within the next 10 years. Drivers of that shortage differ regionally but include aging populations of pilots reaching retirement, expected growth in air travel and falling supply from universities, business aviation and military training compared to previous decades. https://www.aviationtoday.com/2019/04/25/cae-wants-help-pentagon-train-pilots-data-analysis/

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