Nouvelles

AIR FORCE Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Illinois, has been awarded a $3,600,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Large Aircraft Infrared Counter Measures (LAIRCM) equipment and support. This contract provides for LAIRCM line replaceable units, support equipment, logistics support related activities, systems and sustaining engineering, program management, and other efforts necessary supporting efforts specified in each task/delivery order. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and is expected to be completed by December 2025. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. This contract involves numerous foreign military sales requirements and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8638-19-D-0001). L-3 Technologies, Greenville, Texas, has been awarded an $8,600,988 firm-fixed-price contract modification to previously awarded contract FA8620-16-G-3027/FA8620-18-F-4816 for management support services. The contract modification provides for the exercise of an option for additional services being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Greenville, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2019. This contract involves 100 percent Foreign Military Sales and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $8,600,988 are being obligated at the time of award. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. CORRECTION: The contract announced on Dec. 14, 2018, to Peraton Inc., Herndon, Virginia (FA8750-19-F-0003) for Xdomain technology through research, evolution, enhancement, maintenance, and support software and report, was actually awarded today, Dec. 17, 2018. All other information in the announcement is correct. ARMY BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $375,932,453 hybrid (firm-fixed-price and fixed-price-incentive) contract for Mobile Protected Firepower middle tier acquisition and rapid prototyping effort with low-rate initial production options. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 15, 2025. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $175,974,048 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-C-0035). General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $335,043,086 hybrid (firm-fixed-price and fixed-price-incentive) contract for Mobile Protected Firepower middle tier acquisition and rapid prototyping effort with low-rate initial production options. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 15, 2025. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $175,011,179 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-C-0036). Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $91,250,000 modification (P00069) to contract W31P4Q-15-C-0102 for procurement of Joint-Air-to-Ground missiles under the initial phases of the Low-rate Initial Production 3. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2022. Fiscal 2017, and 2018 other procurement Army funds in the amount of $91,250,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Foster-Miller Inc., doing business as QinetiQ North America, Waltham, Massachusetts, was awarded a $90,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the reset, sustainment, maintenance and recap to support the overall sustainment actions of the Tactical Adaptable Light Ordnance Neutralization family of robotic systems. 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 Dec. 16, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-D-0024). Gilbane Building Co., Providence, Rhode Island, was awarded a $12,651,574 firm-fixed-price contract for modifications to an operational training facility, Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Iwakuni City, Japan, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 3, 2019. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 military construction funds in the amount of $12,651,574 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Camp Zama, Japan, is the contracting activity (W912HV-19-C-0002). NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., Owego, New York, is awarded a $92,500,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for technical, management, and process support to maintain, upgrade, and deploy software and systems configurations for all H-60 variants in support of the Navy and the governments of Denmark, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. Work will be performed in Owego, New York, and is expected to be completed in September 2023. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,392,660 will be obligated at time of award, all 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. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($70,010,000; 75.68 percent); and the governments of Australia ($15,430,000; 16.68 percent); Denmark ($3,530,000; 3.82 percent); and Saudi Arabia ($3,530,000; 3.82 percent), under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-D-0005). Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $39,395,512 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N0024-16-C-2415 to exercise Option Year 3 for life cycle engineering and support services for the LPD 17 class amphibious transport dock ship program. The services include post-delivery planning and engineering; homeport technical support; class integrated product data environment; data maintenance and equipment management; systems integration and engineering support; LPD 17 class design services; research engineering; obsolescence management; class material readiness; emergent repair provision; training and logistics support; ship alteration development and installation; material management; operating cycle integration; availability planning; and configuration data management. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (96 percent); Norfolk, Virginia (1 percent); San Diego, California (1 percent); Mayport, Florida (1 percent); and Sasebo, Japan (1 percent), and is expected to be complete by December 2019. Fiscal 2012, 2016, 2017, 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,057,104 will be obligated at time of award and contract funds in the amount of $18,017,669 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $28,573,043 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-17-C-2473 to exercise options for the accomplishment of the industrial post-delivery availability and planning, engineering and management efforts for the post-delivery planning yard services in support of the LHA 7 amphibious assault ship. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2012 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $21,200,000; and fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,355,011 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. Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, California is awarded $21,987,176 for cost-plus-fixed-fee modification P00017 under a previously awarded contract (N00030-17-C-0100) to exercise options for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed system support. The work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California (61.25 percent); Denver, Colorado (36.04 percent); and Titusville, Florida (2.71 percent), and is expected to be completed Dec. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,987,176 are obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. B.E. Meyers and Co. Inc.,* Redmond, Washington, is awarded a $10,348,345 delivery order (M67854-19-F-1529 0002) from a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-14-D-1040) for the purchase of 917 Ocular Interruption Systems. Work will be performed at Redmond, Washington, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $10,348,345 will be obligated at the time of award and no funds will expire the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Harris Corp., Clifton, New Jersey, is awarded $9,835,000 for firm-fixed-price delivery order modification 000105 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00016-16-G-0003) for production and qualification of ten Digital Receiver/Technique Generator Gen2 shipsets for the ALQ-214A(V)4/5 on-board jammer system in support of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) requirements. Two system spread benches are also being procured and delivered under this modification. Work will be performed in Clifton, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed in April 2020. FMS funds in the amount $9,835,000 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. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded $8,988,458 for modification P00007 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001917C0059) for engineering and technical support for the flight test demonstration of an extended range capability in support of the Joint Stand Off Weapon extended range Phase 3b development effort. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Strategic Capabilities Office) funds in the amount of $661,621 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded $8,704,807 for delivery order N0001919F0273 against a previously issued firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0021) in support of the E-6B Mercury aircraft. This order provides for non-recurring engineering for the installation of the Digital Red Switch System (DRSS) kits into the Mission Avionics Systems Trainer (MAST), as well as the procurement of six DRSS kits for the aircraft and one for MAST. Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas, and is expected to be completed in September 2022. Fiscal 2018, and 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,704,807will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Corp., Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is awarded $7,993,664 for modification P00004 to cost-plus-fixed-price delivery order 0027 previously issued against a basic ordering agreement (N0001915G0026). This modification provides for the procurement of additional organic depot and intermediate level repair publications in support of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft, including the structural repair manual and organic depot and intermediate level repair publications. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Florida (79.6 percent); St. Augustine, Florida (11.6 percent); Menlo Park, California (7.3 percent); and Bethpage, New York (1.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2020. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,993,664 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. TKH-ASI LLC,* Kahului, Hawaii, is awarded $7,744,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247819F4034 under a previously awarded, multiple award construction contract (N62478-16-D-4016) to repair unaccompanied housing Building 2, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Wahiawa Annex, Hawaii. The work to be performed provides for repair of Station B1 (located in Facility S1104) and interconnecting Station B1 with Station B29. Project work will include replacing old and deteriorated components in Station B1, adding a primary circuit and circuit breaker to Station B29, and installing underground feeder cables to interconnect and consolidate Stations B1 and B29. Work will be performed in Oahu, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $7,744,000 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, Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, has been awarded an $11,499,928 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRPA1-19-F-KQ1B) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (SPE4A1-17-G-0017) with no option periods for 11 auxiliary power units for the P-8 aircraft. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulations 6.302-1. This is an 11-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Arizona, with a Nov. 11, 2019, performance completion date. Using customers are Navy and the United Kingdom. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019, Navy working capital funds and Foreign Military Sales funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1716020/source/GovDelivery/

Bloomberg News, Natalie Obiko Pearson Canada was looking for a way out of a US$13 billion deal to export armored vehicles to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a televised interview Sunday. “We are engaged with the export permits to try and see if there is a way of no longer exporting these vehicles to Saudi Arabia,” Trudeau told CTV on Sunday, without elaborating. Amid growing international outrage over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the government has been reviewing the planned sale of the armored vehicles made by London, Ontario-based General Dynamics Land Systems, a unit of U.S.-based General Dynamics Corp. Trudeau's administration has said it wouldn't issue new export permits during its review of the deal, which was signed by the previous government. The Canadian leader had indicated previously that his government's hands were somewhat tied by the contract, saying it could cost $1 billion to cancel it. “The murder of a journalist is absolutely unacceptable and that's why Canada from the very beginning had been demanding answers and solutions on that,” Trudeau told CTV. https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/trudeau-says-canada-wants-out-of-saudi-vehicle-export-deal

By: Jussi Niinistö Today we are all adapting to a new security environment, both in Europe and globally. From the Finnish point of view, we can see some continuity and some new elements. After the Cold War ended, Finland did not initiate a massive defense transformation. Even though we started to build interoperability with our NATO partners and participated in crisis management operations, the main focus of the Finnish Defence Forces was always the defense of our own territory. Our consistent policy was to keep our defense strong. The upcoming investments — including four new corvettes for the Navy and replacement of the Finnish Air Force's F-18 fleet — and new defense-related legislation will further strengthen our readiness and national defense. What has changed in our current environment, however, is that other European Union and NATO countries have also started to focus on the defense of their own territory, and NATO's presence is the Baltic Sea region has increased. This has enhanced stability and security in the Baltic Sea region. At the same time, increased presence in our neighborhood has created more training opportunities. Increased cooperation and coordination is also needed because of our geography and a shared security environment, which creates some interdependency. This type of defense cooperation is based on a shared, common interest. Today, the Finnish Defence Forces are more capable and more interoperable than they have ever been. That makes us effective in looking after our own security and a solid partner for other EU member states and NATO countries. For Finland, the European Union has always been a security provider. It is increasingly also a facilitator and enabler of defense cooperation. The union has tools that other organizations lack. The European Defence Fund or promoting military mobility in Europe are just a few examples, and only a beginning, as we are moving from out-of-area crisis management to a more strategic approach to protecting Europe and its citizens. Although all the EU member states have agreed on the direction we are heading, some want to move faster than others. The vision for the future must bring countries together instead of sowing divisions. The more the EU can do for defense, the better for NATO and the trans-Atlantic link. A more capable and integrated Europe is also a stronger trans-Atlantic partner. In this respect, more EU does not mean less NATO. EU and NATO must continue to coordinate their actions on both hard and soft security. I hope this illustrates why we, in Finland, do not see European strategic autonomy as an alternative to NATO or as an alternative to a strong trans-Atlantic link. It is also essential to mention the Nordic Defence Cooperation, which has also adapted to changes in our shared security environment. In November, the Nordic defense ministers adopted a new Vision 2025 for taking our cooperation forward. The vision states that we will improve our defense capability and cooperation in peace, crisis and conflict, and that we will ensure a close Nordic political and military dialogue on security and defense. This regional cooperation supports what we are doing in the EU and together with NATO. During my time as the minister of defense of Finland, we have taken other steps to strengthen the trans-Atlantic link. A prime example is our bilateral defense relationship with the United States. In October 2016, we signed our bilateral statement of intent on defense cooperation. This was later followed by a trilateral statement of intent between Finland, Sweden and the United States in May 2018. The statements of intent speak to both the depth and width of our cooperation, including joint exercises, policy dialogue and materiel cooperation. In the coming years, these links will be further strengthened. We must also keep our minds on the bigger picture. There is a dual challenge: to sustain the vital trans-Atlantic relationship and further strengthen European security. These goals can best be achieved by increasing European capabilities. Europe needs to finds its voice and speak, alongside the United States. Jussi Niinistö is Finland's defense minister. https://www.defensenews.com/outlook/2018/12/10/finlands-defense-minister-continuity-and-change-in-finnish-defense-policy/

By: Raimundas Karoblis The end of the year is a traditional time to pause for reflection and take a moment to look ahead. Especially so, if the upcoming year brings an important milestone, like the 70th anniversary of the North Atlantic Alliance. From the outside, it may seem that NATO is approaching the year 2019 quite perplexed, if not embattled. The important decisions of the NATO Brussels Summit were overshadowed by acrimonious public exchanges among the allies on the highly sensitive issue of burden-sharing. Moreover, the recent initiatives on European defense — in particular, all the talk about a “European army” — are perceived by many as highly divisive and damaging to the very foundations of NATO. However, to paraphrase a famous saying, the rumors of the imminent death of the alliance seem to be greatly exaggerated. The burden-sharing drama at the NATO Brussels Summit has obscured the vitally important decisions that were taken there to prepare the alliance for the post-2014 security environment. Whereas the earlier NATO summits in Wales and Warsaw focused on quick-impact deterrence measures to support the most vulnerable allies, the Brussels Summit marks the start of a systemic NATO adaptation to the conventional threat posed by Russia (as well as to the threats emanating from the south). This adaptation will take many years to complete, but its impact will be durable and profound. In the course of 2019 we will see the key elements of NATO's long-term adaptation process taking shape. In February, NATO will start systemic implementation of a reinforcement strategy, which will be a major step in carrying out the Readiness Initiative, better known as the Four Thirties. The initiative aims at providing the alliance with more high-readiness forces — a crucial aspect in today's security context. Furthermore, we will be making significant advances with the NATO Command Structure update and upgrade. Work will continue in setting up the new Cyberspace Operations Centre in Belgium to provide situational awareness and coordination of operational activity within cyberspace — a capacity that is long overdue in the alliance. Next year, the Joint Support and Enabling Command in Germany will achieve its initial operational capability to ensure rapid movement of troops and equipment into and across Europe, which has become one of the most pressing operational needs. All of these steps will make us more fit to plan and execute operations in today's demanding security environment. A significantly improved financial background is another major reason to approach the new year optimistically. In fact, if there is any drama in the NATO context, it is the dramatically increased defense budgets across the alliance. Last year we witnessed the most substantial growth in defense spending since the end of the Cold War, and 2019 will continue to mark further progress in this area, with the majority of the allies nearing the fulfillment of their commitment to reach 2 percent of their gross domestic product by 2024. Two eastern flank allies — Lithuania and Poland — have committed to moving well-beyond this number, striving to raise their defense spending to 2.5 percent of the GDP by 2030. We should be soon starting to see how the additional investments translate into more and better capabilities for the alliance. We are also approaching 2019 after a year of passionate discussions on European defense and the ways to organize it. There are voices putting forward ideas on how the European Union should strengthen its “strategic autonomy” and make sure it is able to ensure security independently. The launch of the Permanent Structured Cooperation and other European initiatives are sometimes interpreted across the Atlantic as an attempt to build an alternative to the alliance. We find such fears ungrounded. Europe's own defense efforts notwithstanding, NATO is bound to remain an irreplaceable pillar of collective defense on the European continent. It is the sole organization that can provide truly credible deterrence and defense for its members. As keen supporters of NATO-EU cooperation, we are very pleased to have witnessed the recent expansion of this cooperation into new areas. This cooperation has acquired additional importance with the finish line of Brexit just around the corner. While leaving the EU, the United Kingdom will remain in Europe, with every significant defense problem in and around the continent still affecting it. The U.K. has already assumed an immense role within NATO in addressing them, and the country has continuously indicated that its commitment to the alliance will be even stronger following Brexit. In welcoming a new year and a new chapter of its history, NATO is not doing it perplexed. The alliance is turning a new leaf, is proud of its achievements and with confidence is looking toward the future. For this reason, I am sure that 2019 is going to be a great year for the alliance. Raimundas Karoblis is the defense minister of Lithuania. https://www.defensenews.com/outlook/2018/12/10/lithuanias-defense-minister-it-will-be-a-good-year-for-nato/

By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — As the Trump administration and Congress deliberate the Defense Department's top-line budget for fiscal 2020, safeguarding the military's weapons programs and funding technology development is taking precedence over growing the force, the Pentagon's No. 2 official said Thursday. “At the end of the day, the national defense strategy puts a priority on modernization,” Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters Dec. 13. “The trick then becomes, when you talk about force structure, how much risk do you take given the world's environment?” Shanahan's comments come at a time of back-and-forth between President Donald Trump, Defense Department leadership and Congress about the size of the FY20 defense budget. Pentagon budget makers had been planning for a $733 billion budget request — a modest increase over the $716 billion budget for FY19 — when Trump announced in October that the Defense Department's budget would instead be cut to $700 billion. The move surprised many, as Trump had frequently touted his administration's efforts to grow the size of the military and invest in new defense technology. The announcement raised questions about what the Pentagon would have to cut in order to meet the lower number, but it appears that those concerns may have been premature. Earlier this week, Politico and other outlets reported that congressional Republicans and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had convinced Trump to raise the top line to $750 billion. Shanahan on Thursday downplayed the reports, saying that a final top line had yet to be determined. "We're looking at numbers above $733 [billion], and as you know, we looked at numbers below $733 [billion]. I think everybody recognizes that this is a discussion that will go on in terms of what is the right number. The process we have is very robust,” he said. No matter what the top line ends up looking like, the goal will be “anchor[ing] line items to the National Defense Strategy. That's the rigor we put in place,” he added. With a top line above $733 billion, it's possible the Defense Department will be able to grow both its modernization accounts as well as funding for improving readiness and increasing force structure. But Shanahan, who spoke at a National Defense Industrial Association event on hypersonics on Thursday, tried to quell defense contractors' concerns that funding for hypersonic technologies, and science and technology development in general, could suffer under a budget that rings in at $733 billion or below. Asked by one Lockheed Martin employee whether funding for hypersonics programs would remain reliable in light of budgetary fluctuations, Shanahan said his level of confidence was high it would. “We've prioritized amortization,” he said. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/2018/12/14/modernization-top-priority-in-fy20-budget-pentagons-no-2-official-says/

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Spacelabs Healthcare Inc., Snoqualmie, Washington, has been awarded a maximum $450,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for patient monitoring systems, accessories and training. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. This was a competitive acquisition with 36 responses received. Location of performance is Washington, with a Dec. 13, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2D1-19-D-0008). OrthoScan, Scottsdale, Arizona, has been awarded a maximum $125,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for radiology systems, accessories and training. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. This was a competitive acquisition with 50 responses received. Location of performance is Arizona, with a Dec. 13, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2D1-19-D-0007). UPDATE: Moridge Manufacturing Inc., Moundridge, Kansas (SPE8EC-19-D-0031) has been added as an awardee to the multiple-award contract for commercial agricultural equipment, issued against solicitation SPE8EC-17-R-0007, announced May 18, 2017. NAVY Textron Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, is awarded a $314,288,369 modification to previously awarded letter contract N00024-17-C-2480 for the procurement of additional long lead time material (LLTM) for the Ship to Shore Connector program, Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 100 Class Craft 109 through 118, for the continuation of pre-fabrication activities for LCAC 109 through 112, and for the initial procurement of LLTM for LCAC 119 through 123. The SSC Program is the functional replacement for the existing fleet of vehicles, which are nearing the end of their service life. It is an Air Cushion Vehicle designed for a 30-year service life. The SSC mission is to land surface assault elements in support of Operational Maneuver from the Sea, at over-the-horizon distances, while operating from amphibious ships and mobile landing platforms. SSC provides increased performance to handle current and future missions, as well as improvements which will increase craft availability and reduce total ownership cost. Work will be performed in New Orleans, Louisiana (46 percent); Leesburg, Virginia (18 percent); Mandal, Norway (8 percent); Gloucester, United Kingdom (7 percent); Livonia, Michigan (7 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (4 percent); Eatontown, New Jersey (2 percent); Gold Beach, Oregon (2 percent); Riverdale, Iowa (2 percent); Huntington Beach, California (2 percent); Metairie, Louisiana (2 percent), and is expected to be complete by July 2023. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the combined amount of $235,716,277 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 Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $149,435,507 cost-plus-incentive contract for the engineering, manufacturing, and development of Standard Missile-2 Block IIIC. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (85 percent); Wolverhampton, England (6 percent); East Aurora, New York (6 percent); Middletown, Ohio (2 percent); and Englewood, Colorado (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2022. Fiscal 2019 and 2018 research, development, testing and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amounts of $50,090,148 and $234,663 respectively will be obligated at time of award. Funding in the amount of $234,663 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 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. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-5412). Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $32,636,301 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-5432 for over-the-horizon weapon systems. Work will be performed in Kongsberg, Norway (75 percent); Tucson, Arizona (15 percent); Schrobenhausen, Germany (4 percent); Raufoss, Norway (3 percent); McKinney, Texas (2 percent); and Louisville, Kentucky (1 percent), and is expected to be complete by December 2020. Fiscal 2019 weapon procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, testing, and evaluation (Navy); and fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) in the amount of $32,636,301 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 Navy Yard, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $32,162,533 cost-only contract for long lead material in support of fiscal 2019 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 low-rate initial production requirements. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort to design, develop, test, and procure ESSM missiles. The ESSM provides enhanced ship defense. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (43 percent); and the governments of Canada, Australia, Germany, Norway, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Denmark under the NATO Sea Sparrow Consortium. Work will be performed in Raufoss, Norway (47 percent); Mississauga, Canada (32 percent); and Richmond, Australia (21 percent), and is expected to be complete by December 2022. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2018 and 2019 weapons procurement (Navy); and non-expiring Other Funds funding in the amount of $21,991,327 will be obligated at time of award and funds in the amount of $216,649 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with the authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(4). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-5418). Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $24,717,120 cost-only contract for long lead material in support of fiscal 2019 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 1 production and spares requirements. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort to design, develop, test, and procure ESSM missiles. The ESSM provides enhanced ship defense. This contract includes foreign military sales to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Work will be performed in Raufoss, Norway (44 percent); Mississauga, Canada (34 percent); and Richmond, Australia (22 percent), and is expected to be complete by December 2021. Foreign military sales funding in the amount of $23,846,439 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 in accordance with the authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(4). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-5410). Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, has been issued a fixed-price-incentive firm target modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-17-C-2301) to exercise options for the construction of two fiscal 2019 littoral combat ships (LCS). The Navy has not completed the competition for fiscal 2019 LCS class ships, therefore, the specific contract award amount for these ships is considered source selection sensitive information (see 41 U.S. Code 2101, et seq., Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101 and FAR 3.104) and will not be made public at this time. Austal USA will perform and oversee all necessary design, planning, construction, and test and trials activities in support of delivery of these ships to the Navy. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama (50 percent); Pittsfield, Massachusetts (24 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (5 percent); Henderson, Washington (2 percent), Kingsford, Michigan (1 percent); Bristol, Connecticut (1 percent), Slidell, Louisiana (1 percent); and various other locations of less than 1 percent each (totaling 16 percent), and is expected to be complete by September 2025. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding 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. ARMY AC FIRST LLC., Germantown, Maryland, was awarded a $129,918,292 modification (0002 37) to contract W52P1J-12-G-0048 for logistics support services, maintenance, supply, and transportation services. Work will be performed in Bagram, Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 21, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $12,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Harper Construction Co. Inc., San Diego, California, was awarded a $59,467,470 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a reception barracks complex. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 14, 2020. Fiscal 2015 and 2016 military construction funds in the amount of $59,467,470 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (W912BV-19-C-0003). Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $30,358,753 modification (P00001) to contract W56HZV-18-F-0153 for procurement of Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; and Liverpool, New York, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $30,358,753 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Gary Kubiak & Son Electric Inc.,* Robbinsville, New Jersey, was awarded a $12,898,760 firm-fixed-price contract for repair of the electrical distribution system (Buildings 194-194 and main base area) for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Trenton, New Jersey, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 13, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $12,898,760 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (W912BU-19-C-0004). Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $10,219,884 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) Foreign Military Sales (Qatar) contract for support services for the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor for the Apache Attack helicopter. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2024. Fiscal 2019 foreign military sales funds in the amount of $10,219,884 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-19-D-0006). CORRECTION: The Nov. 8 announcement that Deloitte & Touche LLP, Arlington, Virginia, was awarded an $18,056,941 firm-fixed-price contract to provide a cyberspace analytics capability was announced early, and incorrectly stated the estimated date of completion and amount of obligated funds. The contract was actually awarded Dec. 12, 2018; the estimated date of completion is Nov. 11, 2023; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,736,000 were obligated at the time of the award. All other information in the announcement was correct. AIR FORCE Peraton Inc., Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $65,615,581 cost-type term order for Xdomain technology through research, evolution, enhancement, maintenance, and support software and report. The scope of this effort is to provide engineering, programmatic and technical expertise, to include: requirements definition/analysis, research, systems engineering, software engineering, development testing, software integration, quality control, configuration management, system integration, interoperability testing, security analysis/implementation, lab-based security assessment testing support, system installation planning, system component procurement, on-site installation/configuration, site security assessment testing support, system familiarization, and system operational support. Work will be performed in Herndon, Virginia; and Rome, New York, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 15, 2023. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $250,000; and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $72,615 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-19-F-0003). Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $10,302,132 modification (P00001) to contract FA8682-19-C-0010 for Lot Two production of three Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2020. The award is the result of sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds will fund the contract. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1714535/source/GovDelivery/

By: Tom Kington ROME — Italy's Leonardo has announced a major shakeup of its management structure, which will see three of its seven divisions merged and entrusted to one of the firm's top British managers, Norman Bone. Reporting to CEO Alessandro Profumo, Bone will oversee a new Electronics Division, into which its Land & Naval Defence Electronics, Airborne & Space Systems, and Defence Systems divisions will be merged. Bone was previously the head of the Airborne & Space Systems division as well as chairman and managing director of Leonardo's U.K. operation. The Defense Systems division includes Leonardo's torpedo business, formerly known as WASS, and its cannon business, formerly known as Oto Melara. In a statement, Leonardo said the merging of the divisions was designed to “achieve suitable critical mass” in its electronics-related businesses. “This evolution will result in the organizational model being aligned with that of the main players in the market, ensuring an even more integrated development,” the firm said. Additionally, the firm's Air Traffic Control and Automation Systems businesses will be moved from the firm's Security & Information Systems Division to the new Electronics Division. The remainder of the Security & Information Systems division has been renamed the Cyber Security Division, and will be taken over on Jan. 21 by Barbara Poggiali, the firm said. Leonardo's three other divisions are Helicopters, Aircraft and Aerostructures. The shakeup is the latest stage in the consolidation of Leonardo's activities, which formerly existed as separate companies including AgustaWestland and Alenia. They were first transformed into divisions of the firm in 2016 as the company changed its name to Leonardo from Finmeccanica. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2018/12/14/italian-firm-leonardo-merges-3-divisions-names-brit-to-head-them

Today's critical Department of Defense (DOD) systems and platforms rely on advanced electronics to address national security objectives. To help tackle obstacles facing a half-century of electronics advancement, DARPA launched the Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI) – a five-year, upwards of $1.5 billion investment in the future of domestic electronic systems. In November, DARPA expanded ERI with the announcement of ERI Phase II, which seeks to further enmesh the technology needs and capabilities of the defense enterprise with the commercial and manufacturing realities of the electronics industry. One key focus of ERI Phase II is on developing connections between the various ERI programs and their potential defense applications. On Wednesday, December 19, DARPA therefore plans to host a Proposers Day to convene leaders within the defense industry base (DIB) to discuss opportunities to further develop and demonstrate ERI's technological advances for DOD needs. During the event, DARPA program managers will share their ideas for potential ERI defense applications, which include but are not limited to autonomy and artificial intelligence, large-scale emulation, cybersecurity, space applications, cognitive electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). To foster further dialogue and collaboration, attendees will have a chance to provide input on how best to support the transition of electronics innovations into national defense hardware. The Proposers Day will also support the development of a potential broad agency announcement (BAA) focused on defense transitions. Tentatively titled “Electronics Resurgence Initiative: Defense Applications (ERI:DA)”, the BAA would solicit innovative proposals to develop, demonstrate, and apply emerging ERI electronic technologies to deliver significant impact on DOD capabilities. “The success of ERI relies on cooperation with the commercial sector to address shared problems. However, as a DARPA effort, ERI must also demonstrate that its research findings bolster our nation's defenses and help create strategic surprise,” said Dr. William Chappell, director of DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO). “Through the ERI:DA Proposers Day and potential BAA, DARPA seeks to procure the expertise and transition support of industry and the defense community to help accelerate the delivery of ERI-derived innovations for national security needs.” The Electronic Resurgence Initiative: Defense Applications Proposers Day will take place on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 from 9:00am to 4:00pm EST, at the Hilton Arlington, 950 N Stafford St, Arlington, Virginia. Advanced registration is required. For those unable to attend in person, registered attendees may access the event via a livestream link available on the registration page. For more information, please visit: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=aa83296cfdd337b4ca5dc8bd4929ddef&tab=core&_cview=0. https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2018-12-10

Ashley Roque, Washington, DC - Jane's Defence Weekly Once again the US army is looking for new active protection systems (APSs) to equip on its family of M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. Whether this is a positive or negative for IMI Systems' Iron Fist remains unclear. On 11 December, the service issued a draft request for proposal in the form of a "market survey" for APSs with a technology readiness level (TRL) 6. "This APS shall have been proven and characterised on the Bradley Family of Vehicles [FOV]," the service wrote in a short notice. "This will be accomplished through the procurement of a B-Kit, consisting of the system and countermeasures." Industry has until 18 December to respond. Recently, the service has been evaluating three APSs: Rafael's Trophy on the Abrams main battle tank (MBT), IMI Systems' Iron Fist on the M2 Bradley, and Artis' Iron Curtain on the Stryker infantry combat vehicle. In June Leonardo DRS (Rafael's US-based partner) was awarded USD193 million to integrate the capability on Abrams MBTs. Artis' Iron Curtain system, however, was cut due to a lack of maturity. IMI Systems' Iron Fist is now uncertain, and the company and an army spokeswoman did not immediately respond to Jane's request for information. Colonel Glenn Dean, project manager for Stryker Brigade Combat Team and APS acquisition, told reporters in August that IMI's Iron Fist technology was still participating in Phase I live-fire and automotive characterisation testing due to an eight-month delay caused by funding gaps, inclement weather, and integration challenges. At the time, he noted that the findings would be turned over to the Army Requirements Oversight Council in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 for a decision on how to proceed. He also explained that the M2 Bradley is a "very difficult platform to install on". https://www.janes.com/article/85180/us-army-seeking-aps-technology-for-bradley-vehicles