Nouvelles

Par Challenges.fr La ministre des Armées Florence Parly a annoncé que le budget des armées 2019 qui sera présenté lundi sera de "35,9 milliards d'euros, soit 1,7 milliard de plus qu'en 2018", dans un entretien au Parisien paru vendredi. La ministre des Armées Florence Parly a annoncé que le budget des armées 2019 qui sera présenté lundi sera de "35,9 milliards d'euros, soit 1,7 milliard de plus qu'en 2018", dans un entretien au Parisien paru vendredi. "Cette année, ce sera la première fois que l'on démarre une nouvelle programmation sur des bases très saines," se réjouit la ministre qui précise que la part des investissements dans ce budget s'élèvera à 19,5 milliards d'euros. "Un budget sincère" Mme Parly affirme qu'en 2025 "l'engagement pris par le président de la République de consacrer 2% du PIB à notre défense (NDLR : 1,82 % aujourd'hui) sera bien atteint." Elle assure également qu'il ne devrait pas y avoir de surcoût lié aux opérations extérieures et à Sentinelle. "Dans le budget 2019, la provision sera de 850 millions d'euros. Nous aurons un budget sincère", précise-t-elle en relevant que "sous la précédente mandature, une provision notoirement insuffisante avait été inscrite en 2017." A l'époque, c'est l'actuel ministre des Affaires étrangères, Jean-Yves Le Drian, qui était à sa place à la Défense. Six drones armés en 2019 La ministre a également annoncé la livraison de six drones armés en 2019, l'arrivée en octobre à Istres du "premier avion ravitailleur de nouvelle génération, un Airbus A330", ainsi que de 89 véhicules blindés "Griffon" (nouvelle génération) en 2019. (avec AFP) https://www.challenges.fr/entreprise/defense/le-budget-des-armees-2019-en-hausse-d-1-7-milliard-d-euros_614271

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY United Technologies Corp., East Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded a maximum $2,460,000,000 modification (P00024) exercising the five-year option period of a five-year base contract (SPE4AX-15-D-9436), with one five-year option period for the Defense Logistics Agency to supply the Air Force depot level repairables and consumable parts. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $4,930,000,000 from $2,460,000,000. This is a fixed-price prospective redetermination, multiple-year requirements contract. The location of performance is Connecticut, with a Sept. 26, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia. American Purchasing Services LLC, doing business as American Medical Depot, Miramar, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $49,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hospital equipment and accessories. This was a competitive acquisition with 52 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Florida, with a Sept. 19, 2023, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DH-18-D-0012). Accent Controls Inc.,* Kansas City, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $7,694,857 modification (P00055) exercising the fourth one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SP3300-14-C-5005), with four one-year option periods for warehousing and distribution support services. This is a fixed-price incentive firm, cost-reimbursement contract. This was a small business set-aside acquisition with five offers received. Locations of performance are Missouri and Florida, with a Sept. 30, 2019, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. ARMY Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Austin, Texas, was awarded a $143,158,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Bureau of Engraving and Printing Western Currency facility expansion project. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 11, 2022. Fiscal 2018 non-appropriated funds in the amount of $143,158,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-18-C-0061). Colt's Manufacturing Co. LLC, West Hartford, Connecticut, was awarded a $57,722,819 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Jordan, Morocco, Afghanistan, Senegal, Tunisia and Pakistan) contract for procurement of up to 10,000 additional M4 and M4A1 5.56mm carbine rifles. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 20, 2019. Fiscal 2018 foreign military sales funds in the amount of $57,722,819 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-18-F-0115). J. Kokolakis Contracting Inc., Bohemia, New York, was awarded a $52,494,000 firm-fixed-price contract for renovation of Grant Barracks building. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in West Point, New York, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $52,494,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-18-C-0015). AECOM Energy & Construction Inc., Greenwood Village, Colorado, was awarded a $40,648,775 modification (P00005) to contract W912P5-17-C-0007 for lock chamber replacement, foundation preparation for both the land wall and river wall, and construction of the upstream river wall. Work will be performed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 1, 2020. Fiscal 2018 inland waterway trust funding and civil works funds in the amount of $40,648,775 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville, Tennessee, is the contracting activity. Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $27,595,202 modification (P00119) to Foreign Military Sales (Australia, Estonia, Lithuania, Turkey, Taiwan and Ukraine) contract W31P4Q-13-C-0129 for Javelin weapons system full-rate production. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $27,595,202 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. R8I Cabrera Remediation and Construction LLC,* Elizabeth, Colorado, was awarded a $25,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for labor, equipment, operators, supervision, supplies, materials and incidentals necessary in providing continued support of environmental remediation program. 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 Sept. 19, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis, Missouri, is the contracting activity (W912P9-18-D-0023). Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded a $19,884,400 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance pipeline dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of July, 7, 2019. Fiscal 2014 and 2018 operations and maintenance Army; and general construction funds in the combined amount of $19,884,400 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-18-C-0073). Bering Straits Technical Services LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded a $13,335,173 firm-fixed-price contract for operations, maintenance, and sustainment of training areas. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2022. 413th Combat Support Battalion, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W912D0-18-D-0008). Cray Inc., Seattle, Washington, was awarded a $12,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract to increase the processing capability of the current Cray XC 40 High Performance Supercomputer and purchase of 2083 additional nodes compatible with the existing system architecture. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Vicksburg, Mississippi, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2018. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $12,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Mississippi, is the contracting activity (W912HZ-18-C-0027). KZF Design Inc.,* Cincinnati, Ohio, was awarded a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect-engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 23 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91236-18-D-0009). Messer Construction Co., Dayton, Ohio, was awarded an $8,650,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design and replacement of a process cooling tower (Building 18 Complex). Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2020. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,650,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky, is the contracting activity (W912QR-18-C-0032). NAVY Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded $58,395,297 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001918F0567 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0004). This delivery order provides for the procurement of 866 interim spare parts necessary to support the repair and maintenance of CH-53K low-rate initial production, Lot 2 configuration aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (26 percent); Longueuil, Quebec, Canada (10 percent); Redmond, Washington (9 percent); Cudahy, Wisconsin (5 percent); various locations within the continental U.S. (42 percent); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (8 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $58,395,297 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. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $40,323,606 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0003) for the procurement of aircraft armament equipment in support of 12 F/A-18E/F and 14 EA-18G Lot 40 and 41 aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Meza, Arizona (26 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (20 percent); Grand Rapids, Michigan (15 percent); El Segundo, California (11 percent); Grove, Oklahoma (6 percent); Minneapolis, Minnesota (4 percent); Placentia, California (4 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (14 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2022. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $40,323,606 are obligated at time of award, $18,258,354 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Summit Technologies Inc., Winter Park, Florida (N00189-18-D-Z075); Analytic Services Inc., Falls Church, Virginia (N00189-18-D-Z076); The Tauri Group, Alexandria, Virginia (N00189-18-D-Z077); Information International Associates, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (N00189-18-D-Z078); and Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio (N00189-18-D-Z079), are awarded a combined estimated $27,866,679 multiple award of cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts that will include terms and conditions for the placement of both cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price task orders to provide professional services in the areas of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense and countering weapons of mass destruction operational and risk analysis. The contracts will run concurrently and will include a 60-month base ordering period. Work will be performed at various contractor locations throughout the U.S. (85 percent) and percentage of work at each of those locations cannot be determined at this time. Work will also be performed at government facilities in Arlington, Virginia (15 percent). The base ordering period of the contract is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $50,000 will be obligated ($10,000 on each of the five contracts to fund the contracts' minimum amounts), and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured for the award of multiple contracts pursuant to the authority set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation 16.504. The requirement was solicited through the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. L-3 Communications EOTech Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, is awarded a $23,637,320 firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the procurement of Miniature Aiming System – Day Optics close quarter combat sights and clip-on magnifiers in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. Work will be performed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Fiscal 2018 procurement (Defense-wide) funding in the amount of $308,570 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured pursuant of 10 U.S. Code 2304(a). This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with four offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-18-D-JQ26). TFS-APTIM JV,* Wasilla, Alaska, is awarded a $21,445,996 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a fuel truck offload facility at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The basic project components include the fuel truck offload facility and associated piping and equipment. Additional supporting infrastructure includes a building for a generator and electrical service, petroleum, oil, and lubricants fuel truck parking, and site improvements. Work will be performed in Yigo, Guam, and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Defense-wide) contract funds in the amount of $21,445,996 are obligated on this award, of which $3,696,512 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with one proposal received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity (N40192-18-C-1300). Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a not-to-exceed $17,599,557 for modification P00008 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-15-D-0033). This modification exercises an option to procure T56-A-427A engines, power section modules and reduction gearbox modules for the E-2D aircraft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in September 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is being awarded a $16,310,246 cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price contract for AN/BVY-1 Integrated Submarine Imaging System (ISIS) Technical Insertion 20-24 production and engineering services. The ISIS provides visual and other capabilities for Navy submarines. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $753,086,000. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (66 percent); Chantilly, Virginia (18 percent); Marion, Massachusetts (10 percent); and Newport, Rhode Island (6 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $250,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-18-C-6258). Coffman Specialties Inc., San Diego, California, is awarded $15,845,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247318F5362 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-15-D-2442) for airfield pavement repairs at March Air Reserve Base. The work to be performed provides for repairs to the portland concrete cement on Runway 14/32 Keel, Taxiway A and Taxiway C. The airfield areas must be repaired to facilitate use by currently assigned KC-135, C-17 and other transient aircraft. Adjacent asphalt concrete and airfield lighting may be impacted. Work will be performed in Moreno Valley, California, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Air Force Reserve) contract funds in the amount of $15,845,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is awarded $12,880,531 for modification P00027 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00030-16-C-0005), for sustainment of the U.S. and United Kingdom (UK) SSBN Fire Control System, the U.S. SSGN Attack Weapon Control System, including training and support equipment. Also included is the Missile Fire Control for the U.S. Columbia-class and UK Dreadnought-class Common Missile Compartment program development, through first unit UK production, and Strategic Weapon Interface Simulator. Work will be performed in Pittsfield Massachusetts (90.5 percent); Bremerton, Washington (3.6 percent); Kings Bay, Georgia (2.7 percent); Dahlgren, Virginia (1 percent); Cape Canaveral, Florida (0.9 percent); Portsmouth, Virginia (0.9 percent); and the United Kingdom (0.4 percent), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2023. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,944,140; United Kingdom funds in the amount of $1,015,493; and fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $498,006 are being obligated on this award. Funds in the amount of $498,006 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Subject to the availability of funding, fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,192,842; and United Kingdom funds in the amount of $1,230,050 will be obligated. Funds in the amount of $7,192,842 will expire at the end of fiscal 2019. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. FlightFab Inc.,* Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded a $12,620,604 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of solid waste processing equipment for naval ships. This contract provides production, testing and delivery of solid waste processing equipment in the form of plastic shredders, metal glass shredders, large pulpers, small pulpers and control valves for small and large pulpers. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland. This action will contain a five-year ordering period and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $423,825 will be obligated immediately after contract award via the first delivery order and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-18-D-4010). Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Northridge, California, is awarded a $12,072,734 ceiling-priced indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of up to 60 Common Munitions Built-In Test Reprogramming Equipment test sets; up to 22 ADU-891(V)1/E adaptor units; up to one lot of spares; and up to two ADU-891(V)3/E adaptor units in support of the Navy, Air Force, and the governments of Morocco, Belgium, Australia, Japan, and Oman. Work will be performed in Northridge, California, and is expected to be completed in May 2020. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy and Air Force); fiscal 2016 missile procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2018 operation and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2016 weapons procurement (Navy), as well as foreign military sales funds in the amount of $10,021,938, will be obligated at time of award, $2,600,972 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 Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity (N6893618D0037). APTIM Federal Services Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, is awarded a $12,022,779 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N62473-17-D-0006) to increase the maximum dollar value of a firm-fixed-price contract task order for the Parcel G Radiological Characterization at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The work to be performed provides new data to replace suspect radiological removal action data used to support a radiological unrestricted release recommendation for the sanitary sewer and storm drain lines, and impacted former building sites in Parcel G. After award of this modification, the total cumulative task order value will be $18,395,960. Work will be performed in San Francisco, California, and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2018 base realignment and closure environmental, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $12,022,779 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Huntron Inc.,* Mill Creek, Washington, is awarded an $11,956,849 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract for Model 32 test instruments, accessory kits and transit cases. Work will be performed in Mill Creek, Washington, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2018 Navy working capital funding; fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Homeland Security/Coast Guard); and foreign military sales funding in the amount of $137,228 will be obligated at time of award, of which Navy working capital funding in the amount of $29,097 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 Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity (N66604-18-D-H800). Pacific Commercial Services LLC,* Kapolei, Hawaii, is awarded a maximum amount $10,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for all services necessary for the final treatment/disposal of hazardous waste in accordance with all local, state, and Federal regulations, to include Department of Defense (DOD) component directives within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for services that shall include all necessary personnel, including applicable subcontractors, transportation, packaging and equipment to remove and properly dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. The contractor is required to meet all Department of Transportation requirements to include packaging of the wastes. The contractor must also comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration and DOD safety regulations and procedures, including State of Hawaii regulations and procedures. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Pacific AOR, including, but not limited to Hawaii (75 percent); Guam (15 percent); and other DOD locations within the NAVFAC Pacific AOR (10 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of September 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy) funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one proposal received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-18-D-1801). Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, is awarded a not-to-exceed $8,127,897 for a ceiling-priced, undefinitized contract action delivery order N00383-18-F-HA04 under previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-15-G-003H) for the repair of 193 units across weapon repairable assemblies used in support of the F-18 active electronically scanned array radar system. Work will be performed in Forest, Mississippi, and will be completed by September 2019. Fiscal 2018 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $6,095,923 will be obligated at time of award, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The requirement was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Pacific Defense Solutions LLC, Kihei, Hawaii, has been awarded a $39,894,065 cost-reimbursement type contract for spacecraft object tracking and characterization capabilities. This contract award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $ 3,601,646 will be obligated at the time of award. Work will be performed in Kihei, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed December 2023. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico is the contracting activity (FA9451-18-C-0035). The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, Laurel, Maryland, has been awarded a $23,848,171 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee completion task order. The contractor will provide the technical and program support of Tactical Space and small satellite portfolio's core competencies and mission lifecycle to include support of the mission phases from concept through design, implementation, operations, and transition of space assets. Work will be performed in Laurel, Maryland, and is expected to be completed Sept. 29, 2023. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $500,000 are being obligated at time of award. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition and one offer was received. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-18-D-0018 TASK ORDER FA9453-18-F-0007). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a $15,186,972 modification (P00042) to contract FA8634-16-C-2653 for APG-82 Radar Modernization Program test requirements document. This contract provides for test requirements documents that lay the foundation for organic depot repair. Work will be performed in St. Louis, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 procurement funds in the amount of $15,186,972 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,363,368,877. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 17, 2018) International Business Machines Corp., San Jose, California, has been awarded a $14,863,208 cost-reimbursable contract for NorthPole software/hardware. This contract provides for the study, design, development, implementation, test, integration, document and delivery of the software and hardware specification for NorthPole, the next generation neural inference machine. Work will be performed in San Jose, California, and is expected to be completed by June 20, 2019. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and two offers were received. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $893,208; and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $13,970,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-18-C-0015). Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, has been awarded a $10,080,902 firm-fixed-price contract for Jet Fuel Starter repair components for the RC-135 aircraft. This contract provides the remaining stock of Jet Fuel Starter components necessary to sustain the RC-135 fleet through the year 2040. Work will be performed in Phoenix, Arizona, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,080,902 are being obligated at the time of award. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-18-C-4004). DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY EMR Inc., Niceville, Florida, is awarded $15,990,000 for a firm-fixed-price contract for an addition/alteration to an existing commissary at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. The contract is for a 539 calendar day period based on the issuance of the notice to proceed which is expected in November 2018. Offers were solicited via full and open competition, and three offers were received. The contracting activity is the Defense Commissary Agency, Enterprise Acquisition Division, Construction Design Branch, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, Texas (HDEC03-18-C-0003). MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY L.C. Wright Inc.,* McLean, Virginia, is being awarded an $8,497,407 competitive firm-fixed-price contract with a two-year base value of $3,384,136 for Protocol Support. Protocol professionals provide support for the director and general officer/Senior Executive Service members that are geographically dispersed throughout the U.S. The work will be performed in the National Capital Region; Dahlgren, Virginia; Huntsville, Alabama; Fort Greely, Alaska; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and other locations as directed, with an estimated completion date of October 2023. This contract was competitively procured via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website with three proposals received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $223,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0147-18-R-0007). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Hardwire LLC, Pocomoke City, Maryland, has been awarded an estimated $8,000,000 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract (H92403-18-D-0007) for the purchase of Special Operations Forces personal equipment advanced requirements (SPEAR) soft body armor ballistic inserts in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) procurement division. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $100,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The majority of work will be performed in Pocomoke City, and work is expected to be completed by September 2023. This contract was awarded through full and open competition with six proposals received. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC, Dulles, Virginia, has been awarded a $7,542,049 modification #17 to previously awarded contract HDTRA1-11-D-0007, Task Order 12 Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation Prevention Program on the Jordan Border Security Project. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $58,317,910.57 from $50,775,861.57. Work will be performed in Jordan, with an expected completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. This contract involves fiscal 2018 Cooperative Threat Reduction funds in the amount of $2,675,182 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is the contracting activity. WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES DirectViz Solutions LLC, Chantilly, Virginia, is being awarded a $7,429,544 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract will to provide Joint Service Provider with technical, analytical, management, and professional support services for Identity Protection Management Services. Work will be performed at the Pentagon, Mark Center, and Crystal City, Virginia, with an expected completion date of Sept. 29, 2022. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,429,544 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was competitively procured, with three proposals received. The Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-17-C-0093). *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1641072/source/GovDelivery/

By Canadian Press OTTAWA — The Canadian Press has learned the United States has backed down from its contentious Buy American demands for lucrative procurement projects in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Mexico and Canada are each taking credit for standing firm against the controversial U.S. position that would have effectively limited their respective countries' ability to bid on valuable American government infrastructure projects. Multiple sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, cited the competing claims as one example of the animosity between Canada and Mexico that has arisen since Mexico reached its own NAFTA deal with the Trump administration last month. Canada and the United States are trying to renegotiate their portion of the three-country trade pact, but major sticking points such as dairy, dispute resolution and culture remain. Canada has credited Mexico with making significant concessions in its deal with the U.S. on automobiles and for permitting large wage increases for Mexican auto workers. But sources say Mexico has done much of the “heavy lifting” on getting the Americans to back down on its demand to limit the ability of Canadian and Mexican firms to bid on U.S. infrastructure projects, while seeking greater access for American firms to Mexican and Canadian government projects. https://ipolitics.ca/2018/09/19/u-s-buy-american-demand-gone-from-nafta-sources/

Air Force Busts Out Credit Cards To Buy High Tech Gear The Air Force can be an “angel investor” for some startups, said Will Roper, the service's top acquisition official. By PAUL MCLEARY WASHINGTON The Pentagon has been trying for years to replicate the speed of Silicon Valley-style startup culture, with only sporadic — and limited — success. But the Air Force says it's doubling down on the effort, and is looking to start using government credit cards to buy small amounts of gear from tech firms that don't have much interest in forming long-term relationships with the government. The Air Force can be an “angel investor” for some startups, said Will Roper, the service's top acquisition official (and former head of the Pentagon's Strategic Capabilities Office). “The benefit is huge because it finally pulls startups into orbits around our program offices,” Roper told reporters at the Air Force Association conference on Tuesday. “Even if round one of their product isn't ready, they're aware of us as an angel investor. We're not trying to have them work for the government. We just want their products to make sense for us.” Roper is eyeing a series of startup days that will be held across the Air Force, beginning with an initiative between the Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX to knock out fifty contracts in fifty hours by the end of October. In 2015, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter established the DIUx office in Silicon Valley, in the hope that a presence in the midst of tech startup boom country would convince small companies that working with the government would pay off. So far, the results have been modest, with most firms declining to sign up to be a part of the painfully slow and cumbersome government contracting process. What worries the Pentagon is that rivals like China don't suffer the same competition with the private sector for top talent. The government in Beijing compels technology firms to work with the government, which has led to a series of rapid-fire advances in artificial intelligence and surveillance technologies developed by large tech firms being sucked up by the government. In the United States, many tech firms are far more wary. Over 3,000 Google engineers recently signed a petition to refuse to work with the Pentagon on Project Maven, a program that collects and sorts data from drones to assist in targeting. The engineers objected to working on a program that could be used in bombing campaigns. Google will withdraw from the program. At the same time, Google leadership is working with the Chinese government on developing a Chinese-specific search engine that censors information Beijing wants to keep from its citizens. Roper knows the hurdles he faces. He's not looking to lock these companies into long-term contracts or relationships: “We're looking to buy into their ideas...I would love for them to sell us their product on their way to being bought up by Amazon.” In order to get there, the plan is for the Air Force to review the companies who want to partner with them and send out invitations to do a live pitch. At the end of a day of pitches, the idea is for 60 to 80 percent of the companies to walk out with a deal the same day. That's where the credit cards come in. Roper said he wants his people to use theirs to literally buy tech on the spot with a swipe. “The authorities that govern government purchase cards are broad and so we had both our government contracting professionals and legal professionals come back and they determined that we can do small business awards using a [government card],” he said. The new authority helps both sides: The companies get the cash, and the government doesn't drive away a potential partner by throwing months of lag time at them before a deal can be done. Even other transaction authority agreements, which are used when the Pentagon needs to move fast, “take three to four months — and that's in a good case — [but] that's too long for a startup.” https://breakingdefense.com/2018/09/air-force-busts-out-credit-cards-to-buy-high-tech-gear/

By: Shawn Snow In yet another sign the Corps is becoming increasingly concerned about air defense, the Corps decided to slap a counter-drone system on a Polaris MRZR all-terrain vehicle. It's called the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or LMADIS, and it's comprised of two MRZR vehicles, a command node and a sensor vehicle. The system is a “maneuverable ground-based sensor, electronic attack, C2 [ command and control] system," 1st Lt. Ariel Cecil, the commander of the Low Altitude Air Defense detachment for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166, said in a video posted by the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The LMADIS can detect, track, identify and take down drones with electronic attack, according to Cecil. The MRZR counter drone system is currently deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit where it recently participated in the Theater Amphibious Combat Rehearsal exercise in Djibouti. The Corps has been investing heavily in counter air and drone threats. It's an issue the Marines really haven't had to focus on for some time now. But as the Corps begins to face down more sophisticated hostile actors there's no guarantee Marines will always operate on a battlefield where they own the airspace. That means enemy air or drone attacks are now a reality the Corps must plan for. And increasingly, drone technology has found its way into the hands of terrorist groups and ragtag militias. ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria have been known to weaponize small commercial quadcopter drones, dropping small munitions and hand grenades on Iraqi and partner nation forces. Even the Taliban in Afghanistan have gotten in the game, using small drones to film attacks on remote Afghan army outposts. But the big threat, according to the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller, is that adversaries will eventually learn how to control these small attack drones in massive swarms. “When you think about enemy air attacks, you think about jets and bombers and stuff,” Neller said at the Atlantic Council in April. “I think the real future in enemy air attack is going to be swarming drones.” So, the Corps has embarked on an ambitious plan to field a new suite of tech to bolster the Corps' air defense and counter drone capabilities. Two such systems are the Ground Based Air Defense-Transformation, or GBAD, and the Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar, or G/ATOR. The GBAD systems is basically a detection system with laser weapon that can track and destroy drones, and it's mountable on the Corps' new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle or Humvee. That program is still undergoing testing and evaluation. The G/ATOR system has been in the Corps' arsenal since 2013 and it can detect rockets, mortars, artillery cruise missiles, and drones. The system is highly mobile making it integral to the Corps' distributed operations plan in the Pacific should a conflict come between the U.S. and China. And the Corps is also dishing out money to modify Stinger missiles as part of Service Life Extension Program. https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2018/09/19/the-corps-just-slapped-a-counter-drone-system-on-an-mrzr-all-terrain-vehicle

By: Brandon Knapp The Defense Advanced Research Agency announced an $8 million contract modification for the University of Southern California's Information Sciences Institute to work on a program that develops circuits that be quickly adapted rather than wholesale reinvented. The work is part of DARPA's Circuit Realization at Faster Timescales (CRAFT) research program. The modification brings the total value of the contract to $28 million, according to a Sept. 17 announcement from the Pentagon. The program is designed to dramatically shorten the design cycle and the expense numbers for custom integrated circuits, which are essential in a wide variety of military equipment such as drones and tactically useful 3D imagery production. Currently, it can cost up to $100 million and take more than two years to design these circuits, according to a DARPA release. The CRAFT program aims to cut that timeline down to a matter of months. “Reducing the time and cost for designing and procuring custom, high-efficiency integrated circuits, should drive more of those in the DoD technology community toward best commercial fabrication and design practices,” CRAFT program manager, Dr. Linton Salmon in a program information release. “A primary payoff would be a versatile development environment in which engineers and designers make decisions based on the best technical solutions for the systems they are building, instead of worrying about circuit design delays or costs.” Work will be performed by USC in Marina Del Ray, California, with an expected completion date of December 2019. DARPA has been working on the program since 2015. https://www.c4isrnet.com/industry/2018/09/19/darpa-contract-aims-to-design-circuits-in-months-not-years

By: Usman Ansari ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's ambassador to Turkey pledged this week to increase defense cooperation between the two countries to new levels, but after a string of recent deals, analysts believe further cooperation will be incremental. Speaking to Turkey's Daily Sabah, Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi highlighted defense relations such as recent deals for platforms like the T-129 helicopter gunships and Milgem corvettes, which he said would further improve as the countries continue to explore new opportunities. The existing deals alone are likely to see substantial offsets and technological input for Pakistani industry, and build upon existing supply of defense technology critical for all three branches of Pakistan's military. Pakistan's defense industry generally lags behind other nations, and has struggled to offer much in return bar a deal for the PAC Super Mushak basic training aircraft, further highlighting the importance of the relationship between Ankara and Islamabad. Asked exactly how that relationship may further improve, Brian Cloughley, and author, analyst, and former Australian defense attaché to Islamabad, said there is room to do so. He highlighted training as one area of cooperation, thanks to tensions between Pakistan and the U.S., along with armored personnel carriers and future orders of helicopters. While Turkish AFV-related technology is already finding its way onto Pakistani APCs and tanks, Pakistan is exploring options to supplement or even replace its M113 type APCs, perhaps with an IFV design, with Turkey's Kaplan or Tulpar IFV programs potentially of interest. Turkey's T625 multirole transport helicopter may also be considered to replace Pakistan's range of legacy types. Both countries also have active fifth generation fighter development projects, but analysts believe this level of cooperation is presently a step too far. Justin Bronk, an analyst with the RUSI think tank, raises concerns given “the lack of any proven domestic capacity in both Pakistan and Turkey to produce a fifth-generation fighter, than with any issues around security or industrial interests.” “Neither country is in any position to develop such capabilities for the foreseeable future without massive external assistance and technology transfer,” he said That idea is echoed by author, analyst, and former air force pilot Kaiser Tufail, who nevertheless stresses their respective fifth generation programs “must continue for a long-term goal of manufacture”. Tufail believes both nations should co-operate on an interim type of jet, with some of the technical characteristics of a full fifth-generation fighter “rather than jumping straight to a full-capability fifth generation fighter.” Though new to aircraft manufacture, he believes Pakistan has gained a slight edge over its potential partner, having co-produced the JF-17, “essentially a Chinese design based on PAF's specifications”, though there is still “need for collaboration in design and production of any new fighter.” Turkey in comparison, though having license produced F-16s, lacks comparable modern fighter design experience. Their close relationship makes fighter co-production “logical” though, he said. Therefore, present co-operation “could well take the shape of a ‘Block-4' JF-17 developed by Turkey and Pakistan” to be “considered for joint design and co-production”, after which “a stealth fighter would then be a logical next step.” https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2018/09/19/future-pakistan-turkish-defense-cooperation-likely-to-be-incremental-for-now

Robin Hughes, London - IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets MBDA in the United Kingdom has unveiled a new combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) concept designed to provide on-call, low-cost organic precision effects close air support for forward-deployed land forces. Spectre is a tilt wing, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) combat air system concept capable of quickly transitioning to forward flight mode for rapid traversal over complex terrain at low altitude. Designed with an integrated modular payload bay capable of incorporating systems up to 25 kg, Spectre can be equipped with either two MBDA Enforcers or a single Missile Moyenne Portee (MMP) multirole weapons system to address light armoured, soft-skinned and unmanned threats, or heavier armoured threats. The Spectre system can ‘find and fix' beyond line-of-sight threats in complex operational environments to assist deployed ground forces. It also incorporates a ‘watch and wait' mode with a top attack capability effectively giving the Spectre an overwatch/loitering munition utility. Other mission module options include re-supply payloads, improved sensors, or electronic warfare payloads. The latter payload can be combined with kinetic effects to disrupt adversary operations. Spectre's various mission modules can be replaced by the operator in-theatre, and the system design provides for the integration of new and upgraded modules and technologies and requirements evolve. As currently envisaged, Spectre will have a cruise speed of 180 km/h, a cruising altitude of less than 100 m, and combat range in excess of 10 km with a flight endurance of more than 60 minutes. The Spectre design provides for two (front and aft) 2 m tilt wings, with four rotor assemblies: one on each wing. The all-up weight of the concept system has not been disclosed. Other features include automatic navigation, operator-over-the-loop command and control (but with firing authority always with the human operator), and anti-jam GPS navigation. Spectre can be used as a single system, or as a scalable co-operative swarming capability. https://www.janes.com/article/83133/mbda-unveils-spectre-combat-uav-concept

John M. Donnelly The Pentagon will soon have received about $2.3 billion in the last nine years — money the military never requested — for a special fund intended to help replace earmarks after Congress banned them, our analysis shows. Buried deep inside the $674.4 billion Defense spending measure for fiscal 2019 that the Senate is expected to vote on this week is a chart with one line showing a $250 million appropriation for the Defense Rapid Innovation Fund, the latest installment of sizable funding for a largely unknown program that quietly disburses scores of contracts every year. To supporters, the fund is a way to bankroll innovative systems that the military may not yet know it needs. To critics, the fund is just earmarking by another name. The kinds of systems that net contracts from the innovation fund run the gamut. In fiscal 2016, they included programs to demonstrate artificial intelligence systems for aerial drones, anti-lock brakes for Humvees and underwater communications systems for undersea drones. The systems may be technologies for which the military services have not yet established a requirement because they may not know what is technically possible. It is not clear how many of the systems actually become operational. The defense fund's eclipsing of the $2 billion mark comes as debate heats up in Washington over whether to revive earmarks. And the special account highlights key elements of that debate. Talk of earmarks 2.0 Earmarks have generally been defined as parochial spending, directed by lawmakers and received by people who have not competed for it. In 2011, after earmarks were tied to several scandals and spending projects seen as excess, Congress barred them — or at least a narrow definition of them, critics contend, noting that, among other loopholes, committees could still add money for parochial projects without spelling out who supports them. President Donald Trump suggested earlier this year that a return of earmarks, which were often used in horsetrading for votes, might be beneficial. Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, has suggested he would aim to bring back earmarks if his party takes control of the House next year. The senior Democrat on Senate Appropriations, Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, has also supported a comeback for the practice. Republican leaders are less vocal right now, but many of them also support a return to earmarks. “I don't doubt that the next organizing conference for the next Congress will probably wrestle with this issue,” outgoing House Speaker Paul D. Ryan told reporters earlier this month. Account quietly amasses funds The Defense Rapid Innovation Fund was launched in 2010 (first as the Rapid Innovation Program) in the fiscal 2011 defense authorization law. It was a way to capture what proponents called the innovative spirit of programs called earmarks that were clearly about to be banned. Unlike earmarks, the defense fund's money would be competitively awarded by the Pentagon, not directed by Congress, supporters of the idea pointed out. Democrat Norm Dicks, then a senior Defense appropriator, and other advocates of the program described it at the time as a way to capture the innovation among smaller companies, including many who had received earmarks. “We have not always had an adequate way of bringing these smaller firms and their innovation into the defense pipeline,” Dicks said in 2010. Each year since its creation, the fund has received another installment of funds, never less than $175 million or more than $439 million. The program has awarded several hundred contracts, averaging about $2 million each, mostly for small businesses with technologies that were relatively mature and that could address some military need, according to a fiscal 2017 Pentagon summary of the program's results. Full article: http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/obscure-pentagon-fund-nets-2-billion