Nouvelles

By Francois De Beaupuy and Tara Patel The French government will present a plan worth billions of euros to rescue its beleaguered aerospace industry, protect key suppliers from Chinese interests and may bring forward some defense orders, the transport minister said. The aid package to be presented Tuesday is aimed at European jet manufacturer Airbus SE, engine maker Safran SA, defense group Thales SA, and hundreds of French suppliers that have seen their businesses dry up during the coronavirus pandemic. The plan will be worth as much as 10 billion euros ($11.3 billion), Les Echos reported Monday, although it's not clear what will be included in the total. “We will invest several billions over a rather long period,” French Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said on LCI television Sunday. “The state will be here, the European Union will be present.” The package will aim to kickstart air transport, relaunch manufacturing, and develop less-polluting “hybrid planes” toward 2027 and “carbon neutral” aircraft by 2035, the minister said. In exchange, the industry will have to create or relocate as many jobs as it can in Europe, he said. However, the minister said the industry will probably have to cut jobs. With airlines grounding their fleets worldwide because of the health crisis, Airbus faces a 40% drop in its activity over at least two years, he said. Airlines around the world are struggling to survive, with European giants Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Air France-KLM getting state bailouts and carriers desperate to salvage business from what is normally the busy summer. The French government has extended loans and guarantees worth 7 billion euros to Air France-KLM, tying the funds to a reduction in carbon emissions and services on its domestic routes. The rescue will include the creation of several funds to consolidate the industry and to prevent key suppliers from being acquired by foreign investors, Djebbari said. Chinese companies are making “offers” to small and medium-sized companies with “critical skills” that are currently weakened by the crisis, he said. Many of the companies that have been hardest hit are small and medium-sized. While they have limited access to commercial bank funding, some are considered strategic because they are also defense suppliers. Read More: Macron Is Set to Unveil Rescue Package for French Aerospace Many European nations will probably agree to reopen air travel in the so-called Schengen area from June 15 assuming that the coronavirus crisis continue to recede, Djebbari added. The number of Air France's flights may rise from 5% of its usual level to 15% from June 15, and to 40% in mid-August, he said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-07/france-plans-billions-of-euros-to-rescue-aerospace-industry

Les trois partenaires du programme MGCS (Main Ground Combat System), les groupes allemands Rheinmetall et Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) et le groupe français Nexter, ont signé fin mai le premier contrat d'études avec le BAAINBw (l'office fédéral allemand de l'Equipement, des Technologies de l'information et du Soutien en service de la Bundeswehr), établissant le partage de la charge de travail industriel, rapporte l'Usine Nouvelle. L'Usine Nouvelle du 8 juin

ARMY Harris, Rochester, New York, was awarded a $90,000,000 modification (P00019) to contract W91CRB-16-D-5006 to procure Harris family of radios, ancillaries, spare parts and services. 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 June 21, 2021. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $75,350,484 modification (P00019) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0076 for Javelin weapon system full rate production primary deliverables. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2010, 2018 and 2020 missile procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $75,350,483 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Alberici Constructors Inc., St Louis, Missouri, was awarded a $35,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract to paint and repair the 15 Tainter Gates and Bridge Spans at Lock and Dam No. 24 on the Mississippi River. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 2, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis, Missouri, is the contracting activity (W912P9-20-D-0006). (Awarded June 3, 2020) Baskerville-Donovan Inc.,* Mobile, Alabama (W91278-20-D-0028); Jacobs Government Services, Orlando, Florida (W91278-20-D-0031); Mason & Hanger + Mead & Hunt JV, Tulsa, Oklahoma (W91278-20-D-0032); and Tetra Tech, Pasadena, California (W91278-20-D-0033), will compete for each order of the $34,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division Mobile District's Horizontal Design Program. Bids were solicited via the internet with 26 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 3, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Baskerville-Donovan Inc.,* Mobile, Alabama (W91278-20-D-0027); CEMS Engineering Inc.,* Summerville, South Carolina (W91278-20-D-0029); and Cypress Digital,* Ocean Spring, Mississippi, will compete for each order of the $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division Mobile District's Horizontal Design Program. Bids were solicited via the internet with 26 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 3, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Alabama, is the contracting activity. The Dutra Group, San Rafael, California, was awarded an $11,999,875 firm-fixed-price contract for hopper dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Plaquemines, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 6, 2021. Fiscal 2020 civil operations and maintenance, Recovery Act funds in the amount of $11,999,875 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-20-C-0028). Mike Hooks LLC, Westlake, Louisiana, was awarded a $7,901,200 firm-fixed-price contract for pipeline maintenance dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Matagorda, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 civil operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,901,200 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-20-C-0020). NAVY ENCANTO Facility Services 2 LLC,* El Paso, Texas (N69450-20-D-0036); Bristol Prime Construction LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (N69450-20-D-0037); MIK Construction Inc.,* Dallas, Texas (N69450-20-D-0038); WEIL Construction Inc.,* Alvarado, Texas (N69450-20-D-0040); and VELIZ Construction LLC,* El Paso, Texas (N69450-20-D-0041), are awarded $49,000,000 for a design-bid-build, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract for construction projects located at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas. All work on this contract will be performed in Texas (100%) within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast (NAVFAC SE) area of operations. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to: general building type projects, new construction such as renovations, alterations, demolition, roofing and repair work for industrial infrastructure, administrative, training, community support and dormitory facilities. Work is expected to be complete by February 2021. ENCANTO Facility Services 2 LLC is awarded the initial task order of $907,847 for the renovation of Building 1428. The maximum dollar value for the five-year ordering period for all five contracts is a combined $49,000,000. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of May 2025. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) (O&M,N) contract funds in the amount of $911,847 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be funded by O&M, N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website and 17 proposals were received. The five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The NAVFAC SE, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. Jacobs Technology Inc., Tullahoma, Tennessee, is awarded a $44,308,341 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N69450-20-D-0045) for base operating support services at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay and outlying areas. Work will be performed in Kings Bay, Georgia (99%); and outlying areas (1%), and provides for base operating support services to include force protection, facility investment, swimming pools, electrical, wastewater, steam, water, compressed air, supervisory control and data acquisition, telecommunications, chiller plant, environmental services and base support equipment and vehicles. Work is expected to be complete by September 2021. The maximum dollar value is $385,758,331, which includes the base period and seven option years. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) (O&M, N) funds; fiscal 2021 Department of Defense health programs funds; and fiscal 2021 family housing (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $35,187,307 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders and will be issued during the base period. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website and three proposals were received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia, is awarded a $29,939,440 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-6327 to exercise options for mounted systems, dismounted systems and auxiliary kits for the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare Increment One Block One (I1B1) systems full rate production in support of the Expeditionary Warfare Program Office. Work will be performed in San Diego, California. This option exercise is in support of Australia (Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case AT-P-LGA) for mounted systems, dismounted systems, auxiliary kits, support equipment, and operational and depot level spares to provide support needs. Work also includes diminishing material and depot repairs to keep FMS and I1B1 viable for future production and to maintain operational readiness for the field. Work is expected to be complete by April 2022. FMS Australia funding in the amount of $29,939,440 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, D.C., is the contracting activity. AUSTAL USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $7,727,457 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N69316-20-F-4002) for the accomplishment of post shakedown availability (PSA) for the littoral combat ship (LCS) U.S. Ship Oakland (LCS-24). Work will be performed in San Diego, California. This effort encompasses all of the manpower, support services, material, non-standard equipment and associated technical data and documentation of the aforementioned. Work includes correcting government-responsible trial card deficiencies, new work identified between custody transfer and the time of PSA and incorporating the approved engineering changes that were not incorporated during the construction period (which are not otherwise the building yard's responsibility under the ship construction contract). Work is expected to be complete by December 2021. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $7,727,457 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 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1). The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Gulf Coast, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $40,422,804 modification (P00015) on an existing firm-fixed-price contract for the executive airlift maintenance support contract. This contract provides the following services: aircraft maintenance and back shop support of aircraft assigned to the 11th Wing and 89th Wing at Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington, Maryland, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2021. The cumulative face value of the contract is $105,218,774. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The 11th Contracting Squadron, Services Flight, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity (FA7014-18-F-5045). Data Link Solutions LLC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a $33,598,645 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, requirements contract for the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) low volume terminal. The contract provides for repair services for current configuration line and shop replaceable units to ensure terminal-to-terminal interoperability between MIDS and Link-16 terminal platform variants. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Wayne, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed June 4, 2023. Fiscal 2020 working capital funds in the amount of $3,898,790 are being obligated at the time of award. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Sustainment Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8539-20-D-0005). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Middle Atlantic Wholesale Lumber Inc.,* Baltimore, Maryland (SPE8E6-20-D-0016); Progressive Services Corp.,* Beaverton, Oregon (SPE8E6-20-D-0017); S&S Forest Products LLC,* Boerne, Texas (SPE8E6-20-D-0018); and Sylvan Forest Products LLC,* Portland, Oregon (SPE8E6-20-D-0019), are sharing a maximum $16,800,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPE8E6-20-R-0002 for lumber, millwork and plywood for the Wood Products Tailored Logistics Support Program, East Region. This was a competitive acquisition with seven responses received. These are two-year base contracts with three one-year option periods. Locations of performance are Maryland, Oregon and Texas, with a June 3, 2022, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2208735/source/GovDelivery/

n many cases, their internal messages and social media posts went out days before military leaders issued their own calls for reflection. It's rare for defense CEOs to speak out about social or political issues, but many spent the early part of the week doing just that, sending internal messages to their employees and posting to social media about racism in America. In many cases, their messages went out days before military leaders issued their own calls for reflection on Tuesday and Wednesday. “The death of George Floyd was the result of a reprehensible act,” Raytheon Technologies CEO Greg Hayes said in a June 1 note to employees — a reference to the black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer last week. “Although authorities are taking action to ensure justice, the national response and global dialogue related to Mr. Floyd's death point to a serious issue ― and we must not look away. “We must take notice,” Hayes continued. “We have to respond clearly that racism, discrimination and hatred will not be tolerated. We must take this moment to embrace the fundamental values that unite us.” Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden wrote her own note to employees, a copy of which was obtained by Defense One: “I am deeply saddened and concerned about the acts of senseless violence against Black men and women in our society. I know many of you are struggling right now, and I want you to know that on behalf of our company and as an individual, I stand with you. Now is the time for unity.” Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, on the job just six months, wrote in a May 29 note to employees that the company has a zero-tolerance policy for people who discriminate. “There is no room in our company for them, and in fact in my short time as your CEO we have already terminated individuals for engaging in that behavior,” Calhoun wrote. In a LinkedIn post, Bill Brown, the CEO of L3 Harris Technologies, said: “Change is necessary – and we all need to be part of the solution.” Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson told employees that she “was shocked and deeply saddened watching the recent events surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd and the ensuing protests and unrest across the United States.” “The reaction of anger, shock, and frustration in communities across the nation has created a moment for each of us to assess how we engage, interact, respect and value each other as human beings,” Hewson said. https://www.defenseone.com/business/2020/06/ceos-major-defense-companies-speak-out-about-racism-call-unity

DEFENSE «Le Fonds européen de la défense est essentiel» : entretien avec Hélène Conway-Mouret, vice-présidente du Sénat, membre de la commission des Affaires étrangères, de la Défense et des Forces armées Dans un entretien accordé à L'Usine Nouvelle, Hélène Conway-Mouret, vice-présidente du Sénat, membre de la commission des Affaires étrangères, de la Défense et des Forces armées, souligne l'importance du secteur de la défense pour le plan de relance : «Il ne faut absolument pas que l'industrie de défense française soit abandonnée. C'est l'une des plus performantes en Europe», déclare-t-elle, soulignant : «la relance économique passe par un soutien à l'industrie de défense. Le caractère stratégique de cette industrie, qui représente 200 000 emplois directs, peu exposés aux délocalisations, est au cœur de notre souveraineté. Qui plus est, tous les efforts en matière d'innovation et de recherche militaires ont un effet dual et profitent au secteur civil». Quant au Fonds européen de la défense, «c'est le premier outil de l'Union destiné à soutenir fortement l'innovation et la recherche militaire. Il n'est pas simplement utile, mais absolument essentiel», insiste Mme Conway-Mouret. L'Usine Nouvelle du 4 juin

The Canadian Export Challenge is going digital Are you interested in fast‑tracking your global business growth? This September, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), along with Export Development Canada (EDC), UPS, Mastercard and Scotiabank, are collaborating with Startup Canada to present the third annual, and first fully‑digital edition of the Canadian Export Challenge (CXC) for Canadian startups and scale‑ups powered by Google. This year, the CXC will aim to be a safe space for Canadian exporters and industry partners to come together, provide support to each other, and navigate the uncertain export environment in light of COVID‑19. Participants can: • Attend livestream presentations and breakout sessions • Experience interactive learning with industry experts • Apply to compete in the digital pitch competition The events will be held digitally during the week of September 14th, 2020 in the following five regions across Canada (final dates to be confirmed): • British Columbia and Northern Region • Prairies Region • Ontario Region • Atlantic Region • Quebec Region The call for applications to register for CXC participation opened on June 1, 2020. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply and submit their video pitches until September 9, 2020. Accelerate your international expansion. Learn more and apply now! Subscribe to receive future email notifications through CanadExport. THE CANADIAN TRADE COMMISSIONER SERVICE ISSN 1493-7395 Unsubscribe | Important Notices Contact Us Deputy Director: Gregory Radych Managing Editor: Yen Le CanadExport Global Affairs Canada 111 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1J1

By: Aaron Mehta WASHINGTON — The Defense Department's portfolio of 121 key defense acquisition programs now has a price tag of $1.86 trillion, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office. The number comes from the GAO's annual assessment of Pentagon acquisition, delivered to the public on Wednesday. The figure involves a 4 percent increase over the previous year but also factors in, for the first time, 15 major IT investments ($15.1 billion) and 13 middle-tier acquisition programs ($19.5 billion). The vast majority comes from 93 major defense acquisition programs, or MDAP, worth $1.82 trillion. Of those, 85 MDAPs worth a total of $1.8 trillion are already underway, with the rest expected to enter production in the near future. The $1.8 trillion figure marks the largest level of investment in MDAPs since 2011, and an increase of $44 billion over the department's 2018 MDAP portfolio. The current MDAP portfolio has accumulated more than $628 billion in cost growth over the life of its programs — or 54 percent more than the projected cost when programs began — with schedule growth overshooting targets by 29 percent at an average capability delivery delay of more than two years. Over the last year, 42 MDAPs reported a combined total acquisition cost increase of more than $80 billion. Nine programs that saw cost estimates increase by over 25 percent made up more than half of that total. While some of that is driven by increased procurement numbers, such as with the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile for the Air Force, those changed procurement plans are not the major driver of the cost increase. However, it's not all bad fiscal news: The remaining 43 MDAPs saw a cost decrease of more than $16 billion. And 19 programs that increased procurement managed to drive costs down through those updated plans. One worrisome trend the GAO highlighted is the lack of factoring in cybersecurity to early development of key performance parameters on MDAPs. The watchdog dug into a sample of 42 MDAPs as a test case, it and found that 25 of those programs had zero cybersecurity factored into the key performance parameters. Another 10 programs had one KPP related to cybersecurity, which is unlikely to be enough in the modern, wired world. For the middle-tier programs, which are designed for rapid prototyping and fielding, the GAO warned there is “inconsistent cost reporting and wide variation in schedule metrics” across the programs, adding that this poses “oversight challenges for Office of the Secretary of Defense and military department leaders trying to assess performance.” However, the watchdog agency also said the Department of Defense is in the process of addressing those issues. One notable program challenge identified in the report: The Navy's presidential helicopter replacement program, known as the VH-92A, has yet to “demonstrate that it can meet the requirement to land on the White House South Lawn without causing damage.” Parts of the helicopter are too hot, which will damage the lawn under “certain conditions.” As a result, the program is studying everything from lawn surface treatments to changes in aircraft design. “Due to concurrency in the program, which entered production while simultaneously addressing problems identified during the operational assessment, a design change to address this or other deficiencies discovered in the future may require modifications to units already in production,” the GAO found. https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2020/06/03/heres-the-newest-price-tag-for-dods-arsenal-of-equipment/

ARMY Skanska Koch Inc., Carteret, New Jersey, was awarded a $43,865,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of physical security/safety improvements in the New York City area. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in New York, New York, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 3, 2022. Fiscal 2018 civil construction funds in the amount of $43,865,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-20-C-0013). National Security Innovations Inc.,* Boston, Massachusetts, was awarded a $7,815,789 firm-fixed-price contract to conduct research using eight gray zone research topic areas. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Boston, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of June 2, 2025. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation, defense-wide funds in the amount of $7,815,789 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alexandria, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W5J9CQ-20-C-0004). Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded a $7,130,000 firm-fixed-price contract to furnish a fully crewed and equipped hydraulic pipeline cutterhead dredge on a rental basis. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Plaquemines, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 27, 2020. Fiscal 2020 civil operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,130,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-20-C-0027). Raytheon Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $7,060,279 modification (P00048) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0038 for engineering services for Lightweight Command Launch Unit system qualification build initiation. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $7,060,279 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Honeywell Aerospace, Phoenix, Arizona, has been awarded a $41,632,751 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the compact strategic grade gyroscope. Work will be performed in Phoenix, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 28, 2025. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,103,247 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-20-C-0013). NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., a Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $18,670,070 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-20-C-0052) for the procurement of maintenance and sustainment operations support for the Norway Italy Reprogramming Laboratory systems and consumables in support of the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the governments of Norway and Italy. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be complete by December 2022. Non-Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $13,648,950 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 41 U.S. Code 253(c)(4). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Branscome Inc., Williamsburg, Virginia, is awarded a $16,920,452 firm-fixed-price contract (N40085-20-C-0031) for a design-bid-build, repair LP area runway and instrument landing system (ILS) installation located at Naval Station, Norfolk, Virginia. Work will be performed at Norfolk, Virginia. The work to be performed includes, but is not limited to: repair of LP Area Runway 10-28, which includes asphalt and concrete pavement maintenance and repairs, runway markings, runway rubber removal, partial reconstruction of runway pavement, demolition of paved no-taxi islands and incidental related work. For the ILS installation support, work includes the demolition of existing ILS equipment and their supporting concrete foundations, installation of antenna foundations and equipment pads including micro piling, grading and drainage improvements, access road construction and reinstallation of existing generators and transformers. This project will also include additional utility work consisting of underground electrical and communication systems and incidental related work. Work is expected to be complete by March 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $16,920,452 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Beta.SAM.gov website, and four proposals were received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded an $8,830,253 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-20-C-5605 to exercise an option and purchase additional consoles, displays, and peripherals (CDP) technical insertion (TI) 16, modification (MOD) 1 production equipment and spares to support the Navy's future surface ship combat systems. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The CDP program consists of a suite of TI 16 MOD 1 common display system (CDS) consoles, thin client displays, multi-mission displays and peripheral equipment. The CDS consoles are a set of open-architecture watch station three-eyed horizontal display consoles comprised of three different console variants: water cooled CDS (14-35 Hz), air cooled CDS (14-35 Hz), and air cooled CDS (8Hz). The CDP hardware provides the human machine interface between the sailor and the ships combat systems. Work is expected to be complete by December 2021. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (99.96%) and the government of Spain (0.04%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds; 2018 other procurement (Navy) funds; 2014 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds; 2019 other procurement (Navy) funds; 2015 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds; 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds; 2020 other procurement (Navy) funds; and government of Spain and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,830,253 will be obligated at time of award; funds in the amount of $152,639 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $7,681,241 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N00019-20-F-0692) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0029. This order procures support to update existing CH-53K system/subsystem specifications produced by the original equipment manufacturer. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, and is expected to be complete by October 2022. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds for $7,681,241 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. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2207312/source/GovDelivery/

As part of the Government of Canada's commitment to refocus existing innovation programs to support the fight against the spread of COVID-19, the Department of National Defence has announced the first of a series of calls for innovations aimed at addressing some key challenges Canada is facing. With an initial commitment of $15 million, the first three challenges focus on: Viable and effective processes and methods for safely and rapidly decontaminating enclosed work environments, such as buildings and modes of transportation, containing sensitive equipment; Innovative material and designs to aid in decontamination of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), operational clothing, and equipment for personnel responding to events involving biological hazards; and Data gathering solutions to support the early detection and community-based monitoring of outbreaks of contagious diseases. These challenges were determined by multi-departmental panels led by the National Research Council of Canada as part of the COVID-19 Challenges Procurement Program. In addition to the call for innovation, these panels are engaging Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises to refine their near-to-market products to meet a COVID-19 related need. Promising solutions in the areas of PPE, sanitization, diagnostics and testing, therapeutics, and disease-tracking technology may receive funding to further their solutions of interest. This effort is a collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, and Health Canada and sees an additional investment of up to $10 million. Innovators are encouraged to consult the IDEaS program website (https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/defence-ideas.html) for more information on the challenges and how to apply to the program. “These are unprecedented times. We need to leverage all great minds and innovators in our efforts to combat COVID-19,” said Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan. “We will invest in Canadians as we look for innovative solutions to keep not only the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces, but all Canadians safe.” – Quick facts Call for innovation – Challenges to Canadian innovators This initiative is being led by DND's Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program, with collaboration from the Centre for Security Science Program. The call will be open until June 23, with contracts expected to be awarded this summer. COVID-19 Challenges Procurement Program DND has provided subject matter experts in the areas of public safety and security, medical response, and biology/chemistry for these panels. http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/dnd-launches-call-innovative-thinkers-solutions-covid-19-challenges/