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Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) in McLean, VA won an estimated $120.2 million firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract as the program support integrator (PSI) for the US Marine Corps counter-radio controlled improvised explosive device (CREW) program. SAIC will perform the work at various locations within the United States, Iraq and Afghanistan, and expects to complete it by August 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $22.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a Request for Proposal (M67854-09-R-7005), with 3 offers received by the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA (M67854-09-D-7005).

CREW systems are vehicle mounted electronic jammers designed to prevent the remote detonation of land mines…

CREW systems deny enemy use of selected portions of the radio frequency spectrum used to set off radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIED). Radio-controlled devices are used by insurgents to detonate IEDs, providing them a safe stand off distance from the explosion and the ability to take cover and conceal themselves during the attack. Commercial wireless devices and a variety of field radio systems are used to denote the IEDs.

The PSI is responsible for the installation, de-installation, contractor logistics support and daily operational and intermediate levels of maintenance for the USMC CREW systems supporting combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as deployment training within the United States.

According to the USMC, new methods for remotely triggering IEDs are developed as old ways are successfully countered. For this reason, the jamming system must be adaptable to new signal types. There is a pressing need for large numbers of mobile, high power, programmable jammers that will defeat the link between the initiator and the receiver on an IED and protect friendly personnel operating in an RCIED environment.