Celebrate Good Times…
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Bulova Technologies in Tampa, FL received a contract worth up to $41.2 million to supply pyrotechnics to the US Army.

The word pyrotechnics comes from the Greek for fireworks. The US military, however, uses pyrotechnics not for celebration but for illumination, marking, and signaling.

Pyrotechnics, ranging from flares to signals, provide important military capabilities, such as communication, illumination, training and protection…

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IEDs: The Aftermath
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The US military is working on the next-generation of jammers to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that pose such a grave threat to US forces deployed overseas.

The next-generation devices, whether mounted, dismounted, or fixed, will be linked by wireless communication to ensure that IEDs are detected and disabled wherever they are. Currently, jammers work in either a mounted or dismounted role, which reduces their flexibility and interoperability. With the new system, one device will be able to protect foot soldiers, vehicles, and permanent structures from IEDs at the same time.

The next-generation jammers, called Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW) 3.3 devices, will be based on an open architecture system of systems that will be able to exchange data.

Two companies recently won contracts to begin development of JCREW 3.3…

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Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) received a task order to provide counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) training services to the US Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWARSYSCEN) Atlantic’s Tactical Command and Control (C2) Division.

The task order, awarded under the SeaPort-e contract, has a 3-year period of performance and a total value of $32 million. SAIC will perform the training at Camp LeJeune, NC; and Camp Pendleton, Twentynine Palms, and Bridgeport, CA.

Seaport-e is a $5.3 billion multiple-award umbrella contract that enables the US Navy to use an integrated approach to contracting for support services.

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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…

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USMC IED Detector Dog
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The US Marine Corps is buying dogs that can detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan. The USMC Regional Contracting Office National Capitol Region in Quantico, VA awarded an $8.7 million firm-fixed price contract to K2 Solutions in Southern Pines, NC for the purchase of 112 trained and certified IED detector dogs. The contract also covers maintaining a pool of 247 dogs as well as training for the dogs and handlers.

The contract includes kenneling of the dogs, including feeding and medical care during the period of performance; team integration training for 4 weeks at a training venue designated by the USMC, currently Twenty-Nine Palms in California; and contractor field support services to assist the USMC after deployment.

The contract has an option for the procurement of replacement dogs, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $8.8 million. K2 will perform the work at Southern Pines and Twenty-Nine Palms and expects to complete it by Aug 4/10. The contract was competitively procured via a request for proposals, with 3 proposals solicited and received by the USMC Regional Contracting Office National Capitol Region (M00264-09-C-0028).

USMC’s Military Working Dog Program, which trains explosive detection dogs and handlers, was first developed during World War 2…

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Minding the Mine

Booz Allen Hamilton in Herndon, VA received a $19.3 million contract to provide the U.S. Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Division with survivability/vulnerability analyses, assessment and evaluations. The contract (SP0700-03-D-1380) is being awarded as part of the Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center (SURVIAC) program managed by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

The Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Division in Indian Head, MD provides engineering and technical services in support of Joint service explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) programs and other customer requirements. The division focuses its efforts in the following areas: developing EOD procedures to counter munitions threats; developing tools and equipment to meet EOD operational needs; and performing in-service engineering, depot level management and repair for EOD tools and equipment.

DID has more on the work being done under the SURVIAC program…

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M113A2 Dozer, Canada
by Luc Desmoreaux
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The US Army held its 5th annual “top 10 greatest inventions” ceremony recently in Arlington, VA, recognizing the Top 10 inventions of 2006. The top picks were chosen by Soldiers from active-Army divisions and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command according to three criteria: impact on Army capabilities, potential benefits outside the Army and inventiveness.

Three of this year’s top inventions are geared toward defeating IED land mines, and there’s even one tracked armored blast from the past. Most inventions have already been fielded to soldiers on the front lines, and the list includes….

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Mulwala plant
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Although single base propellants have been around for over 100 years, production of this type of propellant only began in Australia during World War 2, when appropriate equipment and know-how were provided under the USA’s Lend Lease Scheme. Prior to this date, all propellants had been of the British double base type. The Mulwala gun propellant facility in New South Wales was set up to produce these commodities, and remains the sole supplier of military-grade propellants and high explosives to the Benalla ammunition plant in northern Victoria. These plants are deemed to be strategic national assets, and produce ammunition for Australia’s Defence Forces; Mulwala also produces low-grade explosives and propellants for a few other customers, including America’s NASA.

Australia isn’t the only country looking to modernize single-source ammunition facilities from World War 2 or earlier. The USA is in the same boat. The Mulwala redevelopment project has finally received full approval, and work will commence shortly – with the assistance of the same firm that owns the USA’s prime (and until recently, only) small caliber military ammunition production facility…

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The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Washington in Washington, DC has issued contracts for construction of facilities at Indian Head, MD related to explosives disposal and counter-IED work. NAVSEA’s Energetics Center also resides at Indian Head, which makes it an appropriate location to address issues like IED land mines.

Thus far, all contracts have been awarded to John C. Grimberg Co., Inc. of Rockville, MD.

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Stresau Laboratory, Inc. in Spooner, WI won an estimated $12.2 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for MK17 Mod 1 electric blasting caps. Work will be performed in Spooner, WI and is expected to be complete by March 2011. The contract was competitively procured and advertised via Federal Business Opportunities, with 8 proposals solicited and 3 offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, IN is the contracting activity (N00164-06-D-4236).

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