$7M for Mysterious “Acorn” Systems
General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactics Systems Engineering Technology in Orlando FL received a firm fixed-price letter contract with a cost ceiling of $7 million for approximately 1,550 “Acorn” Systems and accessories. The Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division has a requirement to procure Acorn Systems, which will provide critical force protection measures to patrols within Afghanistan.
This contract was awarded by authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304c2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency, and was not competitively procured. When queried, General Dynamics replied that “because of the intended mission of the system, no additional information is available about it.” Nevertheless…
The contractor, contracting agency and preferred location suggest that the system may be related to rapid area mine detection and/or disposal. Afghanistan still has hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of deployed mines left over from its war with the Soviet Union. Such technology could also assist with IEDs.
Work on this contract will be performed in Orlando, FL and is expected to be complete by January 2006. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Indian Head Division in Indian Head, MD issued the contract. (N00174-05-C-0034)
