On May 20/05, DID reported on the ongoing battle between the Pentagon and its unions over streamlined appeals processes, market-based compensation, merit pay, et. al. Now similar proposed changes at the amalgamated Department of Homeland Security have been struck down by a DC appeals court judge in Civil Action No. 05-201: National Treasury Employees Union, Et Al., v. Michael Chertoff, Secretary, Department Of Homeland Security, Et Al.
GovExec.com has coverage and also a full copy of the decision [PDF format] The Washington Post notes that the unions have called on Chertoff to meet with them in the wake of this decision, that the administration is reviewing the decision and what it may mean for its broader cause of civil service reform, and that plans for the new National Security Personnel System at the Pentagon have not changed.
Chief Acquisition Officer Greg Rothwell of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently noted that the biggest challenge for chief acquisition officers governmentwide is either rebuilding or growing their workforce. His own department is no exception.
DHS itself has 115 Tier 1 programs that cost more than $100 million each, but only 18 of those programs have certified project managers. DHS’ Office of the CIO is the procurement office’s biggest customer, he said. DHS’ fiscal 2006 budget, $13 billion is procured and $6 billion of that is IT spending. DHS is working to hire and attract a new workforce to replace a large percentage of DHS procurement employees who have been downsized or who are retiring over the next five years. Rothwell now has permission to increase the size of his office to 127 people in fiscal 2006 and 220 in fiscal 2007, he said. Building an IT acquisition center to centralize buying decisions is the second goal (of five). Further details can be found in Federal Computing Weekly (July 25/05) – Rothwell: DHS needs more acquisition staff
L-3 Communications Corp. in Arlington, TX received a $240.9 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract. This is a warfighter readiness science and technology program. This effort is to research, develop, demonstrate, evaluate, and transition leading edge technologies and methods to improve warfighter readiness and optimize human-centered logistic processes, enabling the Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEFs) to achieve their mission goals. The Air Force is issuing a task order up to the maximum amount indicated above, although actual requirements may necessitate less than the amount above.
To understand this contract, it’s necessary to understand the AEF concept, and also some of the recent issues with the system.
Science Applications International Corp. in San Diego, CA is partnering with Computer Associates International Inc. in Islandia, NY on a $6.9 million contract that will install ca’s eTrust PestPatrol Anti-Spyware software on 4 million computers used by Defense employees, including home computers of employees who work from home.
Representatives from a coalition of Defense unions delivered a letter of protest and a list of recommendations for the new National Security Personnel System to Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England during an hourlong meeting Thursday morning. The letter was signed by Byron Charlton of the United DoD Workers Coalition. American Federation of Government Employee officials said they plan legal action to block the new system as soon as the final regulations are sent to Congress.
The U.S. Navy is asking for proposals from ad agencies as part of a regular review for its $60-90 million media account, according to AdWeek. The U.S. military generally picks an agency for a one-year term that has four relatively easy renewal opportunities, ending in a more major review every five years. The current incumbent, IPG’s Cambell-Ewald, will see its contract expire at the end of September 2005.
Cambell-Ewald saw its account expanding rapidly, with the Navy approving a special contract expansion agreement in January to boost media weight by about $10 million. All major service branches have increased their online recruiting efforts several-fold. MarketingVOX has further details.
Every Memorial Day, the Pentagon becomes a rallying point of a different kind, as it hosts one of the largest motorbike rallies in the world. “Rolling Thunder” pays tribute to those killed in Vietnam, and remembers the missing from all American conflicts. The number of riders has grown each year since the rally was first held in 1988 – last year, an estimated 400,000 motorcycles made the ride.
The nation’s missile warning system is nearing the end of its lifespan, leaving little alternative than to proceed with its replacement Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High, according to retired Air Force Undersecretary Peter B. Teets.
Originally bid at $4 billion, Congress was recently notified per regulations that the cost for SBIRS High satellites number 3-5 would be 15% or more than the original $1.5 billion estimate, as a result of a technology upgrade to the three satellites’ computer system architecture. This marks the third cost overrun for the program since 2002. Teets said the total program will likely cost $11 billion to $12 billion, an increase over even the June 2004 projection of about $10 billion.
Continue Reading… »
DSP Satellite
The nation’s missile warning system is nearing the end of its lifespan, leaving little alternative than to proceed with its replacement Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High, according to retired Air Force Undersecretary Peter B. Teets.
Originally bid at $4 billion, Congress was recently notified per regulations that the cost for SBIRS High satellites number 3-5 would be 15% or more than the original $1.5 billion estimate, as a result of a technology upgrade to the three satellites’ computer system architecture. This marks the third cost overrun for the program since 2002. Teets said the total program will likely cost $11 billion to $12 billion, an increase over even the June 2004 projection of about $10 billion.
Continue Reading… »
DSP Satellite
The nation’s missile warning system is nearing the end of its lifespan, leaving little alternative than to proceed with its replacement Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High, according to retired Air Force Undersecretary Peter B. Teets.
Originally bid at $4 billion, Congress was recently notified per regulations that the cost for SBIRS High satellites number 3-5 would be 15% or more than the original $1.5 billion estimate, as a result of a technology upgrade to the three satellites’ computer system architecture. This marks the third cost overrun for the program since 2002. Teets said the total program will likely cost $11 billion to $12 billion, an increase over even the June 2004 projection of about $10 billion.
