UPC Body Publishes New Supply Chain Standards

New Data Matrix UID

In order to support recent U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) policies “for the Unique Identification (UID) of Tangible Items” The Uniform Code Council, Inc. announced today that it has published the Guidelines for Application of EAN.UCC Unique Identification (UID) Markings to Items in the Supply Chain. The Uniform Code Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development and implementation of standards-based global supply chain solutions, including the Universal Product Code (UPC) bar-coding system.

How To Support the Troops

Winds of Change.NET offers a comprehensive roundup of links to organizations that support troops in the field and their families. The list includes American, Australian, British, Canadian, Danish, Israeli, and Polish troops; plus organizations acting on behalf of civilians and contractors in the war zones.

$11M for Environmental Restoration at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory

ATK Tactical Systems Co. LLC in Rocket Center, WV received an estimated $11 million cost, no-fee contract for projects re: the Navy’s continuing environmental restoration program at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) in West Virginia. The facility began operations in 1942 as a government owned, Navy Industrial Reserve Ordnance Plant whose mission was to research, develop, and produce solid propellant rocket motors for DoD and NASA.

National Center for Aerospace Leadership to be Established

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) on Behalf of the National Aerospace Leadership Initiative Consortium, is being awarded a $20.4 million contract to provide for National Center for Aerospace Leadership.

The center will focus on future technological advancements necessary to aid the region’s aerospace, aviation and defense manufacturing industries with the goal of providing new opportunities for industry and expanding job growth. The funding will be used for eventual construction of a facility as well as for programming within CCAT.

$15M for Chartered Cargo Airlift

Lynden Air Cargo LLC in Anchorage, AK is being awarded a $15 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to provide for International Charter Cargo Airlift Services. Lynden Air Cargo flies the L-382 Hercules, a civilian version of the C-130 Hercules medium military transport. Funds will be obligated as individual delivery orders are compete.

Solicitaions began January 2005, negotiations were complete May 2005, and work will be complete September 2006. The Air Mobility Command in Scott Air Force Base, IL issued the contract (FA4428-05-D-0003).

ScanEagle Robot Plane Shows Promise With USMC in Iraq

ScanEagle returns

ScanEagle is a relatively low-cost robot aircraft at $100,000 a copy – but then, it was originally designed to find tuna schools not terrorists. The U.S. Marine Corps is currently using an upgraded version of the aircraft in Iraq, where its performance in Fallujah and along the Syrian border has drawn interest from other services and a recent $14.5 contract from the U.S. Navy.

The Marines already use the Pioneer UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and have access to other UAV information via man-portable Dragon Eye systems et. al. The ScanEagle’s combination of range, long loiter time, and small logistical and operational footprints makes it somewhat unique. Unlike the much larger Pioneer, which requires a runway, C-130s to transport the system, and a large logistical “tail” of technicians, operator, and maintenance, the ScanEagle requires just a few people and the aircraft, launch system, skyhook, et. al. can be carried in just four HMMWV jeeps. Unlike the smaller Dragon Eye, this 4-foot aircraft with a 10 foot wingspan can keep its sensors on target for 10-15 hours without requiring an operator to control it.

AIM Program’s M1A1 Tank Refits and Rebuilds Continue

M1A1 Abrams

Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) is a joint effort to refurbish M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks involving various Pentagon agencies and General Dynamics Land Systems. AIM refurbishing of M1 tanks incurs lower operational and support costs, raises operational readiness rates, improves standardization, offers low-cost leverage opportunities for incremental upgrades, and minimally sustains the Abrams industrial base.

Under the AIM program, used M1A1 Abrams tanks are completely disassembled and each component is evaluated. While many of the components remain at Anniston Army Depot, AL, others are shipped to appropriate rebuild sites. Turret and hull subsystems are first worked on at Anniston and then shipped to Lima, OH where the tank is fully reassembled, tested and accepted back into the Army’s fleet in a zero-mileage equivalent, like-new condition. The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI recently issued two contracts related to this effort:

Earthtech Tapped for $4B Brooks City-Base Contract

SCIT System

Earth Tech, Long Beach, CA is being awarded a $4 billion indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to provide for: work plan implementation, construction and engineering activities; repair; work to meet IAW technical and regulatory requirements; and handling all hazardous materials and waste IAW local requirements. The Air Force can issue deliver orders totaling up to the maximum amount indicated above, though actual requirements may necessitate less than this amount. Expected completion date is October 2006, and the Headquarters 311th Human Systems Wing is the contracting activity (FA8903-04-D-8671).

According to its Statement of Commander’s intent, the 311th is to be “the birthplace, home, and future of aerospace medicine.” It sits within the Brooks City-Base Project, an innovative joint partnership with the City of San Antonio, TX.

SCIT System

Earth Tech, Long Beach, CA is being awarded a $4 billion indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to provide for: work plan implementation, construction and engineering activities; repair; work to meet IAW technical and regulatory requirements; and handling all hazardous materials and waste IAW local requirements. The Air Force can issue deliver orders totaling up to the maximum amount indicated above, though actual requirements may necessitate less than this amount. Expected completion date is October 2006, and the Headquarters 311th Human Systems Wing is the contracting activity (FA8903-04-D-8671).

According to its Statement of Commander’s intent, the 311th is to be “the birthplace, home, and future of aerospace medicine.” It sits within the Brooks City-Base Project, an innovative joint partnership with the City of San Antonio, TX.