The U.S. Defense Department is now spending more of its money on “black,” or classified, programs than at any time since 1988. The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments non-governmental group reports that 19% of the Pentagon’s acquistion budget is currently being devoted to super-secret items. That comes out to about $28 billion, almost double what was spent in 1995. DefenseTech.org has further details, including a link to the study.
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.
UK MoD Defence Contracts Bulletin magazine reports: “In light of strategic reassessment of in-service capabilities and the continuing DLO efficiency drive, GWSS IPT has established the ADAPT project to develop and assess options for the future support of the in-service Short Range Air Defence (SHORAD). SHORAD currently consists of Rapier Field Standard C, with MBDA as the system prime contractor and High Velocity Missile (HVM), with Thales Air Defence Ltd (TADL) as the system prime contractor. The requirement for ADAPT is:
Raytheon Co. in Tucson, AZ received a $52.7 million modification to a firm-fixed-price sole-source contract initiated on July 15, 2002 for TOW 2A anti-armor missiles. The TOW 2A is an improved version of the original Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided missile that’s designed for “bunker busting” attacks on fortifications, bunkers and urban structures. It can also defeat reactive armor if used against vehicles. The TOW 2A has a range of 3,750m, and is scheduled to arm the US Army’s Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) variant of the Stryker combat vehicle family.
Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL issued the contract modification (W31P4Q-04-C-0061).
The U.S. Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) HQ at Fort Lee, VA is looking to industry to help it improve its IT systems. In an April 12 presolicitation, the DeCA asks for a single contractor to manage and maintain three legacy business systems supporting all Defense Department users: the DeCA Interactive Business System, Computer Assisted Ordering and the Pick Management System.
“All three are mission-essential systems that require support 24 hours a day, seven days a week” for the current legacy baselines, the presolicitation notice said. The government requires systems and software engineering support services for these in-house systems , and also wants to develop replacement applications for DeCA business systems that comply with DOD’s Business Enterprise Architecture.” The Defense Information Agency Contracting Office should post a request for proposals by April 25.
SNC Telecommunications, LLC dba SNC Manufacturing in Anchorage, AK is rated as a “small disadvantaged business in HUBZone.” Which may explain why it received a maximum $24.7 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for chemical protective coveralls for the U.S. Air Force. This was a sole-source competition with one solicitation and one response.
The contract will be performed in Anchorage, AK and Orocovis, Puerto Rico. This is a total set aside base year contract with two term options for 2 years. Performance completion date is Dec. 14, 2006. The Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia, PA issued the contract (SP0100-05-D-6042).
