Disadvantaged business qualifier Leader Automotive Wholesalers of Glenview, IL won a maximum $8.5 million fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for anti-freeze for all services. Work will be performed in Glenview, IL and New Kensington, PA, and will be complete on July 20, 2008. This is an indefinite quantity base year contract with 2 option years. Proposals were Gateway solicited and 2 responded. The Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) in Richmond, VA issued the contract (SP040605D4082).
Belgium’s Council of Ministers recently approved a series of defense investments worth approximately $1.2 billion, covering Iltis jeep replacements, Pandur armored reconnaissance vehicle upgrades, the acquisition of two second hand M-class frigates from The Netherlands, and an Armored Infantry Vehicle Program that is still up for bid.
In late 2003, the Government approved a defense blueprint that called for an in-depth modernization of the Belgian armed forces toward smaller, more flexible and better equipped forces capable of rapid deployment. These decisions mark the first stages of this modernization drive, which is estimated to involve a EUR 2 billion commitment. Recent operations carried out by the Belgian military in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Democratic Republic of Congo and, in recent months, again in Bosnia Herzegovina have also influenced these decisions.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has chosen an in-house option for the outcome of the 2002 Future Defence Supply Chain initiative, which was set up to improve the performance of the Defence Supply Chain. This will involve a major reorganisation of how equipment and supplies are stored and distributed. These efforts are part of a package of measures that include other defense support elements and facilities in the UK.
Alternative models of in-house provision were compared with a potential partnered solution, for which proposals were sought from industry. Two consortia: Defence Logistic Solutions (DLS: BAE Systems, AgustaWestland and TNT); and Defence Supply Chain Solutions (DSCS: Devonport Management Ltd and Exel) were invited to submit proposals, but in the end neither was accepted.
O’Gara-Hess & Eisenhardt Armoring Co. in Fairfield, OH received a $78 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for the M1114 Up-Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (DAAE07-00-C-S019). Most of these vehicles are destined for service in Iraq.
Work on this contract will be performed in Fairfield, OH and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2006. The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI issued the modification. In calendar year 2005, the US DoD has issued $425.8 million worth of M1114-related contracts and modifications.
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…
Capable of sustaining fully loaded speeds of 36 knots, Westpac Express can rapidly deploy a complete battalion of up to 970 Marines and 663 tons of vehicles and equipment in a single lift, saving both time and money. Whereas the normal transit from Okinawa to South Korea aboard ferry or amphibious shipping would take two to three days, and moving a Marine infantry battalion by air would take fourteen to seventeen C-17 aircraft lifts, the same deployment could be carried out by WestPac Express in 24-30 hours, at approximately 25% of the cost of the airlift option and with far less inconvenience to Okinawa’s civilian population.
Innovative Productivity Inc., a non-profit corporation in Louisville, KY, received a $5.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the operation of the McConnell Technology and Training Center (MTTC). Work will be performed in Louisville, KY and is expected to be complete by December 2006. The contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, Louisville Detachment issued the contract (N63394-05-C-4001).
MTTC provides over 150 e-learning courses in a variety of areas that include computer technologies, business, human resources development and home/personal applications. They have also helped the U.S. Navy resolve nagging and costly shipboard problems through the insertion of commercial products and technologies. For example, MTTC has developed a number of Fleet maintenance reduction projects, and has a technology transfer program that works with the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, universities and industry to identify innovative technologies, processes and concepts that reduce operating costs and increase productivity.
The U.S. Army announced today it temporarily suspended the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the acquisition of a new family of small weapons – Objective Individual Combat Weapon Increment 1 (OICW-1) – in order to incorporate joint requirements. The Army’s proposal for this rifle/ carbine/ SAW replacement has received interest from the other military services, and is further supported by several internal reviews reinforcing the increase in the potential for joint use. A meeting of the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee (JROC) is scheduled for early September 2005, after which new requirements and an amended RFP will be issued. The solicitation number for OICW-1 is W15QKN-05-R-0449 and can be viewed at http://procnet.pica.army.mil.
OICW-1 is comprised of a family of small arms weapons that are intended to replace the M4 carbine, the M16 rifle, the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and selected M9 pistols. This rifle was to have a modified XM8 firng 5.56mm bullets, with a 20mm semiautomatic grenade launcher with a six-round clip for distant targets. It is also was to have a lot of the latest technology, including a ballistic computer, laser rangefinder, video camera, and a day-night scope.
Finmeccanica group company SELEX Sistemi Integrati has been chosen to build an automated radar surveillance system (ZSRN) for Poland’s coastal waters. The contract is worth around EUR 30 million, and will see SELEX Sistemi Integrati act as representative of a temporary consortium formed together with a number of local companies. Poland has a maritime border stretching for around 534 km, and the new system will be used by Polish border police, but the information gathered will also be passed on to other institutions such as the navy where appropriate.
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in Bethpage, NY received a $22.6 million modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-03-C-0057) to design, develop, produce and test an On-Board Oxygen Generating System for the Navy’s upgraded E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AWACS aircraft.
The E-2D’s powerful 360 degree radar and sensor coverage will provide advance warning of approaching enemy surface units, cruise missiles and aircraft, to vector interceptors or strike aircraft to attack. It will also provide area surveillance, communications relay, search and rescue coordination and air traffic control. The aircraft will meet airborne early warning, surveillance, battle management and theater missile defense needs as the Navy achieves its Sea Power 21 concepts in support of Joint Vision 2020.
