Back on September 26, 2005, DID ran “OFT Faces Different Future Without Cebrowski,” describing the difficulties facing the Pentagon’s Office of Force Transformation in the wake of its high-profile and hugely influential founder’s departure. Sadly, the cancer that forced Arthur K. Cebrowski to resign ultimately claimed his life in November 2005. It would appear that his illness has effectively claimed the OFT’s life as well; the office will reportedly shut down on October 1, 2006.
Well-known author and Cebrowski protege Thomas Barnett believes that the OFT’s demise is just the natural order of things as its concepts have become more mainsteam, though others note that its small size and budget made progress difficult and rendered OFT easier prey in turf battles. GCN adds that the OFT’s analysis and studies portions will go to the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, while the initiatives part will fall under a new office to be headed by John Young, deputy undersecretary of Defense for acquisition and technology.
The Air Force District Washington at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, DC has awarded a pair of $1.93 billion indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity; fixed price with economic price adjustment contracts. The contractors will recruit, qualify and retain health care workers at 63 Air Force medical treatment facilities in 58 geographic locations. DID covered a similar contract in November 2005, which set out 5 additional winners.
The USAF can issues delivery orders totaling up to the maximum amount indicated above, but they can also issue less if circumstances warrant. Work will be complete in November 2010, and the winners are:
Magnum Medical Joint Venture, Angleton, TX (FA7014-06-D-0015). This is a partnership between Sterling Medical Associates, Inc. and Magnum Opus Technologies, Inc.
Luke and Associates, Merritt Island, FL (FA7014-06-D-0016)
On June 20, 2006 the US Government Accountability Office sustained Magnum’s protest (B-297687.2) re: the original award of this contract to Luke and Associates.
Now Endre Lunde informs DID that the Rafale is no longer in contention, a development reportedly confirmed by Norway’s Deputy Minister of Defense to a leading Norwegian newspaper. The announcement was apparently made during a two-day visit to Saab’s facilities in Linkoping, Sweden. Lunde notes that “…the Gripen so far has been the true outsider compared to the Eurofighter and the F-35 Lightning, but the recent announcements by Gripen on the prospects of a dedicated “N” version, and a long and patient process of building trust and support in Norway seems to be paying off.”
