It is said that amateurs study tactics, while professionals study logistics. Analysts study procurement, because this is where the decisions are taken that affect both the range of thinkable tactics, and the logistics infrastructure that underpins them. Hence the importance of programs like the USA’s newly-launched Defense Transportation Coordination Initiative (DTCI).
At present, the US Department of Defense’s shippers in the continental US (CONUS) are handled by individual depots, bases, and other locations. Each location independently selects the transportation modes, level of service, and transportation providers they need, and so multiple information systems are employed to execute and manage shipment activity. There is no centralized planning, coordination, or control. The system works, because each shipment is managed. Is it as efficient as it could be? No.
Hence DTCI, which is focused on increasing operational effectiveness, while simultaneously obtaining efficiencies by reducing cycle times, and using best practices such as increased consolidations / load optimization and modal conversions. The premise is for DoD to competitively award a long-term contract with a world-class transportation coordinator/coordinator(s) that will help it achieve these goals, leveraging current commercial capabilities and proven practices save up to 20% as it manages, consolidates, and optimizes freight movements. In the business world, this growing trend is called 3rd Party Logistics (3PL).
The DTCI contract has a multiple phased implementation approach – which DID describes below in our Spotlight article, along with the program’s history & issues faced, the recent announcement of a winning team, the known competitors, and a collection of useful reference resources…
BAE Systems has announced a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) from the U.S. Navy for up to $368 million to build and refurbish naval weapon systems, and provide support services over the next 5 years. Potential orders received under this BOA are expected later this year and will be carried out by BAE Systems’ facilities in Minneapolis, MN and Louisville, KY.
The BOA covers a wide range of BAE Systems’ programs including the transition of production of the Mk 110 57mm naval gun system from low-rate to full; the overhaul, manufacture and upgrade of the Mk 45 5-inch (127mm) naval gun for the CG-47 Cruiser Modernization program, the Mk 75 76mm gun mount, the Mk 42 extended range guided missile handling mechanism, the Mk 32 surface vessel torpedo tubes (SVTT), and the Mk 36/53 decoy launcher systems (DLS); the manufacture of gun barrels; the overhaul of turbine pump ejection systems (TPES); and work associated with minor caliber guns. BAE Systems release.
Computer Sciences Raytheon received a contract for $816.2 million for Eastern Range Technical Services to provide operations, maintenance, sustainment of critical range and launch processing systems that support the launch processing mission of the 45th Space Wing and its launch customers at Cape Canaveral Air Station. CSR is a joint venture partnership of Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) and Raytheon Technical Services Company, and they have held this contract since 1988. Cape Canaveral, meanwhile, is famous for being the home site of all NASA space launches; the 45th Space Wing is also busy with other projects.
The scope of this acquisition will include all critical range systems and associated support systems. Service include downrange facilities support, base and range local area network/metropolitan area network (LAN/MAN) service, and other minor technical systems support required for successful range mission accomplishment. At this time, all funds have been obligated. 45 CONS/LGCZR at Patrick Air Force Base FL issued the contract (FA2521-07-C-0011).
General Dynamics Land Systems Inc. in Sterling Heights, MI received a $56.5 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract to upgrade 18 Fox Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance System (NBC-RS) Vehicles from M93 (14) and M93A1 (4) Configurations to M93A1P1. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, MI; Anniston, AL; Lima, OH; and Germany and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2009. This was a sole source contract initiated on April 24, 2007 by the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (DAAM01-96-C-0028). General Dynamics release.
The amphibious Fox (Fuchs) vehicle is actually a German design, first fielded in 1979 by a firm that became part of Rheinmetall Landsysteme. The NBC-RS variant, or Spurfuchs in German, has become popular with a number of countries, and is in service with the US Army and Marines. The wedge-shaped cover over the rear door is a key identifier, and all M93 NBS-RS variants have an over-pressure filtration system that permits the crew to operate in a fully protected environment.
Fox in Husseiniyah
The upgraded M93A1 reduces the crew complement from 4 to 3, and contains an enhanced NBC sensor suite consisting of the M21 Remote Sensing Chemical Agent Alarm (RSCAAL), MM1 Mobile Mass Spectrometer, Chemical Agent Monitor/Improved Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM/ICAM), AN/VDR-2 Beta Radiac, and M22 Automatic Chemical Agent Detector/Alarm (ACADA). The NBC sensor suite has been digitally linked with the communications and navigation subsystems by a dual-purpose central processor system known as the Multipurpose Integrated Chemical Agent Detector (MICAD), which fully automates NBC warning and reporting to other units and integrates with the vehicles Global Positioning System [GPS] and Autonomous Navigation System. The M93A1P1 is the most up-to-date configuration and features a survivability improvement package that includes slat armor, improved protection against land mines, and firepower improvements via the CROWS remote-controlled weapon station.
Small business qualifier Gulf Sand and Gravel Inc. in Gulf Shores, AL received a delivery order amount of $6.1 million as part of a $10 million firm-fixed-price contract for restoration of shoreline and beach in Harrison, MS. Work is expected to be completed by Aug 28/08. There were 205 bids solicited on July 13/07, and 5 bids were received by The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Mobile, AL (W91278-07-D-0108).
