$5B in CENTCOM Contracting Under Scrutiny

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman recently said [release | full press conference transcript] that US Department of Defense officials are concerned with the number of contracting improprieties that have been uncovered within the CENTCOM area of responsibility. Problems with the contracts run the gamut of seriousness from bid-rigging, kickbacks and product substitution to double billing, and Whitman added that the DoD is concerned about “ensuring the integrity of our accounting systems, as well as the integrity of our contracting procedures.” The former could be a tall order; accounting systems have been a long-standing issue in the Pentagon.

The Army is the lead agency in the investigations, which cover up to $5 billion in contracts for goods and services issued in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan…

$162M from US for Specialized Containers

ISO Mobilizer

AAR Mobility Systems in Cadillac, MI received a sole source, $162 million fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for specialized shipping/storage containers, shelters and accessories, to be used by the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Federal Civilian Agencies. Work will be performed in Cadillac, MI, and in California. Date of performance completion is Aug 30/09, and the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA issued the contract (SPM8ED-07-D-0003).

While the DefenseLINK language mentioned “shelters,” AAR’s shelters tend to be specialty items like portable shop containers, designed to mount on Hummers and light trucks. AAR does offer some options within its tactical lineup, however, if the USA military wishes to begin moving away from its practice of deploying tents rather than container-based metal structures as its main accommodation option – even in war zones that routinely feature incoming mortar fire, or as civilian shelters in hurricane zones during hurricane season. Specialty ISU Containers are more likely to be the targets of this contract, however; they include options like…

$21.6M for AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems to US Military

AN/AAR-47 Components

The AN/AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) is a passive missile approach warning system consisting of four sensor assemblies housed in two or more sensor domes, a central processing unit, and a control indicator. Deployed on helicopters and transport aircraft, the AAR-47 deals with threat missile approach by detecting radiation associated with the rocket motor, letting the crew know that an attacking missile is coming and which direction it’s coming from, and automatically firing decoy flares. Detection algorithms are used to tell the difference between a missile and non-threatening/ stationary sources of heat or other radiation.

Alliant Techsystems’ Integrated Systems Division, Clearwater, FL received a $21.6 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-06-C-0107) to exercise an option for the procurement of AAR-47(V)2 Missile Approach Warning Set hardware weapons replacement assemblies. This modification provides for 797 Integrated Optical Sensor converters with laser warning capabilities, to be distributed to the U.S. Air Force (644, $17M, 78.7%), U.S. Army (68, $1.9M, 8.9%), U.S. Navy (59, $1.55M 7.2%), U.S. National Guard (20, $567,095; 2.6%), and U.S. Marine Corps (6, $567,095; 2.6%).

Work will be performed in Clearwater, FL (48%); Austin, TX (38 percent); Hamamatsu, Japan (9%); and Natanya, Israel (5%), and is expected to be completed in November 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $1 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, MD issued the contract.

$42.2M for Vehicle Maintenance Complex at Ft Bragg

Men at work

Walbridge Aldinger received a delivery order amount of $42.2 million, covering a firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a standard design vehicle maintenance complex in Fort Bragg, NC. Work is expected to be completed by Feb 20/09. This web solicitation was posted on Dec 28/06, and 11 bids were received by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Savannah District in Savannah, GA (W912HN-07-D-0039).

Fort Bragg is known as the “Home of the Airborne.” Tenant units include VIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, The US Army Special Operations Command (“Green Berets”), the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, and the US Army Parachute Team, among others.

$10.1M for Air Defense Simulator Facility

BVR’s ADS

Israeli firm BVR Systems recently announced a contract valued at $10.1 million for the provision of an Air Defence Simulator “for an international customer.” Practice with air defense missiles is extremely expensive, due to the costs of both the missiles and the drones. As computing technology has evolved, simulators have become a popular option for honing missile defense skills.

BVR’s Air Defence Simulator facility is re-configurable to support various Short Range Air Defence (SHORAD) weapons, and consists of a high-end graphical display system projected over dual 14 meter diameter dome. Trainees to operate realistic mockups of the SHORAD weapon systems within the domes, while their actions are monitored and reviewed by the instructors. After completion of the scenario, the trainees’ progress to a debriefing session, where a comprehensive review of the exercise is performed featuring an advanced analysis and scoring capability. Dedicated instructor stations and a debriefing auditorium are part of the package.

Command and Control functions can also be tested, and the system enables large scale joint force training scenarios featuring real and virtual air defence and airborne assets. Beyond the ADS system lies a suite live and virtual training systems, such as the Air Defence Embedded Simulator (ADES), Full Mission Fighter Aircraft Simulators, and the EHUD Autonomous Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (AACMI) system that attaches to fighter aircraft.

$7M for a Marina in ND State Park

Small business qualifier Martin Construction Inc. in Gladstone, ND received a $7 million firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a marina at Fort Stevens State Park in Garrison, ND. Work is expected to be complete by Sept 30/08. This web solicitation was posted on July 9, 2007, and 8 bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Omaha District in Omaha, NB (W9128F-07-C-0026).

We sure do hope the folks in Garrison, North Dakota enjoy their marina, and remain ever-vigilant in case the Canadian Navy decides to invade.