BAE Systems received orders worth $118 million for 63 more M777 howitzers, bringing the M777 order total to 800 guns. The U.S. Department of Defense is buying 38 guns for the Marine Corps and Army, and Canada is acquiring 25 more through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program to add to the 12 it already has in service. BAE Systems also received a $3 million contract to reset 33 U.S. howitzers returning from operations in Afghanistan. Both the U.S. and Canada operate M777s in Afghanistan, providing fire support to coalition forces.
Five small businesses won cost-plus fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contracts to build and maintain structures and facilities at Navy and Marine Corp facilities worldwide. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command awarded the contracts to Sound & Sea Technology Inc. in Lynnwood, WA (N62583-09-D-0064); PCCI Inc. in Alexandria, VA (N62583-09-D-0065); Truston Technologies Inc. in Annapolis, MD (N62583-09-D-0066); GPA Technologies Inc. in Ventura, CA (N62583-09-D-0067); and MAR Inc. in Rockville, MD (N62583-09-D-0068). The maximum dollar value, including the base period and 4 option years, for all 5 contracts is $250 million.
The work will provide support for Naval Ocean Facilities Engineering Program (NOFP) requirements managed by the Engineering Service Center, Port Hueneme. Projects will involve incidental construction work or equipment fabrication, including ocean cable systems, ocean work systems, waterfront facilities, hyperbaric facilities, offshore structures, moorings, and ocean construction equipment. The companies will perform the work in environmental conditions ranging from Arctic to Tropic and at all water depths where equipment installation or removal, maintenance, inspection, repair, and salvage operations may be required.
The expected completion date of the work is May 2014. The contracts were competitively procured as a 100% small business set-aside via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 6 proposals received by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command’s Specialty Center Acquisitions in Port Hueneme, CA.
Raytheon announced that its Surface Launched Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (SLAMRAAM) program has received U.S. Army approval for a long-lead acquisition, not to exceed $30 million, for purchases leading to low rate initial production.
The SLAMRAAM is the Army’s future short-range air defense weapon.
Walbridge Aldinger Co. Inc. in Detroit, MI won a $149.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of an Infantry Brigade Combat Team Barracks at Fort Stewart, GA. Walbridge expects to complete the work by March 15/11. There were 4 proposals solicited with 3 received by the U.S. Army Engineer District in Savannah, GA (W912HN-07-D-0054).
Under the contract, Walbridge will build 3 small and 3 medium tactical vehicle equipment maintenance facilities (totaling 159,870 square feet) with an accompanying tactical/ organizational vehicle paved parking area (155.5 square feet); and Infantry Brigade Combat Team Barracks (364,777 square feet) consisting of administrative modules, supply (readiness modules) and covered paved parking area (66,555 square feet). The project also includes construction of infrastructure and utilities, including access roads; electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer services; water storage tank and well; security perimeter fencing with gates; security lighting and exterior lighting; parking and walking areas; gutter and storm water drainage; signage; information systems; site improvements; and landscaping.
The construction is to accommodate changes at Fort Stewart, including the addition of an infantry brigade combat team in fiscal year 2011. Fort Stewart is best known as the home of the 3rd Infantry Division. The additional brigade is part of a broader effort, announced in 2007, to grow the US Army by 74,200 troops and 6 brigade combat teams (BCTs)/ 8 support brigades. “US Army Stationing Decisions, FY 2008-2013” (subscription) provides a full list and timetable.