Rapid Fire 2010-04-20: Marder IFV

• Turkish navy commanders aboard the F-493 TCG Gelibolu, a G-class frigade that is an updated version of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate, capture 13 pirates in the Indian Ocean.

• Reports indicate a Taliban buildup in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They don’t publicize their procurement activities, of course.

• Germany’s democratically-accountable government does, though. Marder tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicles and PzH-2000 tracked mobile howitzers are on the way to Afghanistan, in response to increased attacks.

US SOCOM Raises Ceiling on ALMBOS Contract As Follow-on Contract Awaits GAO Protest Review

Jacobs Technology in Tampa, FL received a $50 million increase on its contract ceiling to provide acquisition, logistics, management, and business operations support (ALMBOS) to the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). This will bring the total contact ceiling to $510 million.

Jacobs is 1 of 2 firms that provide support services to USSOCOM under ALMBOS contracts, which expire April 30/10. The other firm is Gemini Industries. The raising of the ceiling will enable US SOCOM to continue to fill task orders after the April 30 expiration date.

At the same time, US SOCOM launched an RFP to award a follow-on contract, called the Global Battlestaff and Program Support (GBPS) contract, with a potential value of $2.7 billion. But the GAO is reviewing a protest over the RFP…