On June 14/11, the US Army released a pre-solicitation notice for the procurement of approximately 70,000 to 100,000 M4 and M4A1 carbines in a best value competition (W56HZV-10-R-0593). This represents the first time that the procurement of the M4/M4A1 has not been limited to Colt Defense. How was this point reached, exactly what are the Army’s options, and how that may affect the Individual Carbine competition?
There’s still a very good chance that the competition for a new replacement rifle will meet the fate of previous competitions, and the Army will continue to buy the M4…
June 20/11: Lockheed Martin, Mission Systems and Sensors in Eagan, MN receives a $758.2 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract with firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-award-fee, and cost reimbursable contract line item numbers. They’ll design, produce, install and support Technical Insertion-[20]12 and Technical Insertion -[20]14 hardware into US submarines, upgrading their internal electronics using a combination of Navy and commercial standards.
Using commercial standards at all is a step forward from past practice, and Lockheed Martin has gained considerable sales and experience by packaging commercial standards for naval military use. In terms of supported submarines…
June 20/11: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District in Winchester, VA awarded 14 multiple-award contracts, out of 43 bids received via FBO.gov for design-build and construction projects in U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.
The firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery /indefinite-quantity task orders could be worth up to $3.8 billion, and run until June 30/16. Each task order will be competed among these winners:
Most people think of militaries as stockpiling munitions, rather than real estate, even though both are equally true. Militaries are often very good at managing their munitions stockpiles, but generally lack the same level of expertise when it comes to commercial management of real estate. Some may even decide that they shouldn’t be in this business.
Which helps to explain why the 772nd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron/PKJ at Lackland Air Force Base, TX let a maximum $40 million multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for “… services to provide innovative means to create lucrative and lasting real estate developments of the underutilized real estate assets at various Air Force installations…”
MBDA unveils the CVS401 Perseus concept missile system. Cast as MBDA’s “vision of a multi-role strike weapon system for 2030 and beyond”, Perseus is designed to be operated through advanced Operations and Mission Planning Systems across all platforms.
Centurum wins a performance-based contract to provide command and control systems support for new Department of Defense (DoD) integrated systems and networks. The potential cumulative value of this contract is an estimated $77 million.
Speaking to a media roundtable at the Paris Air Show, the President and Chief Executive of Boeing reflected on the company’s recent fortunes within Asia’s defense markets.
US KC-46A 767 tankers will carry Raytheon’s AN/ALR-69 radar warning receivers, and their anti-jam GPS receivers.
Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary ELTA Systems announces that it has sold compact intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to an unnamed Latin American customer. The ELI-3120 is used for a number of homeland security tasks including the deterring of arms and narcotics trafficking.
Research and Markets publishes the Syria Defense and Security Report Q3 2011.
Three days after the completion of Operation Sea Breeze 2011, an unidentified diplomat tells RIA Novosti that Russia should not be surprised by talks between Ukraine and NATO that discussed “everything but membership”.
Defense Legislation outlines the options to address Members of Congress’ concerns about the United States’ ability to acquire rare earth elements used in various defense weapons systems.