FROM: U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FINANCIAL
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Colorado Health Care Organization and One of Its Montana Hospitals to Pay $3.85 Million for Allegedly Providing Financial Benefits to Referring Physicians and Physician Groups
St. James Healthcare (St. James), a hospital located in Butte, Mont., and its parent company, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System (Sisters of Charity), a health care organization based in Denver, Colo., have agreed to pay $3.85 million to resolve allegations that they violated the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law and the False Claims Act by improperly providing financial benefits to physicians and physician groups that made referrals to the hospital, the Justice Department announced today.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits the provision of remuneration with the intent to induce referrals of government health care program business. The Stark Law restricts financial relationships that hospitals may enter into with physicians who refer patients to them. Federal law prohibits payment by federal health care programs of medical claims that result from arrangements that violate the Anti-Kickback Statute or the Stark Law.
“Improper financial arrangements between hospitals and physicians not only undermine the integrity of the decisions that doctors make, they raise the cost of health care for all of us,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart F. Delery. “The department has longstanding concerns about such conduct and is committed to working with health care providers that come forward to disclose their misconduct.”
The settlement announced today resolves allegations that St. James and Sisters of Charity provided various improper financial incentives to physicians and physician groups that were involved in a joint venture with St. James to own and operate a medical office building on the St. James campus. These incentives included a payment to the joint venture that increased the share values for the physicians and physician groups in the joint venture and resulted in below fair market value lease rates for the physicians renting space in the medical office building. Additional incentives provided by St. James and Sisters of Charity included below fair market value lease rates for the land upon which the medical office building was constructed and other below fair market value arrangements related to shared facilities, use and maintenance. These issues were disclosed by St. James and Sisters of Charity to the government.
“This matter is of great significance to Montanans because it helps ensure federal health care programs deliver services in a cost-effective and efficient manner,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Michael W. Cotter. “We are encouraged that hospitals like St. James Healthcare are taking these issues seriously by reviewing their operations and making disclosures to the government where necessary.”
This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The partnership between the two departments has focused on efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $17 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $12.2 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana, the Department of Justice Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXTENSION
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
Statement by Gene B. Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council
This New Year’s Day, there is likely less joy and more fear and distress in the homes of 1.3 million Americans who this week have seen their unemployment insurance suddenly cut off – a vital lifeline that these Americans depend on as they fight to find a job. There would be no better New Year’s resolution for Congress to make today than to commit to making the first new legislation for the new year the restoration of emergency unemployment insurance for those who have this week just been cut off.
Failing to extend emergency unemployment insurance through 2014 will negatively impact 14 million Americans – the 4.9 million workers who will see unemployment insurance cut off and the approximately 9 million additional family members they are supporting. But if Congress does the right thing and acts to extend emergency unemployment benefits through 2014, it is estimated to lead to 200,000 jobs and a fifth of a point of additional economic growth. This emergency unemployment insurance is temporary and by design will taper off as the unemployment falls around the nation.
The claims by some that those experiencing long-term unemployment are solely at fault are belied by the countless accounts of the names, faces and stories of responsible Americans among those 1.3 million who have worked hard their whole lives and are fighting to find a new job to support their families. Because these workers are only eligible for this emergency assistance if they are actively looking for work, extension will help encourage many of the long-term unemployed to keep at it even if they are getting discouraged.
We as Americans can choose to have each other’s backs when we face serious spells of long-term unemployment. In more than 50 years, we have never cut off emergency unemployment insurance when the rate of long-term unemployment was even above 50% of its current level, even though none of those recessions were nearly as deep as the one we are now recovering from. Serious studies make clear that those who are long-term unemployed face serious barriers to getting new jobs than can lead to lasting damage to their economic future. At a time when we as a nation should be moving forward in our efforts to help those who are long-term unemployed find new jobs, we should not take a harsh step backwards by abruptly cutting off their unemployment insurance.
The President strongly supports Majority Leader Harry Reid’s commitment to bring the bipartisan Reed-Heller bill for a vote the very first day the Senate returns on January 6th. By temporarily extending emergency unemployment insurance for three months, this bipartisan bill will provide benefits for over 2 million Americans when they need it most, and we urge every member of Congress to support this vitally important bill.
Statement by Gene B. Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council
This New Year’s Day, there is likely less joy and more fear and distress in the homes of 1.3 million Americans who this week have seen their unemployment insurance suddenly cut off – a vital lifeline that these Americans depend on as they fight to find a job. There would be no better New Year’s resolution for Congress to make today than to commit to making the first new legislation for the new year the restoration of emergency unemployment insurance for those who have this week just been cut off.
Failing to extend emergency unemployment insurance through 2014 will negatively impact 14 million Americans – the 4.9 million workers who will see unemployment insurance cut off and the approximately 9 million additional family members they are supporting. But if Congress does the right thing and acts to extend emergency unemployment benefits through 2014, it is estimated to lead to 200,000 jobs and a fifth of a point of additional economic growth. This emergency unemployment insurance is temporary and by design will taper off as the unemployment falls around the nation.
The claims by some that those experiencing long-term unemployment are solely at fault are belied by the countless accounts of the names, faces and stories of responsible Americans among those 1.3 million who have worked hard their whole lives and are fighting to find a new job to support their families. Because these workers are only eligible for this emergency assistance if they are actively looking for work, extension will help encourage many of the long-term unemployed to keep at it even if they are getting discouraged.
We as Americans can choose to have each other’s backs when we face serious spells of long-term unemployment. In more than 50 years, we have never cut off emergency unemployment insurance when the rate of long-term unemployment was even above 50% of its current level, even though none of those recessions were nearly as deep as the one we are now recovering from. Serious studies make clear that those who are long-term unemployed face serious barriers to getting new jobs than can lead to lasting damage to their economic future. At a time when we as a nation should be moving forward in our efforts to help those who are long-term unemployed find new jobs, we should not take a harsh step backwards by abruptly cutting off their unemployment insurance.
The President strongly supports Majority Leader Harry Reid’s commitment to bring the bipartisan Reed-Heller bill for a vote the very first day the Senate returns on January 6th. By temporarily extending emergency unemployment insurance for three months, this bipartisan bill will provide benefits for over 2 million Americans when they need it most, and we urge every member of Congress to support this vitally important bill.
U.S. EXPRESSES CONCERN REGARDING SOUTH SUDAN CONFLICT
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
U.S. ‘Deeply Concerned’ About South Sudan Situation
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2014 – The United States “remains deeply concerned” about the situation in South Sudan and calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities there to stabilize the situation and permit full humanitarian access to civilians who remain in dire need of assistance, according to a statement issued yesterday by National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden.
The U.S. also welcomes slated upcoming meetings in Ethiopia, where representatives from South Sudan have agreed to conduct mediated discussions, the statement said.
The text of Hayden’s statement reads as follows:
“The United States remains deeply concerned by the fragile situation in South Sudan. We continue to urge President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar to take immediate steps to end the current conflict, and we welcome their agreement to send representatives to Addis Ababa for talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in the coming days. We continue to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities to stabilize the situation and permit full humanitarian access to civilian populations, which remain in dire need of assistance. The United States will deny support and work to apply international pressure to any elements that use force to seize power. At the same time, we will hold leaders responsible for the conduct of their forces and work to ensure accountability for atrocities and war crimes.
“We also strongly support the vital work of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). We are working closely with the UN and other partners to help further strengthen the mission and its efforts to protect civilians, and we call on all parties to the current conflict to allow UNMISS to carry out its mandate without obstruction.
“Finally, the United States is deeply concerned by the continuing reports of serious human rights abuses being committed in various regions of South Sudan, allegedly by government forces and militias that have taken up arms against the government. Human rights abuses against the civilian population are unacceptable under any circumstances, and every new human rights abuse makes South Sudan’s path toward reconciliation more difficult. It is vital that all South Sudanese reject these acts of violence -- and that all South Sudanese leaders call upon their forces to protect civilians -- and that there be accountability for those who fail to heed these calls.”
U.S. ‘Deeply Concerned’ About South Sudan Situation
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2014 – The United States “remains deeply concerned” about the situation in South Sudan and calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities there to stabilize the situation and permit full humanitarian access to civilians who remain in dire need of assistance, according to a statement issued yesterday by National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden.
The U.S. also welcomes slated upcoming meetings in Ethiopia, where representatives from South Sudan have agreed to conduct mediated discussions, the statement said.
The text of Hayden’s statement reads as follows:
“The United States remains deeply concerned by the fragile situation in South Sudan. We continue to urge President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar to take immediate steps to end the current conflict, and we welcome their agreement to send representatives to Addis Ababa for talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in the coming days. We continue to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities to stabilize the situation and permit full humanitarian access to civilian populations, which remain in dire need of assistance. The United States will deny support and work to apply international pressure to any elements that use force to seize power. At the same time, we will hold leaders responsible for the conduct of their forces and work to ensure accountability for atrocities and war crimes.
“We also strongly support the vital work of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). We are working closely with the UN and other partners to help further strengthen the mission and its efforts to protect civilians, and we call on all parties to the current conflict to allow UNMISS to carry out its mandate without obstruction.
“Finally, the United States is deeply concerned by the continuing reports of serious human rights abuses being committed in various regions of South Sudan, allegedly by government forces and militias that have taken up arms against the government. Human rights abuses against the civilian population are unacceptable under any circumstances, and every new human rights abuse makes South Sudan’s path toward reconciliation more difficult. It is vital that all South Sudanese reject these acts of violence -- and that all South Sudanese leaders call upon their forces to protect civilians -- and that there be accountability for those who fail to heed these calls.”
3 GUANTANAMO DETAINEES TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SLOVAKIA
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
DOD Announces Transfer of 3 Guantanamo Detainees
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2013 – The Department of Defense today announced the transfer of Yusef Abbas, Saidullah Khalik and Hajiakbar Abdul Ghuper from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the government of Slovakia, according to a DOD news release.
These three detainees are the last ethnic Uighur Chinese nationals to be transferred from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the release said. These detainees, the release said, were subject to release from Guantanamo as a result of a court order issued on Oct. 7, 2008, by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and are voluntarily resettling in Slovakia.
As directed by the president's Jan. 22, 2009, executive order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of these cases, the release said. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, these individuals were designated for transfer by unanimous consent among all six agencies on the task force, the release said.
In accordance with statutory reporting requirements, the administration informed Congress of its intent to transfer these individuals, the release said.
The United States is grateful to the government of Slovakia for this humanitarian gesture and its willingness to support U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the release said. The United States coordinated with the government of Slovakia to ensure the transfer took place in accordance with appropriate security and humane treatment measures, the release said.
This transfer and resettlement constitutes a significant milestone in our effort to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, the release said.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel remains grateful to the Defense Department's Special Envoy Paul Lewis, and Department of State Special Envoy Cliff Sloan, for their and their respective teams' many efforts that facilitated this successful transfer, the release said.
Today, 155 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay, according to the release.
DOD Announces Transfer of 3 Guantanamo Detainees
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2013 – The Department of Defense today announced the transfer of Yusef Abbas, Saidullah Khalik and Hajiakbar Abdul Ghuper from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the government of Slovakia, according to a DOD news release.
These three detainees are the last ethnic Uighur Chinese nationals to be transferred from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the release said. These detainees, the release said, were subject to release from Guantanamo as a result of a court order issued on Oct. 7, 2008, by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and are voluntarily resettling in Slovakia.
As directed by the president's Jan. 22, 2009, executive order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of these cases, the release said. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, these individuals were designated for transfer by unanimous consent among all six agencies on the task force, the release said.
In accordance with statutory reporting requirements, the administration informed Congress of its intent to transfer these individuals, the release said.
The United States is grateful to the government of Slovakia for this humanitarian gesture and its willingness to support U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the release said. The United States coordinated with the government of Slovakia to ensure the transfer took place in accordance with appropriate security and humane treatment measures, the release said.
This transfer and resettlement constitutes a significant milestone in our effort to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, the release said.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel remains grateful to the Defense Department's Special Envoy Paul Lewis, and Department of State Special Envoy Cliff Sloan, for their and their respective teams' many efforts that facilitated this successful transfer, the release said.
Today, 155 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay, according to the release.
U.S. SENDS BEST WISHES TO PEOPLE OF SUDAN ON THEIR INDEPENDENCE DAY
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
On the Occasion of the Republic of Sudan's National Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 1, 2014
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send best wishes to the people of Sudan as you celebrate 58 years of independence on January 1.
We join with you in looking forward to a peaceful and definitive end to internal conflicts, the development of strong and productive relationships with your neighbors, and durable solutions to humanitarian crises.
We hope that all Sudanese will realize their aspirations for a more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future in the year ahead.
On the Occasion of the Republic of Sudan's National Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 1, 2014
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send best wishes to the people of Sudan as you celebrate 58 years of independence on January 1.
We join with you in looking forward to a peaceful and definitive end to internal conflicts, the development of strong and productive relationships with your neighbors, and durable solutions to humanitarian crises.
We hope that all Sudanese will realize their aspirations for a more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future in the year ahead.
U.S. CONGRATULATES PEOPLE OF HAITI ON THEIR INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Haiti's Independence Day
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 1, 2014
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Haiti as you celebrate the 210th anniversary of your independence.
I spent more than 30 years representing Massachusetts as Lieutenant Governor and Senator, and I am proud to this day that my state is home to the third largest Haitian-American community in the United States. I was proud that my daughter’s first work as a doctor was in Haiti where she experienced firsthand the determination and resilience of proud Haitians who cared so deeply about their country’s future. Having known and worked so closely with this exceptional community, I hold a special appreciation for Haiti’s journey.
I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation in the Senate to help Haiti rebuild and develop in a way that creates an opportunity to emerge better off and better prepared. And that’s why I worked closely with dozens of families in Massachusetts to expedite adoptions of Haitian orphans that had already been underway before the earthquake. As Secretary of State, I will continue to make Haiti a priority.
The United States joins you today in commemorating the courage and spirit of independence of all Haitians as well as the ties of friendship and family that bind our peoples together.
On this special day, I extend best wishes and reiterate our strong commitment to help all Haitians as they chart a path toward greater peace, security and, prosperity.
I spent more than 30 years representing Massachusetts as Lieutenant Governor and Senator, and I am proud to this day that my state is home to the third largest Haitian-American community in the United States. I was proud that my daughter’s first work as a doctor was in Haiti where she experienced firsthand the determination and resilience of proud Haitians who cared so deeply about their country’s future. Having known and worked so closely with this exceptional community, I hold a special appreciation for Haiti’s journey.
I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation in the Senate to help Haiti rebuild and develop in a way that creates an opportunity to emerge better off and better prepared. And that’s why I worked closely with dozens of families in Massachusetts to expedite adoptions of Haitian orphans that had already been underway before the earthquake. As Secretary of State, I will continue to make Haiti a priority.
The United States joins you today in commemorating the courage and spirit of independence of all Haitians as well as the ties of friendship and family that bind our peoples together.
On this special day, I extend best wishes and reiterate our strong commitment to help all Haitians as they chart a path toward greater peace, security and, prosperity.
THE FLAT GALAXY
FROM: NASA/HUBBLE GALAXY
Hubble Eyes Galaxy as Flat as a Pancake
Located some 25 million light-years away, this new Hubble image shows spiral galaxy ESO 373-8. Together with at least seven of its galactic neighbors, this galaxy is a member of the NGC 2997 group. We see it side-on as a thin, glittering streak across the sky, with all its contents neatly aligned in the same plane.
We see so many galaxies like this — flat, stretched-out pancakes — that our brains barely process their shape. But let us stop and ask: Why are galaxies stretched out and aligned like this?
Try spinning around in your chair with your legs and arms out. Slowly pull your legs and arms inwards, and tuck them in against your body. Notice anything? You should have started spinning faster. This effect is due to conservation of angular momentum, and it’s true for galaxies, too.
This galaxy began life as a humungous ball of slowly rotating gas. Collapsing in upon itself, it spun faster and faster until, like pizza dough spinning and stretching in the air, a disc started to form. Anything that bobbed up and down through this disk was pulled back in line with this motion, creating a streamlined shape.
Angular momentum is always conserved — from a spinning galactic disk 25 million light-years away from us, to any astronomer, or astronomer-wannabe, spinning in an office chair. Image Credit: NASA/Hubble
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
DECEMBER: MONTH OF THE NANOSATELLITE LAUNCH
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Launch Propels Southcom-sponsored Nanosatellite Into Space
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2013 – An Atlas V rocket launched last night from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., carried a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored nanosatellite into space -- and with it, the potential for more reliable and less expensive communications for troops around the world.
The nanosatellite, about the size of a loaf of bread and weighing just 11 pounds, piggybacked during the launch on a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office headquartered in Chantilly, Va., Southcom officials said.
That small package carries big hopes for Southcom, which spearheaded the demonstration project to help overcome communications challenges in the vast mountainous and densely forested terrain within Latin America, Juan Hurtado, Southcom’s science and technology advisor, told American Forces Press Service during an interview from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
As envisioned, troops on the ground will be able to tap the new technology directly from their field radios. And when the satellite moves beyond the part of the globe beyond Southcom’s area of responsibility, it could provide that same capability to other combatant commands as well, Hurtado said.
“This is a major milestone,” he said. “This first space project for U.S. Southern Command represents a big step ahead. I feel like we are about ready to offer a transformational capability to support troops in the field, not just within Southern Command, but throughout the Department of Defense.”
“This is just an evaluation, but we think this space capability could help improve communication during various operations,” said Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, Southcom’s commander.
If the initial phase of the demonstration goes as hoped, two additional nanosatellites will launch next December, Hurtado reported.
All three will be set to a low-earth orbit, operating as one component of a communications suite to include a ground station, ground sensors and tactical radios, he explained. Collectively, they will support information-sharing and tactical communications over wide geographic expanses.
The development and deployment of the nanosatellites represent the strength of partnerships at several levels, Hurtado said.
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command oversaw its development, and the Defense Department funded it through its Joint Capability Technology Demonstration effort. Cadre and students at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School will help Southcom assess the technology’s operational value.
In addition, Southcom’s counterparts in Brazil will help evaluate its performance. Next week, Hurtado will be talking to officials in Peru and heading to Brazil to discuss details of this collaboration.
Kelly called the investment in nanosatellites “an opportunity for us to collaborate from the ground up with partner nations who are looking to develop this capability for a variety of security and commercial uses.”
The initial concept for the nanosatellite originated through close collaboration among the Secretary of Defense’s Rapid Fielding Directorate, Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Southcom’s science, technology and experimentation office.
Since it was stood up in 2002, the Southcom office has helped to identify technical capabilities to support the command’s mission, and lacking them, helped to develop new ones, Hurtado said. Its staff takes gaps and requirements as identified by U.S. forces and partner nations in the theater, converts them into technical requirements, then looks initially to the DOD technical technology community for solutions.
The original objective -- “to find ways to do things better or do things cheaper” -- is even more pressing in today’s fiscal environment, Hurtado noted.
The new nanosatellite offers promise on both counts. It cost $500,000 to build, far less than larger satellites, and its small size makes launching it into space relatively inexpensive. Both factors could make it feasible to deploy several nanosatellites as needed to expand communication coverage to ground forces in support of an array of mission requirements, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, Hurtado said.
He emphasized however, that last night’s launch is just the start of a long evaluation process ahead. The first of two evaluations, planned for May, will take three months to complete. A final evaluation scheduled for February 2015 will span five months using all three satellites.
“Recognizing that, I feel extremely proud of this effort and the potential capability it stands to offer for our forces,” Hurtado said. “This will make communications not only less expensive, but more readily available.”
Launch Propels Southcom-sponsored Nanosatellite Into Space
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2013 – An Atlas V rocket launched last night from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., carried a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored nanosatellite into space -- and with it, the potential for more reliable and less expensive communications for troops around the world.
The nanosatellite, about the size of a loaf of bread and weighing just 11 pounds, piggybacked during the launch on a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office headquartered in Chantilly, Va., Southcom officials said.
That small package carries big hopes for Southcom, which spearheaded the demonstration project to help overcome communications challenges in the vast mountainous and densely forested terrain within Latin America, Juan Hurtado, Southcom’s science and technology advisor, told American Forces Press Service during an interview from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
As envisioned, troops on the ground will be able to tap the new technology directly from their field radios. And when the satellite moves beyond the part of the globe beyond Southcom’s area of responsibility, it could provide that same capability to other combatant commands as well, Hurtado said.
“This is a major milestone,” he said. “This first space project for U.S. Southern Command represents a big step ahead. I feel like we are about ready to offer a transformational capability to support troops in the field, not just within Southern Command, but throughout the Department of Defense.”
“This is just an evaluation, but we think this space capability could help improve communication during various operations,” said Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, Southcom’s commander.
If the initial phase of the demonstration goes as hoped, two additional nanosatellites will launch next December, Hurtado reported.
All three will be set to a low-earth orbit, operating as one component of a communications suite to include a ground station, ground sensors and tactical radios, he explained. Collectively, they will support information-sharing and tactical communications over wide geographic expanses.
The development and deployment of the nanosatellites represent the strength of partnerships at several levels, Hurtado said.
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command oversaw its development, and the Defense Department funded it through its Joint Capability Technology Demonstration effort. Cadre and students at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School will help Southcom assess the technology’s operational value.
In addition, Southcom’s counterparts in Brazil will help evaluate its performance. Next week, Hurtado will be talking to officials in Peru and heading to Brazil to discuss details of this collaboration.
Kelly called the investment in nanosatellites “an opportunity for us to collaborate from the ground up with partner nations who are looking to develop this capability for a variety of security and commercial uses.”
The initial concept for the nanosatellite originated through close collaboration among the Secretary of Defense’s Rapid Fielding Directorate, Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Southcom’s science, technology and experimentation office.
Since it was stood up in 2002, the Southcom office has helped to identify technical capabilities to support the command’s mission, and lacking them, helped to develop new ones, Hurtado said. Its staff takes gaps and requirements as identified by U.S. forces and partner nations in the theater, converts them into technical requirements, then looks initially to the DOD technical technology community for solutions.
The original objective -- “to find ways to do things better or do things cheaper” -- is even more pressing in today’s fiscal environment, Hurtado noted.
The new nanosatellite offers promise on both counts. It cost $500,000 to build, far less than larger satellites, and its small size makes launching it into space relatively inexpensive. Both factors could make it feasible to deploy several nanosatellites as needed to expand communication coverage to ground forces in support of an array of mission requirements, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, Hurtado said.
He emphasized however, that last night’s launch is just the start of a long evaluation process ahead. The first of two evaluations, planned for May, will take three months to complete. A final evaluation scheduled for February 2015 will span five months using all three satellites.
“Recognizing that, I feel extremely proud of this effort and the potential capability it stands to offer for our forces,” Hurtado said. “This will make communications not only less expensive, but more readily available.”
RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE
DEPARTMENT
U.S. soldiers prepare their UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter for a night personnel movement mission on Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, Dec. 23, 2013. The soldiers are assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion Assault, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade. U.S. Army photos by Capt. Peter Smedberg.
INITIAL AIRLIFT COMPLETE IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Airlift Operations Complete in Central African Republic
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2013 – Initial airlift operations are complete in the Central African Republic, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said here today.
A small U.S. Air Force support team and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft began airlift operations Dec. 12 in response to a French request for airlift support. The U.S. airmen conducted 16 flights from Burundi to the Central African Republic, Warren said, transporting 857 Burundi troops, 73 pallets of equipment and 18 Burundian military vehicles.
The Burundi troops -- a light infantry battalion -- are part of an African Union-led international support mission intended to help prevent the further spread of sectarian violence, Assistant Pentagon Press Secretary Carl Woog said in a Dec. 9 statement.
Fewer than 10 Americans remain on the ground serving as liaisons with the French military, Warren said.
Also, three of the four U.S. service members wounded Dec. 21 in South Sudan have returned to the United States for treatment, Warren said. The fourth remains in a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
All four service members are in stable condition, a Defense Department spokesman said.
The service members were wounded when they attempted to evacuate Americans from the town of Bor, South Sudan, according to a U.S. Africa Command statement. They were hit by small-arms fire from unknown forces when their three CV-22 Osprey aircraft attempted to land in Bor. Africom is reviewing the incident, Warren said.
To date, more than 870 people have been evacuated from South Sudan on a mix of military and charter aircraft, he said. The Defense Department has flown three airlift missions with C-130 Hercules aircraft and one mission with a C-12 Huron.
Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, Africom’s commander, ordered a platoon-sized element of Marines and a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft to Entebbe, Uganda, on Dec. 24 to serve as a contingency force, Warren said. The Marines are part of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response, based at Moron Air Base, Spain, and were initially sent to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, before being moved to Uganda.
Rodriguez had earlier ordered elements of the East Africa Response Force to be positioned in Juba, South Sudan, to augment security at the embassy.
“This is all exactly what you’d expect [given the security situation],” Warren said. “It’s a combatant commander positioning forces in such a way that he’s got options.”
Airlift Operations Complete in Central African Republic
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2013 – Initial airlift operations are complete in the Central African Republic, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said here today.
A small U.S. Air Force support team and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft began airlift operations Dec. 12 in response to a French request for airlift support. The U.S. airmen conducted 16 flights from Burundi to the Central African Republic, Warren said, transporting 857 Burundi troops, 73 pallets of equipment and 18 Burundian military vehicles.
The Burundi troops -- a light infantry battalion -- are part of an African Union-led international support mission intended to help prevent the further spread of sectarian violence, Assistant Pentagon Press Secretary Carl Woog said in a Dec. 9 statement.
Fewer than 10 Americans remain on the ground serving as liaisons with the French military, Warren said.
Also, three of the four U.S. service members wounded Dec. 21 in South Sudan have returned to the United States for treatment, Warren said. The fourth remains in a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
All four service members are in stable condition, a Defense Department spokesman said.
The service members were wounded when they attempted to evacuate Americans from the town of Bor, South Sudan, according to a U.S. Africa Command statement. They were hit by small-arms fire from unknown forces when their three CV-22 Osprey aircraft attempted to land in Bor. Africom is reviewing the incident, Warren said.
To date, more than 870 people have been evacuated from South Sudan on a mix of military and charter aircraft, he said. The Defense Department has flown three airlift missions with C-130 Hercules aircraft and one mission with a C-12 Huron.
Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, Africom’s commander, ordered a platoon-sized element of Marines and a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft to Entebbe, Uganda, on Dec. 24 to serve as a contingency force, Warren said. The Marines are part of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response, based at Moron Air Base, Spain, and were initially sent to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, before being moved to Uganda.
Rodriguez had earlier ordered elements of the East Africa Response Force to be positioned in Juba, South Sudan, to augment security at the embassy.
“This is all exactly what you’d expect [given the security situation],” Warren said. “It’s a combatant commander positioning forces in such a way that he’s got options.”
EPA'S CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW
FROM: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY
Criminal Enforcement Overview
EPA’s criminal enforcement program pursues individual and corporate defendants who have committed serious environmental crimes by providing:
Federal, state and local prosecutors with the evidence needed to prosecute environmental crimes.
Environmental forensic analyses and technical evaluations for both civil and criminal enforcement.
Computer evidence retrieval and evaluation.
Expert legal advice and counsel to EPA, U.S. Attorneys and the Department of Justice.
EPA's criminal enforcement program was established in 1982 and was granted full law enforcement authority by Congress in 1988. Today the program has more than 350 specially trained investigators, chemists, engineers, technicians, lawyers, and support staff. From that number EPA has:
200 fully authorized federal law enforcement agents.
70 forensic scientists and technicians.
45 attorneys who specialize in environmental crimes enforcement.
Criminal Enforcement Overview
EPA’s criminal enforcement program pursues individual and corporate defendants who have committed serious environmental crimes by providing:
Federal, state and local prosecutors with the evidence needed to prosecute environmental crimes.
Environmental forensic analyses and technical evaluations for both civil and criminal enforcement.
Computer evidence retrieval and evaluation.
Expert legal advice and counsel to EPA, U.S. Attorneys and the Department of Justice.
EPA's criminal enforcement program was established in 1982 and was granted full law enforcement authority by Congress in 1988. Today the program has more than 350 specially trained investigators, chemists, engineers, technicians, lawyers, and support staff. From that number EPA has:
200 fully authorized federal law enforcement agents.
70 forensic scientists and technicians.
45 attorneys who specialize in environmental crimes enforcement.
U.S. PRESS STATEMENT ON FUNDING THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 30, 2013
The United States welcomes Lebanon’s decision to fulfill its 2013 funding obligations to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. We recognize and commend Prime Minister Mikati’s strong leadership in ensuring that the government met this important commitment. We fully support the work of the Tribunal and its efforts to find and hold accountable those responsible for reprehensible and destabilizing acts of violence in Lebanon.
The December 27 assassination bombing in Beirut is a stark reminder that for too long, Lebanon has suffered from a culture of impunity for those who use murder and terror to promote their political agenda against the interests of the Lebanese people. The Tribunal, working with the Government of Lebanon, will help end this impunity by providing a transparent, fair process to determine responsibility for the terrorist attack that killed former Prime Minister Hariri and scores of others.
Continued financial support and ongoing cooperation by Lebanon’s political, judicial, and law enforcement authorities are critical to the Tribunal’s work. That is why the United States has provided strong financial support to the Tribunal since its inception, and we will continue to do so. We urge the international community to continue to support the Tribunal and the Government of Lebanon to achieve the shared goals of ensuring justice and ending impunity. We stand with the Lebanese people in these efforts and will continue to do so.
Funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 30, 2013
The United States welcomes Lebanon’s decision to fulfill its 2013 funding obligations to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. We recognize and commend Prime Minister Mikati’s strong leadership in ensuring that the government met this important commitment. We fully support the work of the Tribunal and its efforts to find and hold accountable those responsible for reprehensible and destabilizing acts of violence in Lebanon.
The December 27 assassination bombing in Beirut is a stark reminder that for too long, Lebanon has suffered from a culture of impunity for those who use murder and terror to promote their political agenda against the interests of the Lebanese people. The Tribunal, working with the Government of Lebanon, will help end this impunity by providing a transparent, fair process to determine responsibility for the terrorist attack that killed former Prime Minister Hariri and scores of others.
Continued financial support and ongoing cooperation by Lebanon’s political, judicial, and law enforcement authorities are critical to the Tribunal’s work. That is why the United States has provided strong financial support to the Tribunal since its inception, and we will continue to do so. We urge the international community to continue to support the Tribunal and the Government of Lebanon to achieve the shared goals of ensuring justice and ending impunity. We stand with the Lebanese people in these efforts and will continue to do so.
INVESTOR PLEADS GUILTY IN REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURE AUCTION BID RIGGING CASE
FROM: U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Monday, December 30, 2013
Eastern California Real Estate Investor Pleads Guilty to Bid Rigging and Fraud at Public Real Estate Foreclosure Auctions
Investigation Has Resulted in 11 Guilty Pleas to Date
An Eastern California real estate investor pleaded guilty today to conspiring to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Eastern California, the Department of Justice announced.
Anthony B. Joachim of Stockton, Calif., entered his guilty plea in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Sacramento. Joachim was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in Sacramento on Dec. 7, 2011, along with three other investors – Andrew B. Katakis, Donald M. Parker and Wiley C. Chandler – and one auctioneer – W. Theodore Longley. All five individuals were charged with conspiring with other unnamed co-conspirators to rig bids and commit mail fraud when purchasing selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County, Calif. The indictment was superseded on May 8, 2013, to include an obstruction of justice charge against Katakis. Chandler pleaded guilty on Feb. 24, 2012, and trial is scheduled to begin against the remaining individuals on Jan. 28, 2014.
According to court documents, Joachim conspired with others not to bid against one another and to instead designate a winning bidder to obtain selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County. Joachim was also charged with conspiring to use the mail to carry out a scheme to fraudulently acquire title to selected San Joaquin County properties sold at public auctions, to make and receive payoffs and to divert money to co-conspirators that would have otherwise gone to mortgage holders and others by holding second, private auctions open only to members of the conspiracy. The department said that the selected properties were then awarded to the conspirators who submitted the highest bids in the second, private auctions. The private auctions often took place at or near the courthouse steps where the public auctions were held. According to Joachim’s plea agreement, he participated in the conspiracies between about April 2009 until about October 2009.
“Today’s plea is the 11th in the Antitrust Division’s ongoing investigation of bid rigging and fraud involving real estate foreclosure auctions in the Eastern District of California,” said Bill Baer, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “The division has uncovered similar schemes across the country and continues to prosecute those who profit by undermining competition at real estate foreclosure auctions.”
The department said that the primary purpose of the conspiracies was to suppress and restrain competition and to conceal payoffs in order to obtain selected real estate offered at San Joaquin County public foreclosure auctions at non-competitive prices. When real estate properties are sold at these auctions, the proceeds are used to pay off the mortgage and other debt attached to the property, with remaining proceeds, if any, paid to the homeowner. According to court documents, these conspirators paid and received money that otherwise would have gone to pay off the mortgage and other holders of debt secured by the properties, and in some cases, the defaulting homeowner.
“My office will continue to fight real estate fraud in all its forms, including bringing to justice those who would subvert public foreclosure auctions for their own personal gain,” said United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner of the Eastern District of California.
Joachim pleaded guilty to bid rigging, a violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine. Joachim also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The guilty plea entered today is the latest in the department’s ongoing federal antitrust investigation of fraud and bidding irregularities in certain real estate auctions in San Joaquin County. The investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, the FBI’s Sacramento Division and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
Today’s action was brought in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed nearly 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants, including more than 2,900 mortgage fraud defendants.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Eastern California Real Estate Investor Pleads Guilty to Bid Rigging and Fraud at Public Real Estate Foreclosure Auctions
Investigation Has Resulted in 11 Guilty Pleas to Date
An Eastern California real estate investor pleaded guilty today to conspiring to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Eastern California, the Department of Justice announced.
Anthony B. Joachim of Stockton, Calif., entered his guilty plea in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Sacramento. Joachim was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in Sacramento on Dec. 7, 2011, along with three other investors – Andrew B. Katakis, Donald M. Parker and Wiley C. Chandler – and one auctioneer – W. Theodore Longley. All five individuals were charged with conspiring with other unnamed co-conspirators to rig bids and commit mail fraud when purchasing selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County, Calif. The indictment was superseded on May 8, 2013, to include an obstruction of justice charge against Katakis. Chandler pleaded guilty on Feb. 24, 2012, and trial is scheduled to begin against the remaining individuals on Jan. 28, 2014.
According to court documents, Joachim conspired with others not to bid against one another and to instead designate a winning bidder to obtain selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County. Joachim was also charged with conspiring to use the mail to carry out a scheme to fraudulently acquire title to selected San Joaquin County properties sold at public auctions, to make and receive payoffs and to divert money to co-conspirators that would have otherwise gone to mortgage holders and others by holding second, private auctions open only to members of the conspiracy. The department said that the selected properties were then awarded to the conspirators who submitted the highest bids in the second, private auctions. The private auctions often took place at or near the courthouse steps where the public auctions were held. According to Joachim’s plea agreement, he participated in the conspiracies between about April 2009 until about October 2009.
“Today’s plea is the 11th in the Antitrust Division’s ongoing investigation of bid rigging and fraud involving real estate foreclosure auctions in the Eastern District of California,” said Bill Baer, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “The division has uncovered similar schemes across the country and continues to prosecute those who profit by undermining competition at real estate foreclosure auctions.”
The department said that the primary purpose of the conspiracies was to suppress and restrain competition and to conceal payoffs in order to obtain selected real estate offered at San Joaquin County public foreclosure auctions at non-competitive prices. When real estate properties are sold at these auctions, the proceeds are used to pay off the mortgage and other debt attached to the property, with remaining proceeds, if any, paid to the homeowner. According to court documents, these conspirators paid and received money that otherwise would have gone to pay off the mortgage and other holders of debt secured by the properties, and in some cases, the defaulting homeowner.
“My office will continue to fight real estate fraud in all its forms, including bringing to justice those who would subvert public foreclosure auctions for their own personal gain,” said United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner of the Eastern District of California.
Joachim pleaded guilty to bid rigging, a violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine. Joachim also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The guilty plea entered today is the latest in the department’s ongoing federal antitrust investigation of fraud and bidding irregularities in certain real estate auctions in San Joaquin County. The investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, the FBI’s Sacramento Division and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
Today’s action was brought in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed nearly 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants, including more than 2,900 mortgage fraud defendants.
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON NATIONAL MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS PLAN
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
December 30, 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan
Today the White House released the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan. This plan promotes global maritime security and prosperity through improved governance to support the effective understanding of the maritime domain. Notably, 90 percent of the world’s commerce moves by sea, making maritime security essential to the global supply chain and international trade.
Consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 18: Maritime Security (PPD-18) and the National Strategy for Maritime Security (NSMS), the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan merges and supersedes the National Plan to Achieve Maritime Domain Awareness and the Global Maritime Intelligence Integration Plan, each published in 2005 as supporting plans to the NSMS. The consolidation of the two plans into a single National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan advances the foundation for the effective understanding of actual and potential threats and challenges emanating from or related to the maritime domain. Using a whole-of-nation approach, at minimal cost, it promotes favorable conditions for integrating and sharing information, including intelligence, to better inform decisions affecting the security, safety, economy, and environment of the United States and the global maritime commons.
December 30, 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan
Today the White House released the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan. This plan promotes global maritime security and prosperity through improved governance to support the effective understanding of the maritime domain. Notably, 90 percent of the world’s commerce moves by sea, making maritime security essential to the global supply chain and international trade.
Consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 18: Maritime Security (PPD-18) and the National Strategy for Maritime Security (NSMS), the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan merges and supersedes the National Plan to Achieve Maritime Domain Awareness and the Global Maritime Intelligence Integration Plan, each published in 2005 as supporting plans to the NSMS. The consolidation of the two plans into a single National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan advances the foundation for the effective understanding of actual and potential threats and challenges emanating from or related to the maritime domain. Using a whole-of-nation approach, at minimal cost, it promotes favorable conditions for integrating and sharing information, including intelligence, to better inform decisions affecting the security, safety, economy, and environment of the United States and the global maritime commons.
Monday, December 30, 2013
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON ATTACKS IN RUSSIA
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
December 30, 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on Attacks in Russia
The United States condemns the terrorist attacks that struck the Russian city of Volgograd and sends deepest condolences to the families of the victims with hopes for the rapid healing of those wounded.
The United States stands in solidarity with the Russian people against terrorism. The U.S. government has offered our full support to the Russian government in security preparations for the Sochi Olympic Games, and we would welcome the opportunity for closer cooperation for the safety of the athletes, spectators, and other participants.
December 30, 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on Attacks in Russia
The United States condemns the terrorist attacks that struck the Russian city of Volgograd and sends deepest condolences to the families of the victims with hopes for the rapid healing of those wounded.
The United States stands in solidarity with the Russian people against terrorism. The U.S. government has offered our full support to the Russian government in security preparations for the Sochi Olympic Games, and we would welcome the opportunity for closer cooperation for the safety of the athletes, spectators, and other participants.
U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR DECEMBER 30, 2013
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
CONTRACTS
AIR FORCE
The Boeing Co., Oklahoma City, Okla., has been awarded a firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, time and material, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (FA8107-14-D-0002), including the base period and four one-year option periods with an estimated ceiling value of $750,000,000. Contractor will provide integrated engineering services for the B-1 weapon system to include detailed design engineering, maintenance engineering and systems (structure/flight systems, avionics, software and weapons delivery) engineering support, computer network support, technical analysis, drawing and source data maintenance/updates, flight safety analyses, reliability/maintainability analysis, test support, program analysis, cost estimation, schedule development, government furnished property and government furnished material maintenance, accident investigation, engineering feasibility studies, material deficiency report analysis, field problem investigation, and in-flight emergency response support, logistic system design support, evaluation of new capabilities and development of operational guidelines for fleet repairs and for users to employ. Additional requirements include integration management, configuration management, acquisition/sustainment, weapon system enhancement, weapon system development efforts, production, integration management, configuration management, acquisition/sustainment logistics elements, sustaining engineering, studies and analysis, initial spares (investment and expense), provisioning, technical data, support for training due to system upgrades (tech data, source code, etc.), support equipment, technical support and technical order maintenance. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City, Okla., and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2014. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. The first delivery order (0001) will be funded with fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of 21,377,960 and are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WWKKB Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8107-14-D-0002).
BAE Systems Information and Electronics Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., has been awarded a $21,742,595 modification (P00004) on contract (FA8615-13-C-6014) for the F-16 Mode 5 Advanced Identify Friend/Foe, combined interrogator transponder. The contract modification exercises the option for the purchase of an additional 200 production units being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Greenlawn, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015. This action includes the following European Participating Air Force countries: Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal. The percentage of this action that supports foreign military sales is 70 percent. Fiscal 2013 FMS, Air National Guard and aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $21,742,595 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WWMK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
Exelis Inc., Clifton, N.J., has been awarded a $9,796,591 firm-fixed-price modification (P00004) on an existing contract (FA8540-11-C-0012) for manufacture and delivery of AN/ALQ-211 (V)-9 AIDEWS Pod classified and unclassified spares. Work will be performed at Clifton, N.J., and delivery is 24 months after receipt of contract award. This award is the result of a source-directed acquisition and is 100 percent foreign military sales for Pakistan. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WNKCB, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Santa Clara, Calif., has been awarded a $7,459,516 cost-plus-award-fee modification (P00072) on contract (FA8819-08-C-0050) for security upgrades. This contract modification provides for security upgrades on all Joint Execution and Tasking Systems for Space services which will include upgrading the commercial off the shelf hardware and software; redesigning and re-implementing the developmental software which builds the PowerPoint documents from data within the database; and redesigning and re-implementing the software which retrieves messages/files from the Multi-compartmented Collaboration Service. Work will be performed at Santa Clara, Calif., and work is expected to be completed by June 30, 2015. This contract will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2013 and 2014 research and development funds with $834,029 of those funds being obligated at time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Superiority Systems Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity.
NAVY
United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $167,030,588 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for operations and maintenance support and non-recurring and recurring sustainment, site activation and depot activation work scope for the low rate initial production VII F135 propulsion systems. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps ($90,834,199; 54.4 percent); the U.S. Air Force ($56,544,842; 33.9 percent); and the International Partners ($19,651,547; 11.7 percent). Work will be performed in East Hartford, Conn. (63 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (25 percent), and Bristol, United Kingdom (12 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2016. Fiscal 2012, 2013 aircraft procurement, Air Force; fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Air Force; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; International Partner funding contract funds in the amount of $167,030,588 will be obligated at time of award, $99,441,116 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity (N00019-14-C-0026).
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded $69,198,968 for ceiling priced delivery order 7008 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00383-10-G-003D) for repair of 32 weapon repairable assemblies and 33 shop replaceable assemblies of the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared System used in the support of the F/A-18 Aircraft. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas (84.9 percent), Jacksonville, Fla. (11.7 percent), El Segundo, Calif. (3.4 percent), and work is expected to be completed no later than December 2015. Fiscal 2014 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $51,899,226 will be obligated at the time of award, and will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured and is issued on a sole source basis in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.
The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $46,652,280 for firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order 0110 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for integrated logistics support and sustaining engineering for F/A-18A-D, F/A-18E/F, and EA-18G aircraft for the U.S. Navy and the governments of Australia, Canada, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Kuwait, and Malaysia. Support to be provided includes logistics, engineering, provisioning, information systems, technical data updates, support equipment engineering, training and software integration support. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($36,613,615; 78.3 percent) and the governments of Australia ($7,030,930; 15.1 percent); Canada ($501,289; 1.1 percent), Spain ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Finland ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Switzerland ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Kuwait ($501,289; 1.1 percent); and Malaysia ($501,289; 1.1 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (70 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (15 percent); Oklahoma City, Okla. (6 percent); Bethpage, N.Y. (5 percent); and San Diego, Calif. (4 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2014. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; and FMS contract funds in the amount $46,652,280 will be obligated at time of award; $321,914 of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Forward Slope, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $28,651,472 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $47,851,366. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals were received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0095).
Harmonia Holdings Group*, Blacksburg, Va., is being awarded a $26,674,385 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $44,913,925. Work will be performed in Blacksburg, Va. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0099).
Moebius, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $24,594,747 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $40,331,599. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0097).
ISPA Technology*, Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $24,017,291 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $39,912,645. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Va. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0098).
G2 Software Systems*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $23,420,492 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $38,650,655. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0094).
The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $22,218,372 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 0140 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for the procurement of an automated maintenance environment integrated software for the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft for the U.S. Navy and the government of Australia. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($19,251,990; 86.6 percent) and the government of Australia ($2,966,382; 13.4 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed in December 2015. Fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement, Navy and FMS contract funds in the amount $22,218,372 will be obligated at time of award; none of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Geocent*, Metairie, La., is being awarded a $22,109,107 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $36,444,193. Work will be performed Metairie, La. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0096).
BAE Systems Information and Electronics Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., is being awarded a $12,835,546 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-2020) for supplies and services required for the delivery, installation, and testing of six French E-2C compatible AN/APX-122A Mode 5/S Interrogator units for the government of France. The supplies and services to be procured include non-recurring engineering required for the development of French E-2C compatible AN/APX-122A IFF Mode 5/S Interrogator, software modifications required for compatibility with the French E-2C aircraft, technical data, and technical support. Work will be performed in Greenlawn, N.Y. (80 percent), Nashua, N.H. (15 percent); Melbourne, Fla. (3 percent); Dayton, Ohio (1 percent), and Cuers, France (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Foreign Military Sales contract funds in the amount of $12,835,546 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
IAP World Services Inc., Cape Canaveral, Fla., is being awarded a $12,598,143 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for base operating support services at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Webster Field Annex, Solomon’s Recreation Center Annex and Point Lookout, Md. The work to be performed provides for general management and administration services; facility support (facilities investment, integrated solid waste management and pool maintenance services); utilities maintenance and operation (including electrical, water and waste water); environmental. The maximum dollar value including the base period and four option years is $63,595,731. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (91 percent); Webster Field, Md. (five percent); Solomon’s Island, Md. (two percent); and Point Lookout, Md. (two percent), and is expected to be completed by January 2015. Fiscal 2014 Defense working capital funds, Defense; fiscal 2014 Defense Health Program, Defense; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; and fiscal 2014 non-appropriated funds in the amount of $5,217,224 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 10 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-14-D-0302).
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, is being awarded an $11,151,506 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to design, develop, test, integrate, and demonstrate the System Manager and Link Manager Reference applications for the Telemetry Network System (TmNS) in support of the Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) Integrated Network Enhancement Telemetry Program Office. The MRTFBs will utilize the TmNS to significantly increase test mission efficiency through networked enabled telemetry components. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Fiscal 2013 research, development, test and evaluation, Navy contract funds in the amount of $565,000 are being obligated on this award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-14-C-0010).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Exelis Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., has been awarded a maximum $10,931,575 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of receiver transmitter and wiring harnesses spare parts. This contract is a sole-source acquisition. This is a one year base contract with no option year periods. Location of performance is Indiana with a Dec. 25, 2014 performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., (SPRBL1-14-C-0001).
*Small Business
CONTRACTS
AIR FORCE
The Boeing Co., Oklahoma City, Okla., has been awarded a firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, time and material, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (FA8107-14-D-0002), including the base period and four one-year option periods with an estimated ceiling value of $750,000,000. Contractor will provide integrated engineering services for the B-1 weapon system to include detailed design engineering, maintenance engineering and systems (structure/flight systems, avionics, software and weapons delivery) engineering support, computer network support, technical analysis, drawing and source data maintenance/updates, flight safety analyses, reliability/maintainability analysis, test support, program analysis, cost estimation, schedule development, government furnished property and government furnished material maintenance, accident investigation, engineering feasibility studies, material deficiency report analysis, field problem investigation, and in-flight emergency response support, logistic system design support, evaluation of new capabilities and development of operational guidelines for fleet repairs and for users to employ. Additional requirements include integration management, configuration management, acquisition/sustainment, weapon system enhancement, weapon system development efforts, production, integration management, configuration management, acquisition/sustainment logistics elements, sustaining engineering, studies and analysis, initial spares (investment and expense), provisioning, technical data, support for training due to system upgrades (tech data, source code, etc.), support equipment, technical support and technical order maintenance. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City, Okla., and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2014. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. The first delivery order (0001) will be funded with fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of 21,377,960 and are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WWKKB Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8107-14-D-0002).
BAE Systems Information and Electronics Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., has been awarded a $21,742,595 modification (P00004) on contract (FA8615-13-C-6014) for the F-16 Mode 5 Advanced Identify Friend/Foe, combined interrogator transponder. The contract modification exercises the option for the purchase of an additional 200 production units being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Greenlawn, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015. This action includes the following European Participating Air Force countries: Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal. The percentage of this action that supports foreign military sales is 70 percent. Fiscal 2013 FMS, Air National Guard and aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $21,742,595 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WWMK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
Exelis Inc., Clifton, N.J., has been awarded a $9,796,591 firm-fixed-price modification (P00004) on an existing contract (FA8540-11-C-0012) for manufacture and delivery of AN/ALQ-211 (V)-9 AIDEWS Pod classified and unclassified spares. Work will be performed at Clifton, N.J., and delivery is 24 months after receipt of contract award. This award is the result of a source-directed acquisition and is 100 percent foreign military sales for Pakistan. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WNKCB, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Santa Clara, Calif., has been awarded a $7,459,516 cost-plus-award-fee modification (P00072) on contract (FA8819-08-C-0050) for security upgrades. This contract modification provides for security upgrades on all Joint Execution and Tasking Systems for Space services which will include upgrading the commercial off the shelf hardware and software; redesigning and re-implementing the developmental software which builds the PowerPoint documents from data within the database; and redesigning and re-implementing the software which retrieves messages/files from the Multi-compartmented Collaboration Service. Work will be performed at Santa Clara, Calif., and work is expected to be completed by June 30, 2015. This contract will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2013 and 2014 research and development funds with $834,029 of those funds being obligated at time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Superiority Systems Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity.
NAVY
United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $167,030,588 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for operations and maintenance support and non-recurring and recurring sustainment, site activation and depot activation work scope for the low rate initial production VII F135 propulsion systems. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps ($90,834,199; 54.4 percent); the U.S. Air Force ($56,544,842; 33.9 percent); and the International Partners ($19,651,547; 11.7 percent). Work will be performed in East Hartford, Conn. (63 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (25 percent), and Bristol, United Kingdom (12 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2016. Fiscal 2012, 2013 aircraft procurement, Air Force; fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Air Force; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; International Partner funding contract funds in the amount of $167,030,588 will be obligated at time of award, $99,441,116 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity (N00019-14-C-0026).
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded $69,198,968 for ceiling priced delivery order 7008 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00383-10-G-003D) for repair of 32 weapon repairable assemblies and 33 shop replaceable assemblies of the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared System used in the support of the F/A-18 Aircraft. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas (84.9 percent), Jacksonville, Fla. (11.7 percent), El Segundo, Calif. (3.4 percent), and work is expected to be completed no later than December 2015. Fiscal 2014 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $51,899,226 will be obligated at the time of award, and will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured and is issued on a sole source basis in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.
The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $46,652,280 for firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order 0110 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for integrated logistics support and sustaining engineering for F/A-18A-D, F/A-18E/F, and EA-18G aircraft for the U.S. Navy and the governments of Australia, Canada, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Kuwait, and Malaysia. Support to be provided includes logistics, engineering, provisioning, information systems, technical data updates, support equipment engineering, training and software integration support. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($36,613,615; 78.3 percent) and the governments of Australia ($7,030,930; 15.1 percent); Canada ($501,289; 1.1 percent), Spain ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Finland ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Switzerland ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Kuwait ($501,289; 1.1 percent); and Malaysia ($501,289; 1.1 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (70 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (15 percent); Oklahoma City, Okla. (6 percent); Bethpage, N.Y. (5 percent); and San Diego, Calif. (4 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2014. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; and FMS contract funds in the amount $46,652,280 will be obligated at time of award; $321,914 of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Forward Slope, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $28,651,472 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $47,851,366. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals were received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0095).
Harmonia Holdings Group*, Blacksburg, Va., is being awarded a $26,674,385 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $44,913,925. Work will be performed in Blacksburg, Va. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0099).
Moebius, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $24,594,747 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $40,331,599. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0097).
ISPA Technology*, Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $24,017,291 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $39,912,645. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Va. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0098).
G2 Software Systems*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $23,420,492 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $38,650,655. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0094).
The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $22,218,372 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 0140 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for the procurement of an automated maintenance environment integrated software for the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft for the U.S. Navy and the government of Australia. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($19,251,990; 86.6 percent) and the government of Australia ($2,966,382; 13.4 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed in December 2015. Fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement, Navy and FMS contract funds in the amount $22,218,372 will be obligated at time of award; none of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Geocent*, Metairie, La., is being awarded a $22,109,107 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $36,444,193. Work will be performed Metairie, La. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0096).
BAE Systems Information and Electronics Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., is being awarded a $12,835,546 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-2020) for supplies and services required for the delivery, installation, and testing of six French E-2C compatible AN/APX-122A Mode 5/S Interrogator units for the government of France. The supplies and services to be procured include non-recurring engineering required for the development of French E-2C compatible AN/APX-122A IFF Mode 5/S Interrogator, software modifications required for compatibility with the French E-2C aircraft, technical data, and technical support. Work will be performed in Greenlawn, N.Y. (80 percent), Nashua, N.H. (15 percent); Melbourne, Fla. (3 percent); Dayton, Ohio (1 percent), and Cuers, France (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Foreign Military Sales contract funds in the amount of $12,835,546 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
IAP World Services Inc., Cape Canaveral, Fla., is being awarded a $12,598,143 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for base operating support services at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Webster Field Annex, Solomon’s Recreation Center Annex and Point Lookout, Md. The work to be performed provides for general management and administration services; facility support (facilities investment, integrated solid waste management and pool maintenance services); utilities maintenance and operation (including electrical, water and waste water); environmental. The maximum dollar value including the base period and four option years is $63,595,731. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (91 percent); Webster Field, Md. (five percent); Solomon’s Island, Md. (two percent); and Point Lookout, Md. (two percent), and is expected to be completed by January 2015. Fiscal 2014 Defense working capital funds, Defense; fiscal 2014 Defense Health Program, Defense; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; and fiscal 2014 non-appropriated funds in the amount of $5,217,224 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 10 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-14-D-0302).
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, is being awarded an $11,151,506 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to design, develop, test, integrate, and demonstrate the System Manager and Link Manager Reference applications for the Telemetry Network System (TmNS) in support of the Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) Integrated Network Enhancement Telemetry Program Office. The MRTFBs will utilize the TmNS to significantly increase test mission efficiency through networked enabled telemetry components. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Fiscal 2013 research, development, test and evaluation, Navy contract funds in the amount of $565,000 are being obligated on this award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-14-C-0010).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Exelis Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., has been awarded a maximum $10,931,575 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of receiver transmitter and wiring harnesses spare parts. This contract is a sole-source acquisition. This is a one year base contract with no option year periods. Location of performance is Indiana with a Dec. 25, 2014 performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., (SPRBL1-14-C-0001).
*Small Business
CFTC ISSUES ADVISORY REGARDING COMMODITY TRADING ADVISORS AND SWAPS
FROM: COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
CFTC’s Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight Issues Advisory Concerning Commodity Trading Advisors and Swaps
Washington, DC — The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC or Commission) Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (DSIO) today issued an advisory that provides guidance regarding requirements imposed on commodity trading advisors (CTAs) resulting from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act).
The Dodd-Frank Act amended the statutory definition of CTA to include any person who engages in the business of advising others on swaps. Additionally, certain CTAs who were previously exempt from registration with the CFTC are now required to register because of the CFTC’s rescission of Commission Regulation 4.13(a)(4) and amendments to Commission Regulation 4.5. As a result, provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations applicable to CTAs might, depending on the circumstances, result in new advisory obligations.
This advisory provides guidance on the potential new advisory obligations of CTAs arising from the Dodd-Frank Act. It also informs the newly expanded class of CTAs and those previously exempt CTAs as to the general regulatory framework, including: (1) provisions of the CEA and CFTC regulations applicable generally to CTA activities; (2) CTA advisory obligations with respect to swap risk disclosures; and (3) requirements relevant to CTAs that advise Special Entities on swap transactions.
CFTC’s Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight Issues Advisory Concerning Commodity Trading Advisors and Swaps
Washington, DC — The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC or Commission) Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (DSIO) today issued an advisory that provides guidance regarding requirements imposed on commodity trading advisors (CTAs) resulting from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act).
The Dodd-Frank Act amended the statutory definition of CTA to include any person who engages in the business of advising others on swaps. Additionally, certain CTAs who were previously exempt from registration with the CFTC are now required to register because of the CFTC’s rescission of Commission Regulation 4.13(a)(4) and amendments to Commission Regulation 4.5. As a result, provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations applicable to CTAs might, depending on the circumstances, result in new advisory obligations.
This advisory provides guidance on the potential new advisory obligations of CTAs arising from the Dodd-Frank Act. It also informs the newly expanded class of CTAs and those previously exempt CTAs as to the general regulatory framework, including: (1) provisions of the CEA and CFTC regulations applicable generally to CTA activities; (2) CTA advisory obligations with respect to swap risk disclosures; and (3) requirements relevant to CTAs that advise Special Entities on swap transactions.
CFTC, MONETARY AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE AGREE TO BETTER REGULATE CROSS-BORDER ENTITIES
FROM: COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
December 27, 2013
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Monetary Authority of Singapore Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Supervision of Cross-Border Regulated Entities
Washington, DC – Today, leaders of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding cooperation and the exchange of information in the supervision and oversight of regulated entities that operate on a cross-border basis in the United States and Singapore.
Through the MOU, the Commission and MAS express their willingness to cooperate with each other in the interest of fulfilling their respective regulatory mandates regarding derivatives markets. The scope of the MOU includes markets and organized trading platforms, central counterparties, trade repositories, and intermediaries, dealers, and other market participants.
The MOU was signed by Commission Chairman Gary Gensler and MAS Deputy Managing Director, Financial Supervision, Ong Chong Tee.
December 27, 2013
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Monetary Authority of Singapore Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Supervision of Cross-Border Regulated Entities
Washington, DC – Today, leaders of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding cooperation and the exchange of information in the supervision and oversight of regulated entities that operate on a cross-border basis in the United States and Singapore.
Through the MOU, the Commission and MAS express their willingness to cooperate with each other in the interest of fulfilling their respective regulatory mandates regarding derivatives markets. The scope of the MOU includes markets and organized trading platforms, central counterparties, trade repositories, and intermediaries, dealers, and other market participants.
The MOU was signed by Commission Chairman Gary Gensler and MAS Deputy Managing Director, Financial Supervision, Ong Chong Tee.
NSC SPOKESPERSON HAYDEN ISSUE'S STATEMENT ON TALKS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
FROM: U.S. WHITE HOUSE
December 29, 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the All-Party Talks in Northern Ireland
Talks led by independent chair Richard Haass with the five parties of the Northern Ireland Executive have reached a critical juncture. The goal has been and remains to reach agreement before the end of the year on new arrangements for parading, flags, and contending with the legacy of past violence.
Initiating these talks demonstrated the commitment of the parties and people of Northern Ireland to move forward on tough issues. We are confident that a solution can be reached if there is political will on all sides.
We call upon the leadership of the five parties to make the compromises necessary to conclude an agreement now, one that would help heal the divisions that continue to stand between the people of Northern Ireland and the future they deserve.
December 29, 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the All-Party Talks in Northern Ireland
Talks led by independent chair Richard Haass with the five parties of the Northern Ireland Executive have reached a critical juncture. The goal has been and remains to reach agreement before the end of the year on new arrangements for parading, flags, and contending with the legacy of past violence.
Initiating these talks demonstrated the commitment of the parties and people of Northern Ireland to move forward on tough issues. We are confident that a solution can be reached if there is political will on all sides.
We call upon the leadership of the five parties to make the compromises necessary to conclude an agreement now, one that would help heal the divisions that continue to stand between the people of Northern Ireland and the future they deserve.
A CHRISTMAS EVE SELFIE IN SPACE
Astronaut Mike Hopkins on Dec. 24 Spacewalk
On Dec. 24, 2013, NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins, Expedition 38 Flight Engineer, participates in the second of two spacewalks, spread over a four-day period, which were designed to allow the crew to change out a degraded pump module on the exterior of the Earth-orbiting International Space Station. He was joined on both spacewalks by NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio, whose image shows up in Hopkins' helmet visor.
The pump module controls the flow of ammonia through cooling loops and radiators outside the space station, and, combined with water-based cooling loops inside the station, removes excess heat into the vacuum of space. Image Credit: NASA
"FORCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS NECESSARY..."
FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE
Force management programs necessary despite budget deal/ Published December 23, 2013
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Despite a congressional budget deal that lessens the impact of sequestration on the Air Force, it doesn’t go far enough to halt actions to shrink the service, senior service officials said.
Under Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the Air Force chief of staff, said that even with some relief from sequestration, the service will still have to reduce its force structure and sacrifice modernization and readiness.
How this occurs will affect what the service will look like in 2023, when sequestration ends, they said.
The proposed budget deal making its way through Congress would mitigate some near-term readiness problems, Welsh said, and Air Force leaders will put any money Congress approves beyond sequestration into training and maintenance accounts.
The budget agreement, which was months in the making, eases spending caps for the next two fiscal years while softening the impact of across-the-board spending cuts, known as the sequester, on defense and non-defense programs.
Overall, the agreement calls for more than $20 billion in deficit reduction.
Still, Welsh said, this doesn’t change the long-term picture, noting that sequestration poses a dilemma for the Air Force. Does the service choose to keep near-term readiness high at the expense of force modernization, or vice versa?
“That’s the balance we’re trying to walk,” the general said.
One example of this conundrum is the close air support mission. The Air Force is studying proposals on how best to carry out this core mission, the general said. One proposal would eliminate the A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft -- the aircraft Welsh flew as a young pilot.
If money were no object, the A-10 would be a great platform to retain, the general said. But money is tight, he noted, and will be tighter.
“To pay our $12 billion-a-year bill toward sequestration, we have got to find savings in big chunks,” Welsh said. “That’s the problem. And that's what all these discussions are based on. It's not about a specific platform. It's about balancing the mission sets.”
The general said other aircraft -- F-16 Fighting Falcons, B-1 Lancers and B-52 Stratofortresses -- provide roughly 75 percent of the close air support in Afghanistan today.
“We have a lot of airplanes that can perform that mission and perform it well,” he said. “Those other aircraft do other things for us.”
The Air Force ultimately will replace the A-10 with the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, Welsh said.
“That plan hasn’t changed,” he added.
Saving money also is important, he said.
“To do that, you have to start talking about fleet divestitures, because you have to get rid of the infrastructure behind the aircraft -- the logistics tail, the supply systems, the facilities that do all the logistical support and depot maintenance, et cetera,” he said. “That's where you create big savings.”
Changing force structure also will inevitably change the service, Welsh said.
“We will have to draw down people -- both the tooth and the tail that comes with that force structure,” he said.
Personnel policies will be used to shape the force, and the service is getting these policies out to Airmen now so they can make informed decisions, Welsh said.
“We’d love to get all this done with voluntary force-shaping measures over a period of time,” he said. “If we … have to take involuntary measures, I would like everyone to have at least six months of time to talk to their family (and) to think about the impact this could have on them.”
With only operations and maintenance and investment accounts remaining for quick assessment, a profound impact to readiness could ensue.
“The Air Force was already in a 20-year readiness decline, something we were just starting to address when sequestration hit,” said Fanning, adding that the service’s size and structure doesn’t lend itself to a tiered readiness model.
“When the flag goes up, the Air Force is expected to get to the crisis rapidly," he said. "Speed is a key advantage of airpower.”
The number of Air Force squadrons equals the combatant commanders’ requirements, Fanning said, but with little or no time built into plans to bring forces up to full readiness.
“If it takes months to generate combat air power, the president loses deterrence, diplomatic influence and contingency options on which the nation has come to depend,” he said.
Fanning characterized budget compromises currently in debate on Capitol Hill as encouraging, though lower than service officials would like. The additional funds over the next two years will help cover readiness shortfalls, stability and planning, he said.
“Even with this relief, we will need to resize the Air Force to one that is smaller than it is today in order to protect investments we need for the future and to shape an Air Force that we can keep ready; we can’t do these cuts individually, ad hoc, or in isolation,” Fanning said. “If something’s restored to the budget we present to the Hill, something else will need to go.”
Still, Fanning pledged a continued commitment to helping Airmen get past the “distractions” of budget and political uncertainty.
“We will make the decisions that we can, as quickly as we can, as transparently as we can … to get the Air Force back to that ‘new normal,’” he said.
(Courtesy of Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operating Location - P)
Force management programs necessary despite budget deal/ Published December 23, 2013
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Despite a congressional budget deal that lessens the impact of sequestration on the Air Force, it doesn’t go far enough to halt actions to shrink the service, senior service officials said.
Under Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the Air Force chief of staff, said that even with some relief from sequestration, the service will still have to reduce its force structure and sacrifice modernization and readiness.
How this occurs will affect what the service will look like in 2023, when sequestration ends, they said.
The proposed budget deal making its way through Congress would mitigate some near-term readiness problems, Welsh said, and Air Force leaders will put any money Congress approves beyond sequestration into training and maintenance accounts.
The budget agreement, which was months in the making, eases spending caps for the next two fiscal years while softening the impact of across-the-board spending cuts, known as the sequester, on defense and non-defense programs.
Overall, the agreement calls for more than $20 billion in deficit reduction.
Still, Welsh said, this doesn’t change the long-term picture, noting that sequestration poses a dilemma for the Air Force. Does the service choose to keep near-term readiness high at the expense of force modernization, or vice versa?
“That’s the balance we’re trying to walk,” the general said.
One example of this conundrum is the close air support mission. The Air Force is studying proposals on how best to carry out this core mission, the general said. One proposal would eliminate the A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft -- the aircraft Welsh flew as a young pilot.
If money were no object, the A-10 would be a great platform to retain, the general said. But money is tight, he noted, and will be tighter.
“To pay our $12 billion-a-year bill toward sequestration, we have got to find savings in big chunks,” Welsh said. “That’s the problem. And that's what all these discussions are based on. It's not about a specific platform. It's about balancing the mission sets.”
The general said other aircraft -- F-16 Fighting Falcons, B-1 Lancers and B-52 Stratofortresses -- provide roughly 75 percent of the close air support in Afghanistan today.
“We have a lot of airplanes that can perform that mission and perform it well,” he said. “Those other aircraft do other things for us.”
The Air Force ultimately will replace the A-10 with the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, Welsh said.
“That plan hasn’t changed,” he added.
Saving money also is important, he said.
“To do that, you have to start talking about fleet divestitures, because you have to get rid of the infrastructure behind the aircraft -- the logistics tail, the supply systems, the facilities that do all the logistical support and depot maintenance, et cetera,” he said. “That's where you create big savings.”
Changing force structure also will inevitably change the service, Welsh said.
“We will have to draw down people -- both the tooth and the tail that comes with that force structure,” he said.
Personnel policies will be used to shape the force, and the service is getting these policies out to Airmen now so they can make informed decisions, Welsh said.
“We’d love to get all this done with voluntary force-shaping measures over a period of time,” he said. “If we … have to take involuntary measures, I would like everyone to have at least six months of time to talk to their family (and) to think about the impact this could have on them.”
With only operations and maintenance and investment accounts remaining for quick assessment, a profound impact to readiness could ensue.
“The Air Force was already in a 20-year readiness decline, something we were just starting to address when sequestration hit,” said Fanning, adding that the service’s size and structure doesn’t lend itself to a tiered readiness model.
“When the flag goes up, the Air Force is expected to get to the crisis rapidly," he said. "Speed is a key advantage of airpower.”
The number of Air Force squadrons equals the combatant commanders’ requirements, Fanning said, but with little or no time built into plans to bring forces up to full readiness.
“If it takes months to generate combat air power, the president loses deterrence, diplomatic influence and contingency options on which the nation has come to depend,” he said.
Fanning characterized budget compromises currently in debate on Capitol Hill as encouraging, though lower than service officials would like. The additional funds over the next two years will help cover readiness shortfalls, stability and planning, he said.
“Even with this relief, we will need to resize the Air Force to one that is smaller than it is today in order to protect investments we need for the future and to shape an Air Force that we can keep ready; we can’t do these cuts individually, ad hoc, or in isolation,” Fanning said. “If something’s restored to the budget we present to the Hill, something else will need to go.”
Still, Fanning pledged a continued commitment to helping Airmen get past the “distractions” of budget and political uncertainty.
“We will make the decisions that we can, as quickly as we can, as transparently as we can … to get the Air Force back to that ‘new normal,’” he said.
(Courtesy of Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operating Location - P)
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL CALLS EGYPTIAN DEFENSE MINISTER AFTER BOMBINGS
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Hagel Calls Egyptian Defense Minister to Discuss Attacks
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called Egyptian Minister of Defense Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to discuss recent events in Egypt and to offer the Defense Department's assistance in investigating the attacks in Mansoura, Nasr City and Sharkiya province, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement issued today.
Kirby's statement reads as follows:
"Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel called Egyptian Minister of Defense General Al-Sisi today to discuss recent events in Egypt.
"Secretary Hagel expressed his condolences for the loss of life and injuries from the bombings in Mansoura, Nasr City, and Sharkiya province. The Secretary condemned the attacks and offered the assistance of the Department of Defense to help the Egyptian government investigate the attacks.
Both men discussed the balance between security and freedom, and the Secretary stressed the role of political inclusiveness in the democratic process. Secretary Hagel also expressed concerns about the political climate in advance of the constitutional referendum, including the continued enforcement of a restrictive demonstrations law.
The Secretary and Minister also discussed the desires of the Egyptian people for a civilian-led democracy, stability, and economic opportunities."
Hagel Calls Egyptian Defense Minister to Discuss Attacks
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called Egyptian Minister of Defense Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to discuss recent events in Egypt and to offer the Defense Department's assistance in investigating the attacks in Mansoura, Nasr City and Sharkiya province, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement issued today.
Kirby's statement reads as follows:
"Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel called Egyptian Minister of Defense General Al-Sisi today to discuss recent events in Egypt.
"Secretary Hagel expressed his condolences for the loss of life and injuries from the bombings in Mansoura, Nasr City, and Sharkiya province. The Secretary condemned the attacks and offered the assistance of the Department of Defense to help the Egyptian government investigate the attacks.
Both men discussed the balance between security and freedom, and the Secretary stressed the role of political inclusiveness in the democratic process. Secretary Hagel also expressed concerns about the political climate in advance of the constitutional referendum, including the continued enforcement of a restrictive demonstrations law.
The Secretary and Minister also discussed the desires of the Egyptian people for a civilian-led democracy, stability, and economic opportunities."
Sunday, December 29, 2013
ABBOTT LABS PAYS NEARLY $5.5 MILLION TO SETTLE PHYSICIAN KICKBACK CLAIMS
FROM: U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Friday, December 27, 2013
Abbott Laboratories Pays U.S. $5.475 Million to Settle Claims That Company Paid Kickbacks to Physicians
Abbott Laboratories has agreed to pay the United States $5.475 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks to induce doctors to implant the company’s carotid, biliary and peripheral vascular products, the Justice Department announced today. Abbott is a global pharmaceuticals and health care products company based in Abbott Park, Ill.
“Patients have a right to treatment decisions that are based on their own medical needs, not the personal financial interests of their health care providers,” said Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. “Kickbacks undermine the ability of health care providers to objectively evaluate and treat their patients, and will continue to be a primary focus of the Department’s health care enforcement efforts.”
The settlement resolves allegations that Abbott knowingly paid prominent physicians for teaching assignments, speaking engagements and conferences with the expectation that these physicians would arrange for the hospitals with which they were affiliated to purchase Abbott’s carotid, biliary and peripheral vascular products. As a result, the United States alleged Abbott violated the Anti-Kickback Act and caused the submission of false claims to Medicare for the procedures in which these Abbott products were used.
“Physicians should make decisions regarding medical devices based on what is in the best interest of patients without being induced by payments from manufacturers competing for their business,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Killian of the Eastern District of Tennessee.
“Offering financial inducements can distort health care decision-making,” said Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General in Atlanta. “OIG and our law enforcement partners vigilantly protect government health programs from such alleged abuses.”
Carotid and peripheral vascular products are used to treat circulatory disorders by increasing blood flow to the head and various parts of the body, respectively. Biliary products are used to treat obstructions that occur in the bile ducts.
The settlement resolves allegations originally brought in a lawsuit filed by Steven Peters and Douglas Gray, former Abbott employees, under the qui tam provision of the False Claims Act , which allows whistleblowers to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery As part of today’s resolution, Peters and Gray will receive a total payment of more than $1 million.
This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $17 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $12.2 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.
This settlement was the result of an investigation by the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the Northern District of California and the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Peters et al. v. Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Civil Action No. 3:09-CV-430 (E.D. Tenn.). The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Abbott Laboratories Pays U.S. $5.475 Million to Settle Claims That Company Paid Kickbacks to Physicians
Abbott Laboratories has agreed to pay the United States $5.475 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks to induce doctors to implant the company’s carotid, biliary and peripheral vascular products, the Justice Department announced today. Abbott is a global pharmaceuticals and health care products company based in Abbott Park, Ill.
“Patients have a right to treatment decisions that are based on their own medical needs, not the personal financial interests of their health care providers,” said Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. “Kickbacks undermine the ability of health care providers to objectively evaluate and treat their patients, and will continue to be a primary focus of the Department’s health care enforcement efforts.”
The settlement resolves allegations that Abbott knowingly paid prominent physicians for teaching assignments, speaking engagements and conferences with the expectation that these physicians would arrange for the hospitals with which they were affiliated to purchase Abbott’s carotid, biliary and peripheral vascular products. As a result, the United States alleged Abbott violated the Anti-Kickback Act and caused the submission of false claims to Medicare for the procedures in which these Abbott products were used.
“Physicians should make decisions regarding medical devices based on what is in the best interest of patients without being induced by payments from manufacturers competing for their business,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Killian of the Eastern District of Tennessee.
“Offering financial inducements can distort health care decision-making,” said Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General in Atlanta. “OIG and our law enforcement partners vigilantly protect government health programs from such alleged abuses.”
Carotid and peripheral vascular products are used to treat circulatory disorders by increasing blood flow to the head and various parts of the body, respectively. Biliary products are used to treat obstructions that occur in the bile ducts.
The settlement resolves allegations originally brought in a lawsuit filed by Steven Peters and Douglas Gray, former Abbott employees, under the qui tam provision of the False Claims Act , which allows whistleblowers to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery As part of today’s resolution, Peters and Gray will receive a total payment of more than $1 million.
This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $17 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $12.2 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.
This settlement was the result of an investigation by the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the Northern District of California and the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Peters et al. v. Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Civil Action No. 3:09-CV-430 (E.D. Tenn.). The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
OCO-2 SPACECRAFT TESTED IN THERMAL VACUUM CHAMBER
FROM: NASA
NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)-2 spacecraft is moved into a thermal vacuum chamber at Orbital Sciences Corporation's Satellite Manufacturing Facility in Gilbert, Ariz., for a series of environmental tests. The tests confirmed the integrity of the observatory's electrical connections and subjected the OCO-2 instrument and spacecraft to the extreme hot, cold and airless environment they will encounter once in orbit. The observatory's solar array panels were removed prior to the test. OCO-2 is NASA's first mission dedicated to studying atmospheric carbon dioxide and is the latest mission in NASA's study of the global carbon cycle. Carbon dioxide is the most significant human-produced greenhouse gas and the principal human-produced driver of climate change. The mission will uniformly sample the atmosphere above Earth's land and ocean, collecting between 100,000 and 200,000 measurements of carbon dioxide concentration over Earth's sunlit hemisphere every day for at least two years. It will do so with the accuracy, resolution and coverage needed to provide the first complete picture of the regional-scale geographic distribution and seasonal variations of both human and natural sources of carbon dioxide emissions as well as the places where carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored. Image Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation/NASA/JPL-Caltech
FINAL JUDGEMENT ANNOUNCED IN GLOBAL EDUCATION INSIDER TRADER CASE
FROM: U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Yonghui Zhang in Global Education Insider Trading Case
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that on December 20, 2013 it obtained a final judgment against Yonghui Zhang, the remaining defendant in an insider trading case involving the securities of Beijing-based Global Education and Technology Group, Ltd. The case, which was originally filed in the U.S. District Court in Chicago on December 5, 2011, charged eight defendants, including Zhang, with insider trading after they reaped more than $2.8 million in profits by trading in advance of a publicly announced merger between Global Education and London-based Pearson plc.
The SEC’s first amended complaint, filed on December 13, 2011, alleged that Yonghui Zhang, a Global Education employee and brother of David Zhang, CEO of Global Education, purchased 7,900 shares of Global Education on the last trading day before the merger announcement. The first amended complaint also alleged that Pearson and Global Education each announced before trading began on November 21, 2011 that Pearson agreed to acquire all of Global Education’s outstanding stock for $294 million. Global Education’s stock price increased 97 percent that day, from $5.37 to $10.60. The SEC alleged that Zhang profited by more than $40,000 from his illegal trading.
Zhang consented to the entry of a final judgment enjoining him from future violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, ordering Zhang to pay disgorgement of $40,494, and ordering a civil penalty against Zhang in the amount of $40,494. The relief obtained concludes the litigation in SEC v. All Know Holdings Ltd, et al.
SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Yonghui Zhang in Global Education Insider Trading Case
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that on December 20, 2013 it obtained a final judgment against Yonghui Zhang, the remaining defendant in an insider trading case involving the securities of Beijing-based Global Education and Technology Group, Ltd. The case, which was originally filed in the U.S. District Court in Chicago on December 5, 2011, charged eight defendants, including Zhang, with insider trading after they reaped more than $2.8 million in profits by trading in advance of a publicly announced merger between Global Education and London-based Pearson plc.
The SEC’s first amended complaint, filed on December 13, 2011, alleged that Yonghui Zhang, a Global Education employee and brother of David Zhang, CEO of Global Education, purchased 7,900 shares of Global Education on the last trading day before the merger announcement. The first amended complaint also alleged that Pearson and Global Education each announced before trading began on November 21, 2011 that Pearson agreed to acquire all of Global Education’s outstanding stock for $294 million. Global Education’s stock price increased 97 percent that day, from $5.37 to $10.60. The SEC alleged that Zhang profited by more than $40,000 from his illegal trading.
Zhang consented to the entry of a final judgment enjoining him from future violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, ordering Zhang to pay disgorgement of $40,494, and ordering a civil penalty against Zhang in the amount of $40,494. The relief obtained concludes the litigation in SEC v. All Know Holdings Ltd, et al.
27 YEAR OLD TEXAS MAN CHARGED WITH FEDERAL HATE CRIME FOR BREAKING JAW OF 79-YEAR-OLD AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN
FROM: U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Texas Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Punching and Breaking Jaw of 79-year-old African American Man
Conrad Alvin Barrett, 27, has been charged with a federal hate crime related to a racially-motivated assault of a 79-year-old African American man, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels of the Civil Rights Division along with U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Stephen L. Morris of the FBI.
“Hate crimes tear at the fabric of entire communities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Samuels. “As always, the Civil Rights Division will work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to ensure that hate crimes are identified and prosecuted, and that justice is done.”
The criminal complaint was filed under seal Dec. 24, 2013, and unsealed today upon Barrett's arrest. He is expected to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances Stacy at 10:00 a.m. CST.
The complaint charges Barrett, of Katy, Texas, with one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. According to the complaint, on Nov. 24, 2013, Barrett attacked the elderly man because of the man’s race and color in what Barrett called a “knockout.”
“Suspected crimes of this nature will simply not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Magidson. “Evidence of hate crimes will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted with the assistance of all our partners to the fullest extent of the law.”
Barrett allegedly recorded himself on his cell phone attacking the man and showed the video to others. The complaint alleges Barrett made several videos, one in which he identifies himself and another in which he makes a racial slur. In addition, Barrett had allegedly been working up the “courage” to play the “knockout game” for approximately a week.
The “knockout game” is an assault in which an assailant aims to knock out an unsuspecting victim with one punch. According to the complaint, the conduct has been called by other names and there have been similar incidents dating as far back as 1992.
According to the complaint, Barrett comments in a video that “the plan is to see if I were to hit a black person, would this be nationally televised?” The complaint further alleges Barrett claims he would not hit “defenseless people” just moments before punching the elderly man in the face. Barrett allegedly hit the man with such force that the man immediately fell to the ground. Barrett then laughed and said “knockout,” as he ran to his vehicle and fled, according to allegations. The complaint indicates the victim suffered two jaw fractures and was hospitalized for several days as a result of the attack.
“It is unimaginable in this day and age that one could be drawn to violently attack another based on the color of their skin,” said Special Agent in Charge Morris. “We remind all citizens that we are protected under the law from such racially motivated attacks, and encourage everyone to report such crimes to the FBI.”
If convicted, Barrett faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI in cooperation with the Fulshear and Katy, Texas, Police Departments as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Civil Rights Division Trial Attorneys Saeed Mody and Olimpia Michel and Assistant United States Attorneys Ruben R. Perez and Joe Magliolo in cooperation with Ft. Bend County District Attorney John Healey.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due process of law.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Texas Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Punching and Breaking Jaw of 79-year-old African American Man
Conrad Alvin Barrett, 27, has been charged with a federal hate crime related to a racially-motivated assault of a 79-year-old African American man, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels of the Civil Rights Division along with U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Stephen L. Morris of the FBI.
“Hate crimes tear at the fabric of entire communities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Samuels. “As always, the Civil Rights Division will work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to ensure that hate crimes are identified and prosecuted, and that justice is done.”
The criminal complaint was filed under seal Dec. 24, 2013, and unsealed today upon Barrett's arrest. He is expected to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances Stacy at 10:00 a.m. CST.
The complaint charges Barrett, of Katy, Texas, with one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. According to the complaint, on Nov. 24, 2013, Barrett attacked the elderly man because of the man’s race and color in what Barrett called a “knockout.”
“Suspected crimes of this nature will simply not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Magidson. “Evidence of hate crimes will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted with the assistance of all our partners to the fullest extent of the law.”
Barrett allegedly recorded himself on his cell phone attacking the man and showed the video to others. The complaint alleges Barrett made several videos, one in which he identifies himself and another in which he makes a racial slur. In addition, Barrett had allegedly been working up the “courage” to play the “knockout game” for approximately a week.
The “knockout game” is an assault in which an assailant aims to knock out an unsuspecting victim with one punch. According to the complaint, the conduct has been called by other names and there have been similar incidents dating as far back as 1992.
According to the complaint, Barrett comments in a video that “the plan is to see if I were to hit a black person, would this be nationally televised?” The complaint further alleges Barrett claims he would not hit “defenseless people” just moments before punching the elderly man in the face. Barrett allegedly hit the man with such force that the man immediately fell to the ground. Barrett then laughed and said “knockout,” as he ran to his vehicle and fled, according to allegations. The complaint indicates the victim suffered two jaw fractures and was hospitalized for several days as a result of the attack.
“It is unimaginable in this day and age that one could be drawn to violently attack another based on the color of their skin,” said Special Agent in Charge Morris. “We remind all citizens that we are protected under the law from such racially motivated attacks, and encourage everyone to report such crimes to the FBI.”
If convicted, Barrett faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI in cooperation with the Fulshear and Katy, Texas, Police Departments as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Civil Rights Division Trial Attorneys Saeed Mody and Olimpia Michel and Assistant United States Attorneys Ruben R. Perez and Joe Magliolo in cooperation with Ft. Bend County District Attorney John Healey.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due process of law.
CFTC CHAIRMAN GENSLER SPEECH AT FAREWELL EVENT
FROM: U.S. COMMODITIES FUTURE TRADING COMMISSION
Remarks of Chairman Gary Gensler at Farewell Event
December 19, 2013
John F. Kennedy once said: “Let the public service be a proud and lively career.”
What I’ve been most struck by these last five years is how all of you – the exceptional people of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) really embody this sense of public service as expressed by President Kennedy.
Being with you at our last “town hall” meeting, I wish to thank all of you for welcoming me into the CFTC family these last five years.
I’d like to thank Secretary Jack Lew, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Commissioner Mark Wetjen, former Chairs Sheila Bair and Brooksley Born, and our former Director of Enforcement David Meister for your kind words.
I’m humbled to see Secretary Lew; Director of the National Economic Council and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Gene Sperling; the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke; the Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Mary Jo White; the Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Marty Gruenberg, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Ed DeMarco, the Chair of the National Credit Union Administration Debbie Matz, and so many others here at our town hall meeting.
In addition, it’s wonderful to welcome back seven former Chairs of this agency – in addition to Sheila and Brooksley – Jim Newsome, Mary Schapiro, Mike Dunn, Walt Lukken, and Sharon Brown-Hruska.
Five years ago, when the President was formulating his financial reform proposals, he placed tremendous confidence in this small agency, which for eight decades had overseen the futures market.
This confidence in the CFTC was well placed.
And I’m so honored that the President asked me to serve at this agency, particularly at this moment in history.
This amazingly talented staff along with Commissioners – Mike Dunn, Jill Sommers, Bart Chilton, Scott O’Malia and Mark Wetjen – has transformed a market.
As President Kennedy said, you all have much to be proud of. And no doubt, it’s been pretty darn lively.
Based on your work, bright lights of transparency now shine on the nearly $400 trillion swaps market.
You’ve made central clearing of swaps a reality and comprehensively reform the customer protection regimes in our markets.
You brought oversight to the world’s largest swap dealers.
You’ve changed the world’s conversation about LIBOR and Euribor and the real need to bring integrity to benchmark rates.
You’ve worked tirelessly to coordinate with our fellow regulators here at home and abroad.
And to boot, you’ve gotten us through five clean audits, restructured the agency, started a new Weekly Swaps Report, all while reviewing 60,000 public comments, and taking over 2,200 meetings with the public.
You’ve helped the Commission sort through over 170 Dodd-Frank actions – nearly one a week since it was signed into law.
And I want to thank you for those wonderful murderboards for the 54 congressional testimonies. More seriously, I do want to thank Congress and so many members and their staffs for their leadership on reform and supporting the efforts of this agency.
I have worked with some remarkable people in my career – when on Wall Street, at the Treasury Department, and on political campaigns.
The CFTC staff is among some of the most professional and productive that I’ve worked with in my life.
You’ve shown how when faced with real challenges – we can come together as a nation to solve them.
None of this would have been possible without the help and collaboration from others across the Administration and the regulatory community.
Thanks to the leadership of Mary Schapiro and Mary Jo White, we’ve formed a true partnership between our nation’s two market regulators.
Just to mention one of many areas of collaboration – it was no small feat for the staffs of our two agencies came together on joint definitional rules.
Financial reform would not have been possible without the leadership of Treasury and the Federal Reserve. In the wake of the nation’s worst financial crisis in 80 years, Secretary Geithner, Chairman Bernanke and their teams deserve our debt of gratitude. Looking back now, you have to wonder how they made it through their days ... livelier maybe than President Kennedy hoped for any public servant.
I particularly want to thank Secretaries Geithner and Lew, Neal Wolin, Mary Miller, Lael Brainard and Michael Barr at Treasury. In addition to Chairman Bernanke, I want to thank Dan Tarullo, Scott Alvarez and Pat Parkinson.
As the crisis was global, so too has been our reform journey. I want to give a warm thank you to Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England and Chairman of the Financial Stability Board; Martin Wheatley, Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority; Commissioner Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services; Jonathan Faull, Director General of the European Commission; and Masamichi Kono, Vice Commissioner for International Affairs of Japan’s Financial Services Agency.
I also know how hard market participants have worked – with real costs and against deadlines – to implement reforms that truly are transforming the markets.
Looking forward, the public is very fortunate to have such talented and dedicated public servants as Mark Wetjen and, subject to Senate confirmation, Tim Massad taking the helm here at the CFTC.
Much will be in your hands my friends, and the journey will continue to evolve. Just one thing beyond the personal note I’m going to leave in the top drawer: this agency really does need more resources.
Lastly, I want to introduce and thank each one of my daughters: Anna, Lee and Isabel.
I am so proud of each of you growing up to be such beautiful and accomplished young ladies. It’s a testament to each of you that not only have you put up with me but also allowed me to devote so much time to my professional life these last five years. I know how much your mom would be beaming at the three of you today, though she certainly would be laughing a bit at your dad.
I would not be here today if it weren’t for Francesca’s encouragement to follow my dreams and to pursue public service.
Your mom and your Captain Grandpa, a Pearl Harbor survivor and appointee of President Johnson, taught us about public service.
Once again, I want to thank President Obama for the opportunity to serve at such a lively time.
And I just want tell everybody, once again, how darn proud I am of all of you.
Remarks of Chairman Gary Gensler at Farewell Event
December 19, 2013
John F. Kennedy once said: “Let the public service be a proud and lively career.”
What I’ve been most struck by these last five years is how all of you – the exceptional people of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) really embody this sense of public service as expressed by President Kennedy.
Being with you at our last “town hall” meeting, I wish to thank all of you for welcoming me into the CFTC family these last five years.
I’d like to thank Secretary Jack Lew, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Commissioner Mark Wetjen, former Chairs Sheila Bair and Brooksley Born, and our former Director of Enforcement David Meister for your kind words.
I’m humbled to see Secretary Lew; Director of the National Economic Council and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Gene Sperling; the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke; the Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Mary Jo White; the Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Marty Gruenberg, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Ed DeMarco, the Chair of the National Credit Union Administration Debbie Matz, and so many others here at our town hall meeting.
In addition, it’s wonderful to welcome back seven former Chairs of this agency – in addition to Sheila and Brooksley – Jim Newsome, Mary Schapiro, Mike Dunn, Walt Lukken, and Sharon Brown-Hruska.
Five years ago, when the President was formulating his financial reform proposals, he placed tremendous confidence in this small agency, which for eight decades had overseen the futures market.
This confidence in the CFTC was well placed.
And I’m so honored that the President asked me to serve at this agency, particularly at this moment in history.
This amazingly talented staff along with Commissioners – Mike Dunn, Jill Sommers, Bart Chilton, Scott O’Malia and Mark Wetjen – has transformed a market.
As President Kennedy said, you all have much to be proud of. And no doubt, it’s been pretty darn lively.
Based on your work, bright lights of transparency now shine on the nearly $400 trillion swaps market.
You’ve made central clearing of swaps a reality and comprehensively reform the customer protection regimes in our markets.
You brought oversight to the world’s largest swap dealers.
You’ve changed the world’s conversation about LIBOR and Euribor and the real need to bring integrity to benchmark rates.
You’ve worked tirelessly to coordinate with our fellow regulators here at home and abroad.
And to boot, you’ve gotten us through five clean audits, restructured the agency, started a new Weekly Swaps Report, all while reviewing 60,000 public comments, and taking over 2,200 meetings with the public.
You’ve helped the Commission sort through over 170 Dodd-Frank actions – nearly one a week since it was signed into law.
And I want to thank you for those wonderful murderboards for the 54 congressional testimonies. More seriously, I do want to thank Congress and so many members and their staffs for their leadership on reform and supporting the efforts of this agency.
I have worked with some remarkable people in my career – when on Wall Street, at the Treasury Department, and on political campaigns.
The CFTC staff is among some of the most professional and productive that I’ve worked with in my life.
You’ve shown how when faced with real challenges – we can come together as a nation to solve them.
None of this would have been possible without the help and collaboration from others across the Administration and the regulatory community.
Thanks to the leadership of Mary Schapiro and Mary Jo White, we’ve formed a true partnership between our nation’s two market regulators.
Just to mention one of many areas of collaboration – it was no small feat for the staffs of our two agencies came together on joint definitional rules.
Financial reform would not have been possible without the leadership of Treasury and the Federal Reserve. In the wake of the nation’s worst financial crisis in 80 years, Secretary Geithner, Chairman Bernanke and their teams deserve our debt of gratitude. Looking back now, you have to wonder how they made it through their days ... livelier maybe than President Kennedy hoped for any public servant.
I particularly want to thank Secretaries Geithner and Lew, Neal Wolin, Mary Miller, Lael Brainard and Michael Barr at Treasury. In addition to Chairman Bernanke, I want to thank Dan Tarullo, Scott Alvarez and Pat Parkinson.
As the crisis was global, so too has been our reform journey. I want to give a warm thank you to Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England and Chairman of the Financial Stability Board; Martin Wheatley, Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority; Commissioner Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services; Jonathan Faull, Director General of the European Commission; and Masamichi Kono, Vice Commissioner for International Affairs of Japan’s Financial Services Agency.
I also know how hard market participants have worked – with real costs and against deadlines – to implement reforms that truly are transforming the markets.
Looking forward, the public is very fortunate to have such talented and dedicated public servants as Mark Wetjen and, subject to Senate confirmation, Tim Massad taking the helm here at the CFTC.
Much will be in your hands my friends, and the journey will continue to evolve. Just one thing beyond the personal note I’m going to leave in the top drawer: this agency really does need more resources.
Lastly, I want to introduce and thank each one of my daughters: Anna, Lee and Isabel.
I am so proud of each of you growing up to be such beautiful and accomplished young ladies. It’s a testament to each of you that not only have you put up with me but also allowed me to devote so much time to my professional life these last five years. I know how much your mom would be beaming at the three of you today, though she certainly would be laughing a bit at your dad.
I would not be here today if it weren’t for Francesca’s encouragement to follow my dreams and to pursue public service.
Your mom and your Captain Grandpa, a Pearl Harbor survivor and appointee of President Johnson, taught us about public service.
Once again, I want to thank President Obama for the opportunity to serve at such a lively time.
And I just want tell everybody, once again, how darn proud I am of all of you.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
DOD PHOTOS: LEAVING AFGHANISTAN
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
12/26/2013
U.S. Soldiers Prepare To Leave Afghanistan
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Duane Perez, foreground, carries duffel bags and leads troops to a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as they depart Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 25, 2013. Perez is assigned to the Guam Army National Guard's Company E, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment. He also was part of Task Force Guam, which concludes its historic Operation Enduring Freedom mission. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Eddie Siguenz.
U.S. soldiers load equipment and duffel bags onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter on Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 25, 2013. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Eddie Siguenza.
12/26/2013
U.S. Soldiers Prepare To Leave Afghanistan
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Duane Perez, foreground, carries duffel bags and leads troops to a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as they depart Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 25, 2013. Perez is assigned to the Guam Army National Guard's Company E, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment. He also was part of Task Force Guam, which concludes its historic Operation Enduring Freedom mission. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Eddie Siguenz.
U.S. soldiers load equipment and duffel bags onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter on Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 25, 2013. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Eddie Siguenza.
STATEMENT: U.S.-RUSSIA BILATERAL PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION JOINT REPORT
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the U.S.–Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission Joint Report
The United States of America and the Russian Federation launched the U.S.–Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission (BPC) four years ago to reaffirm our commitment to cooperation and collaboration based on shared interests. Since its creation, the Commission has embraced a whole-of-government approach to advance this goal, finding common ground on arms control and international security; fostering closer defense ties; increasing bilateral trade and investment opportunities; countering terrorism and narcotics trafficking; promoting advances in science, technology, and energy; and enhancing people-to-people and cultural ties between our societies.
Today we received from Secretary of State John Kerry the submission of the 2013 BPC Joint Report, which comprehensively highlights the Commission’s accomplishments since Spring 2012.
President Obama encourages the Commission’s working groups to deepen and expand their engagement with Russia in order to remove barriers to trade and investment, increase security, and ensure that advances in science and innovation continue. By partnering with American and Russian civil society and private enterprise, the Commission’s working groups can have an enduring impact that yields a brighter future for Russians, Americans, and people around the world.
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the U.S.–Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission Joint Report
The United States of America and the Russian Federation launched the U.S.–Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission (BPC) four years ago to reaffirm our commitment to cooperation and collaboration based on shared interests. Since its creation, the Commission has embraced a whole-of-government approach to advance this goal, finding common ground on arms control and international security; fostering closer defense ties; increasing bilateral trade and investment opportunities; countering terrorism and narcotics trafficking; promoting advances in science, technology, and energy; and enhancing people-to-people and cultural ties between our societies.
Today we received from Secretary of State John Kerry the submission of the 2013 BPC Joint Report, which comprehensively highlights the Commission’s accomplishments since Spring 2012.
President Obama encourages the Commission’s working groups to deepen and expand their engagement with Russia in order to remove barriers to trade and investment, increase security, and ensure that advances in science and innovation continue. By partnering with American and Russian civil society and private enterprise, the Commission’s working groups can have an enduring impact that yields a brighter future for Russians, Americans, and people around the world.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC VIOLENCE: REMARKS BY SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Violence in the Central African Republic
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
December 26, 2013
The United States is alarmed by the December 24 and 25 attacks in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) by both Seleka and Anti-Balaka fighters against civilian populations in the capital Bangui. These attacks resulted in dozens of deaths, including several MISCA troops, and the large-scale displacement of those living in the northern part of the city.
We were deeply disturbed by the discovery on December 26 in Bangui of a mass grave containing over 20 bodies. The continued sectarian fighting only deepens the country’s wounds and makes reconciliation more difficult. The United States calls on the C.A.R. transitional authorities to immediately end the violence, end the use of torture, and investigate and prosecute all those implicated in grave human rights abuses.
The United States believes that this crisis can only be resolved through a political process that leads to fair and inclusive elections as soon as possible, but not later than February 2015, so that C.A.R. can have a legitimate government that represents the will of the people.
The United States commends the African Union-led stabilization mission in the C.A.R., MISCA, and the French forces operating as part of Operation Sangaris, for their commitment to ending the violence and establishing an environment in which a political transition to a democratically elected government can take place. We are confident the French and MISCA forces will act robustly to protect equally all civilian populations, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.
We call on the C.A.R. transitional authorities to take every possible step to end violence and promote reconciliation and to provide all necessary support to MISCA and French troops in their efforts to disarm both Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups and to allow for unhindered humanitarian access to those in need.
As President Obama said, “Every citizen of the Central African Republic can show the courage that’s needed right now. You can show your love for your country by rejecting the violence that would tear it apart. You can choose peace.”
Violence in the Central African Republic
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
December 26, 2013
The United States is alarmed by the December 24 and 25 attacks in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) by both Seleka and Anti-Balaka fighters against civilian populations in the capital Bangui. These attacks resulted in dozens of deaths, including several MISCA troops, and the large-scale displacement of those living in the northern part of the city.
We were deeply disturbed by the discovery on December 26 in Bangui of a mass grave containing over 20 bodies. The continued sectarian fighting only deepens the country’s wounds and makes reconciliation more difficult. The United States calls on the C.A.R. transitional authorities to immediately end the violence, end the use of torture, and investigate and prosecute all those implicated in grave human rights abuses.
The United States believes that this crisis can only be resolved through a political process that leads to fair and inclusive elections as soon as possible, but not later than February 2015, so that C.A.R. can have a legitimate government that represents the will of the people.
The United States commends the African Union-led stabilization mission in the C.A.R., MISCA, and the French forces operating as part of Operation Sangaris, for their commitment to ending the violence and establishing an environment in which a political transition to a democratically elected government can take place. We are confident the French and MISCA forces will act robustly to protect equally all civilian populations, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.
We call on the C.A.R. transitional authorities to take every possible step to end violence and promote reconciliation and to provide all necessary support to MISCA and French troops in their efforts to disarm both Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups and to allow for unhindered humanitarian access to those in need.
As President Obama said, “Every citizen of the Central African Republic can show the courage that’s needed right now. You can show your love for your country by rejecting the violence that would tear it apart. You can choose peace.”
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