U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR AUGUST 21, 2014

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

CONTRACTS

ARMY

Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLC, New Orleans, Louisiana, was awarded an $116,956,672 firm-fixed-price contract with options for the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project’s widening of the Florida Avenue Canal, Phase II and III, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Work will be performed in New Orleans, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 15, 2018. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with six received. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $116,956,672 are being obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-14-C-0049).

ImSAR LLC,* Springville, Utah, was awarded a $98,971,746 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development, rapid advancement and integration of small aperture radars on small unmanned aerial systems. Funding and work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 20, 2019. One bid was solicited, with one received. Army Contracting Command, Natick, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (W911QY-14-D-0007).

Nova Technologies,* Panama City, Florida, was awarded a $55,000,000 modification (P00007) to contract W900KK-12-D-0005 for modification of the fire training system for simulated battlefield training of fire support specialists, joint fire observers and soldiers at the institutional and unit level. Funding and work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Aug. 14, 2017. Army PEO Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Illinois, was awarded a $10,006,600 modification (P00019) to contract W58RGZ-12-C-0046 for sole source modification for limited scope services to provide additional development and testing of the current Common Infrared Countermeasure Technology Development phase system. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $10,006,600 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is March 14, 2015. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire, was awarded an $8,005,521 modification (P00018) to contract W58RGZ-12-C-0045 for limited scope services to provide additional development and testing of the current Common Infrared Countermeasure Technology Development phase system. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,005,521 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is March 14, 2015. Work will be performed in Nashua, New Hampshire. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

MACKNAK Korte Group*, Lakewood, Washington, was awarded a $7,143,462 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of the air support operations center expansion. Work will be performed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with 26 received. Fiscal 2014 military construction funds in the amount of $7,143,462 are being obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky, is the contracting activity (W912QR-14-C-0027).

NAVY

Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc., Jacksonville, Florida, is being awarded a $71,979,673 modification (P00031) to a previously awarded contract (M67004-09-D-0020) to exercise option year six for prepositioning and Marine Corps logistics support services for Blount Island Command. Work will be performed at the Blount Island Command in Jacksonville, Florida (85 percent); aboard 12 maritime prepositioning ships (12 percent); six locations in Norway (2 percent); and one location in Kuwait (1 percent). Work for this modification is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2015. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. U. S. Marine Corps, Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Airborne Early Warning & Electronic Warfare Systems, Bethpage, New York, is being awarded $47,596,436 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order 0055 against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-10-G-0004) for non-recurring engineering and development of five French E-2C compatible AN/ALQ-217 electronic support measures units for the government of France under the Foreign Military Sales program. In addition, this delivery order includes hardware and software modifications required for compatibility with the French E-2C aircraft, modification kits, aircrew and maintenance training, publications, post-installation ground and flight testing, and technical data. Work will be performed in Owego, New York (43 percent); Melbourne, Florida (40 percent); Cuers, France (9 percent); Dayton, Ohio (4 percent); Norfolk, Virginia (2 percent); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (1 percent); and Redwood City, California (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. FMS funds in the amount of $37,461,976 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Raydar Inc., Odon, Indiana, is being awarded a $25,973,375 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for vehicular automated diagnostic systems (VADS). The VADS allows trouble shooting to be performed on a wide variety of U.S. Marine Corps vehicles. Work will be performed in Odon, Indiana, and is expected to be completed by August 2019. Fiscal 2014 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $2,655,135 will be obligated at time of contract award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-14-D-JS20).

American Rheinmetall Munitions Inc., Stafford, Virginia, is being awarded a $16,783,613 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for multi-bang, flash bang grenades in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command. Multi-bang, flash bang grenades are sound and flash devices that produce an intense light and sound display used as non-lethal means to distract and disorient in hostile environments that require less than lethal force. Work will be performed in Trittau, Germany, and is expected to be completed by August 2019. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $461,318 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-14-D-JR04).

L-3 Communications Corp., Link Simulation & Training Division, Arlington, Texas, is being awarded $15,548,954 for cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price delivery order 0005 against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N61340-12-G-0001) for the procurement of 25 system configuration sets, Navy Aviation Simulation Master Plans, Next Generation Threat System upgrades and 25 liquid crystal display spare kits in support of the F/A-18 Tactical Operational Flight Trainer Suites. Work will be performed in Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia (25 percent); Naval Air Station Lemoore, California (15 percent); Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California (15 percent); Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina (15 percent); Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan (10 percent); Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana (10 percent); and Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2016. Fiscal 2013 and 2014 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,548,954 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity.

IntelliSolutions, Inc.,* San Diego, California, is being awarded a $13,689,953 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide engineering support services for standards engineering and analysis, test support, configuration management, architecture engineering and analysis services, fleet support engineering services, and Network Design Facility operation to ensure interfacing Navy, joint service, and allied nations air, surface, subsurface and land command, control, communications, computers and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems are interoperable. This is one of three contracts awarded; each awardee will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This five-year contract includes a three-year base period followed by a two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $23,241,504. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (94 percent), and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (6 percent); work is expected to be completed Aug. 20, 2017. With all options exercised, work will continue through August 2019. No fiscal 2014 funding is currently associated with this award. Funding will be obligated via task orders beginning in fiscal 2015. The types of funding to be obligated include aircraft procurement (Navy); ship construction (Navy); operations and maintenance (Navy); research, development, test and evaluation; foreign military sales, and Navy working capital fund. This contract was competitively procured via 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central websites. Five proposals were received and three were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0041).

Tactical Engineering & Analysis, Inc.,* San Diego, California, is being awarded a $13,411,718 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide engineering support services for standards engineering and analysis, test support, configuration management, architecture engineering and analysis services, fleet support engineering services, and Network Design Facility operation to ensure interfacing Navy, joint service, and allied nations air, surface, subsurface and land command, control, communications, computers and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems are interoperable. This is one of three contracts awarded; each awardee will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This five-year contract includes a three-year base period followed by one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $22,592,386. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (94 percent), and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (6 percent); work is expected to be completed Aug. 20, 2017. With all options exercised, work will continue through August 2019. No fiscal 2014 funding is currently associated with this award. Funding will be obligated via task orders beginning in fiscal 2015. The types of funding to be obligated include aircraft procurement (Navy); ship construction (Navy); operations and maintenance (Navy); research, development, test and evaluation; foreign military sales, and Navy working capital fund. This contract was competitively procured via 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central websites. Five proposals were received and three were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0042).

Data Intelligence LLC,* Marlton, New Jersey, is being awarded a $12,958,772 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee multiple award contract to provide engineering support services for standards engineering and analysis, test support, configuration management, architecture engineering and analysis services, fleet support engineering services, and Network Design Facility operation to ensure interfacing Navy, joint service, and allied nations air, surface, subsurface and land command, control, communications, computers and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems are interoperable. This is one of three contracts awarded; each awardee will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This five-year contract includes a three-year base period followed by one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $21,961,954. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (64 percent); Marlton, New Jersey (30 percent); and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (6 percent); work is expected to be completed Aug. 20, 2017. With all options exercised, work will continue through August 2019. No fiscal 2014 funding is currently associated with this award. Funding will be obligated via task orders beginning in fiscal 2015. The types of funding to be obligated include aircraft procurement (Navy); ship construction (Navy); operations and maintenance (Navy); research, development, test and evaluation; foreign military sales, and Navy working capital fund. This contract was competitively procured via 100% Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central websites. Five proposals were received and three were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0040).

Choctaw Manufacturing Defense Contractor,* McAlester, Oklahoma, is being awarded $10,757,625 for firm-fixed price delivery order 0015 under an a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-09-D-5024), for the procurement of 500 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) modular production trailers (MPT) and water dispensing systems to support and fill the needs of the U.S. Marine Corps. The MTVR MPT will be employed throughout all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force as well as being forward deployed through the Maritime Prepositioned Force. Work will be performed in McAlester, Oklahoma, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2016. Fiscal 2012 procurement Marine Corps overseas contingency operations funds in the amount of $10,607,018 will be obligated at the time of award, and will expire at the end of this current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5). The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

Rockwell Collins, Inc. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a $35,364,765 modification (P00027) to a firm-fixed-price contract (FA8106-11-C-0006) for KC-10 Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) kits and installs. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $114,485,428. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for Group A and B kits and installation for 27 KC-10 aircraft. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Atlanta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by November 2015. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $35,364,765 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WKDK, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. 

Alion Science and Technology Corp., Burr Ridge, Illinois, has been awarded a $25,172,296 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (0082) on the AMMTIAC indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, sole-source (FA4600-06-D-0003) for technical analysis, logistics and sustainment for Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps. AMMTIAC shall provide research and development, engineering analysis, technical and operational evaluations, and systems engineering for programs designated by the U.S. Marine Corps. The work will be performed at Mount Arlington, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 29, 2016. Fiscal 2014 Marine Corps operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $50,000 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency/KD, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, is the contracting activity.

Crash Rescue Equipment Service, Inc.,* Dallas, Texas, has been awarded an estimated $11,330,244 indefinite-delivery requirements contract for the fire truck overhaul and repair. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 19, 2015. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition; multiple offers were solicited and four offers were received. No operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at time of award. The contracting activity is Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WNKBBA, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia (FA8519-14-D-0004).

*Small business 

DOD STATEMENT ON ATTEMPTED RESCUE OF HOSTAGES HELD BY ISIL

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

Pentagon Provides Statement on Rescue Operation

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2014 – The United States attempted a rescue operation recently to free a number of American hostages held in Syria by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement released today.

The mission was not successful because the hostages were not present at the targeted location, Kirby said in the statement. He added that the U.S. government will not tolerate the abduction of its people and will work tirelessly to secure the safety of its citizens and to hold their captors accountable.

Kirby’s statement reads as follows:

“The United States attempted a rescue operation recently to free a number of American hostages held in Syria by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). This operation involved air and ground components and was focused on a particular captor network within ISIL. Unfortunately, the mission was not successful because the hostages were not present at the targeted location.

“As we have said repeatedly, the United States government is committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens, particularly those suffering in captivity. In this case, we put the best of the United States military in harms' way to try and bring our citizens home.

“The United States government uses the full breadth of our military, intelligence and diplomatic capabilities to bring people home whenever we can. The United States will not tolerate the abduction of our people, and will work tirelessly to secure the safety of our citizens and to hold their captors accountable.”

THE 'BONANZA KING' OF MARS

FROM:  NASA 

The pale rocks in the foreground of this fisheye image from NASA's Curiosity Mars rover include the "Bonanza King" target under consideration to become the fourth rock drilled by the Mars Science Laboratory mission.  No previous mission has collected sample material from the interior of rocks on Mars. Curiosity delivers the drilled rock powder into analytical laboratory instruments inside the rover. Curiosity's front Hazard Avoidance Camera (Hazcam), which has a very wide-angle lens, recorded this view on Aug. 14, 2014, during the 719th Martian day, or sol, of the rover's work on Mars.  The view faces southward, looking down a ramp at the northeastern end of sandy-floored "Hidden Valley." Wheel tracks show where Curiosity drove into the valley, and back out again, earlier in August 2014.  The largest of the individual flat rocks in the foreground are a few inches (several centimeters) across.  For scale, the rover's left front wheel, visible at left, is 20 inches (0.5 meter) in diameter. A map showing Hidden Valley is at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA18408 . NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, manages the Mars Science Laboratory Project for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. JPL designed and built the project's Curiosity rover and the rover's Navcam. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

NASA VIDEO | GODDARD IN THE GALAXY

USDA VIDEO: FARMERS MARKETS MORE POPULAR THAN EVER

DOJ, CITY OF BALTIMORE REACH AGREEMENT TO PREVENT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Justice Department Reaches Agreement with the City of Baltimore to Prevent Disability Discrimination

City of Baltimore to Pay $65,000 in Damages and Adopt New Policies and Procedures

The Justice Department today announced that it has reached an agreement with the city of Baltimore, Maryland, to end hiring practices that discriminate against people with disabilities.  The agreement, filed as a consent decree along with a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, resolves allegations by the department that the city engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Title I of the ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of disability in various aspects of employment, including hiring.

The department alleges that the city required job applicants, including an individual complainant, to submit to a medical examination and answer disability-related inquiries before the city made conditional offers of employment.  Under the ADA, employers may not require applicants to submit to medical exams or answer disability-related inquiries before making conditional offers of employment.  The department also alleges that the city refused to hire the complainant for a fire dispatcher position because of her disability, even though she was already working successfully as a dispatcher elsewhere and required no accommodations.

The consent decree must be approved by the court, and requires the city to:                        
·                      pay $65,000 to the complainant in compensatory damages;
·                      adopt new policies and procedures regarding the administration of pre-employment medical examinations and inquiries;
·                      provide training on the ADA to all employees who participate in making personnel decisions related to pre-employment medical examinations and inquiries;
·                      ensure that the city’s contract with any medical examiner provides that the examiner is required to comply with the ADA in conducting medical examinations and certify that it  has reviewed ADA training materials;
·                      provide periodic reports to the department on compliance; and
·                      designate an employee to address ADA compliance matters.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate discriminatory, outdated stereotypes that prevent individuals with disabilities from being hired for positions for which they are qualified,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Molly Moran for the Civil Rights Division.

U.S. DOD VIDEO: AIR FORCE GROUNDS PORTION OF F-16D FLEET

AIRSTRIKES GO ON IN IRAQ AGAINST ISIL

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Continues Airstrikes Against ISIL in Iraq

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2014 – U.S. military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in support of Iraqi security force operations, using fighter, remotely piloted and attack aircraft to conduct 14 airstrikes in the vicinity of the Mosul Dam, according to a U.S. Central Command news release issued today.
The strikes destroyed or damaged six ISIL Humvees, three IED emplacements, one mortar tube, and two armed trucks, the release said. All aircraft exited the strike area safely.

These strikes were conducted under in support of Iraqi security forces and Kurdish defense force operations, as well as to protect critical infrastructure, U.S. personnel and facilities, and humanitarian efforts, according to the release.
The Department of Defense confirmed Aug. 18 that Iraqi forces have cleared and now hold Mosul Dam, and that Iraqi security forces and Kurdish forces are working together to further expand their control of the area, the release said.
Since Aug. 8, U.S. Central Command has conducted a total of 84 airstrikes across Iraq, the release said, and of those 84 strikes, 51 have been in support of Iraqi forces near the Mosul Dam.

U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR AUGUST 20, 2014

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

CONTRACTS

NAVY

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services, Inc., Rockville, Maryland (N00039-14-D-0121); General Dynamics C4 Systems, Taunton, Massachusetts (N00039-14-D-0122); Global Technical Systems,* Virginia Beach, Virginia (N00039-14-D-0123); Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia (N00039-14-D-0124); and Serco, Inc., Reston, Virginia (N00039-14-D-0125), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) production units. The estimated, cumulative value of the multiple award contract is $2,529,500,000. CANES serves as the bridge to the future of Navy afloat networks, consolidating existing legacy and standalone networks, providing the necessary infrastructure for applications, systems and services to operate in the tactical domain. CANES delivers its capabilities within a single complete system, bringing the necessary infrastructure that will enable timely and interoperable information exchange among tactical, support and non-tactical or administrative users, applications and information technology platforms. This contract has an eight-year ordering period up to the contract award amount. There are no options. Work will be performed in North Charleston, South Carolina; Taunton, Massachusetts; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Madison, Alabama; and San Diego, California, as delivery orders determine. Work is expected to be completed by August 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as individual delivery orders are issued. The multiple award contracts were competitively procured by full and open competition bids via the Space and Naval Warfare e-Commerce Central and the Federal Business Opportunities websites, with seven offers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

Caddell Construction Co. (Delaware), LLC, Montgomery, Alabama, is being awarded a $110,809,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of nuclear power training facilities at Joint Base Charleston. The work to be performed provides for construction of a new multistory, blast hardened training operation facility; construction of a single story secured area entry point; and construction of a pier extension of steel and concrete piles and slabs. The contract also contains six unexercised options and two planned modifications, which if exercised and/or issued, would increase cumulative contract value to $157,810,500. Work will be performed in Goose Creek, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed by June 2018. Fiscal 2014 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $110,809,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-14-C-1756).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Mission Systems and Training, Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded a $60,802,243 fixed-price-incentive, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-only contract for ship integration and test of the Aegis Weapon System (AWS) for AWS Baselines through Advanced Capability Build 12. The contract provides for Aegis shipboard integration engineering, Aegis test team support, Aegis modernization team engineering support, ballistic missile defense test team support, and AWS element assessments. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $420,379,808. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey (27 percent); Norfolk, Virginia (22.5 percent); San Diego, California (20 percent); Pascagoula, Mississippi (6.5 percent); Bath, Maine (6.5 percent); Mayport, Florida (6.5 percent); Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (5.5 percent); Everett, Washington (4 percent); Syracuse, New York (1 percent), and other locations totaling less than 1 percent (0.5), and is expected to be completed by November 2018. Fiscal 2011 and 2013 shipbuilding conversion (Navy); fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2012 and 2014 other procurement (Navy) funding, in the amount of $21,839,327 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $6,485,936 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) - only one or limited number of sources and no other suppliers will satisfy the requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-14-C-5104).

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is being awarded a $59,159,691 modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-6410) to exercise an option for the production of MK54 Mod 0 Lightweight Torpedo (LWT) Kits, and related engineering and repair services for upgrade of U.S. Navy LWT. Although the MK54 Mod 0 LWT is primarily intended as an anti-submarine torpedo for littoral scenarios, its basic capabilities includes operation in both shallow and deep water acoustic environmental conditions, and exceeds MK46 anti-submarine warfare capabilities in deep-water scenarios. This modification involves purchases for the U.S. Navy and the governments of India, Turkey and Australia under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Keyport, Washington (60 percent), and Portsmouth, Rhode Island (40 percent), and is expected to be completed by January 2018. Fiscal 2012 and 2014 weapons procurement (Navy), and FMS funds, in the amount of $59,159,691 will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $2,073,984 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia, is being awarded a $34,774,652 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract utilizing firm-fixed priced orders for production hardware for Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) Mk2 production hardware. The scope includes hardware production, assembly, configuration, alignment, integration, testing and shipping of the SSDS hardware. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach, Virginia (80 percent), and Huntsville, Alabama (20 percent), and is expected to be completed by August 2017. Subject to availability of funds, fiscal 2014 and 2017 other procurement (Navy), and fiscal 2015 and 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) contract funds, in the amount of $799,056 will be obligated at contract award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00178-14-D-3035).

Lockheed Martin Sippican, Inc., Marion, Massachusetts, is being awarded a $31,905,389 modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-6404) for fixed-price-incentive, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee, cost-type option for the production of 108 MK48 Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) Functional Item Replacement (FIR) Kits, related engineering services to support CBASS FIR kits, CBASS FIR kit spares, and CBASS FIR kit warranty. The objective of the MK48 Mod 7 CBASS kit production program is to supply the U.S. Navy with functional item replacement upgrade kits consisting of a guidance and control box, broadband analog sonar receiver, preamplifier, cable assemblies, and guidance and control assembly materials. Work will be performed in Marion, Massachusetts (95 percent), and Syracuse, New York (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by November 2017. Fiscal 2012 and 2014 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $31,905,389 will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $1,540,688 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $12,789,893 modification to the previously awarded F-35 Lightning II Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot VI contract (N00019-11-C-0083). This modification provides for the procurement of F-35 Deployable Spares Package spares for the U.S. Air Force. Work will be performed in Owego, New York (21 percent); Orlando, Florida (20 percent); Nashua, New Hampshire (18 percent); United Kingdom (18 percent); Torrance, California (15 percent); Marion, Virginia (3 percent); Melbourne, Florida (3 percent); Endicott, New York (1 percent); Williston, Vermont (0.5 percent); and Duarte, California (0.5 percent). Work is expected to be completed in May 2017. Fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $12,789,893 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is being awarded a $8,990,973 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the ongoing acquisition of the weapons systems shipboard development, integration requirements, and shipboard engineering for refueling support for the United States and United Kingdom Trident II D5 missile program. The maximum dollar value, including the base period and two option years is $32,334,273. The work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (21 percent); Norfolk, Virginia (20 percent); Silverdale, Washington (19 percent); Bremerton, Washington (18 percent); St. Marys, Georgia (16 percent); and Cape Canaveral, Florida (6 percent), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2014. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,990,973 are being obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is a sole source acquisition negotiated under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Strategic Systems Program, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00030-14-C-0023).

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is being awarded a $6,948,500 modification to a cost-plus-incentive-fee delivery order issued previously against a Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-11-G-0001). This modification provides for Phase C1 of the F/A-18 A-D Airframe Service Life Extension Program. The effort will include seven flight critical engineering change proposals for fracture and maintenance critical areas of the airframe. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (55 percent). and El Segundo, California (45 percent), and is expected to be completed in July 2015. Fiscal 2013 and 2014 aircraft procurement (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $6,948,500 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, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Nashua, New Hampshire, has been awarded a $74,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for F-16 Stores System Tester sustainment. The contractor will provide F-16 Stores System Tester spares, as well as engineering and software development and maintenance support. Work will be performed at Nashua, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 14, 2020. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. It is anticipated that fiscal 2014 procurement, operations and maintenance; consolidated sustainment activity group non-expiring working capital; and foreign military sales funds will be issued via delivery orders against this contract in support of the requirement. FMS is approximately 33 percent of the contract. The first delivery order will be obligated at time of award for fiscal 2014 FMS funds for Taiwan in the amount of $6,753,382. Air Force Sustainment Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8251-14-D-0001).

ARCTEC Alaska Joint Venture, Joint-Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, has been awarded a $32,062,792 firm-fixed-price contract, plus one option year, for the operation and maintenance of 15 geographically separated long range radar sites, three remote radio sites, maintenance of the Regional Air Operations Center, and Maintenance Control and Communications Center within Alaska. Work will be performed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and at the 15 separate sites located throughout Alaska, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2027, if all 12 option years are exercised. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Operations and maintenance funds will be obligated subject to availability. 766 SCONS/OL AA, Joint-Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, is the contracting activity (FA5215-14-C-7007).

FlightSafety International, Flushing, New York, will be awarded a $27,471,325 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for Gulfstream Pilot/Flight Engineering Training services. This requirement is a recurring requirement within Headquarters Air Force Mobility Command/A3T. This contract will provide initial and refresher academic and simulator training, and a variety of technical courses for U.S. Air Force pilots and flight engineers operating the Air Force Gulfstream series aircraft. Work will be performed at Dallas, Texas; Savannah, Georgia; Wilmington, Delaware; and Long Beach, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with no limit to the number of offers solicited; two offers were received. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,494,265 will be obligated for the base period, but no funds are being obligated at time of award. The 763 Specialized Contracting Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity (FA4452-14-D-0003).

ARMY

MedTrust LLC, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a $20,746,039 modification (P00003) to contract W81K00-14-D-0014 for the extension of specialized nursing services. Work will be performed at the San Antonio Military Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, and Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is March 31, 2015. The Army Medical Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity.

BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc., Kingsport, Tennessee, was awarded a $9,665,276 modification (P00545) to contract DAAA09-98-E-0006 to modernize infrastructure, Building G-4, Holston Army Ammunition Plant. Fiscal 2014 other procurement funds in the amount of $9,665,276 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Aug. 31, 2017. Work will be performed at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant, Kingsport, Tennessee. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.

Burleson Consulting Inc.,* Folsom, California, was awarded a $7,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract to restore the natural habitat and for habitat monitoring, at the former Fort Ord, California, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 19, 2019. Funding will be determined with each order. Bids were solicited via the Internet with two received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento, California, is the contracting activity (W91238-14-D-0010).

DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY

Harris IT Services Corp., Herndon, Virginia was awarded a ceiling $450,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity hybrid contract (firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-award-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost reimbursement contract line items) for services to provide engineering, maintenance, and program management support for the Crisis Management System. The IDIQ total cumulative ceiling value of the contract is $450,000,000 over the one-year base period and nine one-year option periods. There is no guarantee that the contract will be extended beyond the base one-year ordering period. Performance will be at various locations in the continental United States, with an estimated completion date of August 2015. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,412,872 will be obligated on the first task order at time of award. The original solicitation was issued as other than full and open competitive action pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (6) or 41 U.S.C. 3304(a) (6), and two proposals were received. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization-National Capital Region, Fort Meade, Maryland is the contracting activity (HC1047-14-D-4006).

*Small business

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY WILL PAY $896,000 PENALTY FOR VIOLATING PREMERGER RULES

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Berkshire Hathaway to Pay $896,000 Civil Penalty for Violating Antitrust Premerger Notification Requirements

Violation Occurred When Berkshire Hathaway Acquired Voting Securities of USG Corporation

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has agreed to pay an $896,000 civil penalty to settle charges that it violated premerger reporting and waiting requirements when it acquired voting securities of USG Corp., the Department of Justice announced today.

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, at the request of the Federal Trade Commission, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., against Berkshire Hathaway for violating the notification requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act of 1976.   At the same time, the department filed a proposed settlement that, if approved by the court, will settle the charges.

Berkshire Hathaway is a Delaware corporation with its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.   As a result of its acquisition of USG voting securities in December 2013, Berkshire Hathaway held approximately 28 percent of USG voting securities, valued at more than $950 million.    

USG is a Delaware corporation with its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

The HSR Act of 1976, an amendment to the Clayton Act, imposes notification and waiting period requirements for transactions meeting certain size thresholds so that they can undergo premerger antitrust review.

Federal courts can assess civil penalties for premerger notification violations under the HSR Act in lawsuits brought by the Department of Justice.   For a party in violation of the HSR Act the maximum civil penalty is $16,000 a day.

President Obama Delivers a Statement on the Murder of James Foley

U.S. DOD VIDEO: NAVY CONTINUES UNMANNED AIRCRAFT TESTS

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY TO PRICE FIXING AND WILL PAY $52.1 MILLION FINE

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd. Agrees to Plead Guilty to Price Fixing and Bid Rigging on Automobile Parts Installed in U.S. Cars

Company Agrees to Pay $52.1 Million Criminal Fine

NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd., an automotive parts manufacturer based in Nagoya, Japan, has agreed to plead guilty and to pay a $52.1 million criminal fine for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for spark plugs, standard oxygen sensors, and air fuel ratio sensors installed in cars sold to automobile manufacturers in the United States and elsewhere, the Department of Justice announced today.

According to the one-count felony charge filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit, NGK Spark Plug engaged in a conspiracy to rig bids for, and to fix, stabilize and maintain the prices of, spark plugs, standard oxygen sensors and air fuel ratio sensors installed in cars sold to automobile manufacturers such as DaimlerChrysler AG, Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corp., among others, in the United States and elsewhere.   In addition to the criminal fine, NGK Spark Plug has agreed to cooperate in the department’s ongoing investigation.   The plea agreement will be subject to court approval.

“Today’s guilty plea is just another example of the commitment of the Antitrust Division to preserving fair and legal competitive practices,” said Brent Snyder, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division’s criminal enforcement program.  “We will continue to do whatever it takes to protect U.S. consumers and businesses.”

According to the charge, NGK Spark Plug and its co-conspirators carried out the conspiracy through meetings and conversations in which they discussed and agreed upon bids and price quotations on bids to be submitted to certain automobile manufacturers and to allocate the supply of the products to those manufacturers.  NGK Spark Plug sold spark plugs, standard oxygen sensors, and air fuel ratio sensors at non-competitive prices to auto makers in the United States and elsewhere in furtherance of the agreement.  NGK Spark Plug’s involvement in the conspiracy lasted from at least as early as January 2000 until on or about July 2011.

NGK Spark Plug manufactures and sells spark plugs, standard oxygen sensors and air fuel ratio sensors.   A spark plug is an engine component for delivering high electric voltage from the ignition system to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.   Oxygen sensors are located in the exhaust system and measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust.   Air fuel ratio sensors are “wideband” oxygen sensors that enable more precise control of the air/fuel ratio injected into the engine.            

The charge against NGK Spark Plug is the latest in the department’s on-going investigation into anticompetitive conduct in the automotive parts industry.   These are the first charges filed relating to spark plugs, standard oxygen sensors and air fuel ratio sensors sold to automobile manufacturers.

Including NGK Spark Plug, 28 companies and 26 executives have pleaded guilty or agreed to plead guilty in the division’s ongoing investigation into price fixing and bid rigging in the auto parts industry and have agreed to pay a total of $2.4 billion in criminal fines.

NGK Spark Plug is charged with price fixing and bid rigging in violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of a $100 million criminal fine for corporations.   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.

Today’s charge is the result of an ongoing federal antitrust investigation into price fixing, bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct in the automotive parts industry, which is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s criminal enforcement sections and the FBI.   Today’s charge was brought by the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal I Section and the FBI’s Detroit Field Office with the assistance of the FBI Headquarters’ International Corruption Unit.

U.S. EXTENDS WARM WISHES TO PEOPLE OF HUNGARY ON THEIR SAINT STEPHEN'S DAY

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

On the Occasion of Hungary's National Day

Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

August 19, 2014

---

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I extend warm wishes to the people of Hungary as you celebrate Saint Stephen’s Day on August 20.

On Saint Stephen’s Day, we remember the enduring legacy of King Stephen I, who unified all Hungarians. The United States is proud of its role in honoring that legacy during the more than 30 years that we protected the Crown of St. Stephen on behalf of the Hungarian people.
My own family will always be connected to Hungary. My grandmother Ida was born and raised in Budapest, before crossing the Atlantic for the United States near the turn of the 20th century.
Today we share more than genealogical connections for so many. We also share democratic principles, economic interests, rich cultural ties, and a commitment to safeguard international peace and security.

U.S. and Hungarian troops continue to serve together around the world as NATO allies. And together, we promote the rule of law, transparency, and good governance, both abroad and at home.

The United States looks forward to continuing to work with Hungary in pursuit of our common goals in the years to come.

SEC MAKES FRAUD CHARGES INVOLVING SMART-PHONE APP TECHNOLOGY

FROM:  U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Securities and Exchange Commission v. Heidi Ann Gamer, Gamer Economic Systems, LLC, and Gamer Media Partners Corp., Civil Action No. 1:14-cv-02650-ODE (N.D. Ga.)

SEC Charges Colorado Resident with Offering Fraud Involving Smart-Phone App Technology

On August 15, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filed an action in federal court in Atlanta charging a Colorado Springs, Colorado resident and her two companies with running a $771,900 offering fraud targeting investors in various states. Victims of the scheme included, among others, individuals who participated in substance-abuse support programs.

Investors were told that funds raised would be used by the companies to acquire interactive technology licensing rights for products such as smart-phone applications, or "apps," that the companies planned to develop and market. False statements about contracts and licensing deals that did not exist also were used to solicit investors. Throughout the fraud, significant amounts of investor funds were diverted for such non-business expenses as casino gambling, vacation travel, and shopping.

Named in the Complaint are:

• Heidi Ann Gamer ("Gamer"), 41, a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado;
   
• Gamer Economic Systems, LLC ("GES"), a Colorado limited liability company based in Colorado Springs, Colorado for which Gamer served as CEO; and
   
• Gamer Media Partners Corp. ("GMS"), a Georgia corporation based in Atlanta for which Gamer also served as CEO.

The Complaint alleges:

• Beginning in 2011, Gamer began soliciting individuals for investments in GES, telling them that funds raised would be used as operating capital. Gamer falsely told prospective investors that GES had secured licensing rights for certain products. After investors provided their funds, Gamer diverted sizeable portions of the monies raised for her personal expenses, including gambling in Las Vegas and a vacation in Mexico.
   
• In 2012, Gamer moved to Atlanta, where she created GMP and offered and sold GMP shares in exchange for investor funds which she again claimed would be used for company operating expenses. Gamer also told prospective investors that GMP had secured high-dollar contracts with a movie studio, a college and the Atlanta Falcons football team. No such finalized deals or funding existed. Gamer again diverted investor funds for her personal use, including her condominium rent, pet grooming, and to help send an acquaintance to a private California weight-loss resort. Ultimately, Gamer raised from investors approximately $400,500 through GES and $371,400 through GMP, respectively. Among those targeted by Gamer's scheme were friends and acquaintances, some of whom Gamer met through substance-abuse support programs.

The complaint alleges that Gamer, GES and GMP by virtue of their conduct, directly or indirectly, violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5, thereunder, and seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with pre-judgment interest and penalties against each of the defendants.

The SEC's investigation was conducted by Brian M. Basinger with assistance from Stephen E. Donahue and Robert F. Schroeder in the Atlanta Regional Office. The Commission acknowledges the assistance and cooperation of the Massachusetts Securities Division.

U.S. CYBER COMMAND EXPANDING

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

Rogers: Cybercom Defending Networks, Nation

By Cheryl Pellerin

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

FORT MEADE, Md., Aug. 18, 2014 – U.S. Cyber Command continues to expand its capabilities and capacity, Navy Adm. Mike Rogers said Aug. 14.
The Cybercom commander was speaking during an interview at the NSA headquarters building here. Rogers is also director of the National Security Agency and chief of the Central Security Service.

“The decision to create [Cybercom] was a … recognition of a couple things. No. 1, the increasing importance of the cyber domain and the cyber mission set in Department of Defense operations in the 21st century,” Rogers said.

Such a command would add to the department’s ability to protect and defend its networks, and give policymakers and operational commanders a broader range of options, he said.

The second consideration involved DoD’s mission to defend the nation, coupled with the potential of nation-states, groups and individuals to conduct offensive cyber activities against critical U.S. infrastructure.

In that scenario, the admiral said, defense officials thought it was likely the president would “turn to the secretary of defense and say, ‘In your mission to defend the nation, I need you to do the same thing here in the cyber arena against this mission set critical to U.S. infrastructure, and I need an organization capable of doing that.’”

These conditions led the department to realize the need to create a traditional warfighting organization capable of executing a spectrum of cyberspace missions, Rogers said.

And, he added, they knew they needed to do so “with a dedicated professionalized workforce. This is not a pickup game where you just come casually to it.”
Rogers said he focuses on five priorities for Cybercom.

These are to build a trained and ready cyber force, put tools in place that create true situational awareness in cyberspace, create command-and-control and operational concepts to execute the mission, build a joint defensible network, and ensure Cybercom has the right policies and authorities that allow it to execute full-spectrum operations in cyberspace.

Making progress is important to Rogers, who characterized his ultimate goal as bringing Cybercom to a level where it’s every bit as trained and ready as any carrier strike group in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility or any brigade combat team on the ground in Afghanistan.

“My objective during my time as the commander, first and foremost,” the admiral said, “is to ensure that we have brought to fruition the operational vision in cyber … [to make sure] it’s something real, it’s something tangible, and it is operationally ready to execute its assigned missions.”

That is happening as Cybercom brings its warfighting capability online, with the services generating a total cyber mission force of about 6,000 people by 2016, all trained to the same high standard and aligned in 133 teams with three core missions:

-- The Cyber National Mission Force, when directed, is responsible for defending the nation’s critical infrastructure and key resources.

-- The Cyber Combat Mission Force provides cyber support to combatant commanders across the globe; and
-- The Cyber Protection Force operates and defends the DoD information network, or DoDIN.

Defending the DoDIN is the focus of a partnership in progress with the Defense Information Systems Agency, or DISA.

The agency provides command and control and information-sharing capabilities and a globally accessible enterprise information infrastructure to warfighters, the president and national leaders, and other mission and coalition partners.
DISA, Rogers points out, is also a combat support agency.

The agency reports to acting DoD Chief Information Officer Terry Halvorsen, and its director is Air Force Lt. Gen. Ronnie D. Hawkins Jr.

“I have always believed … that we need to integrate operations and networks and our defensive workforce into one team,” Rogers said, “and that you are more effective in operating a network and in defending a network when you do it with one integrated approach.”

As a result, Rogers’ team decided they needed to create a relationship with DISA, he said, adding, “At the moment there’s no formal [command and control] line between us, but we’re in the process of creating one.”

As part of that process Rogers collaborates with Halvorsen and Hawkins.
“What I think we need to do,” he said during their meeting, “is create an operational construct that creates a direct linkage [between] U.S. Cyber Command, DISA and U.S. Cyber Command service components.”

It’s critical that the relationship includes the service components, Rogers said, “Because, under the current network structure today, those networks are largely run by [the] services. So we’ve got to create a relationship between DISA and the services that is very operational because you’ve got to maneuver networks, you’ve got to react to changes, and you can’t do that in a static kind of environment.”
He added, “We're in the process of doing that and I expect to roll it out in the fall. … You’ll hear it referred to as JFHQ DoDIN,” he said, or Joint Force Headquarters DoD Information Networks.

Rogers said that he, Halvorsen and Hawkins agree, this is the future of DISA.
“[DISA] will operate on the networks. They'll be part of our defensive effort so they will be out operating on the networks just like us,” he added.

“One of the core missions is the defense of the DoDIN,” Rogers said. “The forces associated with that mission will be assigned to DISA, to the services [and] to the combatant commanders.” So, he added, DISA will have operational control over some of the cyber mission force to help execute their mission.

Another of Rogers’ priorities for Cybercom is to help develop a common situational awareness of “what’s happening in DoD networks,” he said.

The commander highlighted the need for speed and agility in the cyber arena, adding, “If you can’t visualize what you’re doing … you’re not going to be fast or as agile, and thus arguably not as effective as you need to be.”

Rogers said, “As an operational commander I am used to the idea of walking into a command center, looking at a visual depiction that through symbology, color and geography enables me to very quickly come to a sense of what's happening in this space. We are not there yet in the cyber arena.”

Establishing situational awareness in the cyber realm is a combination of technology and capability, the admiral said, and determining what knowledge is needed and what elements contribute to that.

“Is what U.S. Cyber Command needs to know about what's going on in the network world the same thing as a strike group commander needs in the Western Pacific? The same thing an Air Force air wing needs in Minot, North Dakota? The same thing a brigade combat team needs in Afghanistan? It will vary, so we've got to create a system that you can tailor to the needs of each commander,” he said.
Rogers noted there are many ongoing efforts to improve situational awareness, pointing out the need to work collaboratively to fix the problem.

“We do have some tools right now,” he added. “They’re just not as mature and comprehensive as I'd like them to be.”
Cyber is foundational to the future, the admiral said, and he often comments to his fellow operational commanders that cyber is a mission they have to own.
“The wars of the 20th century taught most warfighting professionals that, no matter what you do, a good foundational knowledge of logistics is probably going to stand you in good stead,” Rogers explained.

In the 21st century, he added, operational commanders may find that, regardless of their mission, they will need a sense of what’s going on in their networks, where they’re taking risk, and the impact of network structure and activities on their ability to execute the mission.

“It’s not something you turn to your communications officer … or your CIO and say, ‘I don't really understand this. Go out and do some of that for me.’ That isn't going to get us where we need to go,” the admiral said.

Rogers elaborated on the need for Cybercom to be ready.

During his time as Cybercom commander, he said he expects that a nation-state, group or individual will attempt to engage in offensive, destructive capability against critical U.S. infrastructure, from the power grid to the financial sector.
The Presidential Policy Directive for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience outlines 16 designated U.S. Critical Infrastructure sectors.
Rogers says he tells his team they have to be ready to respond to such a call. But for an attack on the United States, Cybercom will support the Department of Homeland Security, which is the lead agency for broader security protections associated with critical infrastructure, and partner with the FBI, which is the lead agency for domestic attacks and law enforcement.

“Our biggest focus really is going to be bringing our capabilities to bear to attempt to interdict the attack before it ever gets to us,” the admiral said.

“Failing that,” he continued, “we'll probably also have some measure of capability that we can provide to work directly with those critical infrastructure networks to help address the critical vulnerabilities and where the networks could use stronger defensive capability.”

To prepare for such interagency collaboration in the event of a domestic cyberattack, the command trains as it will fight, Rogers said.

“In the military I'm used to the idea that you train like you fight. So we exercise [and] we replicate the things we think are going to occur in a combat scenario,” the admiral said. “I want to do the exact same thing with the same set of teammates I'm going to operate with if we get the order to do so.”

The department and Cybercom already do internal exercises, he said, as well as ongoing interagency exercises such as Cyber Guard, in which elements of the National Guard, reserves, NSA and Cybercom exercise their support to DHS and FBI responses to foreign-based attacks on simulated critical infrastructure networks.

The whole-of-government exercise, completed June 17, was designed to test operational and interagency coordination and tactical-level operations to prevent, mitigate and recover from a domestic cyber incident.

Cyber Guard is a good example, Rogers said, “but I want to build on that. DHS and FBI were there but I think we can do even more.”

Information sharing and partnerships with the critical infrastructure sectors is an important aspect of enabling Cybercom to more effectively interdict and stop an attack, if directed to do so by the president and defense secretary, he added.
The cyber threat is growing increasingly complex, the Cybercom commander said, and a more diverse set of actors is involved in the mission set, “from nation-states that continue to increase their capabilities, to groups, to individuals.”

In broad terms, he added, “you don’t see a crisis in the world today that doesn’t have a cyber aspect to it.”

For that reason and others, the ultimate construct of Cybercom must be flexible, the admiral said.

“If you want to develop full-range capabilities and generate the maximum flexibility for their application, you’ve got to build a construct that recognizes we’re going to be supported sometimes, we’re going to be supporting other times, and sometimes we’re going to be doing both simultaneously,” Rogers said.
In one scenario Cybercom might be helping the commander in the Pacific, he said, and “at the same time we might be driving efforts to secure the U.S. financial infrastructure … and trying to support U.S. Central Command.

“It’s just the nature of things,” Rogers said, “because cyber is so global and so foundational.”

DRUG ORGS PATRIARCH PLEADS GUILTY FOR ROLE IN COCAINE IMPORT CONSPIRACY

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Former Patriarch of the Lorenzana Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy Charges

Waldemar Lorenzana Sr., 75, the patriarch of the Lorenzana drug trafficking organization in Guatemala, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to import over 450 kilograms of cocaine into the United States.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert W. Patterson of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) Special Operations Division made the announcement.   The guilty plea was entered by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in the District of Columbia.

“For more than a decade, the Lorenzana drug trafficking operation received, stored, and transported massive quantities of cocaine for distribution in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell.   “The kingpin and patriarch of this family has now been extradited and convicted in the United States, and two of his sons are currently awaiting extradition from Guatemala.   This case once again affirms the Justice Department’s unwavering commitment to working with our international law enforcement partners to bring transnational drug traffickers, wherever they may reside, to justice for their crimes.”

“For years, members of the Lorenzana family smuggled cocaine to the United States with impunity,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Patterson.  “The indictment, extradition and conviction of Waldemar Lorenzana, and the pending extradition of other members of his family, proves once again that no one is above the law when international partners cooperate.  This investigation could never have been brought to fruition without the unwavering support of our law enforcement colleagues and is another great example of international coordination.”

According to the superseding indictment, from March 1996 to April 2009, Lorenzana Sr. and three of his sons conspired to distribute multi-ton quantities of cocaine within Guatemala and elsewhere, knowing that the narcotics would be illegally imported into the United States for distribution.   As described in further court documents, the Lorenzana drug trafficking organization worked with drug trafficking organizations in Colombia and Mexico to transport shipments of cocaine by go-fast boats and airplanes to El Salvador and Guatemala for distribution to cities within the United States.   Lorenzana Sr. was arrested by Guatemalan authorities on April 26, 2011, detained in Guatemala, and extradited to the United States in March 2014.   Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

The charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The investigation was led by the DEA’s 959/Bilateral Investigations Unit and Guatemala City Country Office and was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Amanda Liskamm, Adrian Rosales and Michael Lang of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section.   The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in the extradition.   The Department expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the government of Guatemala for its assistance in this matter.

DOD VIDEO: HAGEL THANKS CREWS FOR ACTIONS OVER IRAQ

U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR AUGUST 19, 2014

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

CONTRACTS

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Sysco Raleigh, Selma, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $281,250,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for prime vendor food and beverage support. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and five offers were received. This is a two-year base contract, with one one-year option and one two-year option periods. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a July 16, 2016, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-14-D-3030).

NAVY

Data Link Solutions, LLC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $124,326,550 modification under a previously awarded multiple award contract (N00039-10-D-0031) increasing the scope authorized to perform all of the necessary design and development work required to bring Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) capability to the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) terminal and to achieve a successful critical design review. MIDS JTRS is a pre-planned product improvement replacement, transforming the MIDS low volume terminal into a four-channel, software- communications architecture-compliant JTRS terminal, while maintaining current Link-16 and tactical air navigation capability. TTNT will significantly increase operational Link-16 networks’ capacities, improve network performance, and provide more capable and flexible Link-16 network designs for the warfighter. Work will be performed in Wayne, New Jersey (30 percent), and Cedar Rapids, Iowa (70 percent), and is expected to be completed by Aug. 19, 2017. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $11,600,000 will be placed on contract and obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

ViaSat, Inc., Carlsbad, California, is being awarded a $72,673,450 modification under a previously awarded multiple award contract (N00039-10-D-0032) increasing the scope authorized to perform all of the necessary design and development work required to bring tactical targeting network technology (TTNT) capability to the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Terminal for a successful critical design review. MIDS JTRS is a pre-planned product improvement replacement that transforms the MIDS low volume terminal into a four-channel, software-communications architecture-compliant JTRS terminal, while maintaining current Link-16 and tactical air navigation capability. TTNT will significantly increase operational Link-16 networks’ capacities, improve network performance, and provide more capable and flexible Link-16 network designs for the warfighter. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, California, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 19, 2017. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $11,600,000 will be placed on contract and obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

Epsilon Systems Solutions Inc.,* San Diego, California, is being issued a $16,063,920 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursement contract to provide intermediate-level support to the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center in San Diego, California. The contract will provide professional and engineering support services, to include support to the product family departments in the areas of production operations, corrosion control, engines, machine, combat systems, production control, and offsite repair. This contract includes options which, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $84,979,741. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by August 2019. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $16,063,920 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N55236-14-C-0014).

ARMY

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $30,351,927 modification (P00072) to foreign military sales contract (Saudi Arabia) W58RGZ-12-C-0008 for 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Fiscal 2014 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $30,351,927 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Aug. 31, 2017. Work will be performed in Jupiter, Florida, and Stratford, Connecticut. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics Ordnance Tactical Systems, Scranton, Pennsylvania, was awarded an $8,420,783 firm-fixed-price contract for 23,960 M1 high fragmentation artillery shells. Work will be performed in Scranton, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2014. One bid was solicited with one received. Fiscal 2013 other procurement funds (Army) in the amount of $8,420,783 are being obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-14-C-0051).

AIR FORCE

Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Services, Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been awarded a $24,191,749 modification (P00313) exercising an option to contract F19628-00-C-0019 to support critical mission operations for North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Cheyenne Mountain Complex/Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment (NCMC/ITWAA) in support of air, missile and space defense for the national command authority. This sustainment effort encompasses operations, maintenance and support to maintain mission integrity for the target system architecture systems at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station Colorado, the Alternate Mission Command Center, and forward user and sensor sites, as well as maintenance of legacy systems at the Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; Test Development Facility, Space Training System and Joint Space Operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; and the Integrated Space Command and Control Test and Integration Lab in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Also included is the 721st Cheyenne Mountain Communications Squadron (A-76) support. Work will be performed at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 29, 2015. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $24,191,749 will be obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/HBQK, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity.

Trailboss Enterprises, Inc.,* Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded a $17,963,792 (two-month transition and base year) for forward operating location (FOL) base operation support services at FOL-Curacao. The contractor will be responsible for program management and mission support, including aircraft support equipment/servicing; maintenance and repair of all government furnished property and facilities while meeting environmental compliance requirements; civil engineering support for facility sustainment, restoration, and maintenance, fire protection, utilities, environmental, and operations; communications support of network infrastructure, wireless systems, transmissions, information, and planning; logistics support of vehicle operations, fuels, supply chain and traffic management; services support of lodging and custodial; and operations support; airfield management; airfield operations and management. Work will be performed at FOL-Curacao, and the base period is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2015. This award is the result of a competitive, small business set aside. The solicitation was posted on Federal Business Opportunities website and 10 offers were received. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance funds will fund the base year by subsequent modification released on or about Oct. 1, 2014. Headquarters Air Combat Command Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity (FA4890-14-C-0012)

Jacobs Technology Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $11,514,275 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursable contract modification (P00006) for FA8721-14-C-0017 to provide engineering and technology acquisition support services which consists of disciplined systems/specialty engineering and technical/information assurance services, support, and products using established government, contractor, and industry processes. Work will be performed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Langley Air Force Base, Virginia; Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and Gunter Annex, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2015. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, and research and development funding, including both Air Force and Department of Defense funds in the amount of $1,385,521 will be obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/PZM, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity.

NEXGEN Communications LLC, Dulles, Virginia, has been awarded an $8,432,040 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for Miniaturized Receiver Transmitter (mRXTX) Prototype Modules. Contractor will develop and demonstrate a miniaturized Radio Frequency (RF) transmit/receive module to support Computational Leverage Against Surveillance Systems (CLASS) requirements. The CLASS program requires an integrated transmit and receive module capable of performing wideband self-filtering for frequency division duplexing with high dynamic range and efficiency, which this effort will provide. The scope of this effort encompasses the innovation, design, assembly and assessment of a miniaturized RF transmit/receive module. The fabrication of the receive module, and then the integration of transmit and receive modules, will be performed. Each module/assembly will be thoroughly tested and reported. Work will be performed at Palm Harbor, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 19, 2016. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and seven offers were received. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,132,670 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory/RIKD, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-14-C-0123).

*Small business
 

WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

Statement by the Principal Deputy Press Secretary on World Humanitarian Day

Eleven years ago today, 22 humanitarian aid workers were killed in a horrific attack on the UN Headquarters in Baghdad.  Their lives were cut short as they worked selflessly to save others.  Each year on August 19 we pay homage to them, their colleagues worldwide who have been killed or injured in the line of duty, and the heroic efforts of those humanitarians currently in the field. 

Today, there is an unprecedented need for humanitarians and the spirit they embody. Some 108 million people need humanitarian assistance, and more people have been displaced by conflict than at any time since World War II.  Nearly eleven million Syrians and Iraqis have fled for their lives.  Millions need shelter, food, water, and medical care in the wake of factional fighting in the Central African Republic and a clash among South Sudan’s political leaders has put millions of people at risk of famine.  In these places and others—including Gaza, Somalia, Yemen, and now West Africa with the Ebola outbreak—humanitarians assume great personal risk to help those in need. 

Even as they do their utmost to help the most vulnerable, all too often humanitarians are harassed, kidnapped, or killed for their commitment.  There were 251 incidents of major violence against aid workers in 30 countries in 2013. These attacks resulted in 460 aid workers killed, kidnapped, or seriously wounded; many of them heroic local staff working to help neighbors in need. As the world’s largest humanitarian donor, the United States expresses its deepest respect to these individuals dedicated to serving others.  On behalf of the American people, we are proud to support their work and humbled by their sacrifice. The world needs more of their dedication, selflessness, and courage.