DOD REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON THE FUTURE OF UNMANNED VEHICLES

Members of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle detachment, Commander, Task Group 56.1, guide a UUV as it is lowered into the water off the coast of Bahrain, June 5, 2013. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Lewis.  

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
DOD Looks 25 Years Ahead in Unmanned Vehicle Roadmap
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2013 – Strategy and budget realities are two aspects of the Defense Department’s new Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap, released today.

The report to Congress is an attempt to chart how unmanned systems fit into the defense of the nation.

“The 2013 Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap articulates a vision and strategy for the continued development, production, test, training, operation and sustainment of unmanned systems technology across DOD,” said Dyke Weatherington, the director of the unmanned warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance office at the Pentagon.

“This road map establishes a technological vision for the next 25 years and outlines the actions and technologies for DOD and industry to pursue to intelligently and affordably align with this vision,” he continued.
Unmanned aerial vehicles have received the most press, but unmanned underwater vehicles and ground vehicles are also providing warfighters with incredible capabilities.

Although unmanned vehicles have proved their worth in combat operations throughout the Middle East and Central Asia, current technologies must be expanded and integrated into the sinews of the defense establishment, the report says.

It also calls for unmanned systems to be programs of record in order to achieve “the levels of effectiveness, efficiency, affordability, commonality, interoperability, integration and other key parameters needed to meet future operational requirements.”

Of course, all DOD programs have to face the reality of the budget crunch. “Achieving affordable and cost-effective technical solutions is imperative in this fiscally constrained environment,” the report notes.

Strategy really drives the technology. Unmanned systems will be crucial as the U.S. military shifts its focus to the Asia-Pacific region and puts the air-sea doctrine into effect. In the future, unmanned vehicles will be required to operate in more complex environments involving difficult weather, terrain, distance and airspace. All this will require extensive coordination with allies and host nations, the report says.

“The road map describes the challenges of logistics and sustainment, training and international cooperation while providing insight on the strategic planning and policy, capability needs, technology development and operational environments relevant to the spectrum of unmanned systems,” Weatherington said.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 21, 2013

FROM:  U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT 

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

          SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA

In the week ending December 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 338,000, a decrease of 42,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 380,000. The 4-week moving average was 348,000, an increase of 4,250 from the previous week's revised average of 343,750.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent for the week ending December 14, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending December 14 was 2,923,000, an increase of 46,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 2,877,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,836,750, an increase of 39,500 from the preceding week's revised average of 2,797,250.

UNADJUSTED DATA

The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 413,920 in the week ending December 21, a decrease of 159 from the previous week. There were 457,578 initial claims in the comparable week in 2012.

The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.3 percent during the week ending December 14, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 2,984,815, an increase of 113,284 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.5 percent and the volume was 3,254,315.
The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending December 7 was 4,279,284, a decrease of 132,858 from the previous week. There were 5,471,714 persons claiming benefits in all programs in the comparable week in 2012.

No state was triggered "on" the Extended Benefits program during the week ending December 7.

Initial claims for UI benefits filed by former Federal civilian employees totaled 1,869 in the week ending December 14, a decrease of 306 from the prior week. There were 2,004 initial claims filed by newly discharged veterans, a decrease of 352 from the preceding week.

There were 20,880 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending December 7, a decrease of 1,559 from the previous week. Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 31,459, a decrease of 1,478 from the prior week.

States reported 1,333,332 persons claiming Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits for the week ending December 7, a decrease of 40,699 from the prior week. There were 2,096,243 persons claiming EUC in the comparable week in 2012. EUC weekly claims include first, second, third, and fourth tier activity.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending December 14 were in Alaska (5.3), Puerto Rico (3.8), Pennsylvania (3.5), California (3.3), Connecticut (3.1), Montana (3.1), West Virginia (3.1), Illinois (2.8), Oregon (2.8), and Wisconsin (2.8).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending December 14 were in California (+4,622), Illinois (+3,686), Massachusetts (+2,331), Ohio (+1,529), and Indiana (+1,473), while the largest decreases were in New York (-12,706), Pennsylvania (-10,866), Georgia (-8,340), Texas (-4,904), and Wisconsin (-4,821).

U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR DECEMBER 26, 2013

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
CONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

The Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, Calif., was awarded a $24,000,000 modification (P00006) on an existing cost-plus-fixed-fee, five year contract (FA8802-14-C-0001) for general life cycle systems engineering and integration for the National Security Space Community.  Contractor will provide planning, systems definition, and technical specification support, analyze user needs, design and design alternative, interoperability, manufacturing and quality control, and assist with test and evaluation, launch support, flight tests, orbital operations and integration of space systems into effective systems of systems.  Work will be performed at El Segundo, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2014.  The contract is being incrementally funded using fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds.   Space and Missile Systems Center/PKE, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity.

ARMY

Boeing Co, Ridley, Park, Pa., was awarded a $617,676,589 modification (P0004) to contract W58RGZ-14-C-0003 for the remanufacture of twenty- two CH-47F helicopters, six new CH-47F helicopters, and long lead funding for remanufacturing thirteen CH-47F helicopters.  Fiscal 2014 other procurement funds in the amount of $615,046,591 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Dec. 31, 2020.  Work will be performed at Ridley Park, Pa.  Army Contracting Command, Redstone, Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Va., was awarded a $26,491,522 modification (P00021) to contract W52P1J-11-C-0019 to sort and classify material turned in by units and to re-issue serviceable material to deploying units.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $26,491,522 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Dec. 29, 2014.  Work will be performed in Kuwait.  Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., is the contracting activity.

Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va., was awarded a $24,958,310 modification (P00024) to contract W52P1J-11-C-0005 to support the ammunition supply point/theater storage area, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait for the issue, storage, and receipt of Class V munitions for the 1st Theater Support Command and other Central Command forces.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $22,006,134 were obligated at the time of the award.  Estimated completion date is Dec. 29, 2014.  Work will be performed in Kuwait. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., is the contracting activity.

*Dills Architects, P.C., Virginia Beach, Va., (W91236-14-D-0016); *KZF Design, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio (W91236-14-D-0017); and *CEMS Engineering Inc., Ladson, S.C., (W91236-14-D-0018) were awarded a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price, multiple-award contract for architectural and engineering services for the planning, design and construction of a dependent elementary and secondary school area office.  Funding and location will be determined with each order.  Estimated completion date is Dec. 25, 2017.  Bids were solicited via the Internet with thirty-nine received. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Trax International Corp, Las Vegas, Nev., was awarded an $8,647,158 modification (P00116) to contract W9124R-09-C-0003 for test services supporting the Army's Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.  Fiscal 2014 research development test and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,647,158 were obligated at the time of the award.  Estimated completion date is Jan. 31, 2014.  Work will be performed in Yuma, Ariz. and at Fort Greely, Alaska. Army Contracting Command, Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics C4 Systems, Huntsville, Ala. was awarded a $6,657,441 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering services and logistics for the tactical airspace integration air traffic control system.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,657,441 were obligated at the time of the award.  Estimated completion date is Jun 30, 2016.  Bids were solicited via the Internet with one received. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Ala, Afghanistan, and South Korea.  Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-14-C-0003).

NAVY

General Dynamics, NASSCO, Norfolk, Va., (formerly Metro Machine Corp.) is being awarded an $171,961,941 undefinitized contract action as a modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-4416) for USS Carter Hall fiscal 2014 extended dry-docking planned maintenance availability.  Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by April 2015.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy and Fiscal 2014 other procurement, Navy funds in the amount of $104,155,547 will be obligated at time of award.  Contract funds in the amount of $123,702,226 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Norfolk Ship Support Activity, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

The Boeing Co., Oklahoma City, Okla., is being awarded a $43,200,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee,  indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide engineering and technical field services to inform, instruct and train Navy and Marine Corps military and civilian personnel at various fleet and shore activities on how to install, operate and maintain equipment on AV-8B, EA-18G and F/A-18 aircraft.  Work will be performed in Whidbey Island, Wash. (16 percent); Oceana, Va. (12 percent); Cherry Point, N.C. (8 percent); New Orleans, La. (8 percent); Lemoore, Calif. (8 percent); Miramar, Calif. (8 percent); Pensacola, Fla. (8 percent); Yuma, Ariz. (8 percent); Atsugi, Japan (8 percent); Kuwait (8 percent); Beaufort, N.C. (4 percent), and Fort Worth, Texas. (4 percent) and is expected to be completed in December 2018.  Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance, Navy and Foreign Military Sales contract funds in the amount of $1,458,850 are being obligated on this award, $708,850 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($30,240,000; 70 percent); U.S. Marine Corps ($9,504,000, 22 percent); and the Government of Kuwait ($3,456,000, 8 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.  This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1.  The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif. is the contracting activity (N68936-14-D-0010)

Sensor and Antenna Systems, Lansdale, Pa., is being awarded a $21,804,323 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0047) to exercise an option for the procurement of eight Low Band Transmitters (LBT), 11 Vertically Polarized (VPOL) Antennas, and 17 High Band Horizontally Polarized (HPOL) Antennas for the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System (TJS) for the U.S. Navy.  In addition, this option provides for the procurement of 11 LBT, 6 VPOL Antennas, 6 Band-2 Adapter Interface Assemblies, and 7 High Band Horizontally Polarized HPOL Antennas for the AN/ALQ-99 TJS for the Government of Australia. Work will be performed in Lansdale, Pa., and is expected to be completed in July 2016.  Fiscal 2012, 2013, 2014 aircraft procurement Navy, and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $21,804,323 will be obligated at time of award, $180,080 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($9,973,
 082; 45.7 percent); the Government of Australia ($11,831,241; 54.3 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Ga., is being awarded an $11,060,628 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for logistics and engineering services in support of the C/KC-130J Aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps/Marine Corps Reserve, U.S. Coast Guard and the Kuwait Air Force.  Work will be performed in Marietta, Ga. (65.3 percent); Afghanistan (12 percent); Palmdale, Calif. (9.2 percent); Kuwait (3.3 percent); Okinawa, Japan (3 percent); Miramar, Calif. (1.8 percent); Cherry Point, N.C. (1.7 percent); Elizabeth City, N.C. (1.6 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (1.5 percent); and Greenville,  S.C. (.6 percent); and is expected to be completed in December 2014.  No funds are being obligated at time of award.  Funds will be obligated against individual delivery orders as they are issued.  This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Marine Corps/Marine Corps Reserve ($8,886,223; 80.3 percent); U.S. Coast Guard ($1,423,148; 12.9 percent); and the Government of Kuwait ($751,257; 6.8 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.  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-D-0006).

Raytheon Technical Services Co. LLC, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded an $8,496,327 task order under a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee basic ordering agreement (N00024-09-G-5442) for technical support services, Overhaul, Turnaround and Life Extension Refurbishment program in support of the NATO SEASPARROW Surface Missile System and Test Acquisition System (TAS).  Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., (50 percent) and Chula Vista, Calif., (50 percent) and is expected to be completed by September 2014.  Fiscal 2014 other procurement, Navy and Fiscal 2014 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy funds in the amount of $50,000 will be obligated at time of award.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity.

*Small Business

LLCD BOLDEN VIDEO TO THE MOON AND BACK

NASA VIDEO

RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
U.S. soldiers gather in a team huddle after prepping their mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle before moving out on missions on Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan's Parwan province, Dec. 22, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jose A. Antepara guides a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle before conducting missions on Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan's Parwan province, Afghanistan, Dec. 22, 2013. Antepara is a truck commander assigned to the 51st Transportation Company, 77th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario.

U.S. MARSHALS ANNOUNCE FUGITIVE ON THE RUN FOR 36 YEARS WAS ARRESTED

FROM:  U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE 
Chris Bozeman, Lone Star Fugitive Task Force
Deputy U.S. Marshal/Public Information Officer (PIO)
Western District of Texas – San Antonio (210) 657-8500
36 Years On The Run Can’t Out Run Justice
Fugitive To Face Attempted Murder Charges

 LSFTF LogoFarmington Hills, MI – Kathlyn Regina Huff, 58, was arrested this evening by the United States Marshals Service Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team (DFAT) in Farmington Hills, MI. An arrest warrant was issued pursuant to an investigation by the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), where more than 36 years ago Huff was indicted on allegations of attempted murder.

On December 9, 2013, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Cold Case Squad (LSFTF CCS) initiated an investigation in the search for Huff. Subsequent to the investigation, task force officers discovered that Huff had previously fled from San Antonio, TX to Farmington Hills, MI. The LSFTF CCS then contacted the DFAT in Detroit, MI for assistance in locating and apprehending Huff. This evening, task force officers determined through investigative efforts that Huff was residing at a house in the 30000 block of Gladstone Street in Farmington Hills, MI. Task force officers conducted a brief surveillance and observed Huff arrive and park her vehicle in the driveway of the residence. Task force officers approached the vehicle, identified themselves, made contact with Huff, and took her into custody without incident.

On September 14, 1977, Huff was formally indicted by a Grand Jury in Bexar County on allegations of attempted murder. A warrant for Huff’s arrest was issued the same day. Reports stated that Huff allegedly shot a man in the head after a heated argument. Sometime after the alleged incident, Huff fled San Antonio, married, and started a new life as Kathlyn Regenia Rose. Huff may have eluded capture by law enforcement over the past 36 years due to her name change.

Huff is currently being held in custody at the Oakland County Jail awaiting extradition to Bexar County.

Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, stated, “Words alone cannot express how proud I am of the investigative efforts displayed by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Cold Case Squad and the Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team. This is a perfect example of how diligent and determined our task force officers are at solving the most challenging cases. No matter how many years a fugitive is on the run, we will hunt, we will search, and we will pursue until they are brought to justice.”

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force:

New Braunfels Police Department
San Antonio Police Department
San Antonio Independent School District Police Department
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
Comal County Sheriff’s Office
Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office
Bexar County District Attorney’s Office
Texas Office of The Attorney General
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General
Immigration & Customs Enforcement – Office of Detention & Removal
U.S. Marshals Service

ADJUSTMENTS PROPOSED TO EXCEPTED BENEFITS REGULATIONS

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

Obama administration proposes adjustments to excepted benefits regulations
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury today proposed rules that would adjust regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 regarding excepted benefits to include employee assistance programs (EAPs). The proposed rules would also provide added options for employees and employers in connection with the Affordable Care Act.

"This proposal would give employers and workers more options for their health-care coverage while staying true to the consumer protections put in place by the Affordable Care Act," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Phyllis C. Borzi. "This is another example of federal agencies listening to public concerns and responding with solutions."

Under the HIPAA, excepted benefits are exempt from certain health reform requirements, including some requirements added by the Affordable Care Act. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, employers, employees and other stakeholders expressed concerns that past HIPAA definitions should be updated in light of new Affordable Care Act standards.

The proposed rules would amend current regulations to treat certain EAPs as excepted benefits, effective immediately. EAPs are typically free programs offered by employers that can provide wide-ranging benefits to address circumstances that might otherwise adversely affect employees’ work and health. Benefits may include short-term substance abuse or mental health counseling or referral services, as well as financial counseling and legal services. Under the proposed rules, EAPs would be considered excepted benefits if the program is free to employees and does not provide significant benefits in the nature of medical care or treatment. As excepted benefits, EAPs would be exempt from private insurance market reforms, and EAP coverage would not make individuals ineligible for a premium tax credit for enrolling in qualified health plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Similarly, under the proposed regulations, vision and dental benefits provided by employers on a self-insured basis would be able to qualify as excepted benefits effective immediately, even if they do not require contributions from employees. Insured vision and dental benefits, as well as self-insured vision and dental coverage that requires employee contributions, already qualify as excepted benefits.

Effective for plan years starting in 2015, the proposed rules also would treat as excepted benefits certain limited coverage provided by plan sponsors that "wraps around" an individual market policy. The "wraparound" coverage would be available to employees for whom the plan sponsor’s primary group health coverage is not affordable and who instead get coverage through a nongrandfathered individual market policy. The wraparound coverage would provide extra benefits or broader networks, and may also reduce cost sharing. The proposal would not allow the wraparound coverage to substitute for employment-based coverage. The value of the wraparound coverage could not exceed 15 percent of the value of the primary coverage offered by the plan sponsor, which must be affordable for at least the majority of employees.

DETROIT-BASED ALLY BANK RESOLVES ALLEGATIONS OF LENDING DISCRIMINATION

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 
Friday, December 20, 2013

Justice Department and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Reach $98 Million Settlement to Resolve Allegations of Auto Lending Discrimination by Ally
Settlement Is Department’s Third Largest Fair Lending Agreement Ever and Largest Ever Auto Lending Agreement

The Department of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today announced the federal government’s largest auto loan discrimination settlement in history to resolve allegations that Detroit-based Ally Financial Inc. and Ally Bank have engaged in an ongoing nationwide pattern or practice of discrimination against African-American, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander borrowers in their auto lending since April 1, 2011.  The agreement is the first joint fair lending enforcement action by the department and CFPB.  With this agreement, eight of the top 10 largest fair lending settlements in the department’s history have been under Attorney General Eric Holder’s leadership.

The settlement provides $80 million in compensation for victims of past discrimination by one of the nation’s largest auto lenders and requires Ally to pay $18 million to the CFPB’s Civil Penalty Fund.  Ally also must refund discriminatory overcharges to borrowers for the next three years unless it significantly reduces disparities in unjustified interest rate markups.  This system will create a strong financial incentive to eliminate discriminatory overcharges.

“With this largest-ever settlement in an auto loan discrimination case, we are taking a firm stand against discrimination in a critical lending market,” said Attorney General Eric Holder.  “By requiring Ally to provide refunds to those who are overcharged because of their race or national origin, this agreement will ensure relief for Americans who are victimized. It will enable the Justice Department and the CFPB to work closely with Ally and others to prevent discriminatory practices in the future. And it will reinforce our determination to respond aggressively to discrimination in America’s lending markets – wherever it is found.”

The settlement resolves claims by the department and the CFPB that Ally discriminated by charging approximately 235,000 African-American, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander borrowers higher interest rates than non-Hispanic white borrowers.  The agencies claim that Ally charged borrowers higher interest rates because of their race or national origin, and not because of the borrowers’ creditworthiness or other objective criteria related to borrower risk.  The average victim paid between $200 and $300 extra during the term of the loan.  The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) prohibits such discrimination in all forms of lending, including auto lending.  Ally’s settlement with the DOJ, which is subject to court approval, was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in conjunction with the DOJ’s complaint.  Ally resolved the CFPB’s claims by entering into a public administrative settlement.

“Discrimination is a serious issue across every consumer credit market,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “We are returning $80 million to hard-working consumers who paid more for their cars or trucks based on their race or national origin. We look forward to working closely with the Justice Department and Ally to make sure this serious issue will be addressed appropriately in the years ahead as well.”

Rather than taking applications directly from consumers, Ally makes most of its loans through over 12,000 car dealers nationwide who help their customers pay for their new or used car by submitting their loan application to Ally.  Ally’s business practice, like most other major auto lenders, allows car dealers discretion to vary a loan’s interest rate from the price Ally initially sets based on the borrower’s objective credit-related factors.  Dealers receive greater payments from Ally on loans that include a higher interest rate markup.  The coordinated investigations by the department and the CFPB that preceded today’s settlement determined this system of subjective and unguided pricing discretion directly results in Ally’s qualified African-American, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander borrowers paying more than qualified non-Hispanic white borrowers.

The agencies claim that Ally fails to adequately monitor its interest rate markups for discrimination or require dealers to document their markup decisions.  Ally’s first effort to monitor for discrimination in interest rate markups began only earlier this year after it learned of the CFPB’s preliminary findings of discrimination, and resulted in only two dealers being sanctioned and subjected to nothing more than voluntary training.

“This settlement provides relief to those who were harmed by this discrimination,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara McQuade.  “Lenders must consider an individual borrower’s credit worthiness, based on income, savings, credit history and other objective factors when determining the terms of a loan.  This settlement will ensure that in the future, borrowers will be able to obtain loans from Ally based on their own credit history free from discrimination based on race or national origin.”

Today’s settlement represents the first resolution of the department’s joint effort with the CFPB to address discriminatory auto lending practices.  The 2010 Dodd-Frank Act gave both the DOJ and the CFPB authority to take action against large banks like Ally for violating the ECOA.  Although the department has filed previously filed lawsuits alleging violations of ECOA involving car loans, today is the first ECOA lawsuit against an auto lender that operates nationwide.

In addition to the $98 million in payments for its past conduct and requirement to refund future discriminatory charges, the settlement requires Ally to improve its monitoring and compliance systems.  The settlement allows Ally to experiment with different approaches toward lessening discrimination and requires it to regularly report to the department and the CFPB on the results of its efforts as well as discuss potential ways to improve results.  The department commends Ally for working cooperatively to reach an appropriate resolution of this case.  The department looks forward to Ally’s commitment, as part of the settlement, to work with the Civil Rights Division and the CFPB to find improved ways to fairly charge all consumers while also fairly compensating auto dealers for the services they provide.

The department’s enforcement of fair lending laws is conducted by the Fair Lending Unit of the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section in the Civil Rights Division.  Since the Fair Lending Unit was established in February 2010, it has filed or resolved 30 lending matters under the Fair Housing Act, ECOA and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.  The settlements in these matters provide for a minimum of $775 million in monetary relief for impacted communities and more than 535,000 individual borrowers.

The settlement provides for an independent administrator to locate victims and distribute payments of compensation at no cost to borrowers whom the department and the CFPB identify as victims of Ally’s discrimination.  The department and the CFPB will make a public announcement and post information on their websites once more details about the compensation process become available.  Borrowers who are eligible for compensation from the settlement will be contacted by the administrator, and do not need to contact the department or the CFPB at this time.  Individuals who have auto loan questions or would like to submit a complaint can contact the CFPB at (855) 411-2372.

The Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan and the CFPB are members of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force.  President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes.  The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources.  The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.

NSF ON STUDYING "SOCIAL BACTERIA"

FROM:  NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

"Social" bacteria that work together to hunt for food and survive under harsh conditions
Research into multi-cell bacterium could lead to new antibiotics or to development of new pest-resistant seeds
When considering the behavior of bacteria, the word "social" doesn't often come to mind.

Yet some bacteria are quite social, chief among them Myxococcus xanthus, a soil-dwelling bacterium that organizes itself into multi-cellular, three-dimensional structures made up of thousands of cells that work together to hunt for food and survive under harsh conditions.

"For the first 100 years of microbiology, researchers were trying to find model organisms to study bacteria, and most were selected because they had some medical or industrial significance influence, such as E. coli, and because they grow very well in the standard test tube," says Oleg Igoshin, an assistant professor of bioengineering at Rice University. "But when you base your choice on their behavior in a test tube, and not on social behavior or spatial structure, you lose some interesting species to study.

"The story is quite different for Myxococcus xanthus," he adds. "They are a very social bacteria that form really cool structures, and rely on each other for survival."

Myxococcus xanthus is "predatory," meaning it eats other microbes, although it is not harmful to humans. It is of great interest to researchers because of its self-made complex spatial formations, some even visible to the naked eye, and because it can kill efficiently and digest a wide range of microbial species.

"Their three-dimensional structures contain hundreds of thousands of bacteria, plus extra cellular material that holds the bacteria together like glue," says the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded computational biologist, who is using both data-driven modeling and simulations to learn how M. xanthus behaves when there is sufficient food available, and when there is not. "We are trying to identify the mechanisms to understand how they achieve their multi-cellular behaviors."

Studying this organism addresses fundamental biological questions about how individual cells can break their symmetry to organize into these complicated many-celled compositions, teaching scientists about the evolution of multi-cellularity. "The most primitive form of life is single-cell life," Igoshin says. "The next step up would be going from single cells to multicellular organisms. These bacteria are somewhat in the middle."

When food is plentiful, these bacteria move in coordinated swarms, called ripples, often containing thousands of cells, which secrete enzymes into the environment to kill their prey and digest it outside their structure before taking in the resulting nutrients.

"M. xanthus has the ability to produce some powerful antibiotics that kill other species and enzymes that chew up the prey proteins into small segments," Igoshin says. "Single cells can't produce enough of these antibiotics or enzymes to effectively kill their prey, which is why they hunt together as a group."

But when food is scarce, M. xanthus takes another shape, forming itself into mounds of spores called fruiting bodies, where they can survive for a long time, sometimes for many years, until conditions improve and they can germinate again. "A single spore wouldn't survive," he says. "They need to be together."

The insights gained from a better understanding of how this bacterium functions potentially could help future researchers in designing new antibiotics, or possibly have a role in agricultural practices, such as developing new pest-resistant seeds. Moreover, deciphering the basic biology of multicellular organization can help to understand its more complex manifestations, such as embryonic development.

Igoshin is using M. xanthus as a model system for his computational tools, using approaches that involve both data analysis and simulation, both of which "have become a cornerstone of biological research in the modern era of biology," he says.

"I use reverse engineering approaches to look at these microscopic structures and try to figure out what these individual cells should do in order to produce this type of behavior," he adds. "I put in parameters such as size, velocity, flexibility, speed--some we can measure, some we can guess--and see whether the computer simulations will produce structures similar to those observed."

Igoshin is conducting his research under an NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award, which he received in 2009. The award supports junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organization. NSF is funding his work with $640,000 over five years.

He is collaborating with other experimental labs to study this organism, including Roy Welch, associate professor of biology at Syracuse University; Lawrence Shimkets, professor of biology at the University of Georgia; and Heidi Kaplan, associate professor of microbiology and genetics at the University of Texas-Houston Medical School.

As part of the grant's educational component, Igoshin and his colleagues created a new interdisciplinary graduate program at Rice offering doctoral degree in systems, synthetic, and physical biology, that began in the fall of 2013. Igoshin, who co-wrote the program proposal, serves on the program steering committee, and the admission and recruitment committee.

"Answering complex biological questions in the post-genomic era will require multidisciplinary approaches combining both experimental and computational methods" he says. "Our new program aims to educate a new generation of life-scientists that have truly interdisciplinary training and therefore can work together on these challenges."

-- Marlene Cimons, National Science Foundation
Investigators
Oleg Igoshin

FTC REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON "DO NOT CALL REGISTRY"

FROM:  U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

The Federal Trade Commission published a biennial report to Congress focusing on the use of the Do Not Call Registry by both consumers and businesses over the past two years. The report also highlights how the FTC is responding to new technologies that have increased the number of illegal robocalls made to telephone numbers on the Do Not Call Registry.

As of September 2013, more than 223 million active numbers were registered for Do Not Call, an increase of more than 5.8 million registrations from the previous fiscal year. The Biennial Report to Congress Under the Do Not Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007 notes the FTC recently launched a mobile-friendly way for consumers to sign up for Do Not Call and register Do Not Call complaints, and that the agency received 27 percent of its registrations from mobile devices.

During fiscal year 2013, a total of 2,875 businesses and other entities paid more than $14 million to access the Do Not Call Registry. Another 27,626 entities were provided access, but are exempt from paying fees (because they access five or fewer area codes free of charge or are a charity).

The report notes that voice over internet protocol (VoIP), caller ID spoofing, and automated dialing technology have made it easier for individuals and companies who disregard the law to make high volumes of calls at very little cost. This led to an increase in illegal robocalls, which peaked at approximately 200,000 complaints to the FTC per month at the end of fiscal year 2012.

To combat the increase in illegal robocalls, the FTC hosted a robocall summit, sponsored a public challenge to develop technological solutions, and produced new resources for consumers. .

The Commission vote authorizing the report to Congress was 4-0.

EPA VIDEO: CLIMATE CHANGE-WILDLIFE AND WILDLANDS

Weekly Address: The President and First Lady Wish Everyone a Happy Holid...

Sulfur Dioxide Increasing Over India

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=82626&src=eoa-iotd

VIDEO FROM U.S. NAVY- ON WATCH FOR THE HOLIDAYS

WHITE HOUSE VIDEO: HOLIDAYS AT THE WHITE HOUSE

WHITE HOUSE VIDEO: FIRST LADY DRIVES TOYS FOR TOTS EFFORT

RECENT DOD PHOTOS: CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY 2013

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
U.S. soldiers and civilians help unload holiday gifts for a USO Christmas convoy tour during its stop on Forward Operating Base Gamberi, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2013. The USO visited several locations across Afghanistan, where it delivered presents to soldiers. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class E.L. Craig.

U.S. Air Firce Capt. Christopher Bennett poses for a photograph Christmas Holiday party on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 22, 2013. Bennett is assigned to the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin.

NASA'S EARTH OBSERVATORY: NEW ISLAND ON THE RING OF FIRE

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=82607&src=eoa-iotd

U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR DECEMBER 24, 2013

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
CONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., doing business as GA-ASI, Poway, Calif., has been awarded a $362,193,866 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Predator (MQ1)/Reaper (MQ9) Unmanned Aerial Systems contractor logistic support sustainment.  Contract performance includes, but is not limited to, program management, logistics support, configuration management, technical manual and software maintenance, contractor field service representative support, inventory control point management, flight operations support, depot repair, and depot field maintenance.  Work will be performed at Poway, Calif., and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2014.  This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition.   Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $89,976,837 are being obligated at time of award.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WIKBA at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8528-14-C-0001).

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Ga., is being awarded a $22,458,901 modification (P00002) on firm-fixed-price contract (FA8106-13-D-0001) for contractor logistics support services for the C-37 aircraft.  This is a three month extension of services on the existing contract.  Work will be performed at Savannah, Ga., and is expected to be completed by March 2014.  Fiscal 2014 Operations and Maintenance funds in the amount of $7,732,945 are being obligated at time of award.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WLKLB, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems, Aurora, Colo., has been awarded an unpriced change order (P00112) with a not-to-exceed of $8,595,748 on an existing contract (FA8807-10-C-0001) for M-Code Implementation on the Operational Control System.  The contract modification is to assure implementation of M-Code Capabilities across OCX Block 1 and 2. Work will be performed at Aurora, Colo., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2016.  Fiscal 2014 research and development funds will be obligated at definitization.  The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Contracting Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity.

CORRECTION: The contract modification (P00024) released on Dec 13, 2013 to existing firm-fixed-price contract (FA8807-13-C-0001) to Boeing Co., Seal Beach Calif., listed an inaccurate award amount. The actual award amount was $56,867,404.

ARMY

Four Thirteen, Inc., Texarkana, Texas, (W911RQ-14-D-0004); Blackhawk Milcon LLC, San Antonio, Texas, (W911RQ-14-D-0005); Altec, Inc., Texarkana, Texas, (W911RQ-14-D-0006); PentaCon, LLC, Catoosa, Okla., (W911RQ-14-D-0007); American Contractor and Technology Inc., Scott, La., (W911RQ-14-D-0008); Abba Construction, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., (W911RQ-14-D-0009); Jireh Group, LLC doing business as Blackwood Services, Texarkana, Texas, (W911RQ-14-D-0010); LeeTex Construction, LLC, Dallas, Texas, (W911RQ-14-D-0011) were awarded a $48,000,000 firm-fixed-price, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for construction, alteration, repair, and rehabilitation of buildings, highways and other real property at the Red River Army Depot, Texarkana, Texas.  Funding will be determined with each order.  Estimated completion date is Dec. 19, 2018. Bids were solicited via the internet with twenty-four received.  Army Contracting Command, Red River Army Depot, Texarkana,
Texas is the contracting activity.

Computer Sciences Corp. was awarded an $11,420,438 modification (P00006) to contract W81K04-13-C-0001 for U.S. Army Reserve specialty medical training, equipment and site maintenance, administrative support and all training for combat support hospitals.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $11,420,438 were obligated at the time of the award.  Estimated completion date is Dec. 31, 2017.  Bids were solicited via the Internet with six received.  Work will be performed in Dublin, Calif., Augusta, Ga., and Monroe, Wisc.  U.S. Army Medical Command Contracting Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas is the contracting activity.

LABOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES $5 MILLION AWARD TO REDUCE CHILD LABOR IN MOROCCO

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

$5M grant to reduce child labor in Morocco awarded by US Labor Department

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced the award of a $5 million cooperative agreement to Creative Associates International to implement a project to reduce child labor in Morocco.

The project aims to reduce child labor in the Marrakesh-Tensift-Al-Haouz region of Morocco by promoting children's participation in educational programs and delivering vocational training focused on sectors, such as farming and ecotourism. Additionally, it will offer support to youth of legal working age to secure quality employment opportunities.

"This grant will fund a multifaceted project to protect children and families in Morocco," said Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs Carol Pier. "Especially for those children at risk of engaging in the worst forms of child labor, education and vocational training hold the promise of a safer and more secure economic future."

Creative Associates International will promote access to social services for families and help them improve their livelihoods by providing access to microlending and savings programs and other activities to increase household resilience. It will also strengthen the capacity of government at the national and local levels to address child labor and of civil society organizations to provide assistance to working children and their families.

The project will collaborate with key government agencies and ministries at the national, regional and local levels, including the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs.

Since 1995, ILAB projects have rescued approximately 1.7 million children from exploitative child labor. The Labor Department has funded 275 such projects implemented by more than 65 organizations in 93 countries. ILAB currently oversees more than $245 million of active programming to combat the worst forms of child labor.