FROM: FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Can a Dietary Supplement Treat a Concussion? No.
Exploiting the public's rising concern about concussions, some companies are offering untested, unproven and possibly dangerous products that claim to prevent, treat or cure concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is monitoring the marketplace and taking enforcement actions where appropriate, issuing warning letters to firms—the usual first step for dealing with claims that products labeled as dietary supplements are intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. The agency is also warning consumers to avoid purported dietary supplements marketed with claims to prevent, treat, or cure concussions and other TBIs because the claims are not backed with scientific evidence that the products are safe or effective for such purposes. These products are sold on the Internet and at various retail outlets, and marketed to consumers using social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
One common claim: Using a particular dietary supplement promotes faster healing times after a concussion or other TBI.
Even if a particular supplement contains no harmful ingredients, that claim alone can be dangerous, says Gary Coody, FDA's National Health Fraud Coordinator.
"We're very concerned that false assurances of faster recovery will convince athletes of all ages, coaches and even parents that someone suffering from a concussion is ready to resume activities before they are really ready," says Coody. "Also, watch for claims that these products can prevent or lessen the severity of concussions or TBIs."
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head, or by a violent shaking of the head and upper body. Concussions and other TBIs are serious medical conditions that require proper diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring by a health care professional. The long-term impact of concussions on professional athletes and children who play contact sports has recently been the subject of highly publicized discussions.
A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that if concussion victims resume strenuous activities—such as football, soccer or hockey—too soon, they risk a greater chance of having a subsequent concussion. Moreover, repeat concussions can have a cumulative effect on the brain, with devastating consequences that can include brain swelling, permanent brain damage, long-term disability and death.
"As amazing as the marketing claims here are, the science doesn't support the use of any dietary supplements for the prevention of concussions or the reduction of post-concussion symptoms that would enable one to return to playing a sport faster," says Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., director of FDA's Division of Dietary Supplement Programs.
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The Claims
One of the first alarms raised about dietary supplements being promoted to treat TBI came from the U.S. Department of Defense.
"We first learned from the military about a product being marketed to treat TBI, obviously a concern with wounded veterans. We were taken aback that anyone would make a claim that a supplement could treat TBI, a hot-button issue," says Jason Humbert, a senior regulatory manager with FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs. "That sparked our surveillance."
FDA routinely monitors the marketplace. However, with more than 85,000 dietary supplements on the market and no product registration, products making false claims can slip through, at least for a time.
Typically, products promising relief from TBIs tout the benefits of ingredients such as turmeric and high levels of omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil. Turmeric is an Indian spice in the ginger family. For Omega-3, FDA has recommended a maximum daily level of 3 grams per day from all sources due to possible problems with increased risk of bleeding, increases in cholesterol and problems with controlling blood sugar levels.
In its initial surveillance, FDA identified two companies selling multiple products claiming to prevent and treat concussions and other TBIs. One company claimed to have "the world's first supplement formulated specifically to assist concussion recovery," saying "it has the dynamic ability to minimize long-term effects and decrease recovery time." A National Football League player testified to its "proven results in my own recovery" from a concussion, and an unnamed "licensed trainer" said he had incorporated it into his "concussion management protocol."
Similar claims were made by the other company, which was selling four products claiming to protect against and help heal TBIs. FDA sent letters in 2012 warning both companies that their products were not generally recognized as safe and effective for treating TBIs, that the products were misbranded (a legal term meaning, in this case, that the labeling of the products did not have adequate directions for use), and that unless various violations cited in the letters were promptly corrected, the violations could result in legal action taken without further notice, such as seizure or injunction.
Both companies changed their websites and labeling.
In December 2013, FDA issued a warning letter to Star Scientific, Inc., for marketing its product Anatabloc with claims to treat TBIs. FDA continues to monitor the marketplace for products with similar fraudulent claims, and will take appropriate regulatory action to protect the public health.
"As we continue to work on this problem, we can't guarantee you won't see a claim about TBIs. But we can promise you this: There is no dietary supplement that has been shown to prevent or treat them," says Coody. "If someone tells you otherwise, walk away."
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.
Dec. 31, 2013
Friday, January 3, 2014
RUSSIAN BANK PRESIDENT ORDERED BY CFTC TO PAY $250,000 TO SETTLE FALSE STATEMENT CHARGES
FROM: COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
January 2, 2014
CFTC Orders President of a Russian Bank, Artem Obolensky, to Pay $250,000 Penalty to Settle Charges of Making False Statements to the CFTC During an Investigation
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today entered an Order requiring foreign national Artem Obolensky of Moscow, Russia, to pay a $250,000 civil monetary penalty for making false and misleading statements of material fact to CFTC staff in an interview during a CFTC Division of Enforcement investigation. The Order enforces the false statements provision of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), which was added by the Dodd-Frank Act.
Obolensky is President of a Russian bank and co-owner of a private investment fund located in Cyprus that both trade foreign currency futures and options on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, according to the Order. The CFTC Order finds that Obolensky knowingly made false and misleading statements to CFTC staff on October 13, 2011, regarding a trade in March 2012 Japanese Yen call options contracts between these entities.
According to the Order, Obolensky said: “The two entities pursue different strategies. Pure coincidence that the trades crossed. Very isolated when viewed in the context of all of the trades the bank has placed in markets over the years.”
However, the Order finds that the two entities traded opposite each other more than 182 times and modified their orders repeatedly to ensure that they would match. The Order also finds that Obolensky made the trading decisions for the accounts that traded opposite each other so he knew that the trade CFTC staff asked him about was not a “pure coincidence” or “very isolated.”
CFTC Division of Enforcement Acting Director Gretchen Lowe commented: “Witnesses in CFTC investigations must tell the truth. If they do not, the CFTC will not hesitate to take action to enforce the Dodd-Frank’s prohibition against providing false or misleading information and impose sanctions.”
In addition to the $250,000 civil monetary penalty, the CFTC Order requires Obolenksy to cease and desist from violating the relevant provision of the CEA.
The CFTC Division of Enforcement staff members responsible for this matter are Susan Gradman, Joseph Patrick, Scott Williamson, Rosemary Hollinger, and Richard B. Wagner.
January 2, 2014
CFTC Orders President of a Russian Bank, Artem Obolensky, to Pay $250,000 Penalty to Settle Charges of Making False Statements to the CFTC During an Investigation
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today entered an Order requiring foreign national Artem Obolensky of Moscow, Russia, to pay a $250,000 civil monetary penalty for making false and misleading statements of material fact to CFTC staff in an interview during a CFTC Division of Enforcement investigation. The Order enforces the false statements provision of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), which was added by the Dodd-Frank Act.
Obolensky is President of a Russian bank and co-owner of a private investment fund located in Cyprus that both trade foreign currency futures and options on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, according to the Order. The CFTC Order finds that Obolensky knowingly made false and misleading statements to CFTC staff on October 13, 2011, regarding a trade in March 2012 Japanese Yen call options contracts between these entities.
According to the Order, Obolensky said: “The two entities pursue different strategies. Pure coincidence that the trades crossed. Very isolated when viewed in the context of all of the trades the bank has placed in markets over the years.”
However, the Order finds that the two entities traded opposite each other more than 182 times and modified their orders repeatedly to ensure that they would match. The Order also finds that Obolensky made the trading decisions for the accounts that traded opposite each other so he knew that the trade CFTC staff asked him about was not a “pure coincidence” or “very isolated.”
CFTC Division of Enforcement Acting Director Gretchen Lowe commented: “Witnesses in CFTC investigations must tell the truth. If they do not, the CFTC will not hesitate to take action to enforce the Dodd-Frank’s prohibition against providing false or misleading information and impose sanctions.”
In addition to the $250,000 civil monetary penalty, the CFTC Order requires Obolenksy to cease and desist from violating the relevant provision of the CEA.
The CFTC Division of Enforcement staff members responsible for this matter are Susan Gradman, Joseph Patrick, Scott Williamson, Rosemary Hollinger, and Richard B. Wagner.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 28, 2014
FROM: LABOR DEPARTMENT
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA
In the week ending December 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 339,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 341,000. The 4-week moving average was 357,250, an increase of 8,500 from the previous week's revised average of 348,750.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent for the week ending December 21, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending December 21 was 2,833,000, a decrease of 98,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 2,931,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,857,750, an increase of 19,000 from the preceding week's revised average of 2,838,750.
UNADJUSTED DATA
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 443,513 in the week ending December 28, an increase of 25,875 from the previous week. There were 490,099 initial claims in the comparable week in 2012.
The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent during the week ending December 21, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 2,860,902, a decrease of 131,772 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.6 percent and the volume was 3,284,594.
The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending December 14 was 4,458,816, an increase of 179,532 from the previous week. There were 5,408,010 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 14.
Initial claims for UI benefits filed by former Federal civilian employees totaled 1,864 in the week ending December 21, a decrease of 5 from the prior week. There were 1,994 initial claims filed by newly discharged veterans, a decrease of 10 from the preceding week.
There were 22,751 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending December 14, an increase of 1,994 from the previous week. Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 31,991, an increase of 532 from the prior week.
States reported 1,391,297 persons claiming Emergency Unemployment
Compensation (EUC) benefits for the week ending December 14, an increase of 57,965 from the prior week. There were 2,065,706 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 21 were in Alaska (6.1), New Jersey (3.8), California (3.4), Montana (3.3), Pennsylvania (3.3), Connecticut (3.2), Puerto Rico (3.2), Illinois (3.0), Wisconsin (3.0), Oregon (2.9), West Virginia (2.9), and Nevada (2.8).
The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending December 21 were in Michigan (+4,865), New York (+3,284), Oregon (+1,901), New Jersey (+1,887), and Kentucky (+1,538), while the largest decreases were in California (-5,429), Illinois (-3,509), Washington (-1,930), Minnesota (-1,627), and Indiana (-1,363).
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA
In the week ending December 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 339,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 341,000. The 4-week moving average was 357,250, an increase of 8,500 from the previous week's revised average of 348,750.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent for the week ending December 21, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending December 21 was 2,833,000, a decrease of 98,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 2,931,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,857,750, an increase of 19,000 from the preceding week's revised average of 2,838,750.
UNADJUSTED DATA
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 443,513 in the week ending December 28, an increase of 25,875 from the previous week. There were 490,099 initial claims in the comparable week in 2012.
The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent during the week ending December 21, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 2,860,902, a decrease of 131,772 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.6 percent and the volume was 3,284,594.
The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending December 14 was 4,458,816, an increase of 179,532 from the previous week. There were 5,408,010 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 14.
Initial claims for UI benefits filed by former Federal civilian employees totaled 1,864 in the week ending December 21, a decrease of 5 from the prior week. There were 1,994 initial claims filed by newly discharged veterans, a decrease of 10 from the preceding week.
There were 22,751 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending December 14, an increase of 1,994 from the previous week. Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 31,991, an increase of 532 from the prior week.
States reported 1,391,297 persons claiming Emergency Unemployment
Compensation (EUC) benefits for the week ending December 14, an increase of 57,965 from the prior week. There were 2,065,706 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 21 were in Alaska (6.1), New Jersey (3.8), California (3.4), Montana (3.3), Pennsylvania (3.3), Connecticut (3.2), Puerto Rico (3.2), Illinois (3.0), Wisconsin (3.0), Oregon (2.9), West Virginia (2.9), and Nevada (2.8).
The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending December 21 were in Michigan (+4,865), New York (+3,284), Oregon (+1,901), New Jersey (+1,887), and Kentucky (+1,538), while the largest decreases were in California (-5,429), Illinois (-3,509), Washington (-1,930), Minnesota (-1,627), and Indiana (-1,363).
U.S. EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER ARSON ATTACK ON CHINESE CONSULATE IN SAN FRANCISCO
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Arson Attack at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 2, 2014
The United States is deeply concerned by reports that the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco was damaged after being targeted by an arsonist on Wednesday, January 1. We take this incident very seriously, and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security is working with the FBI and local authorities to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators. Department officials are communicating with Chinese officials to provide support and updates on the case.
Arson Attack at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 2, 2014
The United States is deeply concerned by reports that the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco was damaged after being targeted by an arsonist on Wednesday, January 1. We take this incident very seriously, and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security is working with the FBI and local authorities to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators. Department officials are communicating with Chinese officials to provide support and updates on the case.
U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR JANUARY 2, 2014
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT NAVY
CONTRACTS
NAVY
General Electric, Lynn, Mass., was awarded a $572,500,000 three-year performance based logistics requirements contract, for the repair, replacement, and program support for 17 F414 engine (F/A-18 E, F and EA-18G aircraft) components. Work will be performed at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla. (60 percent) and Lynn, Mass. (40 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2016. No contract funds will be obligated at the time of award. No contract funds 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). NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N00383-14-D-001M). (Awarded on Dec. 30, 2013)
BAE Systems, Land & Armaments L.P., Minneapolis, Minn., was awarded a $19,273,217 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-13-C-5314), to exercise options for fiscal 2014 MK 41 vertical launching system canister production requirements. Production requirements will include 89 MK 21 MOD 3 (SM-6) canisters, coding plug assemblies, explosive bolts, and impulse cartridge assemblies. Work will be performed in Aberdeen, S.D. (87 percent) and Minneapolis, Minn. (13 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2016. Fiscal 2014 weapons procurement, Navy funds in the amount of $19,273,217 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded on Dec. 31, 2013)
Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Training, Moorestown, N.J., was awarded a $14,432,389 firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously awarded basic ordering agreement for the production of one Mission Signal Processor equipment suite and two array simulator cabinets in support of the Aegis Training and Readiness Center. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J., (59 percent), Clearwater, Fla., (40 percent), and Akron, Ohio, (1 percent) and is expected to be completed by November 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Other procurement, Navy funding in the amount of $14,432,389 will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-12-G-5123-0014).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Ill., is being awarded a $12,083,976 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-12-C-0043) for the procurement of 11 AN/APR-39D(V)2 test assets for various naval aviation platforms, including testing support and travel costs. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Ill., and is expected to be completed in January 2015. Fiscal 2013 and 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy contract funds in the amount of $12,083,976 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, Md., is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Corp., Mission Systems and Training, Baltimore, Md., was awarded a $9,710,890 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-5302) for MK 41 Vertical Launching System AEGIS Modernization module electronics production. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Md. (12 percent); Clearwater, Fla. (48 percent); Mt. Laurel, Pa. (16 percent); Lewisburg, Tenn. (24 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2015. Fiscal 2013 other procurement, Navy, fiscal 2013 and 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $9,710,890 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $401,781 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded on Dec. 31, 2013)
ARMY
Caduceus Healthcare Inc, Atlanta, Ga., was awarded a $19,751,538 firm-fixed-price contract for 35 certified registered nurse anesthetists. Funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Dec. 31, 2015. Work will be performed at San Antonio Military Medical Center. Bids were solicited via the web with eighteen received. Army Medical Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K00-13-D-0009).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., has been awarded a maximum $14,352,600 firm-fixed-price contract for helicopter bearing assembly spindle. This contract is a sole source acquisition. Location of performance is Connecticut with a Dec. 31, 2018 performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Va., (SPRPA1-11-G-001Y).
AIR FORCE
Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Systems Engineering Solutions, Albuquerque, N.M., has been awarded a $9,133,111 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Advanced Laser Effects Research branch (ALTER) to advance the state-of the-art of laser damage testing and target system vulnerability to laser weapons. The deliverables for this task include: beam train design documentation, test layout design and documentation, test hardware fabrication, test diagnostic instrumentation, raw data collection and documentation, test reports in the form of monthly technical status reports as required for test operations; and incidental programming or software developed during the test analysis and experimentation. Work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and is expected to be completed on Jan. 13, 2017. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition advertised on Federal Business Opportunities, and four offers were received. Fiscal 2013 research and development funds in the amount of $731,000 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory Lasers Branch, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA9451-14-C-0313).
CORRECTION: The contract to Komada LLC, announced Dec 31, 2013, did not have the correct city and state of the contractor. The correct announcement should read: Komada, LLC, Marysville, Calif., has been awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements (SABER) to provide construction for simplified, multi-trade construction at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Work performed includes a broad range of maintenance, repair, alteration and minor construction on real property valued at less than $750,000. Work will be performed at Beale AFB, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2014. This is a single source award and is the result of a competitive acquisition in which an open market of offers were solicited and eleven offers were received. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds will be obligated with the first task order. The 9th Contracting Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA4686-14-D-0002).
CONTRACTS
NAVY
General Electric, Lynn, Mass., was awarded a $572,500,000 three-year performance based logistics requirements contract, for the repair, replacement, and program support for 17 F414 engine (F/A-18 E, F and EA-18G aircraft) components. Work will be performed at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla. (60 percent) and Lynn, Mass. (40 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2016. No contract funds will be obligated at the time of award. No contract funds 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). NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N00383-14-D-001M). (Awarded on Dec. 30, 2013)
BAE Systems, Land & Armaments L.P., Minneapolis, Minn., was awarded a $19,273,217 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-13-C-5314), to exercise options for fiscal 2014 MK 41 vertical launching system canister production requirements. Production requirements will include 89 MK 21 MOD 3 (SM-6) canisters, coding plug assemblies, explosive bolts, and impulse cartridge assemblies. Work will be performed in Aberdeen, S.D. (87 percent) and Minneapolis, Minn. (13 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2016. Fiscal 2014 weapons procurement, Navy funds in the amount of $19,273,217 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded on Dec. 31, 2013)
Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Training, Moorestown, N.J., was awarded a $14,432,389 firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously awarded basic ordering agreement for the production of one Mission Signal Processor equipment suite and two array simulator cabinets in support of the Aegis Training and Readiness Center. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J., (59 percent), Clearwater, Fla., (40 percent), and Akron, Ohio, (1 percent) and is expected to be completed by November 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Other procurement, Navy funding in the amount of $14,432,389 will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-12-G-5123-0014).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Ill., is being awarded a $12,083,976 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-12-C-0043) for the procurement of 11 AN/APR-39D(V)2 test assets for various naval aviation platforms, including testing support and travel costs. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Ill., and is expected to be completed in January 2015. Fiscal 2013 and 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy contract funds in the amount of $12,083,976 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, Md., is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Corp., Mission Systems and Training, Baltimore, Md., was awarded a $9,710,890 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-5302) for MK 41 Vertical Launching System AEGIS Modernization module electronics production. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Md. (12 percent); Clearwater, Fla. (48 percent); Mt. Laurel, Pa. (16 percent); Lewisburg, Tenn. (24 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2015. Fiscal 2013 other procurement, Navy, fiscal 2013 and 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $9,710,890 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $401,781 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded on Dec. 31, 2013)
ARMY
Caduceus Healthcare Inc, Atlanta, Ga., was awarded a $19,751,538 firm-fixed-price contract for 35 certified registered nurse anesthetists. Funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Dec. 31, 2015. Work will be performed at San Antonio Military Medical Center. Bids were solicited via the web with eighteen received. Army Medical Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K00-13-D-0009).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., has been awarded a maximum $14,352,600 firm-fixed-price contract for helicopter bearing assembly spindle. This contract is a sole source acquisition. Location of performance is Connecticut with a Dec. 31, 2018 performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Va., (SPRPA1-11-G-001Y).
AIR FORCE
Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Systems Engineering Solutions, Albuquerque, N.M., has been awarded a $9,133,111 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Advanced Laser Effects Research branch (ALTER) to advance the state-of the-art of laser damage testing and target system vulnerability to laser weapons. The deliverables for this task include: beam train design documentation, test layout design and documentation, test hardware fabrication, test diagnostic instrumentation, raw data collection and documentation, test reports in the form of monthly technical status reports as required for test operations; and incidental programming or software developed during the test analysis and experimentation. Work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and is expected to be completed on Jan. 13, 2017. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition advertised on Federal Business Opportunities, and four offers were received. Fiscal 2013 research and development funds in the amount of $731,000 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory Lasers Branch, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA9451-14-C-0313).
CORRECTION: The contract to Komada LLC, announced Dec 31, 2013, did not have the correct city and state of the contractor. The correct announcement should read: Komada, LLC, Marysville, Calif., has been awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements (SABER) to provide construction for simplified, multi-trade construction at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Work performed includes a broad range of maintenance, repair, alteration and minor construction on real property valued at less than $750,000. Work will be performed at Beale AFB, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2014. This is a single source award and is the result of a competitive acquisition in which an open market of offers were solicited and eleven offers were received. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds will be obligated with the first task order. The 9th Contracting Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA4686-14-D-0002).
SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY MAKES REMARKS WITH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU
FROM: STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Before Their Meeting
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Prime Minister's Office
Jerusalem
January 2, 2014
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Welcome back to Jerusalem, John. I want to use this opportunity to express once again my personal appreciation and the appreciation of the people of Israel for your unremitting personal efforts to advance peace between us and the Palestinians. I know that you’re committed to peace, I know that I’m committed to peace, but unfortunately, given the actions and words of Palestinian leaders, there’s growing doubt in Israel that the Palestinians are committed to peace.
A few days ago in Ramallah, President Abbas embraced terrorists as heroes. To glorify the murders of innocent women and men as heroes is an outrage. How can President Abbas says – how can he say that he stands against terrorism when he embraces the perpetrators of terrorism and glorifies them as heroes? He can’t stand against terrorists and stand with the terrorists. And I’m wondering what a young Palestinian would think when he sees the leader of the Palestinian people embrace people who axed innocent men and women – axed their heads or blew them up or riddled them with bullets – what’s a young Palestinian supposed to think about the future? What’s he supposed to think about what he should do vis-a-vis Israelis and vis-a-vis the state of Israel? So it’s not surprising that in recent weeks Israel has been subjected to a growing wave of terrorist attacks. President Abbas didn’t see fit to condemn these attacks, even after we learned that at least in one case – I stress, at least in one case – those who served and are serving in the Palestinian security forces took part in them.
In the six months since the start of peace negotiations, the Palestinian Authority continues its unabated incitement against the state of Israel. This Palestinian Government incitement is rampant. You see it in the state-controlled media – the government-controlled media – in the schools, in textbooks, in kindergartens. You see it at every part of Palestinian society. So instead of preparing Palestinians for peace, Palestinian leaders are teaching them to hate Israel. This is not the way to achieve peace. President Abbas must lead his people away from terror and incitement, towards reconciliation and peace.
John, the people of Israel and I are prepared to make such an historic peace, but we must have a Palestinian partner who’s equally prepared to make this peace. Peace means ending incitement; it means fighting terrorism and condemning terrorism; it means recognizing Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people; it means meeting Israel’s security needs; and it means being prepared to truly end the conflict once and for all. If we’re to succeed in our joint effort, President Abbas must reject terror and embrace peace. I hope he doesn’t miss again the opportunity to give Israelis and Palestinians a better future.
Mr. Secretary, John, I look forward to continuing our discussions. I hope that together we can forge a way to a genuine and lasting peace, a secure peace, because the only peace that will endure in the Middle East as it really is, is a peace that Israel can defend. I’m determined above all else to defend my people and my state, and I will never compromise on the security of Israel and its citizens and on the vital interests that protect our future. I think you know, John, more than most, how important it is to ensure the security of Israel. And I hope that despite the shifting sands in the Middle East, together we can build a rock-solid foundation for security and for a secure peace. And that’s the job we’re going to do in the coming days and weeks.
Welcome.
SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, sir. Thank you, Bibi. Thank you. Well, thank you very much Mr. Prime Minister, my friend Bibi.
And let me begin by saying to all the people of Israel that our thoughts, my thoughts, are with the Sharon family as they sit in vigil with the former prime minister of Israel, Arik Sharon. We remember his contributions, sacrifices he made to ensure the survival and the well-being of Israel, and I have many personal thoughts about my meetings with him on many different occasions – always robust and strong and clear about his positions. And so we all join – all Americans are thinking of Israel and their leader, former leader, and of the vigil that is taking place now at a very personal level with his family.
It is always a great pleasure for me to be back in Jerusalem. When I arrived at the hotel and I looked out, the sun was shining brightly on the walls of the great Old City, and it’s always a privilege to be able to see that site and to think of all of the history that is wrapped up for so many different people, and particularly, obviously, for Israelis today witnessing the difficulties that the prime minister has just referred to, and dealing with the possibilities of peace, but a possibility of peace that is always challenged by day-to-day contradictions and day-to-day realities.
I’m particularly grateful to Bibi for his hospitality. He always makes significant time available to me when I come here. We have intense and productive rounds of discussions. And we have been at this now for five months solid into six months. I think it’s safe to say that we know what the issues are. We know the parameters and the possibilities of peace. And as I said not so many months ago at Ben Gurion Airport as I left, the time is soon arriving where leaders are going to have to make difficult decisions. We are close to that time, if not at it, and I think we understand the circumstances within which we are working.
I know – I come here with no illusions – I know that there are many who are skeptical of whether or not the two parties can achieve peace. But I will tell you that I have personally learned something about the power of reconciliation. And whether or not Israelis think about it every day, so have you. In 1967, there was a war, and Jordan was on the other side of that war, and land very close to the hotel I stay in was the dividing line, and Jordan was on the other side of that line. Today, Jordan has made peace and is a partner in an effort to try to change things and move forward and be constructive.
On a personal level, last month I traveled to Vietnam on my first visit there as Secretary of State. And the transformation in our relationship – I was a young soldier who fought there – the transformation in our relationship is proof that as painful as the past can be, through hard work of diplomacy history’s adversaries can actually become partners for a new day and history’s challenges can become opportunities for a new age.
Those of us who were lucky enough to come back from the war in Vietnam had a simple saying: Every day is extra. And I have always thought that’s a beautiful expression. It’s a way of saying that we honor those who we lost by continuing their work and helping others and trying to achieve what they fought for. And so it is true here and can be true here. My many visits to Israel have shown me how this same sense prevails among some of the world’s, if not the world’s strongest survivors – the Jewish people.
This is my tenth trip to Israel as Secretary of State. And every time I visit, Israel’s security concerns are uppermost in my mind. I understand the nature of the security threat here. I know what it’s like to live in Israel with, once upon a time, Katyusha rockets coming to Kiryat Shmona, or rockets from Gaza coming into Sderot. I understand it. Every time I visit, those concerns are part of my consideration, and that is why President Obama and I remain deeply committed to ensuring that as a result of peace, Israel and Israelis feel more secure, not less. That’s our objective. And that’s why the United States will continue to play a leading role in building both Israeli capacity for Israel to defend itself by itself, but also Palestinian capabilities to address their security needs in the context of statehood.
The commitment of the United States to Israel is ironclad. We know that Israel has to be strong to make peace. And we also know that peace will make Israel stronger not just with its near neighbors, but throughout the world.
So I come here today to continue this ongoing conversation about how to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We are now five full months into this negotiation. We have always known that achieving peace is a long and complicated process. It’s a tough road. But this is not mission impossible. I would note the recent poll by Hebrew University and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research which shows the majorities of Israelis and Palestinians back two-state solution, though both remain suspicious of the other side. Despite the fact that we are discussing really difficult, complicated issues, I am encouraged that the parties remain engaged and substantive discussions are taking place on the core issues.
The United States has remained in close contact with both sides, and we are committed to working with both parties to reach a permanent status agreement that will end conflict and all claims. I particularly want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu’s very difficult decision. Believe me, I know how difficult the decision was, and I know that in some quarters here that decision is not accepted – not only not easily, but not at all. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister stuck by his guns and I commend him for his courage and his willingness to follow through with something that we believe can keep us on track and help us bring a peace to Israel and to the Palestinians. I commend him, and I commend President Abbas, who also has been under pressure – there are many on his side who say break away, don’t bother, don’t – this isn’t going to go anywhere, and who argue with him that he is on an illusory path.
So I plan to work with both sides more intensely in these next days to narrow the differences on a framework that will provide the agreed guidelines for permanent status negotiations. This will take time and it will take compromise from both sides, but an agreed framework would be a significant breakthrough. It would address all of the core issues. It would create the fixed, defined parameters by which the parties would then know where they are going and what the end result can be. It would address all of the core issues that we have been addressing since day one, including borders, security, refugees, Jerusalem, mutual recognition, and the end of conflict and of all claims.
Now, I want to emphasize that the discussion of an agreed framework has emerged from the ideas that both parties have put on the table. My role is not to impose American ideas on either side but to facilitate the parties’ own efforts. An agreed framework would clarify and bridge the gaps between the parties so that they can move towards a final peace treaty that would resolve all of those core issues.
President Obama and I are deeply committed to this process. President Obama came here in March, and at that time he committed the United States and me particularly to this effort, with an understanding that the possibilities provided by peace are dramatic and they are worth struggling for: Two states for two peoples living side-by-side in peace and stability and security. Peace is possible today, I believe, because the leaders – Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas – have both each taken significant steps for peace notwithstanding the difficulties that the Prime Minister has cited – and they are real. But still we are on this track, and I believe that they are both willing to take more.
In the weeks and months ahead, both sides are going to need to make tough choices to ensure that peace is not just a possibility but is a reality for Israelis and Palestinians for now and for future generations. So that’s what lies ahead of us. It is hard work, but with a determined effort, I’m convinced that we can get there. I’m happy to wish all the folks here a Happy New Year – at least by our calendar. I’m working on three calendars now, so I get to do three times a Happy New Year during the year, but I wish you from us, on our calendar, a very Happy New Year. And may we be successful in these efforts. Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Thank you, John.
SECRETARY KERRY: Thanks.
Remarks With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Before Their Meeting
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Prime Minister's Office
Jerusalem
January 2, 2014
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Welcome back to Jerusalem, John. I want to use this opportunity to express once again my personal appreciation and the appreciation of the people of Israel for your unremitting personal efforts to advance peace between us and the Palestinians. I know that you’re committed to peace, I know that I’m committed to peace, but unfortunately, given the actions and words of Palestinian leaders, there’s growing doubt in Israel that the Palestinians are committed to peace.
A few days ago in Ramallah, President Abbas embraced terrorists as heroes. To glorify the murders of innocent women and men as heroes is an outrage. How can President Abbas says – how can he say that he stands against terrorism when he embraces the perpetrators of terrorism and glorifies them as heroes? He can’t stand against terrorists and stand with the terrorists. And I’m wondering what a young Palestinian would think when he sees the leader of the Palestinian people embrace people who axed innocent men and women – axed their heads or blew them up or riddled them with bullets – what’s a young Palestinian supposed to think about the future? What’s he supposed to think about what he should do vis-a-vis Israelis and vis-a-vis the state of Israel? So it’s not surprising that in recent weeks Israel has been subjected to a growing wave of terrorist attacks. President Abbas didn’t see fit to condemn these attacks, even after we learned that at least in one case – I stress, at least in one case – those who served and are serving in the Palestinian security forces took part in them.
In the six months since the start of peace negotiations, the Palestinian Authority continues its unabated incitement against the state of Israel. This Palestinian Government incitement is rampant. You see it in the state-controlled media – the government-controlled media – in the schools, in textbooks, in kindergartens. You see it at every part of Palestinian society. So instead of preparing Palestinians for peace, Palestinian leaders are teaching them to hate Israel. This is not the way to achieve peace. President Abbas must lead his people away from terror and incitement, towards reconciliation and peace.
John, the people of Israel and I are prepared to make such an historic peace, but we must have a Palestinian partner who’s equally prepared to make this peace. Peace means ending incitement; it means fighting terrorism and condemning terrorism; it means recognizing Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people; it means meeting Israel’s security needs; and it means being prepared to truly end the conflict once and for all. If we’re to succeed in our joint effort, President Abbas must reject terror and embrace peace. I hope he doesn’t miss again the opportunity to give Israelis and Palestinians a better future.
Mr. Secretary, John, I look forward to continuing our discussions. I hope that together we can forge a way to a genuine and lasting peace, a secure peace, because the only peace that will endure in the Middle East as it really is, is a peace that Israel can defend. I’m determined above all else to defend my people and my state, and I will never compromise on the security of Israel and its citizens and on the vital interests that protect our future. I think you know, John, more than most, how important it is to ensure the security of Israel. And I hope that despite the shifting sands in the Middle East, together we can build a rock-solid foundation for security and for a secure peace. And that’s the job we’re going to do in the coming days and weeks.
Welcome.
SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, sir. Thank you, Bibi. Thank you. Well, thank you very much Mr. Prime Minister, my friend Bibi.
And let me begin by saying to all the people of Israel that our thoughts, my thoughts, are with the Sharon family as they sit in vigil with the former prime minister of Israel, Arik Sharon. We remember his contributions, sacrifices he made to ensure the survival and the well-being of Israel, and I have many personal thoughts about my meetings with him on many different occasions – always robust and strong and clear about his positions. And so we all join – all Americans are thinking of Israel and their leader, former leader, and of the vigil that is taking place now at a very personal level with his family.
It is always a great pleasure for me to be back in Jerusalem. When I arrived at the hotel and I looked out, the sun was shining brightly on the walls of the great Old City, and it’s always a privilege to be able to see that site and to think of all of the history that is wrapped up for so many different people, and particularly, obviously, for Israelis today witnessing the difficulties that the prime minister has just referred to, and dealing with the possibilities of peace, but a possibility of peace that is always challenged by day-to-day contradictions and day-to-day realities.
I’m particularly grateful to Bibi for his hospitality. He always makes significant time available to me when I come here. We have intense and productive rounds of discussions. And we have been at this now for five months solid into six months. I think it’s safe to say that we know what the issues are. We know the parameters and the possibilities of peace. And as I said not so many months ago at Ben Gurion Airport as I left, the time is soon arriving where leaders are going to have to make difficult decisions. We are close to that time, if not at it, and I think we understand the circumstances within which we are working.
I know – I come here with no illusions – I know that there are many who are skeptical of whether or not the two parties can achieve peace. But I will tell you that I have personally learned something about the power of reconciliation. And whether or not Israelis think about it every day, so have you. In 1967, there was a war, and Jordan was on the other side of that war, and land very close to the hotel I stay in was the dividing line, and Jordan was on the other side of that line. Today, Jordan has made peace and is a partner in an effort to try to change things and move forward and be constructive.
On a personal level, last month I traveled to Vietnam on my first visit there as Secretary of State. And the transformation in our relationship – I was a young soldier who fought there – the transformation in our relationship is proof that as painful as the past can be, through hard work of diplomacy history’s adversaries can actually become partners for a new day and history’s challenges can become opportunities for a new age.
Those of us who were lucky enough to come back from the war in Vietnam had a simple saying: Every day is extra. And I have always thought that’s a beautiful expression. It’s a way of saying that we honor those who we lost by continuing their work and helping others and trying to achieve what they fought for. And so it is true here and can be true here. My many visits to Israel have shown me how this same sense prevails among some of the world’s, if not the world’s strongest survivors – the Jewish people.
This is my tenth trip to Israel as Secretary of State. And every time I visit, Israel’s security concerns are uppermost in my mind. I understand the nature of the security threat here. I know what it’s like to live in Israel with, once upon a time, Katyusha rockets coming to Kiryat Shmona, or rockets from Gaza coming into Sderot. I understand it. Every time I visit, those concerns are part of my consideration, and that is why President Obama and I remain deeply committed to ensuring that as a result of peace, Israel and Israelis feel more secure, not less. That’s our objective. And that’s why the United States will continue to play a leading role in building both Israeli capacity for Israel to defend itself by itself, but also Palestinian capabilities to address their security needs in the context of statehood.
The commitment of the United States to Israel is ironclad. We know that Israel has to be strong to make peace. And we also know that peace will make Israel stronger not just with its near neighbors, but throughout the world.
So I come here today to continue this ongoing conversation about how to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We are now five full months into this negotiation. We have always known that achieving peace is a long and complicated process. It’s a tough road. But this is not mission impossible. I would note the recent poll by Hebrew University and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research which shows the majorities of Israelis and Palestinians back two-state solution, though both remain suspicious of the other side. Despite the fact that we are discussing really difficult, complicated issues, I am encouraged that the parties remain engaged and substantive discussions are taking place on the core issues.
The United States has remained in close contact with both sides, and we are committed to working with both parties to reach a permanent status agreement that will end conflict and all claims. I particularly want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu’s very difficult decision. Believe me, I know how difficult the decision was, and I know that in some quarters here that decision is not accepted – not only not easily, but not at all. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister stuck by his guns and I commend him for his courage and his willingness to follow through with something that we believe can keep us on track and help us bring a peace to Israel and to the Palestinians. I commend him, and I commend President Abbas, who also has been under pressure – there are many on his side who say break away, don’t bother, don’t – this isn’t going to go anywhere, and who argue with him that he is on an illusory path.
So I plan to work with both sides more intensely in these next days to narrow the differences on a framework that will provide the agreed guidelines for permanent status negotiations. This will take time and it will take compromise from both sides, but an agreed framework would be a significant breakthrough. It would address all of the core issues. It would create the fixed, defined parameters by which the parties would then know where they are going and what the end result can be. It would address all of the core issues that we have been addressing since day one, including borders, security, refugees, Jerusalem, mutual recognition, and the end of conflict and of all claims.
Now, I want to emphasize that the discussion of an agreed framework has emerged from the ideas that both parties have put on the table. My role is not to impose American ideas on either side but to facilitate the parties’ own efforts. An agreed framework would clarify and bridge the gaps between the parties so that they can move towards a final peace treaty that would resolve all of those core issues.
President Obama and I are deeply committed to this process. President Obama came here in March, and at that time he committed the United States and me particularly to this effort, with an understanding that the possibilities provided by peace are dramatic and they are worth struggling for: Two states for two peoples living side-by-side in peace and stability and security. Peace is possible today, I believe, because the leaders – Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas – have both each taken significant steps for peace notwithstanding the difficulties that the Prime Minister has cited – and they are real. But still we are on this track, and I believe that they are both willing to take more.
In the weeks and months ahead, both sides are going to need to make tough choices to ensure that peace is not just a possibility but is a reality for Israelis and Palestinians for now and for future generations. So that’s what lies ahead of us. It is hard work, but with a determined effort, I’m convinced that we can get there. I’m happy to wish all the folks here a Happy New Year – at least by our calendar. I’m working on three calendars now, so I get to do three times a Happy New Year during the year, but I wish you from us, on our calendar, a very Happy New Year. And may we be successful in these efforts. Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Thank you, John.
SECRETARY KERRY: Thanks.
LABOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES AWARD TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY IN MOROCCO
FROM: LABOR DEPARTMENT
Nearly $1M awarded by US Labor Department to promote workplace gender equality in the Kingdom of Morocco
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $998,384 grant award to promote gender equality in the workplace in the Kingdom of Morocco. The grant provides funding for a project that will be implemented through a cooperative agreement between the department and Management Systems International.
The project will be implemented in collaboration with the private sector, civil society organizations and the Government of Morocco to empower women through increased recognition, promotion and enforcement of their labor rights.
"Respecting the labor rights of working women and promoting gender equality in the workplace supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development," said Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs Carol Pier. "This grant will provide technical assistance to support stakeholders' efforts on these critically important issues."
Since 1995, ILAB has funded technical assistance projects to improve worker rights, livelihoods and labor law compliance. ILAB's Office of Trade and Labor Affairs currently oversees approximately $76 million in active programming to provide such technical assistance in more than 72 countries.
Nearly $1M awarded by US Labor Department to promote workplace gender equality in the Kingdom of Morocco
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $998,384 grant award to promote gender equality in the workplace in the Kingdom of Morocco. The grant provides funding for a project that will be implemented through a cooperative agreement between the department and Management Systems International.
The project will be implemented in collaboration with the private sector, civil society organizations and the Government of Morocco to empower women through increased recognition, promotion and enforcement of their labor rights.
"Respecting the labor rights of working women and promoting gender equality in the workplace supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development," said Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs Carol Pier. "This grant will provide technical assistance to support stakeholders' efforts on these critically important issues."
Since 1995, ILAB has funded technical assistance projects to improve worker rights, livelihoods and labor law compliance. ILAB's Office of Trade and Labor Affairs currently oversees approximately $76 million in active programming to provide such technical assistance in more than 72 countries.
FTC SETTLES WITH ACCRETIVE HEALTH, INC., REGARDING FAILURE TO PROTECT CONSUMERS' PERSONAL INFORMATION
FROM: FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
Accretive Health Settles FTC Charges That It Failed to Adequately Protect Consumers’ Personal Information
Accretive Health, Inc., a company that provides medical billing and revenue management services to hospitals around the country, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its inadequate data security measures unfairly exposed sensitive consumer information to the risk of theft or misuse.
In its complaint against the Chicago-based business, the FTC alleges the company failed to provide reasonable and appropriate security measures and procedures to protect consumers’ personal information, including sensitive personal health information. Accretive had access to a wealth of personal information about the patients of its hospital clients, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, billing information and medical diagnostic information.
According to the complaint, Accretive’s failure to adequately safeguard such information led to a July 2011 incident in Minneapolis, Minn., where an Accretive employee’s laptop computer, containing 20 million pieces of information on 23,000 patients, was stolen from the passenger compartment of the employee’s car. The Commission alleges that Accretive created unnecessary risks by transporting laptops that contained sensitive personal information in a way that left them vulnerable to theft.
The complaint also alleges that Accretive failed to employ reasonable procedures designed to ensure that employees removed consumers’ personal information that they no longer needed from their computers; and that in certain instances, when the personal health information of consumers was used in training sessions for employees, Accretive failed to remove that information from employees’ computers after the training was finished. In addition, the FTC alleged that Accretive failed to adequately restrict employee access to consumers’ personal information based on an employee’s need for the information.
Under the terms of its settlement with the FTC, Accretive must establish a comprehensive information security program designed to protect consumers’ sensitive personal information. In addition, the company must have the program evaluated both initially and every two years by a certified third party. The settlement will be in force for the next 20 years.
FTC staff also sent a letter to Accretive indicating that it would not recommend an enforcement action related to allegations concerning Accretive’s debt collection practices in hospitals. The letter notes that while staff is declining to recommend a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act case against Accretive at this time, the practice of attempting to collect payment for prior debts from consumers while they are seeking treatment in an emergency room or other medical facility raises serious concerns.
The Commission vote to accept the consent agreement package containing the proposed consent order for public comment was 4-0. The FTC will publish a description of the consent agreement package in the Federal Register shortly. The agreement will be subject to public comment for 30 days, beginning today and continuing through Thursday, Jan. 30, 2013, after which the Commission will decide whether to make the proposed consent order final.
Interested parties can submit written comments electronically or in paper form by following the instructions in the “Invitation To Comment” part of the “Supplementary Information” section. Comments in electronic form should be submitted online and following the instructions on the web-based form. Comments in paper form should be mailed or delivered to: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room H-113, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. The FTC requests that any comment filed in paper form near the end of the public comment period be sent by courier or overnight service, if possible, because U.S. postal mail in the Washington area and at the Commission is subject to delay due to heightened security precautions.
NOTE: The Commission issues an administrative complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. When the Commission issues a consent order on a final basis, it carries the force of law with respect to future actions. Each future violation of such an order may result in a civil penalty of up to $16,000.
The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
Accretive Health Settles FTC Charges That It Failed to Adequately Protect Consumers’ Personal Information
Accretive Health, Inc., a company that provides medical billing and revenue management services to hospitals around the country, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its inadequate data security measures unfairly exposed sensitive consumer information to the risk of theft or misuse.
In its complaint against the Chicago-based business, the FTC alleges the company failed to provide reasonable and appropriate security measures and procedures to protect consumers’ personal information, including sensitive personal health information. Accretive had access to a wealth of personal information about the patients of its hospital clients, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, billing information and medical diagnostic information.
According to the complaint, Accretive’s failure to adequately safeguard such information led to a July 2011 incident in Minneapolis, Minn., where an Accretive employee’s laptop computer, containing 20 million pieces of information on 23,000 patients, was stolen from the passenger compartment of the employee’s car. The Commission alleges that Accretive created unnecessary risks by transporting laptops that contained sensitive personal information in a way that left them vulnerable to theft.
The complaint also alleges that Accretive failed to employ reasonable procedures designed to ensure that employees removed consumers’ personal information that they no longer needed from their computers; and that in certain instances, when the personal health information of consumers was used in training sessions for employees, Accretive failed to remove that information from employees’ computers after the training was finished. In addition, the FTC alleged that Accretive failed to adequately restrict employee access to consumers’ personal information based on an employee’s need for the information.
Under the terms of its settlement with the FTC, Accretive must establish a comprehensive information security program designed to protect consumers’ sensitive personal information. In addition, the company must have the program evaluated both initially and every two years by a certified third party. The settlement will be in force for the next 20 years.
FTC staff also sent a letter to Accretive indicating that it would not recommend an enforcement action related to allegations concerning Accretive’s debt collection practices in hospitals. The letter notes that while staff is declining to recommend a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act case against Accretive at this time, the practice of attempting to collect payment for prior debts from consumers while they are seeking treatment in an emergency room or other medical facility raises serious concerns.
The Commission vote to accept the consent agreement package containing the proposed consent order for public comment was 4-0. The FTC will publish a description of the consent agreement package in the Federal Register shortly. The agreement will be subject to public comment for 30 days, beginning today and continuing through Thursday, Jan. 30, 2013, after which the Commission will decide whether to make the proposed consent order final.
Interested parties can submit written comments electronically or in paper form by following the instructions in the “Invitation To Comment” part of the “Supplementary Information” section. Comments in electronic form should be submitted online and following the instructions on the web-based form. Comments in paper form should be mailed or delivered to: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room H-113, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. The FTC requests that any comment filed in paper form near the end of the public comment period be sent by courier or overnight service, if possible, because U.S. postal mail in the Washington area and at the Commission is subject to delay due to heightened security precautions.
NOTE: The Commission issues an administrative complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. When the Commission issues a consent order on a final basis, it carries the force of law with respect to future actions. Each future violation of such an order may result in a civil penalty of up to $16,000.
The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
HEALTH CARE ORG. & HOSPITAL TO PAY $3.85 MILLION FOR PROVIDING KICKBACKS FOR DOCTOR REFERRALS
FROM: U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FINANCIAL
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Colorado Health Care Organization and One of Its Montana Hospitals to Pay $3.85 Million for Allegedly Providing Financial Benefits to Referring Physicians and Physician Groups
St. James Healthcare (St. James), a hospital located in Butte, Mont., and its parent company, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System (Sisters of Charity), a health care organization based in Denver, Colo., have agreed to pay $3.85 million to resolve allegations that they violated the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law and the False Claims Act by improperly providing financial benefits to physicians and physician groups that made referrals to the hospital, the Justice Department announced today.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits the provision of remuneration with the intent to induce referrals of government health care program business. The Stark Law restricts financial relationships that hospitals may enter into with physicians who refer patients to them. Federal law prohibits payment by federal health care programs of medical claims that result from arrangements that violate the Anti-Kickback Statute or the Stark Law.
“Improper financial arrangements between hospitals and physicians not only undermine the integrity of the decisions that doctors make, they raise the cost of health care for all of us,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart F. Delery. “The department has longstanding concerns about such conduct and is committed to working with health care providers that come forward to disclose their misconduct.”
The settlement announced today resolves allegations that St. James and Sisters of Charity provided various improper financial incentives to physicians and physician groups that were involved in a joint venture with St. James to own and operate a medical office building on the St. James campus. These incentives included a payment to the joint venture that increased the share values for the physicians and physician groups in the joint venture and resulted in below fair market value lease rates for the physicians renting space in the medical office building. Additional incentives provided by St. James and Sisters of Charity included below fair market value lease rates for the land upon which the medical office building was constructed and other below fair market value arrangements related to shared facilities, use and maintenance. These issues were disclosed by St. James and Sisters of Charity to the government.
“This matter is of great significance to Montanans because it helps ensure federal health care programs deliver services in a cost-effective and efficient manner,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Michael W. Cotter. “We are encouraged that hospitals like St. James Healthcare are taking these issues seriously by reviewing their operations and making disclosures to the government where necessary.”
This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The partnership between the two departments has focused on efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $17 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $12.2 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana, the Department of Justice Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Colorado Health Care Organization and One of Its Montana Hospitals to Pay $3.85 Million for Allegedly Providing Financial Benefits to Referring Physicians and Physician Groups
St. James Healthcare (St. James), a hospital located in Butte, Mont., and its parent company, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System (Sisters of Charity), a health care organization based in Denver, Colo., have agreed to pay $3.85 million to resolve allegations that they violated the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law and the False Claims Act by improperly providing financial benefits to physicians and physician groups that made referrals to the hospital, the Justice Department announced today.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits the provision of remuneration with the intent to induce referrals of government health care program business. The Stark Law restricts financial relationships that hospitals may enter into with physicians who refer patients to them. Federal law prohibits payment by federal health care programs of medical claims that result from arrangements that violate the Anti-Kickback Statute or the Stark Law.
“Improper financial arrangements between hospitals and physicians not only undermine the integrity of the decisions that doctors make, they raise the cost of health care for all of us,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart F. Delery. “The department has longstanding concerns about such conduct and is committed to working with health care providers that come forward to disclose their misconduct.”
The settlement announced today resolves allegations that St. James and Sisters of Charity provided various improper financial incentives to physicians and physician groups that were involved in a joint venture with St. James to own and operate a medical office building on the St. James campus. These incentives included a payment to the joint venture that increased the share values for the physicians and physician groups in the joint venture and resulted in below fair market value lease rates for the physicians renting space in the medical office building. Additional incentives provided by St. James and Sisters of Charity included below fair market value lease rates for the land upon which the medical office building was constructed and other below fair market value arrangements related to shared facilities, use and maintenance. These issues were disclosed by St. James and Sisters of Charity to the government.
“This matter is of great significance to Montanans because it helps ensure federal health care programs deliver services in a cost-effective and efficient manner,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Michael W. Cotter. “We are encouraged that hospitals like St. James Healthcare are taking these issues seriously by reviewing their operations and making disclosures to the government where necessary.”
This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The partnership between the two departments has focused on efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $17 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $12.2 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana, the Department of Justice Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXTENSION
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
Statement by Gene B. Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council
This New Year’s Day, there is likely less joy and more fear and distress in the homes of 1.3 million Americans who this week have seen their unemployment insurance suddenly cut off – a vital lifeline that these Americans depend on as they fight to find a job. There would be no better New Year’s resolution for Congress to make today than to commit to making the first new legislation for the new year the restoration of emergency unemployment insurance for those who have this week just been cut off.
Failing to extend emergency unemployment insurance through 2014 will negatively impact 14 million Americans – the 4.9 million workers who will see unemployment insurance cut off and the approximately 9 million additional family members they are supporting. But if Congress does the right thing and acts to extend emergency unemployment benefits through 2014, it is estimated to lead to 200,000 jobs and a fifth of a point of additional economic growth. This emergency unemployment insurance is temporary and by design will taper off as the unemployment falls around the nation.
The claims by some that those experiencing long-term unemployment are solely at fault are belied by the countless accounts of the names, faces and stories of responsible Americans among those 1.3 million who have worked hard their whole lives and are fighting to find a new job to support their families. Because these workers are only eligible for this emergency assistance if they are actively looking for work, extension will help encourage many of the long-term unemployed to keep at it even if they are getting discouraged.
We as Americans can choose to have each other’s backs when we face serious spells of long-term unemployment. In more than 50 years, we have never cut off emergency unemployment insurance when the rate of long-term unemployment was even above 50% of its current level, even though none of those recessions were nearly as deep as the one we are now recovering from. Serious studies make clear that those who are long-term unemployed face serious barriers to getting new jobs than can lead to lasting damage to their economic future. At a time when we as a nation should be moving forward in our efforts to help those who are long-term unemployed find new jobs, we should not take a harsh step backwards by abruptly cutting off their unemployment insurance.
The President strongly supports Majority Leader Harry Reid’s commitment to bring the bipartisan Reed-Heller bill for a vote the very first day the Senate returns on January 6th. By temporarily extending emergency unemployment insurance for three months, this bipartisan bill will provide benefits for over 2 million Americans when they need it most, and we urge every member of Congress to support this vitally important bill.
Statement by Gene B. Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council
This New Year’s Day, there is likely less joy and more fear and distress in the homes of 1.3 million Americans who this week have seen their unemployment insurance suddenly cut off – a vital lifeline that these Americans depend on as they fight to find a job. There would be no better New Year’s resolution for Congress to make today than to commit to making the first new legislation for the new year the restoration of emergency unemployment insurance for those who have this week just been cut off.
Failing to extend emergency unemployment insurance through 2014 will negatively impact 14 million Americans – the 4.9 million workers who will see unemployment insurance cut off and the approximately 9 million additional family members they are supporting. But if Congress does the right thing and acts to extend emergency unemployment benefits through 2014, it is estimated to lead to 200,000 jobs and a fifth of a point of additional economic growth. This emergency unemployment insurance is temporary and by design will taper off as the unemployment falls around the nation.
The claims by some that those experiencing long-term unemployment are solely at fault are belied by the countless accounts of the names, faces and stories of responsible Americans among those 1.3 million who have worked hard their whole lives and are fighting to find a new job to support their families. Because these workers are only eligible for this emergency assistance if they are actively looking for work, extension will help encourage many of the long-term unemployed to keep at it even if they are getting discouraged.
We as Americans can choose to have each other’s backs when we face serious spells of long-term unemployment. In more than 50 years, we have never cut off emergency unemployment insurance when the rate of long-term unemployment was even above 50% of its current level, even though none of those recessions were nearly as deep as the one we are now recovering from. Serious studies make clear that those who are long-term unemployed face serious barriers to getting new jobs than can lead to lasting damage to their economic future. At a time when we as a nation should be moving forward in our efforts to help those who are long-term unemployed find new jobs, we should not take a harsh step backwards by abruptly cutting off their unemployment insurance.
The President strongly supports Majority Leader Harry Reid’s commitment to bring the bipartisan Reed-Heller bill for a vote the very first day the Senate returns on January 6th. By temporarily extending emergency unemployment insurance for three months, this bipartisan bill will provide benefits for over 2 million Americans when they need it most, and we urge every member of Congress to support this vitally important bill.
U.S. EXPRESSES CONCERN REGARDING SOUTH SUDAN CONFLICT
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
U.S. ‘Deeply Concerned’ About South Sudan Situation
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2014 – The United States “remains deeply concerned” about the situation in South Sudan and calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities there to stabilize the situation and permit full humanitarian access to civilians who remain in dire need of assistance, according to a statement issued yesterday by National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden.
The U.S. also welcomes slated upcoming meetings in Ethiopia, where representatives from South Sudan have agreed to conduct mediated discussions, the statement said.
The text of Hayden’s statement reads as follows:
“The United States remains deeply concerned by the fragile situation in South Sudan. We continue to urge President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar to take immediate steps to end the current conflict, and we welcome their agreement to send representatives to Addis Ababa for talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in the coming days. We continue to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities to stabilize the situation and permit full humanitarian access to civilian populations, which remain in dire need of assistance. The United States will deny support and work to apply international pressure to any elements that use force to seize power. At the same time, we will hold leaders responsible for the conduct of their forces and work to ensure accountability for atrocities and war crimes.
“We also strongly support the vital work of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). We are working closely with the UN and other partners to help further strengthen the mission and its efforts to protect civilians, and we call on all parties to the current conflict to allow UNMISS to carry out its mandate without obstruction.
“Finally, the United States is deeply concerned by the continuing reports of serious human rights abuses being committed in various regions of South Sudan, allegedly by government forces and militias that have taken up arms against the government. Human rights abuses against the civilian population are unacceptable under any circumstances, and every new human rights abuse makes South Sudan’s path toward reconciliation more difficult. It is vital that all South Sudanese reject these acts of violence -- and that all South Sudanese leaders call upon their forces to protect civilians -- and that there be accountability for those who fail to heed these calls.”
U.S. ‘Deeply Concerned’ About South Sudan Situation
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2014 – The United States “remains deeply concerned” about the situation in South Sudan and calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities there to stabilize the situation and permit full humanitarian access to civilians who remain in dire need of assistance, according to a statement issued yesterday by National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden.
The U.S. also welcomes slated upcoming meetings in Ethiopia, where representatives from South Sudan have agreed to conduct mediated discussions, the statement said.
The text of Hayden’s statement reads as follows:
“The United States remains deeply concerned by the fragile situation in South Sudan. We continue to urge President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar to take immediate steps to end the current conflict, and we welcome their agreement to send representatives to Addis Ababa for talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in the coming days. We continue to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities to stabilize the situation and permit full humanitarian access to civilian populations, which remain in dire need of assistance. The United States will deny support and work to apply international pressure to any elements that use force to seize power. At the same time, we will hold leaders responsible for the conduct of their forces and work to ensure accountability for atrocities and war crimes.
“We also strongly support the vital work of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). We are working closely with the UN and other partners to help further strengthen the mission and its efforts to protect civilians, and we call on all parties to the current conflict to allow UNMISS to carry out its mandate without obstruction.
“Finally, the United States is deeply concerned by the continuing reports of serious human rights abuses being committed in various regions of South Sudan, allegedly by government forces and militias that have taken up arms against the government. Human rights abuses against the civilian population are unacceptable under any circumstances, and every new human rights abuse makes South Sudan’s path toward reconciliation more difficult. It is vital that all South Sudanese reject these acts of violence -- and that all South Sudanese leaders call upon their forces to protect civilians -- and that there be accountability for those who fail to heed these calls.”
3 GUANTANAMO DETAINEES TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SLOVAKIA
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
DOD Announces Transfer of 3 Guantanamo Detainees
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2013 – The Department of Defense today announced the transfer of Yusef Abbas, Saidullah Khalik and Hajiakbar Abdul Ghuper from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the government of Slovakia, according to a DOD news release.
These three detainees are the last ethnic Uighur Chinese nationals to be transferred from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the release said. These detainees, the release said, were subject to release from Guantanamo as a result of a court order issued on Oct. 7, 2008, by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and are voluntarily resettling in Slovakia.
As directed by the president's Jan. 22, 2009, executive order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of these cases, the release said. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, these individuals were designated for transfer by unanimous consent among all six agencies on the task force, the release said.
In accordance with statutory reporting requirements, the administration informed Congress of its intent to transfer these individuals, the release said.
The United States is grateful to the government of Slovakia for this humanitarian gesture and its willingness to support U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the release said. The United States coordinated with the government of Slovakia to ensure the transfer took place in accordance with appropriate security and humane treatment measures, the release said.
This transfer and resettlement constitutes a significant milestone in our effort to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, the release said.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel remains grateful to the Defense Department's Special Envoy Paul Lewis, and Department of State Special Envoy Cliff Sloan, for their and their respective teams' many efforts that facilitated this successful transfer, the release said.
Today, 155 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay, according to the release.
DOD Announces Transfer of 3 Guantanamo Detainees
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2013 – The Department of Defense today announced the transfer of Yusef Abbas, Saidullah Khalik and Hajiakbar Abdul Ghuper from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the government of Slovakia, according to a DOD news release.
These three detainees are the last ethnic Uighur Chinese nationals to be transferred from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the release said. These detainees, the release said, were subject to release from Guantanamo as a result of a court order issued on Oct. 7, 2008, by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and are voluntarily resettling in Slovakia.
As directed by the president's Jan. 22, 2009, executive order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of these cases, the release said. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, these individuals were designated for transfer by unanimous consent among all six agencies on the task force, the release said.
In accordance with statutory reporting requirements, the administration informed Congress of its intent to transfer these individuals, the release said.
The United States is grateful to the government of Slovakia for this humanitarian gesture and its willingness to support U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the release said. The United States coordinated with the government of Slovakia to ensure the transfer took place in accordance with appropriate security and humane treatment measures, the release said.
This transfer and resettlement constitutes a significant milestone in our effort to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, the release said.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel remains grateful to the Defense Department's Special Envoy Paul Lewis, and Department of State Special Envoy Cliff Sloan, for their and their respective teams' many efforts that facilitated this successful transfer, the release said.
Today, 155 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay, according to the release.
U.S. SENDS BEST WISHES TO PEOPLE OF SUDAN ON THEIR INDEPENDENCE DAY
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
On the Occasion of the Republic of Sudan's National Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 1, 2014
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send best wishes to the people of Sudan as you celebrate 58 years of independence on January 1.
We join with you in looking forward to a peaceful and definitive end to internal conflicts, the development of strong and productive relationships with your neighbors, and durable solutions to humanitarian crises.
We hope that all Sudanese will realize their aspirations for a more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future in the year ahead.
On the Occasion of the Republic of Sudan's National Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 1, 2014
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send best wishes to the people of Sudan as you celebrate 58 years of independence on January 1.
We join with you in looking forward to a peaceful and definitive end to internal conflicts, the development of strong and productive relationships with your neighbors, and durable solutions to humanitarian crises.
We hope that all Sudanese will realize their aspirations for a more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future in the year ahead.
U.S. CONGRATULATES PEOPLE OF HAITI ON THEIR INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Haiti's Independence Day
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 1, 2014
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Haiti as you celebrate the 210th anniversary of your independence.
I spent more than 30 years representing Massachusetts as Lieutenant Governor and Senator, and I am proud to this day that my state is home to the third largest Haitian-American community in the United States. I was proud that my daughter’s first work as a doctor was in Haiti where she experienced firsthand the determination and resilience of proud Haitians who cared so deeply about their country’s future. Having known and worked so closely with this exceptional community, I hold a special appreciation for Haiti’s journey.
I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation in the Senate to help Haiti rebuild and develop in a way that creates an opportunity to emerge better off and better prepared. And that’s why I worked closely with dozens of families in Massachusetts to expedite adoptions of Haitian orphans that had already been underway before the earthquake. As Secretary of State, I will continue to make Haiti a priority.
The United States joins you today in commemorating the courage and spirit of independence of all Haitians as well as the ties of friendship and family that bind our peoples together.
On this special day, I extend best wishes and reiterate our strong commitment to help all Haitians as they chart a path toward greater peace, security and, prosperity.
I spent more than 30 years representing Massachusetts as Lieutenant Governor and Senator, and I am proud to this day that my state is home to the third largest Haitian-American community in the United States. I was proud that my daughter’s first work as a doctor was in Haiti where she experienced firsthand the determination and resilience of proud Haitians who cared so deeply about their country’s future. Having known and worked so closely with this exceptional community, I hold a special appreciation for Haiti’s journey.
I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation in the Senate to help Haiti rebuild and develop in a way that creates an opportunity to emerge better off and better prepared. And that’s why I worked closely with dozens of families in Massachusetts to expedite adoptions of Haitian orphans that had already been underway before the earthquake. As Secretary of State, I will continue to make Haiti a priority.
The United States joins you today in commemorating the courage and spirit of independence of all Haitians as well as the ties of friendship and family that bind our peoples together.
On this special day, I extend best wishes and reiterate our strong commitment to help all Haitians as they chart a path toward greater peace, security and, prosperity.
THE FLAT GALAXY
FROM: NASA/HUBBLE GALAXY
Hubble Eyes Galaxy as Flat as a Pancake
Located some 25 million light-years away, this new Hubble image shows spiral galaxy ESO 373-8. Together with at least seven of its galactic neighbors, this galaxy is a member of the NGC 2997 group. We see it side-on as a thin, glittering streak across the sky, with all its contents neatly aligned in the same plane.
We see so many galaxies like this — flat, stretched-out pancakes — that our brains barely process their shape. But let us stop and ask: Why are galaxies stretched out and aligned like this?
Try spinning around in your chair with your legs and arms out. Slowly pull your legs and arms inwards, and tuck them in against your body. Notice anything? You should have started spinning faster. This effect is due to conservation of angular momentum, and it’s true for galaxies, too.
This galaxy began life as a humungous ball of slowly rotating gas. Collapsing in upon itself, it spun faster and faster until, like pizza dough spinning and stretching in the air, a disc started to form. Anything that bobbed up and down through this disk was pulled back in line with this motion, creating a streamlined shape.
Angular momentum is always conserved — from a spinning galactic disk 25 million light-years away from us, to any astronomer, or astronomer-wannabe, spinning in an office chair. Image Credit: NASA/Hubble
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
DECEMBER: MONTH OF THE NANOSATELLITE LAUNCH
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Launch Propels Southcom-sponsored Nanosatellite Into Space
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2013 – An Atlas V rocket launched last night from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., carried a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored nanosatellite into space -- and with it, the potential for more reliable and less expensive communications for troops around the world.
The nanosatellite, about the size of a loaf of bread and weighing just 11 pounds, piggybacked during the launch on a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office headquartered in Chantilly, Va., Southcom officials said.
That small package carries big hopes for Southcom, which spearheaded the demonstration project to help overcome communications challenges in the vast mountainous and densely forested terrain within Latin America, Juan Hurtado, Southcom’s science and technology advisor, told American Forces Press Service during an interview from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
As envisioned, troops on the ground will be able to tap the new technology directly from their field radios. And when the satellite moves beyond the part of the globe beyond Southcom’s area of responsibility, it could provide that same capability to other combatant commands as well, Hurtado said.
“This is a major milestone,” he said. “This first space project for U.S. Southern Command represents a big step ahead. I feel like we are about ready to offer a transformational capability to support troops in the field, not just within Southern Command, but throughout the Department of Defense.”
“This is just an evaluation, but we think this space capability could help improve communication during various operations,” said Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, Southcom’s commander.
If the initial phase of the demonstration goes as hoped, two additional nanosatellites will launch next December, Hurtado reported.
All three will be set to a low-earth orbit, operating as one component of a communications suite to include a ground station, ground sensors and tactical radios, he explained. Collectively, they will support information-sharing and tactical communications over wide geographic expanses.
The development and deployment of the nanosatellites represent the strength of partnerships at several levels, Hurtado said.
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command oversaw its development, and the Defense Department funded it through its Joint Capability Technology Demonstration effort. Cadre and students at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School will help Southcom assess the technology’s operational value.
In addition, Southcom’s counterparts in Brazil will help evaluate its performance. Next week, Hurtado will be talking to officials in Peru and heading to Brazil to discuss details of this collaboration.
Kelly called the investment in nanosatellites “an opportunity for us to collaborate from the ground up with partner nations who are looking to develop this capability for a variety of security and commercial uses.”
The initial concept for the nanosatellite originated through close collaboration among the Secretary of Defense’s Rapid Fielding Directorate, Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Southcom’s science, technology and experimentation office.
Since it was stood up in 2002, the Southcom office has helped to identify technical capabilities to support the command’s mission, and lacking them, helped to develop new ones, Hurtado said. Its staff takes gaps and requirements as identified by U.S. forces and partner nations in the theater, converts them into technical requirements, then looks initially to the DOD technical technology community for solutions.
The original objective -- “to find ways to do things better or do things cheaper” -- is even more pressing in today’s fiscal environment, Hurtado noted.
The new nanosatellite offers promise on both counts. It cost $500,000 to build, far less than larger satellites, and its small size makes launching it into space relatively inexpensive. Both factors could make it feasible to deploy several nanosatellites as needed to expand communication coverage to ground forces in support of an array of mission requirements, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, Hurtado said.
He emphasized however, that last night’s launch is just the start of a long evaluation process ahead. The first of two evaluations, planned for May, will take three months to complete. A final evaluation scheduled for February 2015 will span five months using all three satellites.
“Recognizing that, I feel extremely proud of this effort and the potential capability it stands to offer for our forces,” Hurtado said. “This will make communications not only less expensive, but more readily available.”
Launch Propels Southcom-sponsored Nanosatellite Into Space
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2013 – An Atlas V rocket launched last night from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., carried a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored nanosatellite into space -- and with it, the potential for more reliable and less expensive communications for troops around the world.
The nanosatellite, about the size of a loaf of bread and weighing just 11 pounds, piggybacked during the launch on a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office headquartered in Chantilly, Va., Southcom officials said.
That small package carries big hopes for Southcom, which spearheaded the demonstration project to help overcome communications challenges in the vast mountainous and densely forested terrain within Latin America, Juan Hurtado, Southcom’s science and technology advisor, told American Forces Press Service during an interview from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
As envisioned, troops on the ground will be able to tap the new technology directly from their field radios. And when the satellite moves beyond the part of the globe beyond Southcom’s area of responsibility, it could provide that same capability to other combatant commands as well, Hurtado said.
“This is a major milestone,” he said. “This first space project for U.S. Southern Command represents a big step ahead. I feel like we are about ready to offer a transformational capability to support troops in the field, not just within Southern Command, but throughout the Department of Defense.”
“This is just an evaluation, but we think this space capability could help improve communication during various operations,” said Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, Southcom’s commander.
If the initial phase of the demonstration goes as hoped, two additional nanosatellites will launch next December, Hurtado reported.
All three will be set to a low-earth orbit, operating as one component of a communications suite to include a ground station, ground sensors and tactical radios, he explained. Collectively, they will support information-sharing and tactical communications over wide geographic expanses.
The development and deployment of the nanosatellites represent the strength of partnerships at several levels, Hurtado said.
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command oversaw its development, and the Defense Department funded it through its Joint Capability Technology Demonstration effort. Cadre and students at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School will help Southcom assess the technology’s operational value.
In addition, Southcom’s counterparts in Brazil will help evaluate its performance. Next week, Hurtado will be talking to officials in Peru and heading to Brazil to discuss details of this collaboration.
Kelly called the investment in nanosatellites “an opportunity for us to collaborate from the ground up with partner nations who are looking to develop this capability for a variety of security and commercial uses.”
The initial concept for the nanosatellite originated through close collaboration among the Secretary of Defense’s Rapid Fielding Directorate, Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Southcom’s science, technology and experimentation office.
Since it was stood up in 2002, the Southcom office has helped to identify technical capabilities to support the command’s mission, and lacking them, helped to develop new ones, Hurtado said. Its staff takes gaps and requirements as identified by U.S. forces and partner nations in the theater, converts them into technical requirements, then looks initially to the DOD technical technology community for solutions.
The original objective -- “to find ways to do things better or do things cheaper” -- is even more pressing in today’s fiscal environment, Hurtado noted.
The new nanosatellite offers promise on both counts. It cost $500,000 to build, far less than larger satellites, and its small size makes launching it into space relatively inexpensive. Both factors could make it feasible to deploy several nanosatellites as needed to expand communication coverage to ground forces in support of an array of mission requirements, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, Hurtado said.
He emphasized however, that last night’s launch is just the start of a long evaluation process ahead. The first of two evaluations, planned for May, will take three months to complete. A final evaluation scheduled for February 2015 will span five months using all three satellites.
“Recognizing that, I feel extremely proud of this effort and the potential capability it stands to offer for our forces,” Hurtado said. “This will make communications not only less expensive, but more readily available.”
RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE
DEPARTMENT
U.S. soldiers prepare their UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter for a night personnel movement mission on Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, Dec. 23, 2013. The soldiers are assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion Assault, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade. U.S. Army photos by Capt. Peter Smedberg.
INITIAL AIRLIFT COMPLETE IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Airlift Operations Complete in Central African Republic
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2013 – Initial airlift operations are complete in the Central African Republic, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said here today.
A small U.S. Air Force support team and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft began airlift operations Dec. 12 in response to a French request for airlift support. The U.S. airmen conducted 16 flights from Burundi to the Central African Republic, Warren said, transporting 857 Burundi troops, 73 pallets of equipment and 18 Burundian military vehicles.
The Burundi troops -- a light infantry battalion -- are part of an African Union-led international support mission intended to help prevent the further spread of sectarian violence, Assistant Pentagon Press Secretary Carl Woog said in a Dec. 9 statement.
Fewer than 10 Americans remain on the ground serving as liaisons with the French military, Warren said.
Also, three of the four U.S. service members wounded Dec. 21 in South Sudan have returned to the United States for treatment, Warren said. The fourth remains in a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
All four service members are in stable condition, a Defense Department spokesman said.
The service members were wounded when they attempted to evacuate Americans from the town of Bor, South Sudan, according to a U.S. Africa Command statement. They were hit by small-arms fire from unknown forces when their three CV-22 Osprey aircraft attempted to land in Bor. Africom is reviewing the incident, Warren said.
To date, more than 870 people have been evacuated from South Sudan on a mix of military and charter aircraft, he said. The Defense Department has flown three airlift missions with C-130 Hercules aircraft and one mission with a C-12 Huron.
Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, Africom’s commander, ordered a platoon-sized element of Marines and a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft to Entebbe, Uganda, on Dec. 24 to serve as a contingency force, Warren said. The Marines are part of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response, based at Moron Air Base, Spain, and were initially sent to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, before being moved to Uganda.
Rodriguez had earlier ordered elements of the East Africa Response Force to be positioned in Juba, South Sudan, to augment security at the embassy.
“This is all exactly what you’d expect [given the security situation],” Warren said. “It’s a combatant commander positioning forces in such a way that he’s got options.”
Airlift Operations Complete in Central African Republic
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2013 – Initial airlift operations are complete in the Central African Republic, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said here today.
A small U.S. Air Force support team and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft began airlift operations Dec. 12 in response to a French request for airlift support. The U.S. airmen conducted 16 flights from Burundi to the Central African Republic, Warren said, transporting 857 Burundi troops, 73 pallets of equipment and 18 Burundian military vehicles.
The Burundi troops -- a light infantry battalion -- are part of an African Union-led international support mission intended to help prevent the further spread of sectarian violence, Assistant Pentagon Press Secretary Carl Woog said in a Dec. 9 statement.
Fewer than 10 Americans remain on the ground serving as liaisons with the French military, Warren said.
Also, three of the four U.S. service members wounded Dec. 21 in South Sudan have returned to the United States for treatment, Warren said. The fourth remains in a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
All four service members are in stable condition, a Defense Department spokesman said.
The service members were wounded when they attempted to evacuate Americans from the town of Bor, South Sudan, according to a U.S. Africa Command statement. They were hit by small-arms fire from unknown forces when their three CV-22 Osprey aircraft attempted to land in Bor. Africom is reviewing the incident, Warren said.
To date, more than 870 people have been evacuated from South Sudan on a mix of military and charter aircraft, he said. The Defense Department has flown three airlift missions with C-130 Hercules aircraft and one mission with a C-12 Huron.
Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, Africom’s commander, ordered a platoon-sized element of Marines and a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft to Entebbe, Uganda, on Dec. 24 to serve as a contingency force, Warren said. The Marines are part of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response, based at Moron Air Base, Spain, and were initially sent to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, before being moved to Uganda.
Rodriguez had earlier ordered elements of the East Africa Response Force to be positioned in Juba, South Sudan, to augment security at the embassy.
“This is all exactly what you’d expect [given the security situation],” Warren said. “It’s a combatant commander positioning forces in such a way that he’s got options.”
EPA'S CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW
FROM: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY
Criminal Enforcement Overview
EPA’s criminal enforcement program pursues individual and corporate defendants who have committed serious environmental crimes by providing:
Federal, state and local prosecutors with the evidence needed to prosecute environmental crimes.
Environmental forensic analyses and technical evaluations for both civil and criminal enforcement.
Computer evidence retrieval and evaluation.
Expert legal advice and counsel to EPA, U.S. Attorneys and the Department of Justice.
EPA's criminal enforcement program was established in 1982 and was granted full law enforcement authority by Congress in 1988. Today the program has more than 350 specially trained investigators, chemists, engineers, technicians, lawyers, and support staff. From that number EPA has:
200 fully authorized federal law enforcement agents.
70 forensic scientists and technicians.
45 attorneys who specialize in environmental crimes enforcement.
Criminal Enforcement Overview
EPA’s criminal enforcement program pursues individual and corporate defendants who have committed serious environmental crimes by providing:
Federal, state and local prosecutors with the evidence needed to prosecute environmental crimes.
Environmental forensic analyses and technical evaluations for both civil and criminal enforcement.
Computer evidence retrieval and evaluation.
Expert legal advice and counsel to EPA, U.S. Attorneys and the Department of Justice.
EPA's criminal enforcement program was established in 1982 and was granted full law enforcement authority by Congress in 1988. Today the program has more than 350 specially trained investigators, chemists, engineers, technicians, lawyers, and support staff. From that number EPA has:
200 fully authorized federal law enforcement agents.
70 forensic scientists and technicians.
45 attorneys who specialize in environmental crimes enforcement.
U.S. PRESS STATEMENT ON FUNDING THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 30, 2013
The United States welcomes Lebanon’s decision to fulfill its 2013 funding obligations to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. We recognize and commend Prime Minister Mikati’s strong leadership in ensuring that the government met this important commitment. We fully support the work of the Tribunal and its efforts to find and hold accountable those responsible for reprehensible and destabilizing acts of violence in Lebanon.
The December 27 assassination bombing in Beirut is a stark reminder that for too long, Lebanon has suffered from a culture of impunity for those who use murder and terror to promote their political agenda against the interests of the Lebanese people. The Tribunal, working with the Government of Lebanon, will help end this impunity by providing a transparent, fair process to determine responsibility for the terrorist attack that killed former Prime Minister Hariri and scores of others.
Continued financial support and ongoing cooperation by Lebanon’s political, judicial, and law enforcement authorities are critical to the Tribunal’s work. That is why the United States has provided strong financial support to the Tribunal since its inception, and we will continue to do so. We urge the international community to continue to support the Tribunal and the Government of Lebanon to achieve the shared goals of ensuring justice and ending impunity. We stand with the Lebanese people in these efforts and will continue to do so.
Funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 30, 2013
The United States welcomes Lebanon’s decision to fulfill its 2013 funding obligations to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. We recognize and commend Prime Minister Mikati’s strong leadership in ensuring that the government met this important commitment. We fully support the work of the Tribunal and its efforts to find and hold accountable those responsible for reprehensible and destabilizing acts of violence in Lebanon.
The December 27 assassination bombing in Beirut is a stark reminder that for too long, Lebanon has suffered from a culture of impunity for those who use murder and terror to promote their political agenda against the interests of the Lebanese people. The Tribunal, working with the Government of Lebanon, will help end this impunity by providing a transparent, fair process to determine responsibility for the terrorist attack that killed former Prime Minister Hariri and scores of others.
Continued financial support and ongoing cooperation by Lebanon’s political, judicial, and law enforcement authorities are critical to the Tribunal’s work. That is why the United States has provided strong financial support to the Tribunal since its inception, and we will continue to do so. We urge the international community to continue to support the Tribunal and the Government of Lebanon to achieve the shared goals of ensuring justice and ending impunity. We stand with the Lebanese people in these efforts and will continue to do so.
INVESTOR PLEADS GUILTY IN REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURE AUCTION BID RIGGING CASE
FROM: U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Monday, December 30, 2013
Eastern California Real Estate Investor Pleads Guilty to Bid Rigging and Fraud at Public Real Estate Foreclosure Auctions
Investigation Has Resulted in 11 Guilty Pleas to Date
An Eastern California real estate investor pleaded guilty today to conspiring to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Eastern California, the Department of Justice announced.
Anthony B. Joachim of Stockton, Calif., entered his guilty plea in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Sacramento. Joachim was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in Sacramento on Dec. 7, 2011, along with three other investors – Andrew B. Katakis, Donald M. Parker and Wiley C. Chandler – and one auctioneer – W. Theodore Longley. All five individuals were charged with conspiring with other unnamed co-conspirators to rig bids and commit mail fraud when purchasing selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County, Calif. The indictment was superseded on May 8, 2013, to include an obstruction of justice charge against Katakis. Chandler pleaded guilty on Feb. 24, 2012, and trial is scheduled to begin against the remaining individuals on Jan. 28, 2014.
According to court documents, Joachim conspired with others not to bid against one another and to instead designate a winning bidder to obtain selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County. Joachim was also charged with conspiring to use the mail to carry out a scheme to fraudulently acquire title to selected San Joaquin County properties sold at public auctions, to make and receive payoffs and to divert money to co-conspirators that would have otherwise gone to mortgage holders and others by holding second, private auctions open only to members of the conspiracy. The department said that the selected properties were then awarded to the conspirators who submitted the highest bids in the second, private auctions. The private auctions often took place at or near the courthouse steps where the public auctions were held. According to Joachim’s plea agreement, he participated in the conspiracies between about April 2009 until about October 2009.
“Today’s plea is the 11th in the Antitrust Division’s ongoing investigation of bid rigging and fraud involving real estate foreclosure auctions in the Eastern District of California,” said Bill Baer, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “The division has uncovered similar schemes across the country and continues to prosecute those who profit by undermining competition at real estate foreclosure auctions.”
The department said that the primary purpose of the conspiracies was to suppress and restrain competition and to conceal payoffs in order to obtain selected real estate offered at San Joaquin County public foreclosure auctions at non-competitive prices. When real estate properties are sold at these auctions, the proceeds are used to pay off the mortgage and other debt attached to the property, with remaining proceeds, if any, paid to the homeowner. According to court documents, these conspirators paid and received money that otherwise would have gone to pay off the mortgage and other holders of debt secured by the properties, and in some cases, the defaulting homeowner.
“My office will continue to fight real estate fraud in all its forms, including bringing to justice those who would subvert public foreclosure auctions for their own personal gain,” said United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner of the Eastern District of California.
Joachim pleaded guilty to bid rigging, a violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine. Joachim also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The guilty plea entered today is the latest in the department’s ongoing federal antitrust investigation of fraud and bidding irregularities in certain real estate auctions in San Joaquin County. The investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, the FBI’s Sacramento Division and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
Today’s action was brought in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed nearly 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants, including more than 2,900 mortgage fraud defendants.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Eastern California Real Estate Investor Pleads Guilty to Bid Rigging and Fraud at Public Real Estate Foreclosure Auctions
Investigation Has Resulted in 11 Guilty Pleas to Date
An Eastern California real estate investor pleaded guilty today to conspiring to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Eastern California, the Department of Justice announced.
Anthony B. Joachim of Stockton, Calif., entered his guilty plea in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Sacramento. Joachim was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in Sacramento on Dec. 7, 2011, along with three other investors – Andrew B. Katakis, Donald M. Parker and Wiley C. Chandler – and one auctioneer – W. Theodore Longley. All five individuals were charged with conspiring with other unnamed co-conspirators to rig bids and commit mail fraud when purchasing selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County, Calif. The indictment was superseded on May 8, 2013, to include an obstruction of justice charge against Katakis. Chandler pleaded guilty on Feb. 24, 2012, and trial is scheduled to begin against the remaining individuals on Jan. 28, 2014.
According to court documents, Joachim conspired with others not to bid against one another and to instead designate a winning bidder to obtain selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County. Joachim was also charged with conspiring to use the mail to carry out a scheme to fraudulently acquire title to selected San Joaquin County properties sold at public auctions, to make and receive payoffs and to divert money to co-conspirators that would have otherwise gone to mortgage holders and others by holding second, private auctions open only to members of the conspiracy. The department said that the selected properties were then awarded to the conspirators who submitted the highest bids in the second, private auctions. The private auctions often took place at or near the courthouse steps where the public auctions were held. According to Joachim’s plea agreement, he participated in the conspiracies between about April 2009 until about October 2009.
“Today’s plea is the 11th in the Antitrust Division’s ongoing investigation of bid rigging and fraud involving real estate foreclosure auctions in the Eastern District of California,” said Bill Baer, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “The division has uncovered similar schemes across the country and continues to prosecute those who profit by undermining competition at real estate foreclosure auctions.”
The department said that the primary purpose of the conspiracies was to suppress and restrain competition and to conceal payoffs in order to obtain selected real estate offered at San Joaquin County public foreclosure auctions at non-competitive prices. When real estate properties are sold at these auctions, the proceeds are used to pay off the mortgage and other debt attached to the property, with remaining proceeds, if any, paid to the homeowner. According to court documents, these conspirators paid and received money that otherwise would have gone to pay off the mortgage and other holders of debt secured by the properties, and in some cases, the defaulting homeowner.
“My office will continue to fight real estate fraud in all its forms, including bringing to justice those who would subvert public foreclosure auctions for their own personal gain,” said United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner of the Eastern District of California.
Joachim pleaded guilty to bid rigging, a violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine. Joachim also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The guilty plea entered today is the latest in the department’s ongoing federal antitrust investigation of fraud and bidding irregularities in certain real estate auctions in San Joaquin County. The investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, the FBI’s Sacramento Division and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
Today’s action was brought in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed nearly 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants, including more than 2,900 mortgage fraud defendants.
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON NATIONAL MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS PLAN
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
December 30, 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan
Today the White House released the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan. This plan promotes global maritime security and prosperity through improved governance to support the effective understanding of the maritime domain. Notably, 90 percent of the world’s commerce moves by sea, making maritime security essential to the global supply chain and international trade.
Consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 18: Maritime Security (PPD-18) and the National Strategy for Maritime Security (NSMS), the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan merges and supersedes the National Plan to Achieve Maritime Domain Awareness and the Global Maritime Intelligence Integration Plan, each published in 2005 as supporting plans to the NSMS. The consolidation of the two plans into a single National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan advances the foundation for the effective understanding of actual and potential threats and challenges emanating from or related to the maritime domain. Using a whole-of-nation approach, at minimal cost, it promotes favorable conditions for integrating and sharing information, including intelligence, to better inform decisions affecting the security, safety, economy, and environment of the United States and the global maritime commons.
December 30, 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan
Today the White House released the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan. This plan promotes global maritime security and prosperity through improved governance to support the effective understanding of the maritime domain. Notably, 90 percent of the world’s commerce moves by sea, making maritime security essential to the global supply chain and international trade.
Consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 18: Maritime Security (PPD-18) and the National Strategy for Maritime Security (NSMS), the National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan merges and supersedes the National Plan to Achieve Maritime Domain Awareness and the Global Maritime Intelligence Integration Plan, each published in 2005 as supporting plans to the NSMS. The consolidation of the two plans into a single National Maritime Domain Awareness Plan advances the foundation for the effective understanding of actual and potential threats and challenges emanating from or related to the maritime domain. Using a whole-of-nation approach, at minimal cost, it promotes favorable conditions for integrating and sharing information, including intelligence, to better inform decisions affecting the security, safety, economy, and environment of the United States and the global maritime commons.
Monday, December 30, 2013
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON ATTACKS IN RUSSIA
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
December 30, 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on Attacks in Russia
The United States condemns the terrorist attacks that struck the Russian city of Volgograd and sends deepest condolences to the families of the victims with hopes for the rapid healing of those wounded.
The United States stands in solidarity with the Russian people against terrorism. The U.S. government has offered our full support to the Russian government in security preparations for the Sochi Olympic Games, and we would welcome the opportunity for closer cooperation for the safety of the athletes, spectators, and other participants.
December 30, 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on Attacks in Russia
The United States condemns the terrorist attacks that struck the Russian city of Volgograd and sends deepest condolences to the families of the victims with hopes for the rapid healing of those wounded.
The United States stands in solidarity with the Russian people against terrorism. The U.S. government has offered our full support to the Russian government in security preparations for the Sochi Olympic Games, and we would welcome the opportunity for closer cooperation for the safety of the athletes, spectators, and other participants.
U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR DECEMBER 30, 2013
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
CONTRACTS
AIR FORCE
The Boeing Co., Oklahoma City, Okla., has been awarded a firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, time and material, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (FA8107-14-D-0002), including the base period and four one-year option periods with an estimated ceiling value of $750,000,000. Contractor will provide integrated engineering services for the B-1 weapon system to include detailed design engineering, maintenance engineering and systems (structure/flight systems, avionics, software and weapons delivery) engineering support, computer network support, technical analysis, drawing and source data maintenance/updates, flight safety analyses, reliability/maintainability analysis, test support, program analysis, cost estimation, schedule development, government furnished property and government furnished material maintenance, accident investigation, engineering feasibility studies, material deficiency report analysis, field problem investigation, and in-flight emergency response support, logistic system design support, evaluation of new capabilities and development of operational guidelines for fleet repairs and for users to employ. Additional requirements include integration management, configuration management, acquisition/sustainment, weapon system enhancement, weapon system development efforts, production, integration management, configuration management, acquisition/sustainment logistics elements, sustaining engineering, studies and analysis, initial spares (investment and expense), provisioning, technical data, support for training due to system upgrades (tech data, source code, etc.), support equipment, technical support and technical order maintenance. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City, Okla., and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2014. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. The first delivery order (0001) will be funded with fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of 21,377,960 and are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WWKKB Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8107-14-D-0002).
BAE Systems Information and Electronics Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., has been awarded a $21,742,595 modification (P00004) on contract (FA8615-13-C-6014) for the F-16 Mode 5 Advanced Identify Friend/Foe, combined interrogator transponder. The contract modification exercises the option for the purchase of an additional 200 production units being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Greenlawn, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015. This action includes the following European Participating Air Force countries: Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal. The percentage of this action that supports foreign military sales is 70 percent. Fiscal 2013 FMS, Air National Guard and aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $21,742,595 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WWMK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
Exelis Inc., Clifton, N.J., has been awarded a $9,796,591 firm-fixed-price modification (P00004) on an existing contract (FA8540-11-C-0012) for manufacture and delivery of AN/ALQ-211 (V)-9 AIDEWS Pod classified and unclassified spares. Work will be performed at Clifton, N.J., and delivery is 24 months after receipt of contract award. This award is the result of a source-directed acquisition and is 100 percent foreign military sales for Pakistan. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WNKCB, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Santa Clara, Calif., has been awarded a $7,459,516 cost-plus-award-fee modification (P00072) on contract (FA8819-08-C-0050) for security upgrades. This contract modification provides for security upgrades on all Joint Execution and Tasking Systems for Space services which will include upgrading the commercial off the shelf hardware and software; redesigning and re-implementing the developmental software which builds the PowerPoint documents from data within the database; and redesigning and re-implementing the software which retrieves messages/files from the Multi-compartmented Collaboration Service. Work will be performed at Santa Clara, Calif., and work is expected to be completed by June 30, 2015. This contract will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2013 and 2014 research and development funds with $834,029 of those funds being obligated at time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Superiority Systems Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity.
NAVY
United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $167,030,588 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for operations and maintenance support and non-recurring and recurring sustainment, site activation and depot activation work scope for the low rate initial production VII F135 propulsion systems. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps ($90,834,199; 54.4 percent); the U.S. Air Force ($56,544,842; 33.9 percent); and the International Partners ($19,651,547; 11.7 percent). Work will be performed in East Hartford, Conn. (63 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (25 percent), and Bristol, United Kingdom (12 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2016. Fiscal 2012, 2013 aircraft procurement, Air Force; fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Air Force; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; International Partner funding contract funds in the amount of $167,030,588 will be obligated at time of award, $99,441,116 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity (N00019-14-C-0026).
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded $69,198,968 for ceiling priced delivery order 7008 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00383-10-G-003D) for repair of 32 weapon repairable assemblies and 33 shop replaceable assemblies of the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared System used in the support of the F/A-18 Aircraft. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas (84.9 percent), Jacksonville, Fla. (11.7 percent), El Segundo, Calif. (3.4 percent), and work is expected to be completed no later than December 2015. Fiscal 2014 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $51,899,226 will be obligated at the time of award, and will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured and is issued on a sole source basis in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.
The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $46,652,280 for firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order 0110 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for integrated logistics support and sustaining engineering for F/A-18A-D, F/A-18E/F, and EA-18G aircraft for the U.S. Navy and the governments of Australia, Canada, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Kuwait, and Malaysia. Support to be provided includes logistics, engineering, provisioning, information systems, technical data updates, support equipment engineering, training and software integration support. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($36,613,615; 78.3 percent) and the governments of Australia ($7,030,930; 15.1 percent); Canada ($501,289; 1.1 percent), Spain ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Finland ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Switzerland ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Kuwait ($501,289; 1.1 percent); and Malaysia ($501,289; 1.1 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (70 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (15 percent); Oklahoma City, Okla. (6 percent); Bethpage, N.Y. (5 percent); and San Diego, Calif. (4 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2014. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; and FMS contract funds in the amount $46,652,280 will be obligated at time of award; $321,914 of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Forward Slope, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $28,651,472 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $47,851,366. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals were received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0095).
Harmonia Holdings Group*, Blacksburg, Va., is being awarded a $26,674,385 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $44,913,925. Work will be performed in Blacksburg, Va. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0099).
Moebius, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $24,594,747 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $40,331,599. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0097).
ISPA Technology*, Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $24,017,291 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $39,912,645. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Va. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0098).
G2 Software Systems*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $23,420,492 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $38,650,655. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0094).
The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $22,218,372 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 0140 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for the procurement of an automated maintenance environment integrated software for the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft for the U.S. Navy and the government of Australia. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($19,251,990; 86.6 percent) and the government of Australia ($2,966,382; 13.4 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed in December 2015. Fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement, Navy and FMS contract funds in the amount $22,218,372 will be obligated at time of award; none of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Geocent*, Metairie, La., is being awarded a $22,109,107 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $36,444,193. Work will be performed Metairie, La. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0096).
BAE Systems Information and Electronics Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., is being awarded a $12,835,546 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-2020) for supplies and services required for the delivery, installation, and testing of six French E-2C compatible AN/APX-122A Mode 5/S Interrogator units for the government of France. The supplies and services to be procured include non-recurring engineering required for the development of French E-2C compatible AN/APX-122A IFF Mode 5/S Interrogator, software modifications required for compatibility with the French E-2C aircraft, technical data, and technical support. Work will be performed in Greenlawn, N.Y. (80 percent), Nashua, N.H. (15 percent); Melbourne, Fla. (3 percent); Dayton, Ohio (1 percent), and Cuers, France (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Foreign Military Sales contract funds in the amount of $12,835,546 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
IAP World Services Inc., Cape Canaveral, Fla., is being awarded a $12,598,143 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for base operating support services at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Webster Field Annex, Solomon’s Recreation Center Annex and Point Lookout, Md. The work to be performed provides for general management and administration services; facility support (facilities investment, integrated solid waste management and pool maintenance services); utilities maintenance and operation (including electrical, water and waste water); environmental. The maximum dollar value including the base period and four option years is $63,595,731. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (91 percent); Webster Field, Md. (five percent); Solomon’s Island, Md. (two percent); and Point Lookout, Md. (two percent), and is expected to be completed by January 2015. Fiscal 2014 Defense working capital funds, Defense; fiscal 2014 Defense Health Program, Defense; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; and fiscal 2014 non-appropriated funds in the amount of $5,217,224 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 10 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-14-D-0302).
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, is being awarded an $11,151,506 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to design, develop, test, integrate, and demonstrate the System Manager and Link Manager Reference applications for the Telemetry Network System (TmNS) in support of the Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) Integrated Network Enhancement Telemetry Program Office. The MRTFBs will utilize the TmNS to significantly increase test mission efficiency through networked enabled telemetry components. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Fiscal 2013 research, development, test and evaluation, Navy contract funds in the amount of $565,000 are being obligated on this award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-14-C-0010).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Exelis Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., has been awarded a maximum $10,931,575 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of receiver transmitter and wiring harnesses spare parts. This contract is a sole-source acquisition. This is a one year base contract with no option year periods. Location of performance is Indiana with a Dec. 25, 2014 performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., (SPRBL1-14-C-0001).
*Small Business
CONTRACTS
AIR FORCE
The Boeing Co., Oklahoma City, Okla., has been awarded a firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, time and material, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (FA8107-14-D-0002), including the base period and four one-year option periods with an estimated ceiling value of $750,000,000. Contractor will provide integrated engineering services for the B-1 weapon system to include detailed design engineering, maintenance engineering and systems (structure/flight systems, avionics, software and weapons delivery) engineering support, computer network support, technical analysis, drawing and source data maintenance/updates, flight safety analyses, reliability/maintainability analysis, test support, program analysis, cost estimation, schedule development, government furnished property and government furnished material maintenance, accident investigation, engineering feasibility studies, material deficiency report analysis, field problem investigation, and in-flight emergency response support, logistic system design support, evaluation of new capabilities and development of operational guidelines for fleet repairs and for users to employ. Additional requirements include integration management, configuration management, acquisition/sustainment, weapon system enhancement, weapon system development efforts, production, integration management, configuration management, acquisition/sustainment logistics elements, sustaining engineering, studies and analysis, initial spares (investment and expense), provisioning, technical data, support for training due to system upgrades (tech data, source code, etc.), support equipment, technical support and technical order maintenance. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City, Okla., and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2014. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. The first delivery order (0001) will be funded with fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of 21,377,960 and are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WWKKB Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8107-14-D-0002).
BAE Systems Information and Electronics Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., has been awarded a $21,742,595 modification (P00004) on contract (FA8615-13-C-6014) for the F-16 Mode 5 Advanced Identify Friend/Foe, combined interrogator transponder. The contract modification exercises the option for the purchase of an additional 200 production units being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Greenlawn, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015. This action includes the following European Participating Air Force countries: Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal. The percentage of this action that supports foreign military sales is 70 percent. Fiscal 2013 FMS, Air National Guard and aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $21,742,595 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WWMK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
Exelis Inc., Clifton, N.J., has been awarded a $9,796,591 firm-fixed-price modification (P00004) on an existing contract (FA8540-11-C-0012) for manufacture and delivery of AN/ALQ-211 (V)-9 AIDEWS Pod classified and unclassified spares. Work will be performed at Clifton, N.J., and delivery is 24 months after receipt of contract award. This award is the result of a source-directed acquisition and is 100 percent foreign military sales for Pakistan. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WNKCB, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Santa Clara, Calif., has been awarded a $7,459,516 cost-plus-award-fee modification (P00072) on contract (FA8819-08-C-0050) for security upgrades. This contract modification provides for security upgrades on all Joint Execution and Tasking Systems for Space services which will include upgrading the commercial off the shelf hardware and software; redesigning and re-implementing the developmental software which builds the PowerPoint documents from data within the database; and redesigning and re-implementing the software which retrieves messages/files from the Multi-compartmented Collaboration Service. Work will be performed at Santa Clara, Calif., and work is expected to be completed by June 30, 2015. This contract will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2013 and 2014 research and development funds with $834,029 of those funds being obligated at time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Superiority Systems Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity.
NAVY
United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $167,030,588 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for operations and maintenance support and non-recurring and recurring sustainment, site activation and depot activation work scope for the low rate initial production VII F135 propulsion systems. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps ($90,834,199; 54.4 percent); the U.S. Air Force ($56,544,842; 33.9 percent); and the International Partners ($19,651,547; 11.7 percent). Work will be performed in East Hartford, Conn. (63 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (25 percent), and Bristol, United Kingdom (12 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2016. Fiscal 2012, 2013 aircraft procurement, Air Force; fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Air Force; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; International Partner funding contract funds in the amount of $167,030,588 will be obligated at time of award, $99,441,116 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity (N00019-14-C-0026).
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded $69,198,968 for ceiling priced delivery order 7008 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00383-10-G-003D) for repair of 32 weapon repairable assemblies and 33 shop replaceable assemblies of the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared System used in the support of the F/A-18 Aircraft. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas (84.9 percent), Jacksonville, Fla. (11.7 percent), El Segundo, Calif. (3.4 percent), and work is expected to be completed no later than December 2015. Fiscal 2014 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $51,899,226 will be obligated at the time of award, and will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured and is issued on a sole source basis in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.
The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $46,652,280 for firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order 0110 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for integrated logistics support and sustaining engineering for F/A-18A-D, F/A-18E/F, and EA-18G aircraft for the U.S. Navy and the governments of Australia, Canada, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Kuwait, and Malaysia. Support to be provided includes logistics, engineering, provisioning, information systems, technical data updates, support equipment engineering, training and software integration support. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($36,613,615; 78.3 percent) and the governments of Australia ($7,030,930; 15.1 percent); Canada ($501,289; 1.1 percent), Spain ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Finland ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Switzerland ($501,289; 1.1 percent); Kuwait ($501,289; 1.1 percent); and Malaysia ($501,289; 1.1 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (70 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (15 percent); Oklahoma City, Okla. (6 percent); Bethpage, N.Y. (5 percent); and San Diego, Calif. (4 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2014. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; and FMS contract funds in the amount $46,652,280 will be obligated at time of award; $321,914 of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Forward Slope, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $28,651,472 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $47,851,366. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals were received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0095).
Harmonia Holdings Group*, Blacksburg, Va., is being awarded a $26,674,385 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $44,913,925. Work will be performed in Blacksburg, Va. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0099).
Moebius, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $24,594,747 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $40,331,599. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0097).
ISPA Technology*, Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $24,017,291 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $39,912,645. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Va. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0098).
G2 Software Systems*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $23,420,492 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $38,650,655. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0094).
The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $22,218,372 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 0140 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for the procurement of an automated maintenance environment integrated software for the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft for the U.S. Navy and the government of Australia. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($19,251,990; 86.6 percent) and the government of Australia ($2,966,382; 13.4 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed in December 2015. Fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement, Navy and FMS contract funds in the amount $22,218,372 will be obligated at time of award; none of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Geocent*, Metairie, La., is being awarded a $22,109,107 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, multiple award contract to support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific command and control (C2) technologies, capabilities, and C2-related capabilities in the areas of innovative science and technology research, systems engineering, architecture, design, development, integration, test, experimentation, implementation and support of C2 net-centric operations (tactical, operational, strategic and national interest). Support includes information processing relating to Joint, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force operations and their interfacing with civil and non-government components and capabilities. This is one of six contracts awarded: each awardee will compete for task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $36,444,193. Work will be performed Metairie, La. (70 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (30 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 29, 2016. Funding anticipated to be obligated in fiscal 2014 include operations and maintenance, Navy, operations and maintenance, Army, other procurement, Navy, research and development, Air Force and Coast Guard multi-year appropriation acquisition, contracts, and improvements funds as task orders are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with 15 proposals received and six were selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-14-D-0096).
BAE Systems Information and Electronics Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., is being awarded a $12,835,546 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-2020) for supplies and services required for the delivery, installation, and testing of six French E-2C compatible AN/APX-122A Mode 5/S Interrogator units for the government of France. The supplies and services to be procured include non-recurring engineering required for the development of French E-2C compatible AN/APX-122A IFF Mode 5/S Interrogator, software modifications required for compatibility with the French E-2C aircraft, technical data, and technical support. Work will be performed in Greenlawn, N.Y. (80 percent), Nashua, N.H. (15 percent); Melbourne, Fla. (3 percent); Dayton, Ohio (1 percent), and Cuers, France (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Foreign Military Sales contract funds in the amount of $12,835,546 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
IAP World Services Inc., Cape Canaveral, Fla., is being awarded a $12,598,143 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for base operating support services at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Webster Field Annex, Solomon’s Recreation Center Annex and Point Lookout, Md. The work to be performed provides for general management and administration services; facility support (facilities investment, integrated solid waste management and pool maintenance services); utilities maintenance and operation (including electrical, water and waste water); environmental. The maximum dollar value including the base period and four option years is $63,595,731. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (91 percent); Webster Field, Md. (five percent); Solomon’s Island, Md. (two percent); and Point Lookout, Md. (two percent), and is expected to be completed by January 2015. Fiscal 2014 Defense working capital funds, Defense; fiscal 2014 Defense Health Program, Defense; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; and fiscal 2014 non-appropriated funds in the amount of $5,217,224 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 10 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-14-D-0302).
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, is being awarded an $11,151,506 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to design, develop, test, integrate, and demonstrate the System Manager and Link Manager Reference applications for the Telemetry Network System (TmNS) in support of the Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) Integrated Network Enhancement Telemetry Program Office. The MRTFBs will utilize the TmNS to significantly increase test mission efficiency through networked enabled telemetry components. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Fiscal 2013 research, development, test and evaluation, Navy contract funds in the amount of $565,000 are being obligated on this award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-14-C-0010).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Exelis Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., has been awarded a maximum $10,931,575 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of receiver transmitter and wiring harnesses spare parts. This contract is a sole-source acquisition. This is a one year base contract with no option year periods. Location of performance is Indiana with a Dec. 25, 2014 performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., (SPRBL1-14-C-0001).
*Small Business
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