12/06/2014 12:04 PM CST
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, left, and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani brief reporters during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 6, 2014
Saturday, December 6, 2014
BILATERAL RELATIONS
12/06/2014 02:36 PM CST
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, center left, meets with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, center right, to discuss matters of mutual importance at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 6, 2014.
LEADER REMARKS
12/06/2014 02:41 PM CST
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, left, and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani conduct a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 6, 2014.
TROOP VISIT
12/06/2014 03:21 PM CST
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visits U.S. service members at the International Security Assistance Force dining facility in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 6, 2014.
ANDREWS DEPARTURE
12/06/2014 02:07 PM CST
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel waves goodbye as he boards an aircraft to depart Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 5, 2014, to travel to Afghanistan.
PRESS CONFERENCE
12/06/2014 02:07 PM CST
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel briefs reporters on board an aircraft as they travel to Afghanistan, Dec. 5, 2014.
KABUL ARRIVAL
12/06/2014 02:28 PM CST
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, left, speaks with U.S. Army Gen. John F. Campbell, commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, as he arrives in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 6, 2014.
Los Angeles County Democratic Party Statement on Recent Developments in Ferguson, New York, and Many Other Corners of the Nation
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair and California Democratic Party Vice Chair Eric C. Bauman released the following response on the recent developments in Ferguson, Missouri; New York, New York, and many other corners of the nation:
"Achieving 'a more perfect Union' is an ongoing process that shapes the story of America. Every day, we strive to instill the fundamental values of equality, justice, and opportunity for all upon which our nation was founded to every corner of our society. But every day, the realities of racial discrimination, racial tension, and racial violence still haunt us.
"Time and again, institutional racism has brought forth dark chapters in the American experience: from the Trail of Tears to the Japanese American internment, from the Jim Crow laws to the Chinese Exclusion Act, and from 'Separate but Equal' to tearing immigrant families apart.
"Even as each generation makes great strides in the advancement of civil rights, the most diverse nation on Earth is still not colorblind. There is still no justice for all. There is still no equality for all. There is still no opportunity for all.
"Even today, one-third of men of color are in some stage of the criminal justice system and people of color have a greater chance of dropping out of high school than graduating from college. Institutional racism is still an anchor that burdens far too many Americans and holds us all back.
"In the past year, the tragedies of Trayvon Martin, of Michael Brown, of Eric Garner, and of so many other young Americans whose promising lives were cut short are a sobering reminder that we still have miles to go. These tragedies are inexcusable, unwarranted, and preventable. These tragedies have no place in America - not today, not ever.
"As we continue to build upon the historic foundation of progress in our resilient democracy, we rededicate ourselves to working with our elected leaders, family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and all Americans as one people to build a more perfect Union. Let us continue this fight until we achieve equality and justice for all."
The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in the County of Los Angeles and works in cooperation with the State and National Democratic Committees. LACDP is the largest local Democratic Party entity in the United States, representing more than 2.4 million registered Democrats. Endorsements issued by the LACDP in local and municipal races become the official endorsements of the California Democratic Party. For more information, visit www.lacdp.org.
General Martin E. Dempsey
Past assignments have taken him and his family across the globe during both peace and war from Platoon Leader to Combatant Commander. He is a 1974 graduate of the United States Military Academy and a career armor officer.
As a company grade officer, he served with the 2nd Cavalry in United States Army Europe and with the 10th Cavalry at Fort Carson. Following troop command he earned his Masters of Arts in English from Duke University and was assigned to the English Department at West Point. In 1991, GEN Dempsey deployed with the Third Armored Division in support of OPERATION DESERT STORM. Following DESERT STORM, he commanded 4th Battalion 67th Armor (Bandits) in Germany for two years and then departed to become Armor Branch Chief in US Army Personnel Command. From 1996-1998 he served as the 67th Colonel of the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. Following this assignment as the Army’s “senior scout” he served on the Joint Staff as an Assistant Deputy Director in J-5 and as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. From September 2001 to June 2003, General Dempsey served in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia training and advising the Saudi Arabian National Guard. In June of 2003, General Dempsey took command of the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad, Iraq. After 14 months in Iraq, General Dempsey redeployed the division to Germany and completed his command tour in July of 2005. He then returned to Iraq for two years in August of 2005 to train and equip the Iraqi Security Forces as Commanding General of MNSTC-I. From August 2007 through October 2008, GEN Dempsey served as the Deputy Commander and then Acting Commander of U.S. Central Command. Before becoming Chief of Staff of the Army, he commanded US Army Training and Doctrine Command from December 2008-March 2011.
General Dempsey’s awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with “V” Device and Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. In addition to his Masters’ Degree in English, he holds Masters’ Degrees in Military Art and in National Security Studies.
General Dempsey and his high school sweetheart Deanie have three children: Chris, Megan, and Caitlin. Each has served in the United States Army. Chris remains on active duty. They have five wonderful grandchildren: Kayla and Mackenna by Chris and daughter-in-law Julie, Luke by Caitlin and son-in-law Shane, and Alexander and Hunter by Megan and son-in-law Kory. Chris and Julie are expecting their third child this fall.
Dempseys Kick Off USO Holiday Trip
By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Dec. 5, 2014 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his wife are leading a holiday USO tour to Europe.
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and his wife Deanie are heading a USO troupe featuring country music, television and sports stars to Europe to entertain soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and their families.
The first stop is Spain.
This trip marks country singer Kellie Pickler's ninth USO trip. The North Carolina native sang for troops from Afghanistan to Iraq to Europe during previous trips.
Rob Riggle, an actor and comedian who was a correspondent on Jon Stewart's Daily Show, is making a return of sorts. He is a retired Marine Corps Reserve lieutenant colonel who has deployed a number of times to world hot spots.
Dianne Agron, who stars on the "Glee" TV show, and Meghan Markle, who stars in "Suits," joined retired Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and Washington Nationals pitcher Doug Fister to round out the cast.
USO President J.D. Crouch and his wife Kristin are also on the trip.
This is the chairman's fourth and final USO tour. "This tour is my favorite every year," he said before the flight. "It's a chance to thank the people who really do the heavy lifting."
The USO, or United Service Organizations, is a nonprofit, non-political organization that supports military service members and their families through an extensive range of programs at more than 160 locations in 27 states and 14 countries, and at hundreds of entertainment events each year.
Friday, December 5, 2014
JIE 'Cornerstone' to Begin Deploying in January, CIO Says
By Claudette Roulo
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2014 - The Defense Department's acting chief information officer said today that the foundational element of the Joint Information Environment concept is on pace to begin deploying shortly after the New Year.
In a conference call with reporters, Terry Halvorsen said that trial joint regional security stack configurations in Europe and at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, are proving successful in testing.
Regional security stacks are collections of servers and network switches that streamline network traffic and limit the number of external network access points. A software package provides a set of tools for rapid traffic analysis, making it easier to identify anomalies in the network ranging from network faults to attacks.
The test stacks aren't managing live traffic yet, Halvorsen said, but "the testing revealed that we had the capacity sized right ... [and] that our architecture connection plan appears to be sound." Some fine-tuning of the software set is still needed, he said, as is some additional training for the operating force.
"We're taking that for action now," the acting CIO noted.
Improving Network Security
Joint regional security stacks will be effectively improving the security of the entire DoD network by the end of 2016, Halvorsen said.
"I will have vision and connectivity throughout the DoD network by the end of '16 ... By the end of '17 I'll have the full capability available, with a few spots left to make sure that the full capability is deployed," he added.
Because the stacks allow network operators to have complete visibility of network traffic, it's likely that more attacks will be logged once the systems are deployed, Halvorsen said. But, he explained, response time will decrease, which provides the operator with more options.
"[The system] gets us the ability to have some sensors that will give us better tip-off -- more precise and timely tip-off -- about what's going on, on the network, so that we can take more responsive action," the acting CIO said.
Business Process Systems Review
In addition to testing and deploying the joint regional security stacks, the CIO -- in conjunction with the department's chief management officer, who has the lead -- is conducting a business process systems review across all of the principal staff assistant offices in DoD. The review is focused on improving business systems and business processes -- whether that means changing the process, changing the system or better integrating them, Halvorsen said.
The review complements the overall Joint Information Environment effort, Halvorsen said. Not only does it help speed up the implementation process, but by adopting a more businesslike approach, costs go down at the same time the department gains a better understanding of what capabilities it's paying for.
The offices of the CIO and the DCMO have completed their internal reviews already, he said.
"In CIO's case, one of the things we were able to do ... in terms of contracting, I was able to reduce the CIO budget by $10 million in both '15 and '16. [DCMO] saw some similar results," Halvorsen said.
A review of Defense Logistics Agency is ongoing and next up; starting Dec. 8 is the Defense Information Systems Agency, the acting CIO said. Eventually all of the defense agencies will be reviewed, Halvorsen said. "We are also starting I&E -- infrastructure and energy -- shortly [and] we're about three-quarters of the way through [personnel and readiness]," he added.
"They will share all that data with the military departments," he said, noting that the services have also started on their own reviews. When the reviews are complete, Halvorsen said, "we will have dialogue with the military departments ... and probably do some selected target activities that run the full gamut from the military services to the department agencies, all the way up to the department leadership... ."
"As we focus on business systems and processes ... the result of that has been both more effective and efficient output," he said. "We've been able to reduce [costs] by better looking at how we would buy things, by re-engineering some efforts [and] by looking at how we maybe integrate some more commercial products."
Open Standards Save Money
Another path to cost savings, he said, is to employ open systems and software "to the greatest extent possible."
Open systems can come with some additional cyber problems, Halvorsen acknowledged, but, in some cases, they are of much higher quality and security because of the level of scrutiny they receive.
"We are learning more and more about how to take open systems that start with cleaner code and actually better protect them because we ... can limit some of the known vulnerabilities," he said.
"Now, that doesn't mean we're always going to use completely open systems, but every place we can, just because it makes sense, ... we'll use open architecture and we'll even use in some cases open applications," Halvorsen said.
Gortney Takes Command of Northcom, NORAD
By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jake Richmond
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2014 - Navy Adm. Bill Gortney today became the senior leader of U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command during a change of command ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
Gortney, a naval aviator, is the former commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. As the new chief of Northcom and NORAD, he succeeds Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., who is retiring after a 35-year military career.
In ceremonial fashion, Gortney accepted the NORAD flag from Canada's Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Tom Lawson and the Northcom flag from U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work.
"Chuck Jacoby has proved himself as one of our nation's most seasoned and capable leaders," said Work, citing the general's combat leadership in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Jacoby was the first Army officer and first non-aviator to lead NORAD and Northcom, according to Work.
'We Have the Watch'
Jacoby's vision of vigilance and security he brought to this command is captured well in his motto: 'We have the watch,'" Work said.
The deputy secretary said NORAD, the country's only bilateral command, is truly one of a kind. Combined with Northcom, Work said the dual command is "a difficult balancing act, protecting the U.S. from external threats as well as dealing with natural disasters and other internal emergencies."
Noting Jacoby's leadership over the quick and effective responses to Hurricane Sandy and regional wildfires, Work praised Northern Command's strong record of accomplishments.
For his service, Jacoby received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal from Work and the Canadian Meritorious Service Cross from Lawson.
A Sacred Mission
After officially assuming command, Gortney also praised Jacoby's leadership. He said commanders should strive to turn over a better command than the one they took over.
"You have done so, Chuck. Our homelands have been in great hands for the past three and a half years," Gortney said. "I hope I will be able to say the same in a few years."
The people who serve NORAD and Northcom are the organizations' lifeblood, the admiral said. And he had a message for them: "We are accountable to our nations and the execution of our duties, 24 by seven."
Gortney added, "Rest assured, we will succeed. We have the watch."
GOLD MEDAL DINNER
12/05/2014 03:19 PM CST
Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congratulates Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Allen during the USO's 53rd Armed Forces Gala and Gold Medal Dinner in New York, Dec. 4, 2014. Allen, an avioniccs electrical technician, was one of five service members to receive a USO Military leadership award.
16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cars Line Up The LINQ Promenade in Las Vegas for the Perfect Early Morning Selfie
In the background, the High Roller – the world’s tallest observation wheel – lit up the Las Vegas skyline in commemorative red and white colors in honor of NASCAR this week. Voted as one of the top places to take a selfie by Travel + Leisure, the 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup series cars snapped the perfect selfie in front of the 550-foot tall High Roller.
NASCAR dignitaries, Hollywood stars and race fans convened for NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion’s Week™, the last two days, for an exciting lineup featuring new consumer activations and fan-favorite events. The center of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week experience was at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip – Champion’s Week Live at The LINQ, the ultimate NASCAR fan headquarters. Fans can still pick up Chase merchandise at the NASCAR Superstore from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, get their photo taken with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series trophy and see Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver cars on display. For additional details on specific locations of the NASCAR events throughout The LINQ and a full list of activities, fans and media can visithttp://championsweek.nascar.com.
SEA REPLENISHMENT
12/05/2014 03:39 PM CST
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin Cotton directs cargo into the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson during a replenishment-at-sea operation with ship USNS Rainier in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 3, 2014.
DOD CONTRACTS
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
U.S. Foods Inc., La Mirada, California, has been awarded a maximum $245,716,983 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for prime vendor subsistence support. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and five offers were received. This is a 26-month base contract with one 24-month option period. Location of performance is California, with a Feb. 2, 2017, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-15-D-3127).
U.S. Foods Inc., La Mirada, California, has been awarded a maximum $23,750,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment bridge contract for prime vendor subsistence support. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and two offers were received. Location of performance is California, with a Feb. 7, 2015, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-15-D-3124).
ARMY
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, Co., LLC, Oak Brook, Illinois, was awarded a $128,169,974 firm-fixed-price contract, with options, for beachfill and completion of initial construction, from Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Inlet, Long Beach Island, New Jersey, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 11, 2017. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with three received. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $128,169,974 are being obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (W912BU-15-C-0007).
SGS, LLC, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was awarded a $32,968,419 firm-fixed-price contract to construct an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch and recovery complex. Work will be performed at Fort Bliss, Texas, with an estimated completion date of April 15, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with nine received. Fiscal 2015 military construction funds in the amount of $32,968,419 are being obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-15-C-0005).
Speegle Construction, Inc.,* Niceville, Florida, was awarded a $7,740,000 firm-fixed-price contract, with options, to construct a satellite dining facility. Work will be performed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of May 8, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with seven received. Fiscal 2011, 2014 and 2015 military construction funds in the amount of $7,740,000 are being obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (W912PP-15-C-0001).
NAVY
BTL Technologies, Inc.,* San Antonio, Texas (N62645-15-D-5001); Loyal Source Government Services, LLC,* Orlando, Florida (N62645-15-D-5003); MD Consulting, LLC,* Waldorf, Maryland (N62645-15-D-5004); Vysnova Partners,* Frederick, Maryland (N62645-15-D-5005); Washington Harris Group, Inc.,* Greenbelt, Maryland (N62645-15-D-5006); and Wisestaff, LLC,* Houston, Texas (N62645-15-D-5007), are each being awarded a 42-month, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award task order contract for various physician services to include a few Allied Health labor categories at military treatment facilities in the Northeast Region of the United States. The aggregate not-to-exceed amount for these multiple award contracts combined is $96,732,599 and the companies will have the opportunity to bid on each individual task order. Work will be performed in the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia (86 percent); Naval Health Clinic Annapolis, Maryland (2 percent); Naval Health Clinic Great Lakes, Illinois (2 percent); Naval Health Clinic Newport, Rhode Island (1 percent); Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River, Maryland (1 percent); Naval Health Clinic Quantico, Virginia (4 percent); Naval Branch Health Clinic Groton, Connecticut (1 percent); Naval Branch Health Clinic Portsmouth, New Hampshire (1 percent); Naval Branch Health Clinic Saratoga Springs, New York (1 percent); and any associated branch clinics in the Northeast Region of the United States (1 percent). Work performed under these contracts is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2018. Fiscal 2015 Defense Health Program funds in the amount of $7,195,193 will be obligated at the time of award under initial task orders, and the funds will expire at the end of the fiscal year. Funding is predominantly from the Defense Health Program; however, other funding initiatives such as psychological health/traumatic brain injury; overseas contingency operations; and wounded, ill, and injured may be used. These are all one-year funding types. These contracts were solicited via a multiple award electronic request for proposals as a 100 percent service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-aside; 27 offers were received. The Naval Medical Logistics Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Carolina Growler, Inc.,* Star, North Carolina, is being awarded a maximum $37,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to procure 179 Marine Corps tactical weld shops. Work will be performed in Star, North Carolina, and is expected to be completed by November 2019. Fiscal 2014 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $2,177,968 will be obligated under an initial delivery order at the time of award. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured as a 100 percent small business set aside via Federal Business Opportunities, with 10 proposals received. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-15-D-5040).
Sonatech Inc., doing business as Channel Technologies Group, Santa Barbara, California, is being awarded a $34,384,013 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the production of TR-343 sonar transducer ship sets. The TR-343 transducer is part of the AN/SQS-53 hull mounted sonar array assembly which is a component of AN/SQQ-89(V) acoustic sonar weapons system. The AN/SQQ-89(V) is a fully integrated surface ship undersea warfare combat system with the capability to search, detect, classify, localize, and attack submarine targets. The contract will provide fabrication, assembly, inspection, test and delivery of TR-343 sonar transducer ship sets. The contract will support the new construction of DDG Arleigh Burke class Navy destroyer ships. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy (85 percent) and the government of Japan (15 percent). Work will be performed in Santa Barbara, California, and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2014 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,122,489 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-15-D-GP71).
Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is being awarded a $12,000,000 modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-5126) to provide additional hours for non-recurring engineering in support of the DDG 1000 program. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (80 percent), and Bath, Maine (20 percent), and is expected to be completed by January 2016. Fiscal 2015 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $12,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is being awarded an $8,019,628 modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-2306) for material and labor to repair, modify and complete work on the DDG 1001 deckhouse. Work will be performed in Bath, Maine, and is expected to be completed by January 2017. Fiscal 2015 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,019,628 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair, Bath, Maine, is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training, Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded a $7,223,685 firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously awarded Basic Ordering Agreement (N00024-12-G-5123) for the procurement of diminishing manufacturing sources spares for Aegis modernization and new construction requirements. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by June 2015. Fiscal 2013 and 2014 other procurement (Navy) funds and fiscal 2011 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $7,223,685 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
AIR FORCE
Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $78,724,734 delivery order (0384) on previously awarded contract F33657-01-D-0013 for C-32 and C-40 aircraft fleet support. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $78,724,734 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity.
Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a $23,349,751 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00057) to previously awarded contract FA8811-10-C-0006 for systems engineering and integration support to the Launch and Test Range System. Work will be performed at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015. Fiscal 2015 other procurement funds and research and development funds in the amount of $3,719,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Range and Network Division, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.
The Boeing Co., Seal Beach, California, has been awarded a $12,941,460 modification (P00078) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA8819-08-C-0006 to continue logistics support, special studies, and local area network sustainment. Contractor will conduct maintenance and operations services for the development and delivery of the logistics infrastructure for the Space-Based Space Surveillance Block 10 System. Work will be performed at Seal Beach, California, and is expected to be completed by June 20, 2015. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,322,548 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Superiority Systems Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY
Koniag Information Security Services, LLC*, Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a ceiling $6,767,577 modification (P00005) exercising the first option period on a one-year base contract (HR0011-14-C-0048), with four one-year option periods for contractor support services for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Security and Intelligence Directorate (SID). The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $13,481,154 from $6,713,577. Work will be performed at DARPA Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2015. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,327,343 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
*Small business
Top USO Honor Goes to Vice Chief, Wife
By Terri Moon Cronk
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2014 - Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Navy Adm. James A. "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr. and his wife, Mary, were honored yesterday with the USO's Distinguished Service Award, marking the first time a military leader and his spouse were handed the honor.
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The USO of Metropolitan New York gave the award to the Winnefelds as the city hosted the 53rd Armed Forces Gala & Gold Medal Dinner. The vice chairman said he and his wife were honored to accept an award from an organization they admire and respect.
"We should be awarding [members of the USO] for the things that you do each and every day," he said.
Winnefeld recognized the military family members in the audience and particularly Gold Star mothers, calling the military a family business.
The vice chairman singled out his wife for her decades of work on behalf of the military community.
"I'm fairly certain we are here tonight primarily because of her," he said.
Mary Winnefeld Dedicated to Military Causes
Mary Winnefeld has helped military families for 30 years by cooking meals at Fisher Houses, comforting thousands of newly deployed sailors' families shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, and remains a strong advocate of wounded warrior care, their caregivers, and hiring veterans, the admiral said.
She went "undercover" at the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center as "Aunt Mary" to see, first-hand, how wounded troops and their families were treated there, and her efforts resulted in numerous improvements, Winnefeld said.
"She got up in the middle of the night recently and drove nearly an hour from home to help find and recover a wounded warrior with severe [traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder], whose wife was out of town ...This person had wandered away from his care center. No problem," the vice chair said.
"She has a heart of gold and I'm so very proud of her," he said.
Vice Chair Calls USO Members 'Remarkable'
While the couple has dedicated themselves to helping the "home-team" Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore USO, they've traveled on USO tours to visit military men and women around the world with celebrities and major sports figures, including Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.
"And no matter where we go, we always find the remarkable men and women of the USO," he added.
"Your remarkable employees and volunteers are always there with a smile in the middle of the night, helping lift the spirits of our people and lighten the load of military service," he told members of the USO.
Remembering Troops in Combat
The vice chair reminded those attending to remember the U.S. troops "in every time zone across the globe, who are hot, tired and dirty, who are sailors standing the watch on a ship's bridge or in an engine room, or soldiers or Marines gearing up to go outside the wire, or airmen getting an airplane ready to launch out at some remote desert airfield."
And to the "amazing millennials" who look after U.S. security, he said, the nation has four simple but solemn obligations, which are the essence of the magic of leading these young men and women:
"We will hold them to high standards. We will only send them into battle for something that really matters to this great nation. We will ensure they always have what they need to do their job," he said, "And we always will take the best possible care of them."
Better Buying Power 3.0 Focuses on Technology, Innovation
By Amaani Lyle
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2014 - In remarks at the Women in Aerospace-hosted luncheon here today, the under secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology announced that Better Buying Power 3.0 builds on previous iterations of the efficiency initiative with a focus on technology and innovation.
Acknowledging a budget drop to $65 billion in research and development, Frank Kendall said BBP 3.0 directs achieving dominant capabilities through technical excellence and innovation in a culture of cost-consciousness, professionalism and technical excellence.
Better Buying Power 3.0 is the culmination of U.S. defense technology's evolution since the first Gulf War some 23 years ago.
Lessons from history, focus on future
"We demonstrated at that time a dramatic improvement in our ability to wage war [through] equipment, systems and capabilities: precision munitions, stealthy aircraft, network systems," Kendall said. "We dominated in a way no one expected [and] China in particular very seriously studied what we'd done."
Kendall, who about 15 years ago was the director of tactical warfare programs at the Pentagon, recalled annual threat assessments, particularly in weapons systems around the world. "For years we focused on Soviets ... and a few other countries," he said.
But Russia and China, Kendall noted, "did not stand still" and designed systems to defeat or in some cases emulate some of the capabilities the United States had demonstrated.
When he returned to Pentagon five years ago, Kendall said, he noticed China's rapid development and strategic investment in systems like electronic warfare capabilities, cruise and ballistic missiles, and the ability to attack U.S. high-value assets such as airfields, aircraft carriers, and ships.
China's actions, he explained, were part of that nation's plan to militarily dominate that region of the world. "It's a serious threat to our capabilities, particularly if we get close to China," he said.
Weathering sequestration
But because precision munitions among other technologies are now widely available, Better Buying Power 3.0 can help ensure the United States cost-consciously stays on the cutting edge of innovation, Kendall explained.
He said the department has tried to cut spending in the shadow of sequestration, a Congressional decision Kendall said failed at its original objective.
"[Sequestration] was put in place as a tool to force people to do what they need to do politically [and] fund our government at a reasonable amount," he said. " ... It was not designed to be [a] budget-management tool or a cost-cutting tool itself."
And the impact, he emphasized, was stronger than it appeared with "distributed damage," as evidenced in 80 percent cuts to research, development and procurement and other cuts in readiness and training.
With the recent presidential nomination of Ash Carter as defense secretary, Kendall said the two will continue to analyze and implement Better Buying Power 3.0, distinctive in its shifted emphasis on products, the quality of those products and innovation.
"It's about technical excellence, it's about staying ahead and ensuring that the United States continues to be the dominant military power in the world," he said.
Kendall said he plans to change the culture of starting programs that aren't affordable and therefore remain incomplete, adding, "In general, we shouldn't start things we can't afford to finish."
He said the latest BBP will also call for achieving dominant capabilities while ensuring life-cycle costs.
"Our people should figure out what their products or services they're buying should cost and they should try to make sure they do cost that," Kendall said.
Intel, industry collaboration
New elements such as greater collaboration with the intelligence community and industry also distinguish BBP 3.0 from its earlier versions, he said.
"We have to be thinking much more carefully about what the other guys are doing and what the other guys are going to do because of what we're doing," Kendall said.
Ultimately, Kendall maintains there are no silver bullets in acquisition.
"It's an incredibly complicated endeavor and you have to look at all aspects of it and try to get them all right if you're going to have success," Kendall said. "Continuous improvement and continuous self-examination using data as much as possible to inform policies is the way to go."
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
DoD Seeks Future Technology Via Development Plan
By Amaani Lyle
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2014 - The Defense Department seeks technology and innovative ideas as part of its Long Range Research Development Plan within the Defense Innovation Initiative, a broad effort that examines future capabilities, dominance and strategy, a senior DoD official said Nov. 24.
The newly-released LRRDP Request for Information will provide a way for DoD technology scouts to collaborate with industry, academia, and the general public to explore topics and ideas to better identify the "art of the possible," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Engineering Stephen P. Welby.
"We're interested in getting the broadest set of folks, the brightest minds we can find, to come help us on this effort," Welby said. "We're hoping that by casting this wide net, we'll be able to harness the creativity and innovation going on in the broader ecosystem and help us think about the future department in a new way."
Domains of Interest
Specific military domains of interest, he said, include space, undersea technologies, affordable protective systems against precision-guided munitions threats, air dominance and strike capability possibilities, ecologically and biologically inspired ideas and human-computer interaction.
"We expect the topics and ideas that come back will inform our science and technology planning and we're mining that whole space," Welby said.
He described a "small, agile team" of bright government officials who've been charged to engage industry, academia, not-for-profits, small businesses and the general public to help the department explore future possibilities. Inputs will also be accepted from allies and international partners who may have unique perspectives or contributions to the effort.
Officials expect the seven-month study to yield results in time to brief the defense secretary by mid-2015 and influence future budget and offset technology decisions, Welby said.
DoD's Future
"The key opportunity out of this whole effort is to start a discussion," he said. "We're asking questions about people, business practices, but particularly ... about technology, what we need to drive the future of the department."
Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert O. Work will oversee the program as part of the overall effort to explore how technology can be incorporated with future DoD strategy and capabilities.
Pentagon officials noted a justified urgency in reviewing the future systems and architectures to maintain dominance over competing investments around the globe.
"There is no better time to look at the long-range strategy we're taking to invest in technologies that will make a difference," Welby said.
Capability Breakthrough in the 1980s
During the 1980s, Welby said, DoD found itself facing the Soviets and recognized there was a better way to confront the issue rather than a "tank-versus-tank" military buildup.
"The big breakthrough in that time period was introduction of precision weapons ... and technology that allowed us to replace quantity with very precise technology-driven capabilities," Welby said.
That, he said, has been the key driver in the way the nation has conducted itself in the national security environment for more than 40 years.
"People have understood our playbook," Welby said. "Adversaries are now building systems that look to blunt particular United States' advantages and we'd like to revisit that."
Efforts in 1973 included the original Long-Range Research and Development Plan, which ushered in nascent digital technologies, early iterations of global positioning systems and the beginnings of the future Internet.
Today, he said, DoD faces challenges posed by globalization and technologies driven by both the military and commercial sectors.
"We're now asking broader questions like, 'How does the United States maintain its ... lead against the entire path of technology and innovation going on globally?'" Welby said.
Maintaining a compelling U.S. advantage in technology is critical, he said.
DoD's long-range plan, Welby said, will focus on "near-peer competitors," state actors and a broader scope of conventional deterrence, namely key technologies that will enable the protection of U.S. interests and freedom of movement, and deter future aggression into the 2025 timeframe.
A Coup Ordained? Thailand’s Prospects for Stability
Martial law has brought calm but not peace to Thailand’s febrile politics. The military regime’s stifling of dissent precludes a frank dialogue on the kingdom’s future and could lead to greater turmoil than that which brought about the May 2014 coup.
A nine-year cycle of popular protests followed by military and judicial interventions to oust elected governments has left the country deeply polarised. The 22 May military coup brought an end to sometimes violent street protests but not to political uncertainty: equipped with absolute power, the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) quashes dissent and remains vague about the timeline for a return to electoral democracy. The International Crisis Group’s latest report, A Coup Ordained? Thailand’s Prospects for Stability, examines the conflict’s underlying causes and warns that, by curbing the power of elected representatives in favour of appointed officials, the coup makers risk yet another round of violent conflict.
The report’s major findings and recommendations are:- The 22 May coup demonstrated the failure of the 2006 coup and subsequent governments to address the factors underpinning Thailand’s protracted conflict. More than ever, the society is riven across regional, ethnic and quasi-ideological lines, by deep income inequality and by a difficult relationship between Bangkok and its peripheries.
- At the heart of the turmoil is not only a political struggle but disagreement over what constitutes legitimate authority, with some regarding the popular ballot as paramount and others regarding majoritarianism as another form of tyranny, requiring strong checks and balances by the establishment. In the background, a looming royal succession – prohibited by law from being discussed – adds to the uncertainty.
- To achieve its stated goal of establishing a durable democracy, the NCPO must encourage the development of a national dialogue, provide for meaningful political participation of all and reach out particularly to those in the North and North East who believe they have been serially disenfranchised by the Bangkok establishment. Failure to do so risks an eventual clash between the army and protesters, such as those that resulted from the 1991 and 2006 coups.
“The military’s apparent prescription, the deliberate weakening of elected leaders in favour of unelected institutions, is more likely to bring conflict than cohesion”, says Matthew Wheeler, South East Asia Analyst. “It will deepen divisions while doing further damage to the institutions best suited to safeguard the rights of political minorities, root out corruption and resolve social conflict”.
“Thai society is both deeply divided and – now – accustomed to having a political voice”, says Jonathan Prentice, Chief Policy Officer and Acting Asia Program Director. “Stability will remain elusive unless Thailand forges a political path in which all Thais respect the majority vote and see their own concerns acknowledged”.
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