DOD CONTRACTS

NAVY

CDM-AECOM Multimedia Joint Venture, Fairfax, Virginia, is being awarded a maximum amount $85,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, architect-engineering contract for architectural-engineering services involving preparation of studies, plans, specifications, design, reports, cost estimates and all associated engineering services in support of Navy and other Department of Defense environmental compliance programs for Navy, Marine Corps and other Defense Department installations and federal agencies within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic area of responsibility (AOR) worldwide. The services include petroleum storage tank and assets compliance, oil preparedness and planning compliance, Air Quality and Clean Air Act compliance, Safe Drinking Water Act compliance, Clean Water Act compliance (stormwater), Clean Water Act compliance (wastewater) and waste management. No task orders are being issued at this time. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other Defense Department installations and federal agencies within the NAVFAC Atlantic AOR world-wide including, but not limited to, California (20 percent); Virginia (20 percent); North Carolina (20 percent); Europe (20 percent); Florida (5 percent); Maryland (5 percent) Washington, District of Columbia (5 percent); and Georgia (5 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of September 2019. Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $10,000 are being 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 three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-14-D-9016).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Littleton, Colorado, is being awarded a $45,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the production, installation and continued sustainment of a General Service, Cross Domain Solution (CDS), Radiant Mercury (RM). RM is a CDS that brokers the exchange of data between different security domains by sanitizing, downgrading, guarding and transliterating formatted data between different security compartment levels. The contract has a five-year ordering period, up to the contract award amount. Work will be performed in Littleton, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2019. No contract funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as individual delivery orders are placed. No contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured because it is a sole source acquisition pursuant to FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) and FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii)(A) and (B). The Space and Navy Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N00039-14-D-0013).

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded a $41,776,269 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of three UH-1Y flight training devices, one AH-1Z flight training device, aircraft and/or trainer driven revisions, aircraft common operational equipment, provisioned spares, associated technical data required for operational and maintenance support, and three months of initial operation evaluation period for each flight training device. Work will be performed at Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (46 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (33 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (15 percent); and Austin, Texas (6 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2018. Fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement (Navy Reserve) and 2014 aircraft procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $41,776,269 is being obligated on this award, $29,120,770 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302.1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contract activity (N61340-14-C-1000).

Dawson-Hawaiian Builders I,* Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $16,231,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of a low-rise building for the Third Radio Battalion Complex at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The contract also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $17,003,000. The complex includes offices for Battalion Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Company, Company A and Company B. The project also provides for classroom and other training spaces and offices, platoon command offices and workspaces, mail room, family readiness and career planning offices, and other workspaces needed to support Third Radio. Work will be performed in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by October 2016. Fiscal 2010 and 2014 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $16,231,000 are being obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with nine proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-14-C-1310).

Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, is being awarded $11,403,294 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 7040 under a previously awarded Basic Ordering Agreement (N00383-10-G-005H) for the repair of 288 radar component units consisting of 18 different weapons repairable assemblies used in support of the F/A-18 Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar System. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California; and work is expected to be completed March 27, 2015. Fiscal 2014 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $11,403,294 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(l). The NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.

Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas, is being awarded a $9,410,083 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm fixed-price task orders contract for the provision of education courses to sailors, both instructor led and distance learning, to include courses for academic skills, undergraduate and graduate levels. The contract will include a one-year base period and four one-year option periods, which if exercised, will bring the amount to $48,898,382. Work will be performed onboard various Navy ships (64 percent); San Diego, California (15 percent); Norfolk, Virginia (15 percent); Mayport, Florida (2 percent); Bremerton/Everett, Washington (2 percent); and Yokosuka, Japan (2 percent), and work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2015. If all options are exercised, work will continue through Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy) in the amount of $10,000 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received in response to this solicitation. NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center, Norfolk, Contracting Department, Philadelphia Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00189-14-D-Z038).

ATAP, Inc., Eastaboga, Alabama, is being awarded an $8,268,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Inspect Repair Only As Necessary (IROAN) of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Cougar. Work will be performed in Eastaboga, Alabama, and is expected to be completed September 2015. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,268,000 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via solicitations to the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with four proposals received. The Marine Corps Logistics Command, Albany, Georgia, is the contracting activity (M67004-14-C-0029).

ARMY

Harry Pepper & Associates, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida, was awarded a $44,953,484 firm-fixed-price contract for the demolition and removal of the existing Herbert Hoover Dike culverts 12 and 2, and the construction of new water control structures S-274 and S-278. Fiscal 2014 other funds in the amount of $44,953,484 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in Clewiston, Florida, with an estimated completion date ofNov. 8, 2019. Bids were solicited via the Internet with two received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Florida is the contracting activity (W912EP-14-C-0025).

Gilbane Federal, Walnut Creek, California, was awarded a $32,929,672 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a general purpose warehouse at a defense distribution depot in San Joaquin, California. Fiscal 2014 military construction (Army) funds in the amount of $32,929,672 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in Stockton, California, with estimated completion date ofNov. 8, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 14 received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento, California is the contracting activity (W91238-14-C-0049).


Olgoonik Diversified Services, LLC,* Saint Robert, Missouri, was awarded a $24,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for a job order for various minor construction projects within the geographical boundaries of the Little Rock District and Southwestern Division Corps of Engineers. Work and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2017. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 10 received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock, Arkansas, is the contracting activity (W9127S-14-D-0016).

Nova Group, Inc., Underground Construction, Joint Venture, Napa, California, was awarded a $13,407,419 firm-fixed-price contract for fuel island upgrades at Hunter Army Airfield. Fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2013 military construction (Army) funds in the amount of $13,407,419 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be done at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, with estimated completion date of March 15, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet with four received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Georgia the contracting activity (W912HN-14-C-0011).

Blackhawk enterprise Incorporated*, Waynesboro, Virginia, was awarded a $7,738,213 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to ensure the intelligence production and dissemination software applications and intelligence mission data, technology forecasting, and foreign material management software applications are continually maintained for appropriate security posture. Work and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 4, 2017. Bids were solicited via the Internet with five received. U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command Engineers Charlottesville, Virginia is the contracting activity (W911W5-14-D-0001)

STG, Inc., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $7,561,521 modification (P00004) to contract (W911QX-14-F-0019) for nine months of information technology support services, with an options for two one-month periods. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds, and research, development, test and evaluation funds, in the amount of $2,575,160 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in Adelphi, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2015. Bids were solicited with one received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Adelphi, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, California, has been awarded a $42,880,040 modification (P00003) to previously awarded contract FA8810-13-C-0001 for dual band telemetry, tracking and communications capability for the Space-Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting 5-6 space vehicles. Contractor will redesign the interfacing, software, power, thermal, and structures to accommodate the new dual band capable transponder box and cabling. This effort also adds a Unified S-Band uplink frequency and modulation scheme to the existing Space to Ground Link System L-Band uplink capability. Work will be performed at Sunnyvale, California, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2021. Fiscal 2012 missile procurement funds in the amount of $10,673,074 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile System Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $34,721,663 modification (P00270) to previously awarded contract FA8625-11-C-6597 for C-130J Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) acquisition, integration, and installation. Work will be performed at Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2019. This contract involves foreign military sales to the government of Australia. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

L-3 Communications-Platform Integration Division, Waco, Texas, has been awarded a $10,092,484 not-to-exceed, undefinitized contract action to provide C-27J aircrew and maintenance training to Australian Air Force personnel. Work will be performed at Waco and Arlington, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2017. This contract involves foreign military sales for the government of Australia. This award is the result of a country directed sole-source acquisition. The 338th Specialized Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-14-D-0014).

Sahara Palms, Inc., Fruitland, Utah, has been awarded $7,091,268 firm-fixed price contract for paint bay equipment and renovation. Contractor will procure semi-off-the-shelf equipment and components, merge contractor equipment design with government design and specifications to renovate six existing paint bays to include: supply air fans, heating coils, humidity sections, exhaust fans, environmental controls, motors, and variable frequency drives. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 5, 2015. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and unlimited offers were solicited; two offers were received. Fiscal 2014 working capital funds in the amount of $7,091,268 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Materiel Command, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8224-14-C-0063).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Exelis, Incorporated, Clifton, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $15,380,162 cost-plus- fixed-fee contract for form, fit and function replacement of electronic countermeasures sets. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Location of performance is New Jersey, with a March 3, 2017, performance completion date. Using military service is the Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2017 Air Force working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia (SPRWA1-14-C-0006).

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FALCON READY

09/05/2014 04:18 PM CDT

Air Force Maj. Curtis Dougherty prepares to taxi his F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft for takeoff during a practice show in Kalispell, Mont., Aug. 29, 2014. Dougherty is a pilot assigned to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds air demonstration team.

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COMBAT BREACH

09/05/2014 04:19 PM CDT

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ace Rheaume breaks down a door during close-quarters battle training as part of Fleet Combat Camera Pacific's Summer Quick Shot 2014 in the Angeles National Forest, Calif., Sept. 2, 2014. Quick Shot is a semiannual field exercise designed to train combat camera personnel to operate in a combat environment.

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HOVERCRAFT

09/05/2014 04:27 PM CDT

A landing craft departs the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown for an equipment onload at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan. The Germantown is forward-deployed and assigned to the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

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Commander of Underwater NASA Mission Available for Interviews

NASA will venture to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean this month to investigate technologies and procedures for use in near- and long-term space missions. The commander of the seven-day mission, NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, will be available for media interviews via phone or Skype between 2:15 and 2:45 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 12.

To participate in the interviews, contact William Jeffs atwilliam.p.jeffs@nasa.gov by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10.

The 19th NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) mission begins Monday, Sept. 8. Bresnik will be joined by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, and Herve Stevenin, ESA's Head of Extravehicular Activity Training at the European Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany.

The crew members of NEEMO 19 will test technologies and training techniques for use aboard the International Space Station and future deep space exploration missions. Mission objectives include evaluating technologies to improve crew performance when executing standard space station procedures; testing tools and techniques to conduct spacewalk tasks in varying levels of gravity; and, investigating the capability of just-in-time training to decrease crew training time while increasing crew efficiency for space station and future exploration missions.

The NEEMO crew, along with two professional habitat technicians, will conduct this mission in Florida International University's undersea research habitat Aquarius Reef Base, located about six miles off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, and 62 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University will conduct robotics and engineering investigations focused on technologies to support future space exploration missions and underwater operations.

The crew members will share their experiences during NEEMO 19 on Twitter at:

http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Andreas

http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Jeremy

http://www.twitter.com/ESAstro_trainer

For more information about NEEMO, the crew members, and links to follow the mission on Facebook and Twitter, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/neemo

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Department of Defense Releases First Quarter Suicide Information

The Department of Defense released the quarterly suicide report (QSR), today, for the first quarter of calendar year 2014. The report summarizes suicide counts for all services and components. During the months of January through March of this year, there were 74 suicides among service members in the active component, 24 suicides among service members in the reserves, and 22 suicides among service members in the National Guard.

 

The report also shows 2013 annual counts and annual rates as published last month in the 2013 4th Quarter DoD QSR, as well as 2012 annual counts and annual rates as published in the DoD Suicide Event Report (DoDSER) Calendar Year 2012 Annual Report. The QSR is intended to communicate the department's suicide data on a routine and frequent basis. A breakdown of first quarter, 2014, suicide counts and resources for service members and their families, who may be facing challenges, can be found at:http://www.suicideoutreach.org/SuicideData/quarterly_reports.htm.

 

One resource is the Military Crisis Line, which offers free and confidential support to service members in crisis or anyone who knows a service member who is. The service is staffed by caring, qualified responders from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), many who have served in the military themselves. Support is offered through the crisis line, online chat, and text-messaging services for all service members (active, National Guard and reserve) and veterans 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by visiting the Military Crisis Line website athttp://veteranscrisisline.net/ActiveDuty.aspx; Online Chat at:http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ChatTermsOfService.aspx; sending a text to: 838255 or calling toll free at: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1

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BUNDLE DROP

09/05/2014 03:48 PM CDT

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William Martin, left, and Staff Sgt. Christopher Rector observe a deployed bundle air dropped from a C-130 Hercules aircraft from a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter over Shimoda Bay, Japan, Aug. 31, 2014. Martin and Rector are assigned to the 459th Airlift Squadron.

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WARM GREETING

09/05/2014 03:51 PM CDT

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel greets German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen prior to a meeting during the NATO summit in Wales, Sept. 5, 2014

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SMALL CHAT

09/05/2014 03:52 PM CDT

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, center, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, right, have a lighthearted conversation prior to the start of a multilateral Iraqi support meeting during the NATO summit in Wales, Sept. 5, 2014.

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Study: California Latinos and African-Americans Are Left Behind in California’s High-Tech Economy

Californians of Color Will Be Unable to Participate in CA's Economy Unless Action is Taken

 

Los Angeles, CA – The Latino Institute for Corporate Inclusion ("LICI"), via a partnership with the Career Ladders Project and funding from the AT&T Foundation, today released anInformation Communication Technologies (ICT) Study that found that California Latinos and African-Americans, who comprise 76% of California's labor force, are being left behind in the state's high tech economy. The study also noted they will continue to be unable to participate in the high tech economy unless a Call to Action is heeded to build an inclusive ICT workforce.

 

"Unless we take action to address educational achievement gaps now, students of color will be unable to participate in the state's economy and ICT employers will have a hard time filling their workforce with Californians," said Luis Chavez, LICI Board Chairman. "Students of color make up a growing and substantially important segment of California's workforce. California's economy cannot grow unless this growing population is equipped to participate in the workplace of tomorrow."

 

The Information Communication Technologies (ICT) Study, conducted by LICI, in partnership with the Career Ladders Project, found that:

 

• People of color comprise more than 76% of California's labor force, yet Latinos and African-Americans have the lowest level of educational attainment in California.

 

• The creation and use of ICT lies at the heart of California's economy, daily lives and business endeavors.

 

• The changing demographics in California suggest that ICT employers will increasingly rely on a labor pool comprised of people of color.

 

• Key barriers for minority youth to ICT professions included financial hardship, lack of diverse role models, limited exposure and information about ICT careers and educational pathways, and lack of academic preparation and support.

 

"Changing the composition of the ICT workforce will not happen overnight," said Ruben Jauregui. President of LICI,  "We must engage youth in career exploration early and equip and prepare Latino and African-American youth with information and support about ICT careers, hands-on learning experiences in both educational and workplace settings, and leverage collective resources to help them attain post-secondary credentials to advance in ICT."

 

The ICT Study included recommendations for a Call to Action. Chief among them are:

 

• Crafting coherent ICT pathways, from K-12 to college, that scaffold achievement and learning over time.

 

• Investing in professional development and continued learning by supporting teachers and practitioners on the ground to transform ICT education.

 

• Committing to a heightened level of collaboration beyond the norm, including strengthening partnerships with the goal of expanding the roles of stakeholders to help change the ICT pathway system.

 

LICI, along with partner Career Ladders Project, have committed to taking the first step in this process. A complete copy of the report can be found here:www.latinoinclusion.org

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NATO Summit Steels Alliance Members for Future

By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2014 - The NATO Summit in Wales came at a time of transition and testing for the alliance, President Barack Obama said at the conclusion of the meeting today.

As NATO ends combat in Afghanistan, the 28-member alliance finds itself facing challenges ranging from Russian actions against Ukraine to the terrorist threats in the Middle East and Africa.

"At this summit, our alliance has summoned the will, the resources, and the capabilities to meet all of these challenges," the president said.

The allies reaffirmed the central tenet of NATO enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in 1949 -- that an attack on one ally is an attack on all.

"This is a binding treaty obligation. It is non-negotiable," Obama said. "And here in Wales, we've left absolutely no doubt we will defend every ally."

Resolute reassurance

The allies agreed "to be resolute in reassuring our allies in Eastern Europe," Obama said. Increased NATO air patrols over the Baltic republics will continue, as will rotations of NATO forces throughout Eastern Europe for training and exercises. Ship deployments to the Black Sea also will continue. "All 28 NATO nations agree to contribute to all of these measures for as long as necessary," the president said.

The alliance must have forces able to deploy quickly, and which can operate effectively for any contingency, Obama said, and the allies agreed to a new readiness action plan, which will update defense planning. "We will create a new highly ready rapid response force that can be deployed on a very short notice," he added. "We will increase NATO's presence in central and eastern Europe with additional equipment, training, exercises and troop rotations."

The president said the $1 billion program he announced in June in Warsaw will be the start of the strong and continuing U.S. contribution to this plan.

All NATO nations pledged to increase investments in defense. The alliance has long had a goal of each nation spending 2 percent of gross domestic on defense. The United States is one of only four alliance nations that actually meets that goal. "These resources will help NATO invest in critical capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and missile defense," the president said.

Fully united in support of Ukraine

Finally, NATO nations are fully united in support of Ukraine's "sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and its right to defend itself," Obama said. All NATO allies agreed to provide security assistance to Ukraine. This aid includes nonlethal support like body armor, fuel, and medical care for wounded Ukrainian troops. It also includes assistance to help modernize Ukrainian forces, including logistics and command and control.

All this sends the message to Russia and its leaders that their actions have consequences. "Today the United States and Europe are finalizing measures to deepen and broaden our sanctions across Russia's financial, energy, and defense sectors," the president said.

Still, alliance members strongly support Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's efforts to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the president said.

"The cease-fire announced today can advance that goal, but only if there is follow-through on the ground," he added. "Pro-Russian separatists must keep their commitments, and Russia must stop its violations of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

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Chronic Pain & Painkillers: Why You Should Consider Alternatives

Physician Offers 4 Natural Ways to End the Pain

Roughly 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain lasting more than six months, according to a report from the Institute of Medicine. Throughout the past decade, the use of painkillers such as Vicodin, Percocet and OxyContin has soared by 300 percent. For many – 17,000 people per year, or 46 each day – the treatment is worse than the pain; those are the number of users who die from the medicine, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

For every person who dies from the use of painkillers, 30 more are admitted to emergency rooms due to complications.

"Those figures are appalling," says Dr. Frank King, a doctor of naturopathy, president of King Bio natural medicine company, and author of The Healing Revolution (www.kingbio.com).

"Death is just one of the many side effects of heavy-duty pharmaceuticals, and researchers unanimously agree that addiction to painkillers has risen drastically in recent years. People are so focused on pain that they miss the fact that it is a signal of deeper health problems. Don't shoot the messenger! Listen to the pain, and it will lead you to the root causes."

With decades of experience helping patients, Dr. King offers four natural suggestions for pain management.

•  Identify the root causes of pain. Pain is a signal of deeper problems, similar to the warning light on the dashboard of your car. You can mask the light with duct tape, which is what prescription drugs do with pain. You can cut the wires, which might symbolize a surgical approach. Or you can look for the root causes, which is what our more natural, holistic approach seeks to do. Address the problem, and the pain will subside.

•  Make good choices. Most chronic conditions are caused by bad lifestyle choices. Try walking more, eating and sleeping better, eliminating stress and bad habits from your life, and watch pain decrease and health increase. It's that simple. Moreover, surround yourself with a healing community of like-minded "healing buddies" who support your healthy choices.

•  Explore natural healing techniques, and if necessary, see a natural healing practitioner. You are your best doctor, on call 24/7. I developed many self-healing techniques that address the needs of every aspect of mind-body health. These techniques are free and easy to implement at home, on the job, and wherever you might be. You might also explore meditation, yoga and other approaches for filling the holes in your wholeness.

•  Look into homeopathy.Homeopathy predates modern medicine. Homeopathic medicines are safe and effective, with no known side effects or negative drug interactions. They target the root causes, not the superficial pain. I have personally seen homeopathy dramatically raise the quality of life and happiness for countless of my patients.

With the appalling death toll due to pharmaceutical pain medication, natural solutions like homeopathy are our safest, brightest hope for the future of pain management.

About Dr. Frank King

Dr. Frank King is a chiropractor, doctor of naturopathy, and founder and president of King Bio, an FDA-registered pharmaceutical manufacturing company dedicated to education, research, development, manufacture and distribution of safe and natural homeopathic medicines for people and pets. Dr. King is also the author of, The Healing Revolution: Eight Essentials to Awaken Abundant Life, Naturally! (www.kingbio.com). A fourth-generation farmer, Dr. King raises yak, camel, boar, wisent and American bison sold under the Carolina Bison brand. He is a member of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention of the United States.

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Energy Department Awards $4.5 Million for Innovative Wind Power R&D Projects

The Energy Department today announced $4.5 million for four projects to help increase deployment of innovative wind power technologies by optimizing the operation, boosting efficiency, and improving the environmental performance of wind energy systems. The research and development (R&D) projects, located in Maine, North Carolina, Nebraska, and Texas, contribute to the Energy Department's effort to advance innovative technologies that reduce carbon emissions and support the President's goal to double renewable energy again by 2020. These projects will pursue R&D not significantly represented in our current portfolio as a way to support and explore innovative new approaches for integration into our future program plans.

• Biodiversity Research Institute of Gorham, Maine, will receive $1.1 million to develop a stereo-optic camera system to detect and document bird and bat flight behavior in the vicinity of wind turbines. This system will use near-infrared cameras and specialized software to detect animal movements throughout the day and night, and will work to automate the identification of different species of birds and bats. The project will help researchers better understand potential environmental impacts of wind turbines.
• Texas Tech University in Lubbock will receive $1.4 million to develop a first-of-its-kind, radar-based prototype to measure the flow of wind through wind farms, which will increase data availability and lead to improved modeling. While radar platforms have been used extensively in meteorological applications, this will be the first radar system specifically designed for wind energy research. This new design for a modular and portable system will require less power to operate and be able to measure larger areas than currently utilized conventional radar systems.   The project complements the Energy Department's ongoing Atmosphere to Electrons(A2e) Initiative, which aims to improve wind plant performance by increasing understanding of how wind moves throughout wind farms.
• The University of North Carolina at Charlottewill receive $500,000 to design and build a 30-kilowatt multistage magnetic gearbox, which will be validated for reliability, efficiency, and its potential to operate more quietly than currently available generators. The project will demonstrate that a magnetically geared generator has the potential to improve the reliability and efficiency of wind turbines.
• The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will receive $1.5 million to develop an online health monitoring system that uses the electric current signals produced by a turbine's generator in order to track the generator's performance and help determine when it needs to be repaired. This technology could reduce operating costs by decreasing unscheduled downtime due to unplanned maintenance.

The Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) accelerates development and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality.Learn more about EERE's ongoing wind energy research and development work.  Learn more about how wind turbines work through this Energy 101 video.

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Spice Station Goes Right to the Source to Bring the World 300 of the most Exotic Spices on the Planet

 

Warning: Please Don't Eat This Spicy  Article

 

By Ilene Proctor

 

There may not be a trip around the world in your future, but Spice Station is as close as you can get without crossing the continents.  And what's more, you don't have to cash in a CD to enjoy the spicy experience .

 

Quite frankly, something smelly is going down in Silverlake, 3^RD Street Farmer's Market – and it's wonderful. It's a whole new world of flavor and aroma emanating from a new concept store called Spice Station. The stores are an inspired blend of T and A – taste and artistry. Owner Peter Bahlawanian and wife Bronwen Tawse and co-owner Ilene Proctor  have  virtually travelled the earth to discover the most exotic and eclectic spices on the planet. 50% of the spices are organic, and none are irradiated. All are  tagged with exact information.

 

A well-planned meal is one of life's greatest pleasures. Imagine choosing from an abundance of 300 exotic spices, herbs, salts, peppercorns and chilies, which are available by the ounce, quarter-pound or pound,  including pungent Indian Fenugreek, Indian Urfa Biber, Argentinean coriander, Egyptian dill weed, Syrian Aleppo pepper,  Indonesian nutmeg and Szechuan peppercorns. Spice Station has all sorts of rare gems, from black lava salt, which boasts a strong minerality, to the pungent, smoky Chinese Tepin chile.. Root beer fanatics are flocking to the store to buy sassafras leaves for those who want to make their own. For spice cognoscenti, there's a world of  difference between paprika from Spain and a paprika from Peru..."I get people who walk in here with  eyes wide open who have been looking for these things for ages," Peter says. 

 

There's also a dazzling lineup of natural cane sugars flavored with ingredients like cinnamon, ginger and raspberry. Peter's also sourcing more chilies from Mexico, Peru, Brazil and the Middle East. He's has also trained his staff to blend spices, so he's added options like a salt-free blend and a "high desert blend" for tacos and fajitas. The staple spice remains harissa, which has "Moroccan elements for full bodied flavor." He recommends using the spice to season meat, chicken or ground beef sliders.

 

One can write a sonnet just aboutSpice Station's  unfamiliar exotic teas, like black Asian Apricot, Moroccan Nights, and Chai  of every color and taste. Wishful thinning?  Just ask Peter to blend one of his great Ginger mixed tea combos.

 

To grind your own, there are mortars and pestles.  And rub your chicken, fish and meats the Spice Station way with Shawarma Rub, Magic Chicken Rub, Swimming Fish Rub and Beef Kebab Rub, cost $8-10. Anyone who passes on this should have their marriage license revoked.

 

Colorful index cards list the price, country of origin, uses and medicinal purposes, where applicable. The spices are ground free of charge, or you can take the whole pods, berries and seeds to go or you can buy 9-tin gift sets ($45-75) in options that include salt, chilies and starter spices.Spice Station is currently selling a Holiday set that contains bay leaves, green cardamom, juniper berries, cinnamon chips, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, anise and allspice berries. This packet is designed for baking and mulling for spiced rum or cider.

 

Peter is also extremely shelf conscious: every spice story is packed with explanations regarding their origins, culinary possibilities, and where applicable, medicinal uses.Tall, round jars line the back wall, while the rest of the open space has sections of small spice jars with screw-tops you can open and boldly take a whiff.

"These are not the kind of spices  you'll find in your grocery store," explained an employee. These are fresh spices, sold by the ounce and bagged or tinned on site for you. They'll last about a year, but should ideally be used within 6 months to capture their peak flavors and potency.. "I want to get as much variety as I can so that people can see, savor a whole new spicy world.

Bahlawanian believes that in general, people are used to paying way too much for spices. "When I started researching for this project, I started doing some pricing. People can often pay $165 a pound for basil, but you're only getting a small jar so you don't realize it. You're paying for the weight of the container and the packaging  instead of actual product," he says. At his place, you can choose from a variety of qualities ranging from under $20 to $40 a pound. 

The shop has small jars of every spice available so that shoppers can sniff their wares before purchasing, meanwhile educating themselves by knowledgeable sales help on the nuances of worldly seasonings. They also have personalized spice gift packages available for you last minute-shoppers priced at around $45 to $70. 

Another favorite is custom masala and curry blends that will make your chicken--or even your bowl of popcorn--sing, and the staff can give you hints on how to make use of the spices. Surrender to the selection of blends for BBQ-ing or your taco-making adventures have their own section. Try the seductive and haughty dry harissa (usually a paste) from Morocco, smoky and brick-red with  more diverse applications than the typical use in couscous, while the  tantalizing black truffle salt is an intense and luxurious whiff promising bountiful flavor returns,  they suggest you sprinkle on eggs or mac and cheese. The Spice Station also has pre-assembled kits, like a Baker's Set, or a Basic set, but you can put together original  gift sets, too, like the couple assembling a salt-and-peppercorn set to gift to a lucky friend.

 

Peter is a recycle master, the entire store is constructed from reclaimed wood, and the displays are former pallets.

 

In just its short life, Spice Station   the  Silverlake has  inspired so many home cooks and professional chefs, three more Spice Stations are in the planning stage by the end of this year alone. And, when celebrity chefs and food critics like Jonathan Gold, Quinn Hatfield and Evan Kleinman, and many others  make Spice Stationa  must, you know they are doing something right.

 

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1st Century Bank Expands Relationship Management Team

September 04, 2014: 07:57 PM ET


LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 1st Century Bank, N.A. (the "Bank"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1st Century Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCTY), today announced the expansion of its relationship management team with the addition of Neil McTiernan as Vice President, Relationship Manager.

"We are in a fortunate position to continue to invest in our organization as part of our efforts to gain market share," said Jason P. DiNapoli, Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. "Mr. McTiernan is a perfect fit to the 1st Century Bank Team. His banking expertise will allow us to strengthen our reach in the business communities of West Los Angeles."

Mr. McTiernan, a native of Culver City, has over ten years of experience in the financial services industry with an extensive background in commercial banking in the Southern California market. Most recently, Mr. McTiernan was a Business Development Officer responsible for developing new commercial relationships with various closely-held businesses in the San Fernando to Ventura County areas, with sales of up to $100 million and lending needs of up to $20 million per client. As Vice President, Relationship Manager of the Bank, Mr. McTiernan will be focused on catering to the commercial needs of middle-market companies and developing creative banking solutions for high net worth individuals.

About 1st Century Bancshares, Inc.
1st Century Bancshares, Inc. is a publicly owned company traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "FCTY." The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, 1st Century Bank, N.A., is headquartered in the Century City area of Los Angeles, with a full service business bank in Century City, CA, and a relationship office in Santa Monica, CA. The Bank's primary focus is serving the specific banking needs of entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses with the personal service of a traditional community bank, while offering the technologies of a big money center bank. The Company maintains a website at www.1cbank.com. By including the foregoing website address link, the Company does not intend to and shall not be deemed to incorporate by reference any material contained therein.

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STATEMENT: ROC United's Saru Jayaraman Responds to Passage of California's Paid Sick Day Bill and its Exclusion of Domestic Workers

Following the California legislature's passage of statewide paid sick days last Friday, Saru Jayaraman, co-founder and co-director of ROC United, issued the following statement:

"The passage of this bill means that millions of restaurant workers in California will no longer live in fear of being forced to work while sick or losing their job, instead of staying home to care for themselves or families. The restaurant industry is one of the sectors in which this policy is needed most, as 90% of restaurant workers surveyed nationally report not having paid sick days, and more than 60% report having to cook, prepare, and serve food to millions of restaurant goers while sick. California has finally joined the nine cities that have already enacted similar policies, but such momentum to fulfill a fundamental right must continue to grow."

"However, home care workers were not included in the passage of this bill. Like restaurant workers, home care workers are predominantly women -- and they are routinely excluded from paid sick day protections and minimum wage increases. Such an extreme measure is unjust and disrespectful to such a crucial enclave of America's workforce.

"Hopefully the irony is not lost on the California State legislature that as a result of this exclusion, the women whose job it is to care for someone else's families have not been afforded the very basic, protected right to take care of their own."

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DoD Agrees to Share Space Data with South Korea

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2014 - The Defense Department has signed a memorandum of understanding to share space situational awareness data with South Korea's Defense Ministry, Pentagon officials said today.

The accord provides South Korea's air force with higher-quality and more timely space information tailored for its specific purposes in exchange for satellite-positional and radio-frequency information it will provide to U.S. Strategic Command, the DoD agency responsible for space situational awareness, officials said.

Douglas L. Loverro, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, and Maj. Gen. Chang Kyeong Seok, the South Korean Defense Ministry's director general of policy planning, signed the memorandum Sept. 2 on the sidelines of the Space Cooperation Working Group.

"Cooperating with international partners to develop coalition approaches to space is a priority for the Department of Defense," Loverro said. South Korea joins five nations and many other organizations already participating in space situational awareness data sharing agreements with DoD.

Peaceful use of space

By signing the memorandum, Chang said, the South Korean Defense Ministry and the DoD have come to participate in the efforts of international community for the peaceful use of space. "This opportunity will strengthen the [U.S.-South Korean alliance] through increasing the level of space cooperation between both nations' armed forces."

Such agreements enhance multinational space cooperation and streamline the process for DoD partners to request specific information gathered by Stratcom's Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, DoD officials said. The information is crucial for launch support, satellite maneuver planning, support for on-orbit anomalies, electromagnetic interference investigation, satellite decommissioning activities and on-orbit conjunction assessments, officials added.

"These space situational awareness data sharing agreements allow us to expand partnerships and enable information sharing in the increasingly congested, contested and competitive space environment," said Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, Stratcom's commander. "These agreements ultimately protect our capabilities by enhancing spaceflight safety and preventing potentially catastrophic orbital collisions."

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Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby on Ahmed Godan

e "We have confirmed that Ahmed Godane, the co-founder of al-Shabaab, has been killed. The U.S. military undertook operations against Godane on Sept. 1, which led to his death. Removing Godane from the battlefield is a major symbolic and operational loss to al-Shabaab. The United States works in coordination with its friends, allies and partners to counter the regional and global threats posed by violent extremist organizations."

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Pentagon Confirms Death of al-Shabab Co-founder

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2014 - Ahmed Abdi al-Muhammad, also known Ahmed Godane, the co-founder of the al-Shabab jihadist group, was killed Sept. 1 in a U.S. airstrike in Somalia, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby confirmed today.

"The U.S. military undertook operations against Godane on Sept. 1, which led to his death," Kirby said in a statement. "Removing Godane from the battlefield is a major symbolic and operational loss" to al-Shabab," Kirby said in a statement. "The United States works in coordination with its friends, allies and partners to counter the regional and global threats posed by violent extremist organizations."

At a Sept. 2 Pentagon news conference, Kirby said manned and unmanned aircraft operated by U.S. special operations forces participated in an airstrike that destroyed an al-Shabab encampment and a vehicle located at that camp. Kirby added that the operation was a direct strike against the al-Shabab network, and specifically against Godane.

The operation was carried out after actionable intelligence was obtained that suggested that Godane was present at the camp, located south of the Somali capital of Mogadishu, the press secretary said at the news conference, noting that it was too early to tell whether the strike had killed him.

The aircraft fired several Hellfire missiles and laser-guided munitions, and no U.S. forces were present on the ground, either before or after the attack, he added.

Al-Shabab is a jihadist group based in Somalia. It has claimed responsibility for last year's attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, which resulted in more than 70 deaths and 200 injured. The group is also believed to be responsible for many bombings, including suicide attacks in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, Kirby said Sept. 2.

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SHANI

Arkansas Artist  SHANI Gathers Super Star International Talents to Sing  "We Hear Your Voice" to Bridge the Divide between Nations

By Ilene Proctor

Shani Rigsbee (  Shani)  is a woman with convictions. Beautiful, feisty, a force of nature,  She is is currently at the red-hot epicenter of a rising power pack of newyoung  American stars that are equally as ease producing, directing on  stage and screen, in acting and music,., Shani  has become known as an artist of the universe. Whether singing fluently in French, Farsi. Arabic, Spanish  or Italian, Shani  has left many people shocked to know that her  roots are American, actually from Bill Clinton's hometown and not from the outer reaches of the globe. Shani simply loves the artistic challenge of blending genres

Knowing that music is the best way to bridge the divide between nations, Shani singularly  persuaded some of the most famous international singing stars to contribute their talents to the project. We hear Your Voice is a ,.   Charity single with ba powerful message of peace, hope and harmony.  The song breaks new ground creating a global span of sound that combines percussive dance beats with sensual  Eastern and Spanish overtones. -. evoking an exciting blend of rhythm, sophistication and exoticism -  free from labels, borders or boundaries

 

"We Hear Your Voice" will be internationally released through Cherokee Music Group.

The message behind "We Hear Your Voice" is that nobody is voiceless and that humanity transcends politics and borders. If international recording artists and their fans and followers all unite behind this message, then the divide between nations can begin to be bridged. A short documentary will accompany the music video; it will feature footage of the artists' recording sessions as well as interviews describing their feelings about the venture.

Artists and musicians participating  in "We Hear Your Voice" include

 

FROM AMERICA: Shani, American singer-songwriter and creator of the "We Hear Your Voice" project whose music has spanned four solo pop albums and been featured in numerous television and film productions, including the 2004 Oscar winner, Crash.

FROM AFGHANISTAN:Ehsan Aman, pop/rock musician popularly known as "the Bob Dylan of Afghanistan."

FROM MEXICO, Ana Victoria, Latin Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer

FROM PERSIA, Andy, Iranian/Armenian and American icon of the Middle East and the international diaspora.

FROM SOUTH KOREA, Sung-Bong Choi, the "Korean Susan Boyle" and classical vocalist who shot to fame following a viral YouTube video of his appearance on "Korea's Got Talent."

FROM FRANCE; Ishtar, multi-lingual solo vocalist and lead singer of the France-based group, Alabina.

FROM ISRAEL: Liel Kolet, peace advocate and singer from Israel who has been filmed for a PBS documentary and has performed for Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama.

FROM NORTH AFRICA, Momo Loudiyi, artist, producer, and singer-songwriter from Morocco and North Africa who has appeared on stages from the Hollywood Bowl to the New York Symphony Space.

FROM PALESTINE: Naser Musa, oud virtuoso, songwriter, and singer of Palestinian heritage.

FROM INDIA: Sonu Nigam, decade-spanning artist from India, often referred to as Bollywood's best playback singer and the Golden Voice of Indipop.

·       FROM RUSSIA: Igor Nikolaev, singer-songwriter and composer with dozens of albums under his name and over a hundred hits written for other top artisTS

Morris Hayes, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer most known for his longstanding work with Prince and The New Power Generation (NPG).

Tim Pierce, guitarist who has released his own solo album, Guitarland, and recorded for      artists such as Rick Springfield, Bruce Springsteen, Shakira, and many others.

Jahan Raymond, piano virtuoso prodigy, now  12 of Indian and Jewish heritage who released a CD in 2012 of original compositions .

Kenny Aronoff, rock drummer and widely respected studio musician who has toured with the likes of John Mellencamp, the Smashing Pumpkins, and more.

 

·       A special acknowledgement also goes out to the multiple Grammy Award-winning producers and recording engineers who were essential to the project, K.C. Porter, Phil Ramone, Don Was, and Tom Weir.

The song, "We Hear Your Voice," first made its debut in front of thousands at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles to a ten minute standing ovation. Soon after, the artists were invited to perform the song for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in a major peace concert with some of the world's biggest names.

In addition to spreading its message through the international language of music, the song will have a tangible effect on children's lives all around the world. All net proceeds from digital downloads through Cherokee's distribution partners will be donated to an international charity focused on improving children's welfare.

Updates on the single, including its forthcoming music video and short documentary about its production, can be found on Shani's official website at or at "We Hear Your Voice" on Facebook.

Source: ShaniMusic.com

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