DTN News: Happy Chinese New Year 2015 - Gong Xi Fa Cai / Kung Hei Fat Choi ~ Year Of The Goat

DTN News: Happy Chinese New Year 2015 - Gong Xi Fa Cai / Kung Hei Fat Choi ~ Year Of The Goat

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 17, 2015:  This year’s Chinese New Year celebration on February 19, 2015 will usher in the Year of the Goat. Gong Xi Fa Cai.

May the year Goat, shower you and your family with Good Luck, Fortune, Health and full of Joy.

Wishing you a Happy Chinese New Year 2015. Gong Xi Fa Cai / Kung Hei Fat Choi ~ Year Of The Goat

DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

Canada

Related Images - DTN News: Happy Chinese New Year 2015 - Gong Xi Fa Cai / Kung Hei Fat Choi ~ Year Of The Goat

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth 
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Dassault Aviation "Confident" of Talks With India on The Sale of 126 Rafales

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Dassault Aviation  "Confident" of Talks With India on The Sale of 126 Rafales

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 15, 2015: French defence company Dassault Aviation on Friday said it was "very confident" that three years of talks with India on the sale of 126 Rafales worth 12 billion euros would result in a deal.

Eric Trappier, chief executive of Dassault Aviation which manufactures Rafale, in an interview with BFM television, said talks were slow as India wanted some of the jets manufactured at home in a bid to boost defence manufacturing, meaning the details of every nut and bolt had to be agreed upon.

The negotiations have got into trouble recently, leading to delay in finalisation of the contract for supply of 126 fighter planes.

In addition to recent visit to New Delhi of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said  he was confident about the outcome of talks to sell 126 Rafale fighter jets to India in a multi-billion-dollar deal that has been stalled for months.

Fabius is the first of a string of Western politicians due in New Delhi over the next few weeks for talks with the new government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They are drawn in part by the prospect of defence deals, as the new administration considers opening the industry to foreign investment.

"The discussion is developing in a very positive way and ... we are very confident in the final outcome," Fabius told reporters in the Indian capital.

An Indian defence ministry official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, was more cautious.

"I don't think the deal will be signed very soon. There are many intractable issues to be resolved," he told Reuters, while declining to elaborate.

Modi, in office for just over a month, has vowed to get India's economy out of the doldrums by cutting red tape to revive infrastructure projects - including in the defence industry.

The previous government was widely derided for failing to follow through on promises and for letting major projects become bogged down.

India chose French company Dassault Aviation's Rafale in 2012 over other international jet manufacturers, but disagreements over cost and work-sharing have slowed talks, while India's weak economy has stretched government finances.

No final contract has been signed and rivals including Britain still hold out hope the deal will fall through.

"It is fair that for complex matters it takes some time, but there is a difference between some time and too long," Fabius said, talking about deals in general.

"The notion of efficiency - which is very important if I understand correctly, in the new government approach - is completely shared by us," he added before talks with minister Arun Jaitley, who holds both the finance and defence portfolios.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources AFP & Reuters
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DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: The Hours Before The Ceasefire Between Ukraine And Pro-Russian Rebels – In Picture

DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: The Hours Before The Ceasefire Between Ukraine And Pro-Russian Rebels – In Picture

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 14, 2015: Fears for Ukraine’s ceasefire as clashes with Russia-backed rebels intensify. Neither side seems to expect an end to the conflict, and both were trying to shore up their positions before the deadline.

Fighting between government and rebel forces in eastern Ukraine trailed off in the first hours after a midnight ceasefire began – but steady shelling resumed later in the morning near the besieged city of Debaltseve.

Kiev and the breakaway republics in the east said fighting had quietened and the ceasefire was mostly being observed.

But the Guardian heard mortar fire to the east of Luhanske on the highway to Debaltseve, where up to 8,000 Ukrainian troops have been under rebel attack for weeks.

The UN security council was convening an emergency session on Sunday to hear a Russian resolution on the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

South of Luhanske is a 10-mile stretch of road that is often shelled by rebels and is reportedly mined, largely cutting off Debaltseve from the rest of the Ukrainian forces. Further north on the highway a destroyed troop transport truck was still smoking on Sunday morning.

Soldiers at the last checkpoint in Luhanske said the guns had gone quiet after the midnight ceasefire, but shelling of Ukrainian positions in the area had resumed around 6am – a report confirmed by the press service of Kiev’s “anti-terrorist operation”.

“There’s no ceasefire here,” said a Ukrainian soldier who would give only his first name, Andrei.

“It’s a present from Putin,” joked another soldier, gesturing in the direction of the shelling.

The soldiers said Ukrainian forces were not shooting back, but some of the shelling to the east of Luhanske sounded like outgoing fire. Ukrainian army command said its forces were observing the ceasefire but would return fire if attacked or if the rebels shelled residential areas.

Related - DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: The Hours Before The Ceasefire Between Ukraine And Pro-Russian Rebels – In Picture

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Defense News
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated February 13, 2015

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated February 13, 2015
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-030-15 February 13, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 13, 2015: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued February 13, 2015 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS
 

ARMY
 

General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $49,771,971 modification (P00005) to contract W56HZV-14-C-0054 to acquire six M1A2 Systems Enhanced Package v2 Abrams tanks. Fiscal 2014 other procurement funds in the amount of $6,019,674 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Jan. 31, 2017. Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Anniston, Alabama; and Tallahassee, Florida. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
 

Palomar Display Products,* Carlsbad, California, was awarded a $28,594,810 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to produce Binocular Image Control Units, associated spares, repairs and engineering services. Funding and work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 13, 2020. One bid was solicited with one received. Army Contracting Command, Alexandria, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W909MY-15-D-0003).
 

AIR FORCE
 

The Boeing Co., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has been awarded a $402,787,272 fixed-price incentive firm and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (PZ0001) to previously awarded contract FA8730-15-C-0001 for Japan Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Mission Computing Upgrade Program. Contractor will provide upgrade of four E-767 aircraft and three ground support facilities. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2020. This contract is 100 percent foreign military sales to Japan. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity.
 

Decypher, San Antonio, Texas (FA8650-15-D-4052); Peerless Technologies Corp., Fairborn, Ohio (FA8650-15-D-4051); P3S, San Antonio, Texas (FA8650-15-D-4053); Prairie Quest Consulting, Fort Wayne, Indiana (FA8650-15-D-4054); Solutions Through Innovative Technologies Inc., Dayton, Ohio (FA8650-15-D-4055); SpecPro Technical Services, San Antonio, Texas (FA8650-15-D-4056), have been awarded a combined $20,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for services to units of the 711th Human Performance Wing. Contractor will provide advisory and assistance services, non- advisory and assistance services and personal services. They include administrative and functional support, medical and biomedical research assistance, clinical and clinical hyperbaric medicine services, environmental bio-terrorism support, technology evaluation and research studies support. Work will be performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Baltimore, Maryland; St. Louis, Missouri, and other geographically separated units and is expected to be complete no later than Dec. 13, 2015. This award is the result of a limited competitive acquisition with six offers received. Fiscal year 2015 and 2016 defense health program, operations and maintenance and research, development, test and evaluation funds in the total amount of $800,309 are being obligated at the time of award. Each company is receiving different amounts. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
 

United Technologies Corp. doing business as Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded an estimated $16,663,785 for the second option to previously awarded requirements for firm-fixed-price contract FA8121-10-D-0008. Contractor will provide remanufacture of FI00-PW-I 00/200/220/220E/229 engine modules. Work will be performed at Columbus, Georgia, and is expected to be complete by April 22, 2015. This contract is 100 percent foreign military sales for Chile, Egypt, Jordan, Thailand, Taiwan, Greece and Indonesia. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition and one offer was received. Air Force Space Command, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity.
 

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Georgia, has been awarded $13,006,223 in modifications to task orders 0015 and 0016 on previously awarded contract FA8106-13-D-0002. Contractor will provide seven additional months of services for logistics support for the Navy C-20 and C-37 fleet. Work will be performed at Savannah, Georgia; Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy; Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland; Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; and Marine Corps Base, Hawaii, and is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2016. Fiscal year 2015 Navy operation and maintenance in the amount of $13,006,223 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity.
 

Northrop Grumman Space Mission Systems Corp., San Diego, California, has been awarded a $6,926,501 modification (P00094) to previously awarded contract FA8726-09-C-0010 for risk management framework. Contractor will meet cybersecurity requirements using the new Risk Management Framework. Work will be performed at San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by June 22, 2015. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal year 2015-operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,926,501 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity.
 

NAVY
 

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $39,608,596 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-13-C-0008) for procurement of electronic components in support of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, International Partners and the Governments of Israel and Japan. These components are in support of production, sustainment and operations and maintenance requirements resulting from diminishing manufacturing sources. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in September 2015. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy and Air Force, international partner and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $28,894,731 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force ($16,843,735; 43 percent), the U.S. Marine Corps ($5,996,093; 15 percent), U.S. Navy ($3,710,236; 9.4 percent), international partners ($10,485,085; 26.5 percent) and the governments of Israel ($1,362,337; 3.1 percent) and Japan ($1,211,110; 3 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting authority.
 

Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Clearwater, Florida, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $30,656,796 ceiling priced contract for the manufacture, upgrade, repair and test assemblies of the AN/AAR-47 (V) Missile Warning Set comprised of electro-optic countermeasure sensors, countermeasure signal processors and countermeasure signal simulators for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and Governments of India, Norway, Spain and Australia. Work will be performed in Clearwater, Florida (45 percent); Austin, Texas (20 percent); Quebec, Canada (16 percent); and other various locations within the United States (19 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2017. Fiscal 2013, 2014, and 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy and Air Force), National Guard reserve, foreign military sales and working capital (Defense) funds in the amount of $29,587,778 will be obligated at time of award, $9,398,286 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This award combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($10,474,978; 35 percent), U.S. Air Force ($ 10,432,828; 35 percent), Defense Working Capital funds ($3,318,600; 11 percent), National Guard Reserve ($2,644,580; 10 percent) and the Governments of India ($1,080,884; 3.5 percent), Norway ($985,070; 3.2 percent), Spain ($610,068; 2 percent) and Australia ($40,770; .3 percent). This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-15-C-0030).
 

Rolls Royce Naval Marine Inc., Walpole, Massachusetts, is being awarded a $9,891,150 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-4203) for additional engineering services to complete development and delivery of one AG916RF gas turbine-generator set for Navy land-based testing. Rolls Royce will provide the engineering services and support for the design, development, fabrication, assembly and test of one Advanced Power Generation Module (APGM), designated as the AG916RF gas turbine-generator set, to be delivered to the Navy land based test site located at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Ship Systems Engineering Station, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This APGM set will be based on specifications established by the DDG-1000 shipyard for the lead ship installation and modified to suit the DDG 51 Flight III power requirements. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana (80 percent) and Walpole, Massachusetts (20 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2017. Fiscal 2015 research, development, test and evaluation contract funds in the amount of $9,891,150 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.
 

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
 

US Foods Lexington, Lexington, South Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $35,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for prime vendor food and beverage support in the South Carolina area. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. This is a nine-month bridge contract. Location of performance is South Carolina, with a Nov. 7, 2015 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-15-D-3146).
 

DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY
 

Agile Defense Inc.,* Reston, Virginia, has been awarded a competitive $26,191,017 cost-plus-award-fee task order (HR0011-15-F-0002) with options for unclassified information technology services and support for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Mission Services Office Information Technology Directorate. The services and support include office computing, networking, communications services, design and development and technical support services. The task order was competed amongst all holders of the General Services Administration Alliant Small Business Government-wide Acquisition Contract. Seven offers were received. The base-year award has a 10-month period of performance. Fiscal year 2015 research and development funds in the amount of $18,309,770 are being obligated at time of award. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
 

*Small business

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-030-15 February 13, 2015 

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DTN News - KOREAN PENINSULA DEFENSE NEWS: North Korean Fighter Jets Get A Makeover

DTN News - KOREAN PENINSULA DEFENSE NEWS: North Korean Fighter Jets Get A Makeover

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Korea Joongang Daily
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 13, 2015: North Korea recently changed the color scheme on its fighter jets, military sources told the JoongAng Ilbo, in an apparent attempt to improve performance during midair combat.

“We have obtained intelligence that the North has been redesigning its fighter jets since October,” a senior military official said. “We compared old photos of their jets with newly released photos and confirmed that the colors and designs were entirely different.”

In the past, the North colored its advanced fighter jets of MiG-29s with two tones. The top was painted in a dark green, while the bottom was a sky blue. The two-tone jet was featured in a photograph taken when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the air force’s 1017 unit at the end of January 2012. 

MiG-29s are known for their stability and maneuverability in low altitudes, and military sources said North Korea strategically selected both colors. When observed from the sky, the dark green would ideally serve as camouflage against the ground floor, while looking up, the bottom color would blend with the sky. 

However, the North was confirmed after October to have changed the colors on the MiG-29s to a general light gray, with the addition of dark gray patterns, which was likely done to mimic cloud patterns. The bottom of the fuselage is painted a light sky blue. 

“The change appeared to be intended to better prepare for midair combat, so that enemy pilots will have more difficulty visually detecting the MiGs,” an Air Force official said. 

South Korean intelligence authorities said the North is also changing the colors of its low-altitude infiltration aircraft, AN-2s, and its silver-colored MiG-23s. 

“The drones discovered last year in Paju were sky blue in color with some lighter patches, so that they could not be visually detected from the ground,” another military official said. “The North probably is changing the colors of its fighter jets for a new purpose.” 

The South Korean military said they had also received intelligence that North Korea had developed stealth paint in late 2000. 

In its brochures for arms exports, Pyongyang also claimed their weapons have stealth functions and that its guided-missile vessel, which was used Friday in its fire drill in the East Sea, also has a stealth function. 

But even if the North’s air and naval fleets are covered with stealth paint, they probably don’t have the capability to avoid radar detection, military officials said. 

“Just because you cover it with stealth paint, that doesn’t mean the weapons system will have stealth function,” a senior military official said. “Design and material are key in minimizing the radar cross-section of an aircraft or a vessel to be stealth.

“We no longer fight in combat with visual confirmation, like in World War II,” he said. “Today, it is long-distance combat, using radars to fire at targets from dozens of kilometers away. Just because North Korea changed its color scheme, it won’t bring about a significant improvement.” 

The military added that it is equipped with radar systems that cover the entire Korean Peninsula. Additionally, the Airborne Early Warning and Control System, known as Peace-Eye, can detect when North Korean fighter jets take off, even when they are only 10 meters (32 feet) above ground. 

Related Images - North Korean Fighter Jets Get A Makeover

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Korea Joongang Daily
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DTN News - EGYPT DEFENSE NEWS: Egypt Opts For The Rafale

DTN News - EGYPT DEFENSE NEWS: Egypt Opts For The Rafale
*France is to sell 24 Rafale fighter jets to Egypt along with a naval frigate and missiles in a deal worth more than €5 billion, President François Hollande said Thursday, the first time a foreign buyer has been found for the French-built warplanes

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Dassault Aviation & France 24
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 13, 2015: French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will travel to Cairo Monday to sign the final agreement with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Hollande said in a statement issued by his office.

“The Rafale fighter jet has won its first export contract,” Hollande said, confirming a report in French daily Le Monde published earlier Thursday that said a deal had been agreed.

“The Egyptian authorities have just let me know their intention of acquiring 24 Rafale planes, a multi-mission frigate as well as related equipment,” he added.

These last two items are believed to be a FREMM warship, currently used by the French and Italian navies, and a number of short and medium-range missiles built by MBDA.

The deal follows years of failed attempts by France to export the Rafale, described as one of the most effective and sophisticated fighter jets in the world, but also one of the most expensive.

A potential deal to sell the multipurpose warplanes to Brazil  fell through in 2013 when the country chose jets made by Sweden’s Saab instead.

And although manufacturer Dassault Aviation, which launched the Rafale more than a decade ago, has been in exclusive negotiations with India for the last three years, a final deal has yet to be signed.

The French government has reduced its order for the planes to 26 Rafale jets over the next five years, down from 11 a year so far, putting Dassault under further pressure to find a foreign buyer.

Credit facility

A potential deal with Egypt was first muted in November last year during Sisi’s state visit to Paris, according to Le Monde, where discussions were held about replacing Egypt's fleet of 18 Mirage jets, also built by Dassault.

Though funding issues were believed to be a concern, French business daily Les Echos reported earlier this month that the two countries were discussing using a credit facility – arranged by French credit insurer COFACE and involving some of France’s biggest banks – to finance as much as 50 percent of the sale.

France has a history of military hardware deals with Egypt: as well as being the first foreign buyer of the Mirage jet in 1981, Cairo signed a contract last year to buy four French-built naval frigates in a deal worth €1 billion.

Concerns over the rise of jihadist groups in neighbouring Libya and in Egypt’s Sinai province have also seen the countries establish closer ties in recent years.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Dassault Aviation & France 24
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated February 12, 2015

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated February 12, 2015
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-029-15 February 12, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 12, 2015: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued February 12, 2015 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS
 

ARMY
 

ABM Government Services, Hopkinsville, Kentucky (W912DY-15-D-0029); ACEPEX Management Corp.,* Montclair, California (W912DY-15-D-0030); EMCOR Government Services, Arlington, Virginia (W912DY-15-D-0031); Electronic Metrology Laboratory,* Franklin, Tennessee (W912DY-15-D-0032); Facility Services Management,* Clarksville, Tennessee (W912DY-15-D-0033); J&J Maintenance Inc., Austin , Texas (W912DY-15-D-0034); Johnson Controls Building Automation Systems, Huntsville, Alabama (W912DY-15-D-0035); Quality Services International, San Antonio, Texas (W912DY-15-D-0036); SODEXO Management Gaithersburg, Maryland (W912DY-15-D-0037); and VW International, Alexandria, Virginia (W912DY-15-D-0038), were awarded a $990,000,000 firm-fixed-price shared contract amount for operations and maintenance services at government medical and related non-medical facilities including hospitals, clinics, administrative, pharmacies, veterinarian, dental, training, research, utility and energy plants, labs and storage facilities, as well as some nonmedical facilities associated with these medical facilities.. Funding and work location will be determined with each order with an estimated completion date of Feb. 11, 2020. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 22 received. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Support Center, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
 

ABM Government Services, Hopkinsville, Kentucky (W91278-15-D-0020); EMCOR Government Services Inc., Arlington, Virginia (W91278-15-D-0021); Facilities Services Management Inc., Clarksville, Tennessee (W91278-15-D-0022); J&J Worldwide Services, Austin, Texas (W91278-15-D-0023); and Jones Lang LaSalle, Washington, District of Columbia (W91278-15-D-0024), were awarded a $248,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, task order contract with options for the operation, maintenance and minor construction for Army Medical Command facilities in CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Funding and work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 8, 2020. Bids were solicited via the Internet with six received. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Airbus Defense and Space Inc., Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a $220,564,993 modification (P00882) to contract W58RGZ-06-C-0194 to procure forty-one 72A Lakota Helicopters to include forty-one Airborne Radio Communications 231 Radios. Fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the amount of $220,564,993 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is July 31, 2017. Work will be performed Columbus, Mississippi. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Robertson Fuel Systems, Tempe, Arizona, was awarded a $45,352,938 firm-fixed-price foreign military sales contract (Korea, Turkey, UAE) to supply Extended Range Fuel Systems and associated support equipment for the CH-47 helicopter. Funding and work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 3019. Bids were solicited via the Internet with one received. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-15-D-0025).

Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin J/V was awarded a $25,368,524 modification (P00013) to foreign military sales contract W31P4Q-14-C-0127 (Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Lithuania, Jordan, Norway, Taiwan) for life cycle contractor support and repairs for U.S. Army, Marines, Army National Guard and FMS customers. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) and other procurement funds in the amount of $25,368,524 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Feb. 28, 2016. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Elbit Systems of America, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $13,185,756 modification (P00013) to foreign military sales contract W58RGZ-12-C-0164 (Indonesia) for 300 Apache Aviator Integrated Helmets. Fiscal 2010/2013/2014 other procurement funds in the amount of $13,185,756 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2017. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Wolverine Services LLC,* Colorado Springs, Colorado, was awarded an $11,371,140 firm-fixed-price contract for base operations services. Work will be performed at the following Alaskan locations: Fort Wainwright, Donnelly, Yukon and Black Rapids training areas with an estimated completion date of April 11, 2021. Bids were solicited via the Internet with six received. Funding will be determined with each order. Army Contracting Command, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W912D0-15-D-0004).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
 

Beacon Point Associates, LLC,** Pembroke Pines, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $45,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hospital equipment/supplies, optical/laboratory equipment/supplies, components and systems accessories. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and fifty-five offers were received. This is a five-year base contract with no option year periods. Location of performance is Florida with a Feb. 11, 2020 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DE-15-D-0012).
 

AIR FORCE
 

COLSA Corp., Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded a $23,748,310 modification (P00023) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA9200-10-D-0166. Contractor will provide additional diverse non-engineering, technical and acquisition management support services already being provided under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be complete by July 31, 2015. This contract involves foreign military sales. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
 

OASIS System LLC, Lexington, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $23,748,310 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite quantity modification (P00025) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA9200-10-D-0173. Contractor will provide additional diverse non-engineering, technical and acquisition management support services already being provided under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be complete by July 31, 2015. This contract involves foreign military sales. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
 

NAVY
 

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $16,492,000 undefinitized delivery order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-14-G-0020) for the procurement and installation of vehicle management computer retrofit modification kits into designated aircraft that are critical to meeting F-35 Lightning II requirements. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (45 percent); Ogden, Utah (20 percent); Cherry Point, North Carolina (20 percent); Yuma, Arizona (5 percent); Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (5 percent); and Edwards Air Force Base, California (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2016. Fiscal 2013 and 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force), fiscal 2015 research, development, test and evaluation funds (Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force) and International Partner funds in the amount of $8,246,000 are being obligated on this award, $4,051,934 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
 

General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Fairfax, Virginia, is being awarded a one-year $13,939,606 modification to a previously awarded multiple award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-reimbursement-type contract (N66001-12-D-0060) for support of technology insertion, software and systems engineering, modeling and simulation, systems integration testing, integrated logistics in support of information technology and other Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) efforts. This is one of two contracts awarded; each awardee will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This contract includes one remaining one-year option which, if exercised, would bring the potential, cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $68,088,407. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and work is expected to be completed by Feb. 11, 2016. No contract funds will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding will be obligated via task orders as they are issued using research, development, test and evaluation; other procurement (Navy); operations & maintenance (Navy); Navy working capital fund; and Defense working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-11-R-0026 published on the Federal Business Opportunities website, and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website. Two proposals were received and two were selected. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-12-D-0060).

Science Applications International Corp. Inc., McLean, Virginia, is being awarded a one-year $12,236,396 modification to a previously awarded multiple award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-reimbursement-type contract (N66001-12-D-0061) for support of technology insertion, software and systems engineering, modeling and simulation, systems integration testing integrated logistics in support of information technology and other Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) efforts. This is one of two contracts awarded; each awardee will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This contract includes one remaining one-year option which, if exercised, would bring the potential, cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $59,770,490. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and work is expected to be completed Feb. 11, 2016. No contract funds will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding will be obligated via task orders as they are issued using research, development, test and evaluation; other procurement (Navy); operations and maintenance (Navy); Navy working capital fund; and Defense working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-11-R-0026 published on the Federal Business Opportunities website, and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with two proposals received and two were selected. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.


Systems Engineering Support Co. Inc.,* San Diego, California, is being awarded a $7,566,497 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-reimbursement-type contract for design, engineering, integration, fabrication and testing support of the Data Multiplex Systems (DMS), the Fiber Optic Data Multiplex System, and the Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplex System, collectively referred to as xDMS. This is a three-year contract which includes two one-year options, which if exercised, would bring the contact value to $12,975,000. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and work is expected to be completed Feb. 11, 2018. No contract funds will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funding will be obligated via task orders as they are issued using ship construction (Navy), other procurement (Navy) and foreign military sales funds. This contract was competitively procured via solicitation N66001-14-R-0013 and publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, with two offers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-15-D-0058).

*Small business
**Service disabled veteran owned small business

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-029-15 February 12, 2015 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Firms Set Teams For Helicopter Tender

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Firms Set Teams For Helicopter Tender

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Vivek Raghuvanshi ~ DefenseNews

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 12, 2015:  In (NEW DELHI) India's first helicopter competition reserved for domestic defense companies, teams have been established between top defense companies Larsen & Toubro with Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems with Sikorsky Aircraft to produce a light utility helicopter (LUH).

Other corporate arrangements include Mahindra Defence Systems teaming up with Bell Helicopter and Punj Lloyd with Russian Helicopters. The domestic companies have to respond by Feb. 17 to a request for information (RFI) they received in October to provide the helicopters on a Buy and Make (India) basis in the $2.5 billion tender.

State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics also is negotiating a tie up with Russian Helicopters.

None of the overseas or domestic companies would discuss their partnerships.

A Ministry of Defence official said there is no certainty that the helicopters built by the domestic companies would be cheaper than importing them directly.

"The idea is to build capabilities in India to build the defense industrial base and have in-house life-time support and maintenance," the official added.

While the RFI describes purchase of 197 light utility helicopters — 133 for the Army and 64 for the Air Force — India has a requirement for more than 400, said an Air Force official.

Defense analyst Nitin Mehta, however, is not sure if the program will ever take off in the domestic sector.

"The fresh procurement process for LUH, which has begun after the cancellation of the earlier global tenders, will further delay the acquisition of the much-needed helicopters. The domestic private sector companies, having no experience in making helicopters and will begin from scratch, will add to the delay which will ultimately prove counterproductive," Mehta said.

"At [some point] India will have to buy the much-needed LUH from the global market on a fast-track basis," Mehta said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi Dec. 11, had offered to build in India the Ka 226 LUH for domestic and export purposes. However, the government decided to pursue an open competition.

The RFI says the LUH will be needed for reconnaissance and surveillance, to direct artillery fire, for quick-reaction teams for special missions, aerial photography, serving a scout role in conjunction with attack helicopters, and to monitor nuclear, biological and chemical incidents.

The tie ups only represent an initial intent to partner in the helicopter tender and become formal only after responding to the RFP.

When the Modi government came to power in May 2014, it canceled a 2009 global re-tender to purchase 197 LUHs and instead issued the RFI only to domestic defense majors as part its policy to build domestic industry capabilities. At the time of cancellation of the tender, Eurocopter's (now Airbus Helicopters ) AS550 helicopter was in competition with Russia's Ka-226T built by Kamov.

In August, the MoD also canceled a 2012 tender to buy 56 naval utility helicopters in which Airbus Helicopters and AgustaWestland were competing.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Vivek Raghuvanshi ~ DefenseNews
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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