Wednesday, May 15, 2013

DTN News - CANNES FESTIVAL 2013: 66th Cannes Film Festival Opens With Amitabh Bachchan, DiCaprio, Spielberg

DTN News - CANNES FESTIVAL 2013: 66th Cannes Film Festival Opens With Amitabh Bachchan, DiCaprio, Spielberg
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Bollywood & Hollywood Gup Shup Gossip


(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 15, 2013: Actors Amitabh Bachchan, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio pose for photographers during a photo call for the film The Great Gatsby at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 15, 2013.


By Staff, The Associated Press

*Presented & compiled By BHGSG for DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

http://indianbollywoodmusicandmovies.blogspot.ca/2013/05/great-gatsby-stars-dazzle-despite-damp.html


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Bollywood & Hollywood Gup Shup Gossip
*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 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - CANNES FESTIVAL 2013: "Great Gatsby" Stars Dazzle Despite Damp Cannes Opening

DTN News - CANNES FESTIVAL 2013: "Great Gatsby" Stars Dazzle Despite Damp Cannes Opening
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Bollywood & Hollywood Gup Shup Gossip


(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 15, 2013:  Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Leonardo DiCaprio, cast members of the film 'The Great Gatsby', Jury President Steven Spielberg, Jury member of the 66th Cannes Film Festival actress Nicole Kidman and Daniel Auteuil attend the opening ceremony of the 66th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes May 15, 2013.


Credit: Reuters/Yves Herman

*Presented & compiled By BHGSG for DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

http://indianbollywoodmusicandmovies.blogspot.ca/2013/05/great-gatsby-stars-dazzle-despite-damp.html


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Bollywood & Hollywood Gup Shup Gossip
*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 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News: Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News Dated May 15, 2013

DTN News: Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News Dated  May 15, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 15, 2013: Comprehensive daily news related to Aerospace/Defense for the world of TODAY.
**DTN News - Special Creative Contribution;
Wednesday May 15, 2013
*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Defense News
*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 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 15, 2013

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 15, 2013
Source: U.S. DoD issued No.  334-13 May 15, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 15, 2013: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  May 15, 2013  are undermentioned;


CONTRACTS
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
            Graybar Electric Company Inc., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded a maximum $426,880,788 modification exercising the eighth option year of a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  This contract is for maintenance, repair and operations supplies.  Location of performance is Missouri with a May 18, 2014, performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM500-04-D-BP07) 

            Science Application International Corp., Fairfield, N.J., has been awarded a maximum $380,962,639 modification exercising the eighth option year of a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  This contract is for maintenance, repair and operations supplies.  Location of performance is New Jersey with a May 18, 2014, performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM500-04-D-BP08) 

            Harris Manufacturing Company Inc.*, Trenton, N.J., has been awarded a maximum $14,966,360 modification exercising option year one of a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  This contract is for life rafts.  Locations of performance are New Jersey and Delaware with a June 28, 2014, completion date.  Using military services are Navy, Air Force.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2014 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM8EJ-11-D-0502) 

NAVY
            Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc., Monroeville, Pa., is being awarded a $296,442,784 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-13-C-2121) for Naval Nuclear Propulsion Components.  Work will be performed in Monroeville, Pa. (71.59 percent) and Schenectady, N.Y. (28.41 percent).  Fiscal 2013 Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  No completion date or additional information is provided on Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program contracts.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. 

            BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded a $37,760,767 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-09-C-0102) to exercise an option for engineering and technical services and supplies for the design, development, integration, test and evaluation, maintenance and logistics support of communication-electronic platform, equipment, systems and subsystems in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s Special Communications Requirements Division.  Work will be performed in St. Inigoes, Md. (40 percent); Chesapeake, Va. (39 percent); Spring Lake, N.C. (14 percent); San Diego, Calif. (3 percent); Tampa, Fla. (2 percent); Washington, D.C. (1 percent); Fort Campbell, Ky. (.5 percent); and Fort Carson, Colo. (.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2014.  Navy Working Capital funds in the amount of $3,000,000 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity. 

            Turbopower LLC, Miami Lakes, Fla. (N00019-09-D-0012); Rolls-Royce Engine Services, Oakland, Calif. (N00019-09-D-0013); and StandardAero (San Antonio) Inc., San Antonio, Texas (N00019-09-D-0014), are each being awarded modifications to previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts to exercise options for depot-level repair of the T56 Series III engine.  Depot-level repair of the T56 Series III engine modules is required to support fielded P-3 and derivative aircraft, as well as T56 powered C-130 and C-2 aircraft.  The estimated value of the individual modifications are $39,202,553 for Turbopower LLC, $33,213,697 for Rolls-Royce Engine Services; and $39,028,623 for StandardAero Inc.  The companies will have the opportunity to compete for associated task orders.  The places of performance are Miami Lakes, Fla., for Turbopower LLC; Oakland, Calif., for Rolls-Royce Engine Services; and San Antonio, Texas, for StandardAero Inc.  Efforts under these options are expected to be completed in February 2014.  No funds are being obligated at time of award.  Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued.  The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity. 

TRICARE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY
            Optum Health Care Solutions Inc., Golden Valley, Minn., was awarded a $23,034,076 firm-fixed-price contract to provide telehealth support to the Department of Defense TRICARE program.  The 12 month base year will begin with a three-month start-up period.  The contractor will assist the Military Health System in operating a nationwide nurse advice line to provide 24/7 telehealth triage and administrative support services for all TRICARE beneficiaries located in the United States.  The work to be performed includes telehealth nurse triage, advice for self-care and for pursuing health care services, appointing at Military Treatment Facilities, provider locator assistance and customer service while providing beneficiary satisfaction at the highest level possible through the delivery of world-class health care.  Fiscal 2013 Operational and Maintenance funding in the amount of $23,034,076 is being obligated at time of award. This contract was competitively procured with six initial offers received.  TRICARE Management Activity, Falls Church, Va., is the contracting activity (HT0011-13-C-0001). 

AIR FORCE
            Jacobs Technology Inc., Lincoln, Mass., was awarded a $14,448,258 cost-plus-fixed -fee and cost-reimbursable contract for interim support of services to provide engineering and technology acquisition support services.  The types of services to be acquired under this contract includes but are not limited to:  engineering services, engineering support, technical support, provisioning and logistics, modeling and simulation, configuration and data management, architectural support, test and evaluation, security engineering and certification, capability based planning, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) integration, integrated master plans and scheduling and technical reviews.  Work will be performed at Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB), Mass., with primary geographically separated units (GSUs) at Peterson AFB, Colo.; Langley AFB, Va.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.; and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, with an expected completion date of Nov 14, 2013.  Fiscal year 2013 operations and maintenance funds and fiscal 2012 and 2013 research and development and procurement funds in the amount of $11,468,879 are being obligated at time of award.  This contract was a sole source acquisition and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/PZM is the contracting activity.  Contract has an FMS component as the contract requires company to travel overseas for host nation support.  (FA8721-13-C-0006) 

            BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems, Merrimack, N.H., was awarded a $11,943,869 modification (P00011) to a previously awarded contract (FA8750-11-C-0189) for smart waveforms using evasive and adaptive protocols (SWEAP) software/hardware/testbed to demonstrate to demonstrate CommEx's capabilities for recognition, optimization, and mitigation in software-only upgrades using the current processing resources, software upgrades on enhanced processing resources, hardware and antenna upgrades.  The total cumulative face value of the contract is $18,245,337.  Fiscal 2013 Research and Development funds provided by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in the amount of $4,590,234 will be obligated at the time of award.  Work will be performed at Merrimack, N.H., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2015.  The contracting activity is Air Force Research Laboratory/RIKF, Rome, N.Y.
*Small Business

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources 
U.S. DoD issued No.  334-13 May 15, 2013
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - AFGHANISTAN FACTOR: Should India Provide Direct Military Aid To Afghanistan?

DTN News - AFGHANISTAN FACTOR: Should India Provide Direct Military Aid To Afghanistan?
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Javid Ahmad - NYTimes
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 14, 2013: Over the past decade, India has invested heavily in Afghanistan’s reconstruction. Recognizing India’s significant economic and development contributions, the United States has called on New Delhi to play an important role in the new Silk Road initiative aimed at transforming Afghanistan into a regional trade hub.

At the same time, New Delhi has been reluctant to become directly involved in supporting Afghanistan’s nascent security sector. The many uncertainties surrounding next year’s security transition from international to Afghan leadership raise further questions about New Delhi’s role in the Afghan endgame..

India’s decision-makers acknowledge that India’s own internal security would be at risk if the international drawdown from Afghanistan leaves behind a security vacuum that is filled by Pakistan-backed militant groups. New Delhi can no longer ignore the related consequences. And while some of the Pakistan-related sensitivities are important for India, it should not approach its relations with Afghanistan, a sovereign nation, solely from a Pakistan angle.

One way for New Delhi to overcome its anxieties and further cement ties with Kabul is to consider providing direct military assistance to the Afghan government and training support to the burgeoning Afghan National Security Forces. The India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in October 2011 already provides the staging ground for an increased military cooperation with Afghanistan. Under the agreement, India provides — though to a limited extent — training support and light military equipment to Afghan forces.

However, because of New Delhi’s hesitation to put military personnel on the ground, all trainings of Afghan forces are conducted inside India. Although New Delhi has deployed a small number of paramilitary forces to guard its diplomatic facilities and aid workers in Afghanistan after a number of attacks, the troops are not engaged in any combat or training missions. Looking ahead, India’s decision-makers should consider anchoring these troops to support the Afghan forces and also consider establishing a military training academy in Afghanistan for Afghan forces.

More specifically, India should focus on propping up the Afghan air force, which remains largely reliant on international air support. India should bolster the ability of the Afghan air force to more ably operate its current fleet of 50 helicopters. For Afghan forces, the helicopters are an essential tool for operational air support and for resupplying remote military outposts, so New Delhi should particularly focus on training the technical and maintenance staff, on supplying the necessary spare parts and on improving the Afghan aircrew’s medevac capability. By supplying an airbase support advisory team, India can augment the ability of the Afghan air force to support ground operations with troop and cargo movements and deploy Afghan forces across the country.

In addition to training support, India should consider providing the Afghan government with military hardware, including attack helicopters, a handful of fighter aircrafts, armored vehicles, artillery and tactical communication tools. New Delhi may boost these efforts by increasing its cooperation with Afghan intelligence services and provide specialized training to Afghan operatives in collecting technical and aerial intelligence.

Undeniably, these measures would come with important risks and constraints. For one, it would add further to Pakistan’s many deep-rooted security concerns. Pakistan could derail the incipient peace talks with the Taliban, increase its support to the insurgent elements it hosts on its soil to spur further violence in Afghanistan or employ militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba to strike more frequently in India or on Indian assets inside Afghanistan.

However, a closer India-Afghan relationship would be intended to strengthen the Afghan government so it can remain functioning after 2014, and not to monitor Pakistan’s activities. Pakistan must realize that India’s assistance will go directly to the Afghan government, and not to any Afghan factions, as it has been in the past. Pakistan must also recognize that closer ties with India in Afghanistan better serves the interests of all parties.

Kabul does not choose sides in its relations with India and Pakistan, and, as it does with New Delhi, Kabul can also work with Islamabad in security and other sectors, but Pakistan must first show a sincere effort that it is not working toward sinister strategic objectives in Afghanistan.

Looking ahead, India is expected to stay the course and stick to training the Afghan forces inside India to avoid any backlash. But Afghanistan would welcome greater military assistance from India. Growing frustration with Pakistan has also prompted Washington to seek more Indian engagement after former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, during a visit to New Delhi, called on India to continue training the Afghan forces.

India is uniquely placed to provide such support. It leads the world’s fourth-largest and modernized military force with extraordinary experience in training missions. India’s military could use the services of many India-trained Afghan security personnel buoyed by people-to-people contacts and linguistic affinity within Afghanistan.

A politically and economically stable Afghanistan is of a strategic significance to India, but more collaboration is necessary. Despite little support among India’s policy makers for greater military cooperation with Afghanistan, the lingering ambiguity around Afghanistan’s future after 2014 provides a good opportunity for New Delhi to step up its efforts to be a force for stability in the country. Afghanistan values its relations with India, and any future direct military and training support to Afghan forces would not only strengthen bilateral relations but would also play a significant role in enhancing Afghanistan’s security after international forces leave the country.

Javid Ahmad is a program coordinator for Asia at the German Marshall Fund of the United States and a consultant to Pentagon’s AfPak Hands program

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Javid Ahmad - NYTimes
*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 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

DTN News - SOFIC NEWS: Bell Helicopter Features Revolutionary Aircraft At SOFIC 2013

DTN News - SOFIC NEWS: Bell Helicopter Features Revolutionary Aircraft At SOFIC 2013
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Bell Helicopter
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 14, 2013: Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today its participation in the annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) held May 14 to May 16 in Tampa, Fla. Bell Helicopter will feature an armed Bell 407 on static display, its first commercially qualified armed helicopter, a CV-22 model and 3-D interactive programs demonstrating the capabilities of the V-22 Osprey and Bell V-280 Valor.

"SOFIC provides an important opportunity for us to spend time with current and potential customers," said Mitch Snyder, executive vice president for military programs at Bell Helicopter. "Our new 3-D programs give attendees the opportunity to experience the unmatched capabilities of the V-22 Osprey and Bell V-280 Valor. In addition, the armed Bell 407 on static display shows customers the versatility this aircraft offers with its various weapons configurations."

The V-22 Osprey is combat-proven and performs missions no other aircraft can approach. Tiltrotor is the only vertical lift platform capable of rapid self-deployment to any theater of operation. The V-22 is one of the safest rotorcraft in the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps fleet with more than 170,000 flight hours and outstanding operational performance. With its revolutionary combination of speed, range and vertical lift, the Osprey is changing the way wars are fought, humanitarian aid and critical supplies are delivered, and heroes are saved.

Introduced at the 2013 Army Aviation Association of America's (AAAA) annual form and expo, the Bell V-280 Valor is Bell Helicopter's offering for the Joint Multi Role (JMR)/Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Technology Demonstrator. Its unmatched capabilities - speed, range and payload - and its operational agility deliver the best value at the lowest technical risk. With 280 KTAS cruise speed and a combat range of 500-800 nm, the Valor provides twice the speed and twice the range of the current medium helicopter, more than doubling operational reach. The Bell V-280 is a true force multiplier as a result of its capabilities, covering more than five times the area of a current MEDEVAC and requiring smaller support infrastructure and security.

The armed Bell 407 includes the advanced technology of the best selling Bell 407GX. Built on the proven Bell 407 platform and designed for military and parapublic operations, the aircraft encompasses performance, reliability and maintainability. The armed Bell 407 is capable of performing a wide range of missions, configurable for multiple weapons and surveillance packages, including mini-guns, rocket pods, multi-sensor camera and NVG capabilities. The armed Bell 407 offers excellent hot and high performance, a spacious, multi-mission capable cabin with 85 ft3 (2.4 m3) of useable volume that accommodates six passengers, and a standard bi-fold door with a 61 in (155 cm) opening for quick, easy loading and unloading.

SOFIC's 2013 theme, "Strengthening the SOF Bond," provides a forum for military, government, academia and industry stakeholders to network and discuss current and future challenges and how to best support U.S. Special Operations Forces in four key areas: preservation of the force and families, human domain, support of the Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) and innovation. Events include a business opportunities session, networking reception, USSOCOM Component Commander panel, USSOCOM Senior Enlisted Advisors panel, gala reception, dinner and awards presentation.

About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

About Textron Inc. 
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement, including, but not limited to, the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government defense budget; difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers' ability to fund or finance purchases of our products; and demand softness or volatility in the markets in which we do business.

Contact

BILL SCHROEDER
817-280-3100
mediarelations@bh.com
Online Media Kit

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Bell Helicopter
*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 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 14, 2013

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 14, 2013
Source: U.S. DoD issued No.  331-13 May 14, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 14, 2013: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  May 14, 2013  are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS
ARMY
            C.F. Bean LLC, Belle Chase, La., (W912EP-13-D-0023); Cavache Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla., (W912EP-13-D-0024); Matthews Marine Inc., Pass Christian, Miss., (W912EP-13-D-0025); and Inland Dredging Company LLC, Dyersburg, Tenn., (W912EP-13-D-0026); were awarded a firm-fixed-price, multiple-award-task-order contract with a maximum value of $500,000,000 for maintenance dredging services within the boundaries of the Army Corps of Engineer’s South-Atlantic Division.  Specific performance location and type of appropriation will be determined with each order.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 10 bids received.  The Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. 

            DynPort Vaccine Company LLC, Frederick, Md., was awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with a maximum value of $157,324,041 for the development of a prophylactic and medical countermeasure to prevent the effects of organophosphorus nerve agents.  Work will be performed in Frederick and Mount Airy, Md.; Columbus, Ohio; Flemington, N.J.; Richmond, Va.; St. Paul, Minn.; and Canada.  Fiscal 2013 research, development, testing and evaluation funds in the amount of $14,970,000 are being obligated on this award.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received.  The Army Contracting Command, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-13-C-0056). 

            Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Hurst, Texas, was awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee, foreign military sales (FMS) contract with a maximum value of $85,400,000 for engineering and technical support services.  This FMS contract is in support of Iraq and Taiwan.  Performance location and type of appropriation will be determined with each order.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received.  The Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-13-D-0131). 

            FLIR Systems Inc., Wilsonville, Ore., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum value of $82,434,800 for the procurement of the Talon Forward Looking Infrared System.  Fiscal 2013 procurement funds in the amount of $288,000 are being obligated on this award.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-13-A-0001). 

            Boeing, Mesa, Ariz., was awarded an $18,342,000 modification (P00005), to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (W58RGZ-12-C-0055), for the procurement of long lead material for the Apache helicopter.  The cumulative total face value of this contract is $218,567,308.  Fiscal 2012 procurement funds are being obligated on this award.  The Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. 

            Shaw Environmental Inc., New York, N.Y., was awarded a $10,000,000 modification (P00017), to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (DACW41-99-D-9001), for remediation and excavation services in support of the Maywood Superfund Site.  Performance location and type of appropriation will be determined with each order.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with six bids received.  The Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity. 

            4H Construction Corp., Cleveland, Miss., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum value of $7,309,050 for dredging services along the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.  Specific performance location and type of appropriation will be determined with each order.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received.  The Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock, Ark., is the contracting activity (W9127S-13-D-0004). 

NAVY
            Delphinus Engineering Inc., Eddystone, Pa., (N65540-13-D-0006); Q.E.D. Systems Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., (N65540-13-D-0009); George G. Sharp Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., (N65540-13-D-0007); and TECNICO Corp., Chesapeake, Va., (N65540-13-D-0008) are each being awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts, with an estimated ceiling of $436,579,318 for Delphinus Engineering, an estimated ceiling of $462,189,589 for Q.E.D. Systems, an estimated ceiling of $467,339,572 for George G. Sharp, and an estimated ceiling of $504,439,878 for TECNICO Corp., for services to support habitability systems on all types of military vessels and small crafts, both aboard the vessel and at land-based facilities located at government activities.  Work is expected to be completed at East Coast Navy facilities (Norfolk, Va.; Little Creek, Va.; Newport News, Va.; Mayport, Fla.; and Groton, Conn.) (50 percent), and West Coast Navy facilities (San Diego, Calif.; and Bremerton, Wash.) (50 percent), and is expected to complete by May 2018.  Fiscal 2013 Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy and Fiscal 2013 Operations & Maintenance, Navy funding in the amount of $400,000 will be obligated at time of award.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured through the Navy Electronic Commerce Online and the Federal Business Opportunities websites, with four offers received.  The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Ship System Engineering Station, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.  

            The Boeing Co., Seattle, Wash., is being awarded a $27,500,000 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0022) for additional integrated logistics services in support of the low rate initial production of the P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime aircraft.  Work will be performed in Seattle, Wash. (60.80 percent); Linthicum, Md. (14.89 percent); McKinney, Texas (6.44 percent); Valencia, Calif. (4.85 percent); Huntington Beach, Calif. (3.47 percent); Mesa, Ariz. (2.22 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (1.10 percent); Johnson City, N.Y. (.95 percent); Huntington, N.Y., (.84 percent); Grand Rapids, Mich. (.57 percent); Richmond, Calif. (.50 percent) and various locations throughout the United States (3.37 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2016.  Fiscal 2012 Aircraft Procurement Navy contract funds in the amount of $27,500,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air System Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.  

            QED Systems Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $23,836,074 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide thermal lagging for Southeast Regional Maintenance Center.  Thermal lagging will be performed on the surface combatants homeported or visiting Naval Station Mayport, Fla.  Work will be performed in Mayport, Fla., and is expected to complete by May 2014.  Fiscal 2013 Operations & Maintenance, Navy funding in the amount of $25,000 will be obligated at time of award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received.  Southeast Regional Maintenance Center, Mayport, Fla., is the contracting activity (N40027-13-D-0001). 

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
            Polaris Defense, Medina, Minn., has been awarded a maximum $382,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract.  This contract is for fire and emergency vehicles.  Location of performance is Minnesota with a May 17, 2018, performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2018 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM8EC-13-D-0016). 

            Genetech USA, South San Francisco, Calif., has been awarded a maximum $56,961,962 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  This contract is for pharmaceutical products.  Location of performance is California with a May 13, 2014, performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Warstopper funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2D0-13-D-0005). 

            General Dynamics, Williston, Vt., has been awarded an estimated maximum $34,139,561 firm-fixed-price contract.  This contract is for Gatling gun barrels.  Locations of performance are Vermont and Maine with a Dec. 31, 2013, performance completion date.  Using military services are Navy and Air Force.  Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2013 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio. (SPM7LX-13-D-0048).

            Rochester Optical*, Rochester, N.Y., has been awarded a maximum $26,142,516 modification exercising option year three of a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract.  This contract is for various optical frames using the Optical Electronic Catalog Program.  Location of performance is New York with a June 2, 2014, completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriations is fiscal 2013 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM2DE-10-D-7545). 

AIR FORCE
            General Electric Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a $35,601,642 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-incentive -fee contract for support and sustainment of the U-2 F118-GA-101/101A engines including contractor field services support, in-plant technical services, maintenance support (multiple locations), specialized repair activities, technical data, reports, integrated logistics support, and reimbursement for contractor furnished fuel.  Work will be performed at Cincinnati, Ohio, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2015.  Fiscal 2012 Operations and Maintenance contract funds in the amount of $1,986,846 will be obligated at the time of award.  The contracting activity is Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WIKBA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. (FA8528-13-C-0076). 

            GE Aviation Systems LLC, Sterling, Va., has been awarded an $8,007,010 firm-fixed-price contract for C-130 propellers.  Work will be performed with Dowty Propellers in Gloucester, U.K., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2014.  Fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement funds are being obligated on this award.  The award is the result of a sole-source acquisition.  The contracting activity is Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WLKCA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.  (FA8504-13-C-0003) 

*Small Business 

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources 
U.S. DoD issued No.  331-13 May 14, 2013
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - STRATFOR: U.S., Mexico - The Decline of The Colorado River

DTN News - STRATFOR: U.S., Mexico - The Decline of The Colorado River
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Stratfor
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 14, 2013: An amendment to a standing water treaty between the United States and Mexico has received publicity over the past six months as an example of progress in water sharing agreements. But the amendment, called Minute 319, is simply a glimpse into ongoing mismanagement of the Colorado River on the U.S. side of the border. 
Over-allocation of the river's waters 90 years ago combined with increasing populations and economic growth in the river basin have created circumstances in which conservation efforts -- no matter how organized -- could be too little to overcome the projected water deficit that the Colorado River Basin will face in the next 20 years.

Analysis

In 1922, the seven U.S. states in the Colorado River Basin established a compact to distribute the resources of the river. A border between the Upper and Lower basins was defined at Lees Ferry, Ariz. The Upper Basin (Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico) was allocated 9.25 billion cubic meters a year, and the Lower Basin (Arizona, California and Nevada) was allotted 10.45 billion cubic meters. Mexico was allowed an unspecified amount, which in 1944 was defined as 1.85 billion cubic meters a year. The Upper and Lower basins -- managed as separate organizations under the supervision of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation -- divided their allocated water among the states in their jurisdictions. Numerous disputes arose, especially in the Lower Basin, regarding proper division of the water resources. But the use of (and disputes over) the Colorado River began long before these treaties. 
Map - Colorado River Basin
As the United States' territory expanded to the west, the Colorado River briefly was considered a portal to the isolated frontier of the southwestern United States, since it was often cheaper to take a longer path via water to transport goods and people in the early 19th century. There was a short-lived effort to develop the Colorado River as the "Mississippi of the West." While places like Yuma, Ariz., became military and trading outposts, the geography and erratic flow of the Colorado made the river ultimately unsuitable for mass transportation. Navigating the river often required maneuvering around exposed sand banks and through shallow waters. The advent of the railroad ended the need for river transport in the region. Shortly thereafter, large and ambitious management projects, including the Hoover Dam, became the river's main purpose.
Irrigation along the river started expanding in the second half of the 19th century, and agriculture still consumes more water from the Colorado than any other sector. Large-scale manipulation of the river began in the early 20th century, and now there are more than 20 major dams along the Colorado River, along with reservoirs such as Lake Powell and Lake Mead, and large canals that bring water to areas of the Imperial and Coachella valleys in southern California for irrigation and municipal supplies. User priority on the Colorado River is determined by the first "useful purposing" of the water. For example, the irrigated agriculture in California has priority over some municipal water supplies for Phoenix, Ariz.

Inadequate Supply and Increasing Demand

When the original total allocation of the river was set in the 1920s, it was far above regional consumption. But it was also more than the river could supply in the long term. The river was divided based on an estimated annual flow of roughly 21 billion cubic meters per year. More recent studies have indicated that the 20th century, and especially the 1920s, was a time of above-normal flows. These studies indicate that the long-term average of flow is closer to 18 billion cubic meters, with yearly flows ranging anywhere from roughly 6 billion cubic meters to nearly 25 billion cubic meters. As utilization has increased, the deficit between flow and allocation has become more apparent.
Total allocations of river resources for the Upper and Lower basins and Mexico plus water lost to evaporation adds up to more than 21 billion cubic meters per year. Currently, the Upper Basin does not use the full portion of its allocation, and large reservoirs along the river can help meet the demand of the Lower Basin. Populations in the region are expected to increase; in some states, the population could double by 2030. A study released at the end of 2012 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation predicted a possible shortage of 3 billion cubic meters by 2035.
The Colorado River provides water for irrigation of roughly 15 percent of the crops in the United States, including vegetables, fruits, cotton, alfalfa and hay. It also provides municipal water supplies for large cities, such as Phoenix, Tucson, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas, accounting for more than half of the water supply in many of these areas. Minute 319, signed in November 2012, gives Mexico a small amount of additional water in an attempt to restore the delta region. However, the macroeconomic impact on Mexico is minimal, since agriculture accounts for the majority of the river's use in Mexico but only about 3 percent of the gross domestic product of the Baja Norte province. 
There is an imbalance of power along the international border. The United States controls the headwaters of the Colorado River and also has a greater macroeconomic interest in maintaining the supply of water from the river. This can make individual amendments of the 1944 Treaty somewhat misleading. Because of the erratic nature of the river, the treaty effectively promises more water than the river can provide each year. Cooperation in conservation efforts and in finding alternative water sources on the U.S. side of the border, not treaty amendments, will become increasingly important as regional water use increases over the coming decades.

Conservation Efforts Along the Colorado

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation oversees the whole river, but the management of each basin is separate. Additionally, within each basin, there are separate state management agencies and, within each state, separate regional management agencies. Given the number of participants, reaching agreements on the best method of conservation or the best alternative source of water is difficult. There are ongoing efforts at conservation, including lining canals to reduce seepage and programs to limit municipal water use. However, there is no basin-wide coordination. In a 2012 report, the Bureau of Reclamation compiled a list of suggested projects but stopped short of recommending a course of action. 
A similar report released in 2008 listed 12 general options including desalinization, vegetation management (elimination of water-intensive or invasive plants), water reuse, reduced use by power plants and joint management through water banking (water is stored either in reservoirs or in underground aquifers to use when needed). Various sources of water imports from other river basins or even icebergs are proposed as options, as is weather modification by seeding clouds in the Upper Basin. Implementation of all these options would result in an extra 5 billion cubic meters of water a year at most, which could erase the predicted deficit. However, this amount is unlikely, as it assumes maximum output from each technique and also assumes the implementation of all proposed methods, many of which are controversial either politically or environmentally and some of which are economically unviable. Additionally, many of the methods would take years to fully implement and produce their maximum capacity. Even then, a more reasonable estimate of conservation capacity would likely be closer to 1 billion-2 billion cubic meters, which would fall short of the projected deficit in 2035.

The Potential for New Disputes

Conflict over water can arise when there are competing interests for limited resources. This is seen throughout the world with rivers that traverse borders in places like Central Asia and North Africa. For the Colorado River, the U.S.-Mexico border is likely less relevant to the competition for the river's resources than the artificial border drawn at Lees Ferry.
Aside from growing populations, increased energy production from unconventional hydrocarbon sources in the Upper Basin has the potential to increase consumption. While this amount will likely be small compared to overall allocations, it emphasizes the value of water to the Upper Basin. Real or perceived threats to the Upper Basin's surplus of water could be seen as threats to economic growth in the region. At the same time, further water shortages could limit the potential for economic growth in the Lower Basin -- a situation that would only be exacerbated by growing populations.
While necessary, conservation efforts and the search for alternative sources likely will not be able to make up for the predicted shortage. Amendments to the original treaty typically have been issued to address symptomatic problems. However, the core problem remains: More water is promised to river users than is available on average. While this problem has not come to a head yet, there may come a time when regional growth overtakes conservation efforts. It is then that renegotiation of the treaty with a more realistic view of the river's volume will become necessary. Any renegotiation will be filled with conflict, but most of that likely will be contained in the United States.
Read more: U.S., Mexico: The Decline of the Colorado River | Stratfor 
*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Stratfor
*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 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS