Friday, March 08, 2013

DTN News - FUNNY PICTURES: Baby in Shock

DTN News - FUNNY PICTURES: Baby in Shock
Source: DTN News - - Pictures of The Day
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 8, 2013: If olive oil is made from olives

What is baby oil made of?  

OMG! (Oh my God)


*Photograph courtesy: Thats Nice - Mrs Browns Boys

Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) & DTN News


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

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources DTN News - Pictures of The Day
*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 
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Thursday, March 07, 2013

DTN News - MALAYSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Malaysian Security Forces Kill 31 Filipinos Muslim Clan And Reject Talks

DTN News - MALAYSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Malaysian Security Forces Kill 31 Filipinos Muslim Clan And Reject Talks
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 7, 2013: Malaysian police said they have fatally shot 31 Filipino intruders who sparked a security crisis in Borneo.

It is the highest number of casualties in a day since nearly 200 members of a Philippine Muslim clan took over an entire Malaysian village last month to lay claim to a sprawling Borneo state they insist is theirs by royal birthright.

National police chief Ismail Omar says Malaysian security forces tracking the armed clansmen gunned them down in a remote coastal district Thursday. He says no Malaysians were wounded.

At least 60 people, including eight Malaysian police officers, have been killed in the nearly month-long conflict over an attempt by followers of a Philippine-based sultan to assert a historic claim over parts of Borneo Island.

“The secretary-general is closely following the situation in Sabah, Malaysia,” said a statement from the United Nations released on Wednesday. “He urges an end to the violence and encourages dialogue among all the parties for a peaceful resolution of the situation.”

A spokesman for the Jamalul Kiram III, the leader of the group fighting in the Malaysian state of Sabah, said the sultanate was declaring a unilateral cease-fire in reaction to the call by the United Nations. He said an order was given for the group to take a “defensive position” and not to engage Malaysian troops.

“Malaysia, reciprocate the call for the cease-fire,” the spokesman, Abraham Idjirani, appealed at a Thursday afternoon news briefing.

The Malaysian defense minister, Ahmad Zahid, rejected the calls by the United Nations and the sultanate.

“A unilateral cease-fire is not accepted by Malaysia unless the militants surrender unconditionally,” he said in a statement, adding later: “Don’t believe the cease-fire offer by Jamalul Kiram. In the interest of Sabahans and all Malaysians, wipe out all the militants first.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters on Thursday afternoon that Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III had telephoned him after the United Nations statement to get his reaction.

“I informed President Aquino that they need to surrender unconditionally and their weapons have to be handed over to us,” he said during a visit to Lahad Datu, the area where much of the fighting has taken place.

Malaysian officials have called for the extradition to Malaysia of the group’s leader in Manila.

Mr. Aquino said Thursday that criminal charges are being prepared against the sultan by the country’s National Bureau of Investigation and he rejected calls for an immediate extradition. The Philippines and Malaysia do not have an extradition treaty but they have a mutual legal assistance agreement that facilitates the capture and repatriation of fugitives.

“Let our citizens here in the country face the charges that we will be proffering,” Mr. Aquino said. “Then we will talk about other developments after they have satisfied the requirements of our laws.”

The situation began in mid-February when about 200 people from the southern Philippines arrived in a remote coastal area of eastern Malaysia and announced that they were members of a royal army in service of the Sultanate of Sulu, which ruled the southern Philppines and parts of the Malaysian state of Sabah for centuries.

The group was initially received peacefully but after multiple requests that they return to the Philippines violence soon broke out. The Malaysian authorities launched several assaults against the group, using fighter jets, mortars and several battalions of ground troops.

Militant leaders in the Philippines have said that fighters from the restive southern part of the country would try to make their way to Sabah to act as reinforcements for the outnumbered Filipino fighters. Malaysian and Philippine navy ships are patrolling the waters between the two countries to stop further incursions.


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith DTN News
*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 
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DTN News - HUGO CHAVEZ NEWS: Venezuela Protests Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Statement On Hugo Chavez As 'Insensitive'

DTN News - HUGO CHAVEZ NEWS: Venezuela Protests Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Statement On Hugo Chavez  As 'Insensitive'
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources CBC News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 7, 2013: Venezuela has sent a formal protest to the Canadian government for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's "insensitive" remarks on the death of President Hugo Chavez.

Harper issued a statement that offered "condolences to the people of Venezuela," but not the family of the flamboyant 58-year-old leftist leader, who died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

A statement from a senior Venezuelan government official says a "card of protest" was sent to Ottawa after Harper expressed what he called insensitivity at a time when their country is grieving.

A wordy note from the vice-minister for North America, Claudia Salerno, said Caracas was protesting "in a blunt and categorical way, the statements issued the 5 of March 2013 by the prime minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, as they constitute insensitive and impertinent sentiments at a time when the Venezuelan people are grieving and crying over the irreparable physical loss of the Commander President Hugo Chavez Frias."

Harper said in his short statement on Tuesday that he hopes the death of Chavez brings a more promising future for the Venezuelan people.

"At this key juncture, I hope the people of Venezuela can now build for themselves a better, brighter future based on the principles of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights," Harper said in a statement Tuesday evening.

Harper also said that he looked forward "to working with (Chavez's) successor and other leaders in the region to build a hemisphere that is more prosperous, secure and democratic."

'Cold War socialism'
Harper has in the past pointedly challenged the world view of the influential Venezuelan leader, notably in a lengthy one-on-one interview with the Postmedia news service nearly four years ago before he was about to meet Chavez at the Summit of the Americas.

Harper had said Chavez was emblematic of the leftist leaders in the Western Hemisphere who were "opposed to basically sound economic policies, want to go back to Cold War socialism ... want to turn back the clock on the democratic progress that's been made in the hemisphere."

The Venezuelan government fired back on Wednesday saying that it "has freely and democratically chosen its Socialist destiny, is obliged to remind the representative of the Canadian government, that it has been thanks to this Bolivarian Revolution that our future as an independent and sovereign country appears more radiant and promising than ever, by virtue of the legacy of our historic leader, the Commander President Hugo Chavez Frias."

The statement from Caracas affirmed a commitment to "direct itself freely and with sovereignty towards Bolivarian Socialism and recognizes it as the way toward a future of well-being, that will secure the greatest amount of happiness for everyone."

Chavez was a vocal opponent of the free market economics of Canada and the United States.

He led a leftist revival across Latin America that posed a direct challenge to U.S. influence in the region.

While Chavez introduced social programs that helped feed and house his people during his 14 years in power, his economy has sputtered.

Though Venezuela is an oil rich country, it lacks the capital to maximize its oil output and has been wracked by inflation.

Farewell to 'commander'
Hundreds of thousands of tearful supporters carried their dead president's coffin through streets of Caracas on Wednesday in an epic farewell to their iconic president known simply as "our commander."

One of Chavez's closest socialist allies, Bolivian President Evo Morales, choked back tears and declared: "Chavez is more alive than ever."

Harper's remarks echoed those of the Obama administration in Washington.

The White House said in a statement that Washington supported the "Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government."

"As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights," the statement read.


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources CBC News
*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 
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DTN News - KOREAN PENINSULA NEWS: North Korea Threatens Pre-Emptive Nuclear Strike Against US

DTN News - KOREAN PENINSULA NEWS: North Korea Threatens Pre-Emptive Nuclear Strike Against US
*Threatening rhetoric comes before vote by UN on whether to level new sanctions against Pyongyang for its recent nuclear test
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Associated Press in Seoul - guardian.co.uk,
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 7, 2013: North Korea has vowed to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike against the United States, amplifying its threatening rhetoric hours before a vote by UN security council on whether to level new sanctions against Pyongyang for its recent nuclear test.

An unidentified spokesman for Pyongyang's foreign ministry said the North will exercise its right for "pre-emptive nuclear strikes on the headquarters of the aggressors" because Washington is pushing to start a nuclear war against it.

Although North Korea boasts of nuclear bombs and pre-emptive strikes, it is not thought to have mastered the ability to produce a warhead small enough to put on a missile capable of reaching the US. It is believed to have enough nuclear fuel, however, for a handful of cruder devices.

Such inflammatory rhetoric is common from North Korea, but it has been coming regularly in recent days. The Pyongyang regime is angry over the possible sanctions and over upcoming US-South Korean military drills.

The UN security council is set to impose a fourth round of sanctions against North Korea in a fresh attempt to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Russia's UN ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, the current security council president, said the council will vote on the draft sanctions resolution on Thursday morning.

The resolution was drafted by the US and China, North Korea's closest ally. The council's agreement to put the resolution to a vote just 48 hours later signalled that it would almost certainly have the support of all 15 council members.

The statement by North Korea's foreign ministry spokesman was carried by the country's official Korean Central News Agency.

It accused the US of leading efforts to slap sanctions on North Korea. The statement said the new sanctions would only advance the timing for North Korea to fulfil previous vows of taking "powerful second and third countermeasures" against its enemies. Those measures haven't been specifically elaborated on.

"We gravely warn that at a time when we cannot avoid a second Korean war, the UN security council, which served as the US puppet in 1950 and made Korean people harbour eternal grudges against it, must not commit the same crime again," it said.

North Korea in the statement demanded the security council immediately dismantle the American-led UN command that is based in Seoul and move to end the state of war that exists on the Korean peninsula, which continues six decades after fighting stopped because an armistice, not a peace treaty, ended the war.



*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Associated Press in Seoul - guardian.co.uk,
*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 
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Wednesday, March 06, 2013

DTN News - QUOTE OF THE DAY - Confucius

DTN News - QUOTE OF THE DAY - Confucius
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 6, 2013: Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Confucius 

Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) & DTN News


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


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith DTN News
*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

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 5, 2013

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 5, 2013
Source: U.S. DoD issued No.  127-13 March 5, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 5, 2013: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  March 5, 2013  are undermentioned;


CONTRACTS
MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY
            The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded a sole-source, cost-plus-award-fee contract action to Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz.,under contract (HQ0276-11-C-0002), modification P00032.  The total value of this effort is $62,309,991,increasing the total contract value from $594,376,724 to $656,686,715.  Under this modification, the contractor will perform Standard Missile-3 Block IB in-service engineering support.  The work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz.  The performance period is from date of award through Sept. 30, 2015.  Fiscal 2013 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation funds will be used to incrementally fund this effort.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This is not a Foreign Military Sales acquisition.  The MDA, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity. 

ARMY
            J & J Maintenance Inc., Austin, Texas, (W912DY-13-D-0018); and Linc Government Services L.L.C., Hopkinsville, Ky., (W912DY-13-D-0019); were awarded a $585,000,000 firm-fixed-price multiple award task order contract among seven vendors.  Five other vendors were previously awarded.  The award will provide for the construction services in support of the Medical Repair and Renewal program.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 10, 2017.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 27 bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity. 

            Hensel Phelps Kiewit Joint Venture, Chantilly, Va., was awarded a $564,689,000 firm-fixed-price, incrementally-funded contract.  This increment is worth $56,000,000.  The award will provide for the design and construction of a high performance computing center on Fort Meade, Md.  Work will be performed in Fort Meade, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 1, 2015.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with seven bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Md., is the contracting activity (W912DR-13-C-0005). 

            Textron Marine & Land Systems, New Orleans, La., was awarded a $113,431,277 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of Mobile Strike Force vehicles to support the Afghanistan National Security Forces.  This contract is in support of Foreign Military Sales for Afghanistan.  Work will be performed in New Orleans, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-13-C-0170). 

            The Boeing Co., Mesa, Ariz., was awarded a $41,111,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the incremental funding modification in support of AH-64 Apache Block III system development.  Work will be performed in Mesa, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-05-C-0001). 

            Macnak-Saybr JV 1, Lakewood, Wash., was awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum value of $30,000,000.  The award will provide for general construction services.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2016.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 13 bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Wash., is the contracting activity (W912DW-13-D-1003).

            The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded a $22,480,813 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for deployed field-service support for the CH-47 Fleet and the cargo helicopter project management office.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2015.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-13-D-0065). 

            The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with a maximum value of $17,890,174.  The award will provide for the non-deployed field-service support for the CH-47 Fleet and the cargo helicopter project management office.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2015.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-13-D-0097). 

            BH Defense LLC., Arlington, Va., was awarded a $17,846,157 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the services in support of the Iraq International Academy to ensure the continued development of Iraq’s defense forces through the education and development of its senior leadership.  This contract is in support of Foreign Military Sales for Iraq.  Work will be performed in Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2016.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Fort Bragg, N.C., is the contracting activity (W91247-13-C-0015).

            Department of the Blind – Visually Impaired, Richmond, Va., was awarded a $15,802,629 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the necessary support services for the function of the food and dining facility on Fort Lee, Va.  Work will be performed in Fort Lee, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2016.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with six bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Fort Lee, Va., is the contracting activity (W91QF5-13-D-0003). 

            Benchmark Electronics Incorporated, Rochester, Minn., was awarded a $14,882,971 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of a maximum of 12,000 transceiver field units in support of Program Manager Air Warrior.  Work will be performed in Rochester, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 27, 2018.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-13-D-0002). 

            DynCorp International, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $14,197,819 cost-plus-award-fee incrementally-funded contract.  This increment is worth $5,858,421.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to extend logistics support services for the Directorate of Logistics.  Work will be performed in Fort Campbell, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013.  Fifteen bids were solicited, with five bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Fort Campbell, Ky., is the contracting activity (W911SE-07-D-0005). 

            S M Resources Corp., Inc., Lanham, Md., was awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee incrementally-funded contract worth a maximum value of $9,999,999.  This increment is worth $53,206.  The award will provide for the Chemical Biological Applications and Risk Reduction mission support services.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 24, 2016.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W911SR-13-D-0001). 

            Northrop Grumman Information Systems, McLean, Va., was awarded a $9,784,125 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to exercise the option for systems sustainment in support of the biometrics database.  Work will be performed in Alexandria, Va., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2014.  There were 20 bids solicited, with 16 bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-07-D-0005). 

            South Carolina Commission for the Blind, Columbia, S.C., was awarded a $9,498,655 firm-fixed-price, incrementally-funded contract.  This increment is worth $3,097,841.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to extend food services support at Fort Jackson, S.C.  Work will be performed in Fort Jackson, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Fort Jackson, S.C., is the contracting activity (W9124C-13-C-0010). 

            Alliant Techsystems Operations, Plymouth, Minn., was awarded a $9,259,272 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to refurbish Spider munitions control units TS-04 system to the TS-09 version.  Work will be performed in Plymouth; Wilmington, Mass; and Rocket City, W.Va.; with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2014.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-06-C-0154). 

NAVY
            Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $72,200,000 undefinitized modification to the previously awarded Low Rate Initial Production Lot 6 advance acquisition contract (N00019-11-C-0083).  This modification provides for the procurement of support equipment at Pilot Training Center 1, Luke Air Force Base for the F-35 Lightning II Conventional Take-Off and Landing air system program.  In addition, this modification provides for the associated Data Quality Integration Management supplier support tasks, and all other sustainment data products for the U. S. Air Force and the governments of Italy and Australia.  Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (35 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (20 percent); Orlando, Fla. (10 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2014.  Contract funds in the amount of $36,100,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract combines purchases for the U. S. Air Force ($55,009,524; 76.2 percent); and the governments of Italy ($10,314,286; 14.3 percent); and Australia ($6,876,190; 9.5 percent).  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. 

            Titan Maritime L.L.C., Pompano Beach, Fla., is being awarded a $43,000,000 ceiling modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-D-12-4119) for salvage; salvage related towing, harbor clearance, ocean engineering and point-to-point towing services to support the director of ocean engineering, supervisor of salvage and diving.  Work will be performed in the vicinity of the U.S. West Coast (80 percent), Hawaii (10 percent) and Eastern Pacific (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by February 2014.  No funding will be obligated at this time.  The initial order fulfilling the minimum government liability amount of $50,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Sea Systems Command is the contracting activity.  

            Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va., is being awarded a $21,207,322 firm-fixed-price contract for global sustainment of Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Ashore Program Systems and associated equipment and software at 66 military installations worldwide.  The work to be performed provides for preventive and corrective maintenance to sustain all Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Ashore Systems, associated equipment and software.  This includes providing centralized comprehensive life cycle sustainment support for all of the hardware, software/firmware and cabling or other signal/data transmission sub-systems necessary for the systems to function as intended.  Service call management is also included as part of this requirement.  The contract is incrementally funded with the first increment of $3,655,433 being allocated at the time of award.  The second increment will be funded in April 2013 at $17,551,889.  The contract also contains five unexercised options, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $74,398,851.  Work will be performed worldwide, and is expected to be completed by March 2014.  Fiscal 2013 Operation and Maintenance, Navy contract funds in the amount of $3,655,433 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with five proposals received.  The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N39430-13-C-1201). 

            Shell Marine Products (U.S.), Houston, Texas, is being awarded a one-year $15,952,820 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with firm-fixed-price task orders for the supply and related services of lube oil products for the engineering directorate of Military Sealift Command and other government agencies.  This contract includes four one-year option periods, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $80,361,824.  Work will be performed where needed at ports worldwide and is expected to be completed May 2014.  If all option periods are exercised work will continue through May 2018.  Fiscal 2013 Navy Working Capital funds in the amount of $15,952,820 are obligated for and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured via solicitations posted to Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities websites, with more than 50 companies solicited and three offers received.  Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00033-13-D-8020). 

            Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Electronic Systems Sector, Land and Self Protection Systems Division, Rolling Meadows, Ill., is being awarded an $11,665,702 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-12-C-0043) for software and the integration of that software into the hardware design of the AN/APR-39D(V)2 processor and appropriate antennas and receiver resources in support of various naval aviation platforms.  Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Ill., and is expected to be completed in March 2014.  Fiscal 2013 Aircraft Procurement Navy contract funds in the amount of $11,665,702 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. 

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
            Northrup Grumman Systems Corp., Chantilly, Va., was awarded contract (SPRBL1-13-D-0012).  The award is a firm-fixed-price, sole-source, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for $49,288,375 for guardrail modernization system spare parts.  Locations of performance are Virginia and California with a March 5, 2018 performance completion date.  Using military service is Army.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2017 Army Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. 

            Short Bark Industries, Inc., Vonore, Tenn.*, was awarded contract (SPM1C1-13-D-1030).  The award is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for $23,017,500 for various types of Permethrin Army Combat Uniform coats.  Locations of performance are in Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and Mississippi with a March 4, 2014 performance completion date.  Using military service is Army.  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. 

            Tennier Industries, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla.**, was awarded contract (SPM1C1-13-D-1029).  The award is a firm-fixed-price contract for $22,977,600 for cold weather, soft shell, loft parkas and trousers.  Locations of performance are in Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky with a March 4, 2014 performance completion date.  Using military service is Army.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. 

            Avfuel Corp., Ann Arbor, Mich.**, was awarded contract (SP0600-13-D-0026).  The award is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for $6,749,966 for fuel.  Locations of performance are in Michigan and Florida with a March 31, 2017 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 2017 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va. 

            Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc., Harrisonburg, Va.***, was issued a modification exercising the third option year on contract (SPM8EJ-09-D-0001/P00020).  The modification is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $5,638,289,738 in support of the Special Operational Equipment Tailored Logistics Support Program.  Location of performance is Virginia with a March 9, 2014 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 2014 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. 

            W.S. Darley & Co., Itasca, Ill.**, was issued a modification exercising the third option year on contract (SPM8EJ-09-D-0002/P00019).  The modification is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $5,559,591,157 in support of the Special Operational Equipment Tailored Logistics Support Program.  Location of performance is in Illinois with a March 9, 2014 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 2014 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. 

            Source One Distributors Inc., Wellington, Fla.****, was issued a modification exercising the third option year on contract (SPM8EJ-09-D-0004/P00021).  The modification is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $5,304,877,527 in support of the Special Operational Equipment Tailored Logistics Support Program.  Location of performance is in Florida with a March 9, 2014 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 2014 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. 

            ADS, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va.**, was issued a modification exercising the third option year on contract (SPM8EJ-09-D-0003/P00021).  The modification is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $3,549,597,144 in support of the Special Operational Equipment Tailored Logistics Support Program.  Location of performance is in Virginia with a March 9, 2014 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 2014 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. 

AIR FORCE
            University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio, (FA8650-13-D-5600) is being awarded a $45,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Quick Reaction Evaluation of Materials and Processes Program.  The location of performance is Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.  Work is expected to be completed by May 31, 2019.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013.  The contracting activity is ARFL/RQKMS, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

            Northrop Grumman Technical Services Inc., Hill Air Force Base, Utah, (F42610-98-C-0001, modification number to be awarded at time of award) is being awarded a $22,226,876 contract modification contract for ICBM ICU II engineering change.  The location of the performance is Huntington Beach, Calif.  Work is expected to be completed by Aug. 3, 2013.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2011 through 2016.  The contracting activity is AFNWC/PZBE, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. 

*Small In HubZone Business
**Small Business
***Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
****Veteran Owned Small Business

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources 
U.S. DoD issued No.  127-13 March 5, 2013
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DTN News - CRICKET NEWS: Australia tour of India, 2nd Test: India v Australia at Hyderabad (Deccan), Mar 2-5, 2013

DTN News - CRICKET NEWS: Australia tour of India, 2nd Test: India v Australia at Hyderabad (Deccan), Mar 2-5, 2013
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith DTN News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 5, 2013: Cricket da game

Balle Balle ~ India defeats Australia by an innings and 130 runs 
Lakh lakh vadhaiyan - Phaji & Veerji


DTN Australia @DTNAustralia & DTN India @DTNIndia
 (Available on Twitter)
Comprehensive Daily News  ~ © Copyright (c) DTN News Defense-Technology News
Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) & DTN News

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

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith DTN News
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Monday, March 04, 2013

DTN News - QUOTE OF THE DAY - MARCH 4 2013

DTN News - QUOTE OF THE DAY - MARCH 4 2013
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 4, 2013: Life without love is like a tree 
without blossoms or fruit.


Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) & DTN News


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

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith DTN News
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Sunday, March 03, 2013

DTN News - U.S. FINANCIAL CRISIS: How Will Canada Feel The Effects of The Latest U.S. Economic Crisis?

DTN News - U.S. FINANCIAL CRISIS: How Will Canada Feel The Effects of The Latest U.S. Economic Crisis?
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources CTV News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 3, 2013: As $85 billion in U.S. federal spending cuts begin taking effect, Canadian businesses and politicians are bracing themselves for the impact.

Travellers are being warned of lengthier delays at border crossings as American border patrol officers and air traffic controllers are among the tens of thousands of federal employees who will see their pay and hours reduced as part of the funding cuts.

“This is not a win for anybody, this is a loss for American people,” U.S. President Barack Obama told reporters Friday, fixing the blame for the sequester cuts on the Republicans.

With Canada sending 75 per cent of all its exports to the U.S., its economy relies heavily on the financial health of its southern neighbour.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Friday that while he couldn’t put a dollar figure on the impact, he called the cuts an unnecessary strain to the economies.

“It is regrettable though that the U.S. continues to move from crisis to crisis,” he told reporters.

An Ontario-based company that manufactures baseball bats for a number of major league players fears that the border delays may prevent its products from making it to the U.S. in time for spring training.

“If it takes us extra time to get the product in the hands of the best players in the world, then that’s a problem,” Sam Bat President Arlene Anderson told CTV News.

Similar fears are being echoed by the struggling auto manufacturing sector, where officials warned that a slow down at the border could trigger job cuts.

“This could results in layoffs,” Canadian Auto Worker President Ken Lewenza said. “It could result in temporary shut downs and there’s a tremendous amount of workers out there that don’t get paid during three or four hour disruptions.”

The failure to avert the U.S. spending cuts comes alongside news that the Canadian economy has stalled over the last three months.

Flaherty waned Friday of deeper spending cuts in the upcoming federal budget, though he said the Conservative government remains on track to balance the budget by 2015.

With a report from CTV’s Richard MadanAs $85 billion in U.S. federal spending cuts begin taking effect, Canadian businesses and politicians are bracing themselves for the impact.

Travellers are being warned of lengthier delays at border crossings as American border patrol officers and air traffic controllers are among the tens of thousands of federal employees who will see their pay and hours reduced as part of the funding cuts.

“This is not a win for anybody, this is a loss for American people,” U.S. President Barack Obama told reporters Friday, fixing the blame for the sequester cuts on the Republicans.

With Canada sending 75 per cent of all its exports to the U.S., its economy relies heavily on the financial health of its southern neighbour.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Friday that while he couldn’t put a dollar figure on the impact, he called the cuts an unnecessary strain to the economies.

“It is regrettable though that the U.S. continues to move from crisis to crisis,” he told reporters.

An Ontario-based company that manufactures baseball bats for a number of major league players fears that the border delays may prevent its products from making it to the U.S. in time for spring training.

“If it takes us extra time to get the product in the hands of the best players in the world, then that’s a problem,” Sam Bat President Arlene Anderson told CTV News.

Similar fears are being echoed by the struggling auto manufacturing sector, where officials warned that a slow down at the border could trigger job cuts.

“This could results in layoffs,” Canadian Auto Worker President Ken Lewenza said. “It could result in temporary shut downs and there’s a tremendous amount of workers out there that don’t get paid during three or four hour disruptions.”

The failure to avert the U.S. spending cuts comes alongside news that the Canadian economy has stalled over the last three months.

Flaherty waned Friday of deeper spending cuts in the upcoming federal budget, though he said the Conservative government remains on track to balance the budget by 2015.

With a report from CTV’s Richard Madan


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources CTV News
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: F-35 Is Cleared To Resume Flight

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: F-35 Is Cleared To Resume Flight
*Contractors push back on 3-star’s JSF criticism
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Aaron Mehta and Nigel Pittaway - Staff writers Army Times
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 2, 2013: WASHINGTON and MELBOURNE, Australia — The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been cleared to resume flight operations, six days after a crack discovered in the engine caused the fleet to be grounded.

Flights will resume Friday afternoon weather permitting, according to program officials.


“Following engineering analysis of the turbine blade which developed a crack, F-35 flight operations have been cleared to resume,” the Joint Program Office and Pratt & Whitney said in a joint statement, released late Thursday night.

“This decision concludes a cautionary flight suspension that began on Feb. 21 after a 0.6 inch crack was found on a 3rd stage turbine blade of a test aircraft at the Edwards Air Force Base F-35 Integrated Test Facility during a routine inspection. Comprehensive tests on the blade were conducted at the Pratt & Whitney facility in Middletown, Connecticut. The engine in question is part of the F-35 test aircraft fleet, and had been operated at extreme parameters in its mission to expand the F-35 flight envelope. Prolonged exposure to high levels of heat and other operational stressors on this specific engine were determined to be the cause of the crack.”

“No additional cracks or signs of similar engine stress were found during inspections of the remaining F135 inventory.”

“No engine redesign is required as a result of this event. Within the current DoD inventory, 17 F-35s are employed in test and development at Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Edwards Air Force Base; the remaining aircraft are assigned to Eglin Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, and comprise the initial F-35 training fleet.”

While DoD officials bring the fleet back online, the Pentagon announced a new deal worth $333,786,000 that will lay the path for an eventual deal on lot 8 of low rate initial production (LRIP). That money is part an advance acquisition contract designed to help Lockheed prepare for manufacturing the eighth batch of fighters.

“Lockheed Martin is pleased to be awarded long lead funding for the eighth F-35 Low Rate Initial Production contract, known as LRIP 8, by the Department of Defense,” Michael Rein, a Lockheed spokesman, wrote in an email. “This award provides our supplier base the stability needed to properly execute on our future production commitments. We will continue to drive down costs for these future aircraft as we have done on every previous LRIP contract.”

The optimistic tone was echoed 9,000 miles away, as Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith expressed confidence in the F-35 program during comments made this week at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, southwest of Melbourne.

“I’ve always been confident that in the end, the Joint Strike Fighter project would get up, that it would be successful, and that’s because the entire weight of the United States is behind it,” he said. “I remain confident that the Joint Strike Fighter will get up, but the risks continue to be schedule and cost.”

However, Smith reiterated that he would not allow an air combat capability gap to occur between the retirement of Australia’s Hornet fighters and F-35A introduction around 2020.

Australia has a requirement for up to 100 Joint Strike Fighters but faces the dilemma of either stretching out the life of its aging legacy Hornet fleet beyond its planned withdrawal date at the end of the decade or making a further interim Super Hornet purchase from Boeing.

Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed Martin vice president of F-35 program integration and business development, told reporters at the show that he was confident Australia would remain in the program.

“There is no indication from the Australian leadership of a reduction in commitment,” he said.

COMPANIES PUSH BACK AT CRITICISM
Despite a return to flight, there may be long-term consequences for the second grounding of the F-35 in a month.

Only a day after Smith reaffirmed his confidence in the F-35A, U.S. project head Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan told local press at Avalon that he thought Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney would perform better if they had more skin in the game.

“What I see Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney doing today is behaving as if they are getting ready to sell me the very last F-35 and the very last engine,” he told a media roundtable. “They are trying to squeeze every nickel out of that last F-35 and engine.”

Both Lockheed and Pratt moved quickly to push back against Bogdan’s assertions that they are not working as team players.

“Lockheed Martin is fully committed to delivering the F-35’s unprecedented 5th Generation capabilities to the men and women of our Armed Forces and those of our allies” Laura Siebert, Lockheed spokeswoman, wrote in a statement. “We are singularly focused on properly executing the F-35 development, production and sustainment tasks laid out in our various contracts. We do this in partnership with Lt. Gen. Bogdan and the entire JSF Program Office and strive daily to drive costs out of the program.

“We believe we are making significant progress in enhancing affordability of the jet as evidenced by the fact that we have reduced costs by 50 percent since the procurement of the first production aircraft; by outperforming U.S. government pricing estimates for the past contract lot buys; and by reducing labor costs by 14 percent between the 4th and 5th lot contracts. Going forward, we are confident the Low Rate Initial Production 6 and 7 contracts, currently under negotiation, will achieve even greater savings for the government and taxpayers,” according to the statement.

“Despite numerous cuts in the F-35 acquisition plan, Pratt & Whitney has maintained a long-term view and demonstrated our commitment by investing more than $50M dollars of our own funds and taking on risk ahead of contract schedule to prevent the program from experiencing delays,” Matthew Bates, the Pratt spokesman, wrote in an email.

Bates highlighted that the engine manufacturer offered to cover cost overruns for low rate initial production Lot 5 a year ahead of what the government had requested.

“We believe it is highly unusual for a contractor to take on this level of risk at such an early stage of a program,” Bates wrote. “We have also offered to assume more risk for sustainment cost through performance-based, fixed-priced provisions well ahead of plan. In addition, our investment has contributed to more than 40% of cost reduction since the delivery of our first production representative engine.

“We look forward to our continued dialogue with the Joint Program Office to further review the details of the F135 [engine] program, and to achieve alignment and further progress as the program moves ahead.”

It’s not the first time Bogdan has criticized the companies’ JSF performance. In September, Bogdan raised eyebrows when he called the relationship between Lockheed Martin and the JPO the “worst” he had ever seen — with a delegation of Lockheed officials sitting right in front of him.

Relations between Bogdan and the contractors seemed to warm during winter, especially in December, when an agreement was finalized to purchase a fifth batch of fighters, followed quickly by a preliminary agreement on a sixth batch weeks later.

But the second major grounding of the F-35 in the last month appears to have tested Bogdan’s patience. In January, the Marine Corps’ F-35B variant was grounded following an engine problem during a test flight. The source of that problem was later identified as an improperly crimped line in the fueldralic system, manufactured by subcontractor Stratoflex.

Last Friday, nine days after the F-35B resumed tests, the entire F-35 fleet was grounded when a crack was discovered in one of the blades in the Pratt-designed engine.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Aaron Mehta and Nigel Pittaway - Staff writers Army Times
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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