Friday, May 17, 2013

DTN News: Syria Top Stories / Headlines News Dated May 17, 2013

DTN News: Syria Top Stories / Headlines News Dated May 17, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 17, 2013: Comprehensive daily news related to Syria for the world of TODAY.
*Comprehensive daily news related to Syria Top Stories / Headlines News for the world of  TODAY

Russia Sends More Advanced Missiles to Aid Assad in Syria
New York Times
WASHINGTON — Russia has shipped advanced antiship cruise missiles to Syria, a move that illustrates the depth of its support for the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad, American officials said Thursday.
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UN: 3 UN military observers were abducted in zone between Syria and Israel ...
Washington Post
UNITED NATIONS — Armed men broke into a U.N. outpost in a buffer zone separating Israel andSyria and abducted three U.N military observers, the U.N. peacekeeping chief said Thursday. Herve Ladsous told a group of reporters that the unarmed ...
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Turkish prime minister, Obama discuss Syria's civil war in White House meeting
Washington Post
Erdogan says the U.S. and Turkey have overlapping goals when it comes to Syria. Neither leader mentioned that the U.S. and Turkey remain far apart on just how to handle Syria's bloody civil war. Erdogan did not directly answer a question about what he ...
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Obama stays cautious on Syria after talks as Turkey presses for urgency
The Guardian
Erdogan is pressing for more urgency and more positive action to bring the Syrian catastrophe to an end and is seeking the US and others in the international community to implement at the very least a no-fly zone to prevent Syrian jets and helicopters ...
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Syria conflict: BBC shown 'signs of chemical attack'
BBC News
The BBC has been shown evidence apparently corroborating reports of a chemical attack in Syrialast month. A BBC correspondent who visited the northern town of Saraqeb was told by eyewitnesses that government helicopters had dropped at least two ...
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Turkey calls for US to enforce Syria no-fly zone
The National
ISTANBUL // Turkey's prime minister has called for the US to enforce a no-fly zone over Syria in response to what he called clear evidence of Damascus using chemical weapons against the rebels. Recep Tayyip Erdogan told NBC the "red line" of chemical ...
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US, Russia seek new Syria peace talks - Trade Arabia
Trade Arabia
Russia and the United States agreed to seek new peace talks with both sides to end Syria's civil war, but opposition leaders were sceptical on Wednesday of an initiative they fear might let President Bashar al-Assad hang on to power. Mindful the ...
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Syrian rebels battle Assad's troops near Damascus
Timesonline.com
This image taken from video obtained from Ugarit News, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows Syrian rebels preparing to fire a rocket at Mannagh air base in Aleppo province, Syria, Monday, May 13, 2013.
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Syrian rebels call off Aleppo prison siege after troops throw inmates out window
Telegraph.co.uk
Forces belonging to the Free Syrian Army have managed to fight their way around the northern outskirts of the city, where the jail is situated, since seizing the nearby Rangers Academy three months ago. They drove troops out of an unfinished extension ...
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Free Syrian Army Condemns 'Heart Eater'
HispanicBusiness.com
a Leaders of the Free Syrian Army are condemning an opposition leader in the battle-scarred city of Homs who is depicted on a widely circulated video taking a bite out of what appears to be the heart of a dead enemy soldier. And they worry the alleged ...
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Syrian rebels launch offensive in south to reverse losses
The Star Online
A Free Syrian Army fighter jumps from a pick-up truck loaded with rockets to be launched towards locations controlled by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Deir al-Zor May 15, 2013. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi ...
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Obama's Red Line
American Free Press
Contrary to mainstream media propaganda, the Syrian loyalists, led by President Bashar al-Assad, are beating the Mossad-backed, CIA-sponsored “Free Syrian Army” terrorists, although Israel has desperately tried to embroil America into salvaging its ...
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UN urges support for Syria opposition
Times of Malta
Members of the Free Syrian Army help a wounded fellow fighter in Deir al-Zor, yesterday. Photo: Reuters. The UN General Assembly yesterday condemned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces and praised the opposition, but a decline in support for the ...
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Syrian troops place mounds along Lebanon border
The Daily Star
The sources said Syrian troops also set up a number of posts to monitor and thwart any infiltration attempt by members of the Free Syrian Army. Bulldozers were digging trenches 2 meters deep and 5 meters long to install barbed wire fences, according to ...
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Syrian Rebels: A Basic Primer On Syria's Opposition
PolicyMic
Numbering 50,000 men, the Free Syrian Army, a self-declared non-sectarian group of early armydefectors, remains the largest opposition group in the country. But during the past year other factions have entered the fray. If their numbers, as well as ...
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Islamist rebels execute 11 Syrian soldiers for "massacres"-video
Reuters AlertNet (blog)
Islamist rebels execute 11 Syrian soldiers for "massacres"-video. Source: Reuters - Thu, 16 May 2013 08:08 AM. Author: Reuters. Enlarge image. A member of the Free Syrian Army holds an anti-aircraft weapon in Raqqa province, east Syria May 12, 2013.
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Syrian Rebels Claim VictoriesArutz Sheva
The Free Syrian Army gained partial control of the Dara'a area of southern Syria, Thursday, in an ongoing attempt to crush the government's 52nd Armored Division. With fighting continuing in the late afternoon, Arab media reported that Brigade 232 had ...
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Thursday, May 16, 2013

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 16, 2013

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 16, 2013
Source: U.S. DoD issued No.  337-13 May 16, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 16, 2013: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  May 16, 2013  are undermentioned;


CONTRACTS
NAVY
            Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $40,013,000 modification to the previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-12-C-2001) to procure additional long-lead components associated with the manufacture and delivery of 19 Lot 18 MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft.  Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (24.6 percent); Ridley Park, Pa. (19.2 percent), Amarillo, Texas (10.4 percent), Dallas, Texas (4.3 percent); East Aurora, N.Y. (2.5 percent); Park City, Utah (1.7 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (1.3 percent); Endicott, N.Y. (1.0 percent); Ontario, Canada (0.9 percent); Tempe, Ariz. (.8 percent); Rome, N.Y. (0.7 percent); Torrance, Calif. (0.7 percent); Luton, United Kingdom (0.6 percent); Clifton, N.J. (0.6 percent); Salisbury, Md. (0.6 percent); Los Angeles, Calif. (0.6 percent); Cobham, United Kingdom (0.6 percent); Irvine, Calif. (0.6 percent); San Diego, Calif. (0.5 percent); Yakima, Wash. (0.5 percent); Brea, Calif. (0.5 percent); Rockmart, Ga. (0.5 percent); McKinney, Texas (0.4 percent); Albuquerque, N.M. (0.4 percent); Whitehall, Mich. (0.4 percent); Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (0.4 percent); Tucson, Ariz. (0.4 percent); Erie, Pa. (0.3 percent); Vergennes, Vt. (0.3 percent); Kilgore, Texas (0.3 percent); Shelby, N.C. (0.3 percent); Avon, Ohio (0.2 percent); Santa Clarita, Calif. (0.2 percent); Garden City, N.Y. (0.2 percent); El Cajon, Calif. (0.2 percent); Corinth, Texas (0.2 percent); Sylmar, Calif. (0.2 percent); Westbury, N.Y. (0.1 percent); and other locations (21.8 percent).  Work is expected to be completed in September 2016.  Fiscal 2013 Aircraft Procurement, Navy contract funds in the amount of $40,013,000 will be obligated at time of 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.

            Huntington Ingalls Industries, Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded an $8,964,961 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-12-C-2312) to exercise options for DDG 51 class follow yard services.  The follow yard services provides necessary engineering, technical, material procurement and production support; configuration; class flight upgrades and new technology support; data and logistics management; lessons learned analysis; acceptance trials; post-delivery test and trials; post-shakedown availability support; reliability and maintainability; system safety program support; material and fleet turnover support; shipyard engineering team; turnkey; crew indoctrination, design tool/design standardization, detail design development, and other technical and engineering analyses for the purpose of supporting DDG 51 class ship construction and test and trials.  Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss. (97 percent), and Washington, D.C. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed by May 2014.  Fiscal 2012 Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy funding in the amount of $8,964,961 will be obligated at time of award.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. 

            General Electric Co., Lynn, Mass., is being awarded a $7,580,113 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-10-G-0007) for the procurement of critical hard tooling required to support the manufacturer of the GE38-1B engines for incorporation in the 53K System Demonstration Test Articles Aircraft.  Work will be performed in Lynn, Mass. (20 percent); Morristown, Tenn. (20 percent); Groton, Conn. (20 percent); Hooksett, N.H. (10 percent); Fort Wayne, Ind. (10 percent); North Clarendon, Vt. (10 percent); and Albany, Ore. (10 percent); and is expected to be completed in November 2014.  Fiscal 2013 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation contract funds in the amount of $7,580,113 will be obligated at time of 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 LOSTICS AGENCY
            Phillystran Inc., Montgomeryville, Pa., has been awarded a maximum $21,258,655 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract.  This contract is for aramid rope.  Location of performance is Pennsylvania with a May 16, 2018 performance completion date.  Using military service is Navy.  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., (SPM8EE-13-D-0001). 

            Whitehill Manufacturing Corp.*, Chester, Pa., has been awarded a maximum $6,741,345 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract.  This contract is for aramid rope.  Location of performance is Pennsylvania with a May 16, 2018 performance completion date.  Using military service is Navy.  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., (SPM8EE-13-D-0002). 

AIR FORCE
            Jacobs Technology Inc., Lincoln, Mass., was awarded an $8,527,294 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 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 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 15, 2013.  Fiscal 2013 operations and maintenance, research and development and procurement funds in the amount of $5,480,652 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-0009) 
          
  Total Quality Systems, Roy, Utah, has been awarded a $7,055,753 firm-fixed-price contract for Small Business Innovative Research Phase III Intermittent Fault Detection and Isolation System which will provide services in support of the development and delivery of an 8448 channel intermittent fault detection and isolation system and an F-16 AN/APG-68 radar system programmable signal processor test program set, including the required interface test adapter.  Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 16, 2014.  This award is the result of a sole source acquisition.  Fiscal 2013 Working Capital funds contract funds in the full amount will be obligated at the time of award.  The contracting activity is Air Force Sustainment Center/PZIEA, Hill AFB, Utah.  (FA8222-13-C-0003) 

CORRECTION
NAVY
            No. 331-13, May 14, 2013:  QED Systems Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va., contract for $23,836,074 (N40027-13-D-0001) should have read -- to provide collection, holding and transfer system chemical cleaning for Southeast Regional Maintenance Center.  Collection, holding and transfer system chemical cleaning will be performed on the surface combatants homeported or visiting Naval Station Mayport, Fla. 
*Woman Owned Small Business

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources 
U.S. DoD issued No.  337-13 May 16, 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

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

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