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Admiral Swift Takes Command of Pacific Fleet Admiral Scott H. Swift returned to his home state and relieved Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during a change of command ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, May 27.

“The magnitude of this moment is not lost on me, especially given my personal and professional history here in Hawaii and the Pacific,” said Swift, who became the 35th commander since the Pacific Fleet moved to Hawaii in 1941. “No one is selected for responsibility such as that of the Pacific Fleet based on personal merit or performance alone. It is a reflection of the collective success of many, not one individual, and I am no exception.”

Swift also spoke of his fond connection to Hawaii, where he was born when his father was stationed at Pearl Harbor.

Harris said Swift’s Pacific ties made him the perfect officer to relieve him.

“There’s no person more suited to be the Pacific Fleet commander than Admiral Swift—former J3 at PACOM, former 7th Fleet commander, and most recently the director of Navy Staff,” said Harris. “He understands completely both his operational and Title 10 responsibilities. He gets it.”

With the historical USS Arizona and Battleship Missouri memorials as the backdrop, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Jonathan Greenert welcomed Swift and recognized Harris’s achievements as Pacific Fleet commander.

“He is always ready, and his forces are ready,” Greenert said. “He is always focused on what’s important. He has been a great commander, a warrior and a statesman. In times of crises, we turn to Harry.”

In addition to turning over command of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Harris relieved Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III as commander of U.S. Pacific Command during the unique, joint

02 Jun 2015

Plus:

• Creating a Culture of Creativity • Navy Innovation Fund

Service Contracts at Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) ceremony, and expressed his appreciation for the servicemembers and civilians he leads.

“Men and women of the U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Pacific Fleet, what you do on a daily basis is of fundamental importance to our nation’s defense. I’m proud to be your commander,” Harris said.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter joined the CNO in praising Harris for his many contributions to the Pacific Fleet.

“At PACFLT, he helped bring our most advanced capabilities to the Asia-Pacific and shift 60 percent of our naval assets to the region,” Carter said. “He also stressed and maintained the readiness that’s at a premium in this dynamic region. For all those reasons and many more, Harry’s the PACOM commander we need for the next phase of the rebalance.”

Harris also spoke of the complexities of the Navy’s historic role in the region and vowed to continue promoting security, stability and peace.

“There’s no shortage of challenges that confront us,” Harris added. “If called upon, we will fight tonight to defend American interests in the vast Indo-Asia-Pacific. This is not aspirational. It is in our DNA. Our nation deserves no less; our president and secretary of defense expect no less.”

After reading orders and assuming command, Swift also thanked the men and women of the Pacific Fleet, emphasizing the fact that his success was not accomplished alone.

“While my life foundation is my parents, I stand on the shoulders of many,” said Swift.

By Department of Defense Inspector General On February 4, 2014, the House Committee on Armed Services requested the DoD Office of Inspector General perform a review of certain aspects of procurement activities and command climate within NSWC. On May 7, 2014, we agreed to conduct an audit to determine whether NSWC personnel properly awarded contracting actions.

The United States Code requires contracting officers to promote and provide for full and open competition when soliciting offers and awarding contracts. Promoting competition in federal contracting presents opportunities for substantial cost savings. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) further prescribes policies and procedures to promote full and open competition in the acquisition process.

The FAR also prescribes policies and procedures on developing acquisition plans.

United States Special Operations Command United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) provides fully capable special operations forces to defend the United States and its interests and synchronize planning of global operations against terrorist networks. USSOCOM’s four major component commands are: • • • •

U.S. Army Special Operations Command, NSWC, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC).

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Table of Contents Editorial Editor

Jonathan Magin jonathanm@kmimediagroup.com Managing Editor

Admiral Swift Takes Command of Pacific Fleet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Service Contracts at Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 USS Kauffman, U.S. Coast Guard Team Intercept Narcotics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Copy Editor

Navy Achieves Initial Operating Capability on Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Correspondents

School Receives Navy Innovation Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Harrison Donnelly harrisond@kmimediagroup.com Kevin Harris kevinh@kmimediagroup.com J.B. Bissell • Kasey Chisholm • Catherine Day Michael Frigand • Nora McGann

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Scott Morris scottm@kmimediagroup.com Graphic Designers

Andrea Herrera andreah@kmimediagroup.com Amanda Paquette amandak@kmimediagroup.com

Advertising Associate Publisher

USS Topeka Arrives in Guam Homeport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Harry S. Truman Completes Sea Trials, Returns to Homeport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Navy Awards $46 Million for USS Montpelier Maintenance and Modernization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 USS Lassen Conducts Multilateral Exercises with Allied Navies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 John S. McCain Changes Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Creating a Culture of Creativity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Face of Defense: Sailors Conduct Night Operations at Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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Here’s Looking at You: ONR Tests New Glasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

KMI Media Group

Naval War College Holds Novel Capstone War Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chief Executive Officer

ONR Testing High-Speed Planing Hulls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Publisher and Chief Financial Officer

Rebalance Continues in Asia-Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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Exclusive Subscriber Content Subscribers to Navy Air/Sea receive exclusive weekly content. This week’s exclusive content includes: • An update about Continuing Promise 2015, which began its fifth mission stop in Panama on May 30.

• An article about the USNS Millinocket, which arrived in the 7th Fleet on May 31 in support of Pacific Partnership 2015.

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Calendar of Events June 11, 2015 Navy Information Dominance Industry Day Chantilly, Va. http://www.afcea.org/events/navyday/15/ index.asp

| June 02, 2015 | Navy News Weekly | www.navy-kmi.com

June 16-18 Defense Cyber Operations Symposium Baltimore, Md http://events.jspargo.com/ AFCEAcyberops15/public/enter.aspx

USS Kauffman, U.S. Coast Guard Team Intercept Narcotics

In collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59) interdicted 1,775 kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated wholesale value of approximately $59 million, in international waters off the Eastern Pacific on May 16.

The suspected smuggling vessel was spotted during a routine patrol of Eastern Pacific international waters in support of Operation Martillo. Kauffman’s embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) boarded the vessel and seized the illicit cargo. Three crew members of a suspected narcotic-trafficking vessel flagged out of Costa Rica were detained.

Kauffman took custody of the three crew members and recovered the illicit cargo, some of which was jettisoned overboard before the boarding of the vessel.

“This was a complex event that required assistance from several agencies in support of Kauffman and her crew in order to see the operation succeed,” said Commander Michael Concannon, commanding officer of USS Kauffman. “My crew and I feel fortunate to have captured such a large cache of drugs and those responsible for its transportation.”

The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guidedmissile frigate USS Kauffman is currently deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Martillo.

Operation Martillo, a joint, international law enforcement and military operation involving the U.S., European and Western Hemisphere partner nations, targets illicit trafficking routes in the waters off Central America.

Overall coordination of counter-drug patrols and surveillance in the Eastern Pacific is done by Joint Interagency Task Force South headquartered in Key West, Fla. U.S. maritime law enforcement and the interdiction phase of operations in the Eastern Pacific region occur under the tactical control of the Coast Guard 11th District headquartered in Alameda, Calif.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet support USSOUTHCOM’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

www.navy-kmi.com | Navy News Weekly | june 02, 2015 |

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Navy Achieves Initial Operating Capability on Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 The U.S. Navy has achieved initial operational capability (IOC) with the Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 produced by Raytheon Company. RAM Block 2 is a significant performance upgrade that features enhanced kinematics, an evolved radio-frequency receiver, and an improved control system.

“RAM Block 2 provides the accuracy and lethality our sailors need to combat growing regional threats,” said Captain Craig Bowden, major program manager for Rolling Airframe Missile, U.S. Navy Integrated Warfare Systems 3B program office. “IOC signals that the U.S. Navy is pacing the threat and ensuring the safety and security of our sailors and ships so they can operate wherever required.”

By achieving IOC, the U.S. Navy can employ the RAM Block 2 missile onboard deploying ships, significantly enhancing their self-defense capability against anti-ship missiles. The IOC declaration follows RAM Block 2’s delivery to the U.S. Navy last July, continuing more than eight years of on-time deliveries and culminating years of planning and coordinated effort by industry and the U.S. Navy.

IOC follows extensive maritime testing that began in 2013 demonstrating RAM Block 2’s ability to counter the latest generation of anti-ship cruise missiles. During at-sea testing, RAM Block 2 missiles successfully defeated supersonic and subsonic maneuvering targets in scenarios that highlighted the advanced missile’s defensive capabilities.

Last year, the program had a highly successful test and evaluation run scoring hits on several extremely challenging target sets, including a two-for-two defeat against a supersonic maneuvering raid—a first from a shipboard firing.

“RAM has been protecting naval ships for three decades, and the enhanced Block 2 variant enables vital defense of our warfighters far into the future,” said Rick Nelson, vice president of Naval Area and Mission Defense for Raytheon Missile Systems. “The U.S. Navy’s declaration of IOC is an important accomplishment that shows RAM Block 2 is ideally suited to protect against the full range of threats on a variety of platforms.”

RAM is a cooperative program between the U.S. and German governments with industry support from Raytheon and RAMSYS of Germany.

School Receives Navy Innovation Funds On May 28, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus presented the first Department of the Navy Innovation Funding Approval Certificate to Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD), in appreciation of their efforts to develop innovative education processes for servicemembers and provide exceptional value and great benefit to the Department of the Navy.

In March, Lieutenant Commander Sean Kido, NAVSCOLEOD executive officer, submitted the EOD school’s mobile education initiative to the SECNAV’s Task Force Innovation (TFI). The EOD initiative uses information technology in innovative ways to train the workforce to respond to tomorrow’s challenges.

The $485,000 in funding provided through TFI is going to allow NAVSCOLEOD to purchase eTablets necessary to modernize the technical training methods and provide real-time feedback, tailored education programs and the analytics necessary to develop the next generation training program.

The Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., was established in October 1985 to meet increased requirements for trained Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians, as well as to support expanding curriculum requirements. The jointly staffed school (Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps) provides high-risk specialized, basic and advanced EOD training to U.S. and partner nation military and selected USG personnel.

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| June 02, 2015 | Navy News Weekly | www.navy-kmi.com

USS Topeka Arrives in Guam Homeport

The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) arrived at its new homeport of U.S. Naval Base Guam on May 29.

Topeka is the fourth submarine assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 15 as part of the Navy’s long-range plan to put the most advanced and capable units forward. Prior to arriving in Guam, Topeka completed an engineering overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, N.H. “From bow to stern, she has been completely upgraded (and is) the most technologically advanced submarine we have,” CSS15 Commodore Captain Jeffrey Grimes said.

“She brings a new level of sophistication and fire power that we need in the Pacific.”

Topeka and its crew were greeted by family members as they filed off the

submarine. During brief remarks, Topeka Commanding Officer Commander David Lammers said the Topeka’s arrival would have a positive impact on the local community in terms of economic benefits and security, but that Guam will have a big effect on his crew, too.

“Guam is the Navy’s best-kept secret,” he said. “Once they get here, you can’t get them to leave.”

In April 2013, then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that a fourth Los Angeles-class submarine would be home-ported in Guam in an effort to enhance the Navy’s forward presence as it continues to re-posture its forces. The decision to homeport Topeka in Guam brings that vision to fruition.

“This is an overall rebalance of the naval forces into the Pacific, so picking up another naval submarine to Guam gives us more capability to continue to reinforce our partners, provide a level of conventional deterrence and support the ongoing efforts that we have,” Grimes said.

Topeka, commissioned October 21, 1989, is the third ship of the United States Navy named for the city of Topeka, Kan., and is the fourth “improved” Los Angeles-class submarine. Modifications of this class include retractable bow planes, a reinforced sail for under ice operations, vertical launch Tomahawk Cruise Missile capability, ship-quieting enhancements, and an integrated combat systems suite.

www.navy-kmi.com | Navy News Weekly | june 02, 2015 |

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Harry S. Truman Completes Sea Trials, Returns to Homeport Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) returned to Norfolk Naval Station on May 27 after completing five days of sea trials, making the final milestone after a six-month condensed incremental availability (CIA) period.

Sea trials, which take place following a maintenance availability period, allow Truman and representatives from Norfolk Naval Shipyard to assess the ship’s state of readiness and ensure maintenance was properly completed.

Truman and its crew, at sea for the first time since November 2014, tested equipment that supports surface operations, flight deck evolutions, deck seamanship and damage control readiness through various drills and system checks—ensuring both ship and sailors are ready for future at-sea operations.

“During this underway, the crew completed in-depth general quarters training that was about as close to real-life scenarios as we can simulate,” said Chief Mass Communication Specialist D. B. Withrow, chief of Truman’s repair locker 1-Bravo. “Completing our training evolutions in an actual at-sea environment allowed us to identify and address areas we may have missed back in the yards.”

Truman also used this critical juncture at sea to test newly implemented systems and complete qualifications.

“Training for me is better out at sea,” said Airman M. J. Gotoy. “I work with [aviation boatswain’s mates (fuel)], so whenever we are in port they explain the [systems] to you, but you really don’t understand it until you see it operating.”

Command Master Chief Antonio D. Perryman said the crew trains to win;

he believes, based off the crew’s previous successes, they will come through when it matters.

“I think we have the best of the best; the finest crew that’s out there,” said Perryman.

“I say that because our sailors are very resilient, they are happy and they are hard workers. They are dedicated to the training. ‘The buck stops with me’ mentality is something that lies in the heart of every Truman sailor.

They’ve fought every day to make sure we are getting all we need. Everything we ask this crew to do, they’ve done and they’ve been flexible. They love what they do and they give their all, 100 percent of the time.”

Perryman explained a condensed incremental availability period is not an easy time, but a necessary one. He said the crew worked hard to get the ship to its current level of

readiness; however, there is still a lot of work ahead.

“We came out on sea trials, we were successful and now we get to go home, button up a few things and get back under way,” said Perryman. “We will continue to train; we will strive to be better. We have an ammo on load coming, and flight deck certs. We have a lot of moving parts, so we have to continue to practice safety. We have to keep our operational risk management up and always continue to put things in front of the sailors to keep them happy and keep them successful.”

Truman will have a short break in homeport before heading back to sea for flight deck certification and Tailored Ship’s Training Availability, more milestones in preparation for an upcoming deployment scheduled for later this year.

Navy Awards $46 Million for USS Montpelier Maintenance and Modernization The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $46.4 million contract for planning efforts in support of maintenance and modernization work on USS Montpelier, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.

Under the terms of the contract, Electric Boat will perform the planning activities required to conduct an interim dry-docking period, which consists of maintenance work, upgrades and modernization

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| June 02, 2015 | Navy News Weekly | www.navy-kmi.com

activities required to ensure the submarine is operating at full technical capacity.

The work will take place at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton and involve up to 600 employees at its peak. The work is scheduled for completion by February 2018.

The contract has a potential value of $259.6 million if all options are exercised.

USS Lassen Conducts Multilateral Exercises with Allied Navies

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) and ships from the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) conducted separate one-day multilateral naval exercises with France and Turkey in the waters south of the Korean peninsula from May 23 to 25.

The exercises, conducted with French frigate FS Aconit (F-713) May 23 and Turkish frigate TCG Gediz (F-495) May 25, were designed to increase maritime interoperability and strengthen long-standing partnerships with these participating United Nations Sending States.

France and Turkey are two of the 17 nations that have reaffirmed their national commitment as Sending States to the United Nations Command with a promise to return to Korea should the armistice agreement fail.

“It is an incredible experience to conduct high-speed tactical drills with the French, Turkish and ROK navies,” said Lieutenant (junior grade) Gerie Palanca, the signals

warfare officer aboard Lassen. “During both exercises, it was obvious that their ship-handling skills were flawless and the communication was very professional. We always look forward to interacting with our partners.”

The exercises took place in international waters around the Korean peninsula and consisted of tactical maneuvering drills, nonmaneuvering voice drills and signal communication training.

“Through multilateral training, the participating navies can improve

operational proficiency and integration,” said Commander Lee, Jong-Sik of the Republic of Korea Fleet Headquarters in Busan. “By working with our allied partners, we help ensure the continued peace and stability throughout the region.”

Lassen, one of seven destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

John S. McCain Changes Command The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) held a change of command ceremony on May 28. Commander Chad Graham relieved Commander Chase Sargeant as McCain’s commanding officer.

While Sargeant was in command, McCain steamed more than 53,000 nautical miles of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, making her one of the most actively deployed warships in today’s U.S. Navy Fleet.

“The Asia-Pacific environment is constantly changing,” said Captain Shan Byrne, commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. “It is a theater full of friction and challenges, with the pace only quickening.”

McCain’s schedule is dense with training and inspections, all in part of making her operationally ready and prepared to be a forward presence in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

“I can never repay you for the energy, blood, sweat and tears you gave to this command and this Navy,” said Sargeant to his sailors

during the ceremony. “It has been my honor and my privilege to be your captain. Take care of each other; take care of our ship and thank you.”

With those words, Sargeant saluted his relief, former executive officer, Graham, and transferred the absolute authority, responsibility and accountability of his command.

Graham has played a critical role in the past two years of McCain’s operational success and says he is ready to face the challenges ahead and that he remains confident in the crew’s ability to tackle the future.

“The challenges that lay before us are not small by any measure,” said Graham. “We are charged with bringing ‘Big Bad John’ back together and taking her to sea, where a warship belongs.”

McCain is forward-deployed to DESRON 15 in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, and is currently dry docked in Yokosuka, Japan.

www.navy-kmi.com | Navy News Weekly | june 02, 2015 |

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Creating a Culture of Creativity

By Lieutenant Kristen Wheeler, USS Iwo Jima Instilling a culture of innovation and creativity is no easy task. It means stepping away from the comfort of the familiar and routine and into the realm of unknown possibilities.

Here onboard USS Iwo Jima, we are doing just that, by building a culture that will allow deckplate ingenuity to bubble up to the surface.

Our goal is simple: create a culture shift towards creativity, ingenuity and innovative thought within our wardroom and then manifest this paradigm throughout the ship. Our shift began in the wardroom through the implementation of a new training program.

Deckplate innovation starts with leaders who champion the cause. Our commanding officer, Captain Dana Gordon and executive officer, Captain James Midkiff are staunch supporters of this transition and believe we have the ideal wardroom to enable this change. After an earnest discussion with the skipper regarding Navy training, leadership challenges and the future of the Navy, our goal was clear: we needed to reexamine not only what we train, but also how we train.

Seeking to redesign the mundane training experience, we decided that death by PowerPoint and rote memorization were off the table.

Instead, our approach to training focuses on incorporating “systems thinking” and “experiential learning” techniques. Our training is effective, interactive, memorable and meaningful. We also capitalize on our diverse pool of talent. The Iwo Jima wardroom is the definition of diverse. We have more than 80 officers in 28 different designators, ranging from fresh-out-of-college ensigns to seasoned 25-plus-year limited duty officers (LDO) and chief warrant officers (CWO). With that, we currently have two different, yet complementary, training programs. One is designed for division officers (DIVO SWO Training) while the other is targeted for the entire wardroom (Officer Leadership Continuum).

Kicking off DIVO SWO Training on March 12, 2015, we explored “systems thinking” as a way to understand how the Navy is comprised, since we are a complex organization of systems within systems. In order to understand complex systems, we conducted an exercise involving every person in the room simultaneously.

The rules were simple. Each person selected a single card with a system or node (i.e., PQS,

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Walking Blood Bank, COMTUEX, Maintenance on SPS-48G Radar, ORM, ASA Checklists, Detection of a Threat Missile, Evacuation of Embassy, etc.). After each participant chose a card, they then held it up for the others to see. Next, without communicating, each person chose two other cards that related to their card.

For example, the person holding the Detection of a Threat Missile Card silently chose the person holding the PQS Card and the Maintenance on the SPS-48G Radar Card. Simultaneously, the person holding the Maintenance of the SPS-48G Radar Card silently chose the person holding Detection of a Threat Missile and Evacuation of Embassy. Next, everyone was instructed to move equal distance from the two other cards they chose, without communicating. In the end, there was a room full of people who were continually readjusting, illustrating an ever changing “complex systems.” After five minutes, we came to a stopping point. Each person in the room then briefly explained their system card and then revealed the two cards they chose, while explaining the relation. Even though the exercise was initially received with hesitation, in the end, people were energized and chatty with this new visualization of why we need to understand not only each system, but also how these systems affect one another.

Toward the end of June, DIVO training will transition as we begin to explore “design thinking.” The DIVOs will be divided up into the four watch teams and tasked to redesign SWO and wardroom training during the upcoming yard period. There are three training topics to facilitate this project: “Introduction to Radical Collaboration,” “Introduction to Design Thinking and Planning” and finally “Introduction to Effective Briefing/Pitching.” The end goal is that each of the four teams will come up

| June 02, 2015 | Navy News Weekly | www.navy-kmi.com

with four different ideas for training and then pitch them to the skipper and the wardroom.

We expect to see shipboard SWO Training completely transformed and revitalized.

Concurrently, we hold wardroom Training for all officers. These topics address challenges we face as a diverse wardroom of various ages, backgrounds, communities and ranks. As of May 16th, our wardroom leaders have showcased their talent in five training topics. Our skipper (aviator) and XO (SWO) kicked us off with “Community Briefs,” expanding knowledge on fitness reports, promotion boards, career advice and guidance. This next lesson was facilitated by CDR Raymond Marsh (Air Boss) regarding “The Good, The Bad and the Basics of Naval Leadership.” This lesson was followed

by Captain Sean Sullivan (senior medical officer) and CDR Stuart Day with “Leadership under Pressure.” Recently, one of our salty limited duty officers (LDO), LCDR Shawn Collins (AIMD maintenance officer) and our brackish bull ensign, ENS Mike Cuomo (SWO DIVO) teamed up to deliver “Bridging the Generation Gap.” Topics still on the horizon are “Small Things that Makes a Big Difference,” “Effective Communication” and “Creative Leadership.”

Overall, our goal is to foster the “flip,” which is defined by the thought leader David Kelley as the point when people “see themselves as creative individuals.” We are encouraging people to ask questions, understand their systems, seek ways to improve these systems and then become champions for others. There is no instruction or doctrine developed by the Navy on how to do this, which makes the leap into the unknown rather daunting. However, with champions to back up the culture shift and an open-minded crew, Iwo Jima sailors will certainly be fleet game-changers.

Face of Defense: Sailors Conduct Night Operations at Sea

By Navy Seaman Jessica Gomez

After sunset, the Navy’s only forwarddeployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington steams on into the night. All the while, the movement of aircraft never stops and aviation boatswain’s mates (handling), or “ABH” night-check crew, make this possible.

All ABHs wear yellow or blue shirts to indicate their responsibilities. As the day winds down, the ABH night shift “yellow shirts” and “blue shirts” are ready to start their day and work until the job is done.

All hangar bay ABHs start out wearing blue jerseys, holding the “chock and chain” position of securing aircraft to the deck. Upon completion of various qualifications that include fire watch, tractor driver, elevator operator and “hot suitman,” an ABH will earn a yellow jersey and become an aircraft director.

“At night, hangar bay [sailors] conduct movement operations for aircraft, and more importantly, the maintenance we provide for the squadrons,” said Navy Chief Petty

Officer Terrell Jones, an aviation boatswain’s mate and hangar bay chief on the George Washington. “The most challenging part is not being able to accommodate every squadron, every night. We want to make sure everyone gets a fair share of maintenance and attention, but sometimes there’s just not enough time.”

Dangerous Situations ABHs are constantly in dangerous situations, and inclement weather can make the job of hangar bay night workers even more challenging.

“Being on the [aircraft] elevators is a very dangerous part of the job,” said Navy Airman Elijah Vann, an aviation boatswain’s mate from Fort Bragg, N.C. “You can’t see anything.

It’s dark, raining and foggy, and sometimes waves can reach us on the elevator.”

The night crew may not always get recognized for their work because it is usually

unseen, but they know that what they do is important to the ship’s overall mission.

“The crew works extremely hard, night in and night out, to help with the ship’s mission,” Jones said. “Their job is just as important as anyone else’s, but sometimes it goes unnoticed because it’s not seen. I tell my guys they’re doing an amazing job, and as long as they know, that’s all that matters.”

“The daytimers could not run without us,” Vann said. “The night-check crews are pure animals. We train the blue shirts, then the yellow shirts get briefed on the movement for the night. We move aircraft all night until the sun comes up, and sometimes even after that.”

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, are on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

www.navy-kmi.com | Navy News Weekly | june 02, 2015 |

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Here’s Here’sLooking LookingatatYou: You:ONR ONRTests TestsNew NewGlasses Glasses

ers to turn any environment into a The system, which can support Marines were able to turn a lush training ground.” computer] screen in front of your eyes that can a wide array of live, virtual and The glasses, or “optical see-through” comgolf course into a hostile battleMarines were able to turn a lush golf course Theand glasses integrate and render complex information in a constructive scenarios, is completed, ponents, were recently thisare wasmore techground with tanks, mortar into acomplete hostile battleground complete with tanks, training nologically advanced manner that does not exist for the typical heads“only thethe firstimaginations time they were hooked up to the AITT than the firemortar and smoke at asmoke demonstration fire and at a demonstration onlimited by typicaluse heads-up much-discussed Google Glass—a up displays Marines today.” displays Marines of those it,” saidRepresentatives Dr. Peter from the Army, Navy onMay May21 21using usingan anaugmented augmentedreality real- training sys-using system. today.”now in its fifth year, will head-mounted display that shows The AITTuse program, and officer Marinewith Corps were present to watch the ity tem training fromofthe Office fromsystem the Office Naval ResearchSquire, (ONR).a program AITT program, now in wrap up this fall withThe a final large-scale demonstraMarines Maneuver test out the newestinformation iteration. in a smartphone-like of Naval (ONR).

AtResearch Marine Corps Base Quantico inONR’s Expeditionary itsThe fifthprogram year, willthen wrap this fall format.and Created through a tion Small at Quantico. willuptransition Warfare Terrorism “The glasses are leading-edge are really At MarineVa., Corps Base Quantico Quantico, the Augmented Immersive Teamand Combating with aProgram final large-scale Technology Transfer proto the Marine Corps Managerdemonstrafor Trainpushing the technology of Business optical see-throughs in Quantico, Va., the Augmented Trainer (AITT) moved one step closer Department. to its at Quantico. program they have a much larger field for tion ing Systems further testing andThe development.

The glasses,forward,” or “optical see- said. “Butgram, Squire the glasses are just Immersive Trainer ultimateTeam goal of giving(AITT) warfighters glasses that thenthis willsystem transition to thetheir Marine of view thanAITT similar products that “For Marines, increases through” were recently one component of the system.

It’s the moved oneworn stepto closer to itsaugmented ultimate reality can be enhance train-components, Corps Progra Manager for Training are commercially available.situational awareness, whether for training or completed, andsystem this was thethat’s first revolutionary itself because it engoal giving warfighters glasses that ingofscenarios.

Systems further testing for andinMarine Corps Le Nolan, giving operations, themfor a wider aperture hooked up to theto turn any environment warfighters intoMajor a can be worn to enhance augmented The term “augmented reality” referstime to athey live wereables development. an action officer for the Human Per- to help formation make better decisions,” Nolan system. Representatives from training ground.” reality training scenarios. environment onto which virtual imagesAITT are suThethat’s AITTwhat system could be formance Training said. “And, in the end, we’re trying the game Army, Navy andThe Marine glassesCorps are more technologically ad- and Education The term “augmented reality” reperimposed.

Think of watching a football an important in achieving the (HPT&E) thrust area in ONR's to do here in HPT&E: give tool warfighters enough were present tovanced watch than the Marines the much-discussed Google Glass— ferson totelevision a live environment and seeingonto the which yellow first-down Corps’ stated in Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare information toMarine make the bestgoal-—as decision possible, testThis outisthe newest iteration. display that a head-mounted shows information virtual arethe superimposed. line images added to screen you’re watching. the Marine CorpssoVision Strategy andCreated Combating Terrorism but Departnot overwhelm them with much&informa“The glasses leading-edge format. in are a smartphone-like through Think of watching a football gamewhich on is a wholly different from “virtual reality,” 2025—of ment, described them as being tion like that they can’t makehaving sense oftraining it.” that “accuand are really pushing technola Small the Business Technology Transfer program, television and seeing theenvironment yellow first- in which computer-generated users reflect[s] situations, environ“a portable high-definition PC The AITTrately system could the be an important ogy of optical see-throughs forward,” they have a much larger field of view than simidown line added to the screen you’re immerse themselves. ments and peoples Marines will face” [personalavailable. computer] screentool in front in achieving the Marine Corps’ goal-—as Squire said. “But glassesthat are just lar the products are commercially watching. is different TheThis system, whichfrom can support a wide and preparing Marines of Nolan, your eyes can integrate andin the Marine stated Corps Vision &“realistically Strategy one component of Marine the system.

It’s Major Le Corps anthat action “virtual a wholly arrayreality,” of live, which virtualisand constructive training for training complex that conditions” while using render complex information in a 2025—of having “accurately the AITT system itselffor that’s officer the revoluHuman Performance Training and computer-generated in imaginascenarios, is “onlyenvironment limited by the resources environments more efficiently.and manner doesExnot existreflect[s] for the the situations, it enables (HPT&E) warfight- thrust area inthat ONR's which immerse themselves. tionsusers of those using it,” said Dr. Peter tionary Squire, becauseEducation peoples Marines will face” and preparing Mapeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating a program officer with ONR’s Expeditionary rines “realistically for complex conditions” while Terrorism Department, described them as being Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism using resources more efficiently. like “a portable high-definition PC [personal Department.

Naval War College Holds Novel Capstone War Game A group of 66 naval officers representing 48 nations participated in the inaugural Naval Staff College (NSC) war game, May 15, at the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, R.I. The new war game was designed to test naval strategy and tactics in a simulated environment and, for the first time, incorporate learning objectives from the entire academic year.

“It’s the first capstone war game of its kind that challenges the international officers with a unique, hands-on learning opportunity,” said Captain Mark Turner, director of the NSC. “Students get to synthesize and apply all components of their educational experiences over the last 11 months in a practical way.”

Students were divided into “Blue” and “Gold” coalition teams, with coalition task force and national teams comprising each side.

The game began with a series of informal and formal student planning sessions to develop national and coalition strategies.

Throughout the game, students evaluated and refined their strategies and then came together at the battle board for five game turns to employ maritime and joint forces in a contested joint maritime environment.

Each team worked together to gain control of fictitious “Green Island.”

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“Every aspect of the war game stimulated players to think, from mission command to balancing operational factors,” said Lieutenant Commander Yen-chang Tsai, NSC student from Taiwan. “The robust command and control structure employed by Gold enabled us to consistently adapt to the operational environment and dominate the operational tempo.”

The 11-month-long graduate program is designed to prepare international naval officers for positions of higher responsibility within their own maritime services. The course emphasizes naval planning and decision making, with particular attention to broadening the students’ understanding of the importance and role of sea power in international affairs.

| June 02, 2015 | Navy News Weekly | www.navy-kmi.com

“The versatility of seapower and the decisive influence it brings to the contested maritime environment was succinctly revealed to the class throughout all the phases of planning and execution of the game,” said Major Jonathan Lim, from Singapore. “This was a very visual and impactful lesson, which was extremely effective following on from the conceptual learning in our seminars.”

Since its inception in 1972, more than 2,000 naval officers representing 126 countries have graduated from the NSC. More than 313 graduates have attained the rank of flag officer and 122 have served as chief of service, with 19 currently serving in the latter capacity.

ONR Testing High-Speed Planing Hulls

Earlier this month, scientists sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) performed experiments to better understand the motions, forces and pressures generated by waves on boats with high-speed planing hulls.

Planing hulls are like those used on a speedboat—they’re designed to produce lift and allow the watercraft to glide on top of the water, skimming more quickly over its surface. At higher speeds, waves become a problem. The higher the crests of the waves, the more the boat will rise to the top of the wave and then fall back down to the wave’s trough with great force. This is known as “wave slam.”

“When a hull is going at speed and it hits a wave, it’s like hitting a wall; it’s a violent collision, and the forces are very large,” said Dr. Bob Brizzolara, a program officer with ONR’s Sea Warfare and Weapons Department. “This causes injuries to sailors—commonly back and leg injuries—and also can degrade the structure of the vessel.”

This research was motivated by a series of workshops ONR program officers held with personnel from the Navy small

combatant craft commands about highpriority challenges that ONR could help with.

One identified challenge was the need to carry greater loads while maintaining their speed capabilities. To do this, some structural weight would need to be shed. Since the hull is the heaviest part of a vessel, Brizzolara and his team began there, investigating ways to save weight.

“To deal with the effects of wave slams, the Navy must have strong boats that are forced to reduce speed in higher seas,” said Dr. Carolyn Judge, an associate professor in the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA)’s Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Department, as well as a current Young Investigator Program recipient working with Brizzolara on this research. “Mitigating the problem of wave slams will allow Navy boats to travel faster in higher seas states and allow for lighter boat structural designs.”

Working with Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock Division, USNA and the University of Iowa, ONR is considering ways to reduce hull weight while maintaining structural adequacy. For unmanned

craft, it might be possible to reduce weight even further, allowing additional payload to be carried.

“We’re working to understand the pressures on the hull that are due to the wave slamming, since right now, they are not well understood,” Brizzolara said. “We’d like to be able to save weight in the structure so we can carry more fuel and payload, but we don’t understand those pressures well enough to be able to start taking weight out of the structures.”

The team is executing the research in two parts: experimentally with scale models and using computer simulations. The scale models are tested in the large tow tank at NSWC Carderock.

Computer simulations for planing hulls are being developed by the University of Iowa, a challenging problem due to the complexity of planing hull physics. The model results will be used to develop computer simulations that are more realistic and accurate. This will vastly increase the numbers of tests that can be run since the computer simulations are much less expensive than experimental testing.

www.navy-kmi.com | Navy News Weekly | june 02, 2015 |

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Rebalance Continues in Asia-Pacific

By Army Sergeant 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr. America’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific is a continuation of its pivotal role over the past 70 years in helping ensure prosperity in the region, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on May 27.

Speaking to reporters as he departed Hawaii during his second visit to the region, Carter is on a 10-day international trip that will also take him to Singapore, Vietnam and India, focusing on trust-building, addressing regional challenges and further developing a strong regional security architecture in Southeast Asia.

Fundamental Importance of Region Carter said the Asia-Pacific region is of fundamental importance to the future of America and the global community. Half of the planet’s population lives in the Asia-Pacific region, he said, and half of the global economy is generated there.

While it’s not a region that’s in the headlines all the time because of its fundamental importance, Carter said that it is because of the security role the United States has played there for the last 70 years.

“That role and the continuation of that role is the basic theme of this trip,” he said, “and will be the basic theme of the speech I make in a dayand-a-half at the Shangri-La Dialogue.”

Shangri-La Dialogue The defense secretary alluded to his upcoming speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, which is a key element of the emerging regional security architecture and a forum where the Asia-Pacific’s defense ministers engage in discussion aimed at building confidence and fostering practical security cooperation.

Carter said he was at the very first of these meetings, which the International Institute for Strategic Studies convened in 2002, with “the idea being to be an Asia-Pacific analog to the Munich Security Conference that’s held in early February every year.”

The defense secretary noted a congressional delegation will attend, led by U.S. Senator John McCain, whom he lauded for his “expertise” and having “more depth of knowledge and time spent in this region thatjust about anybody in Washington.”

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“The theme of my remarks will be the longstanding and to-be-continued, pivotal American role in ensuring that the Asia-Pacific is a region in which everybody gets to rise,” he said.

“Everybody rises, everybody wins,” Carter said.

“That’s been the history of 70 years—first Japan’s economic miracle, then South Korea, Taiwan, then Southeast Asia. Today, China and India.”

Purpose of U.S. Rebalance Carter said a “system of inclusion and attention to principle” have kept the peace and enabled prosperity in that part of the world.

“It is in that climate, everyone has gotten to rise,” he said. “Everyone has gotten to prosper, and in a nutshell, the purpose of American strategy and the purpose of the American rebalance, which is a part of the military part of the rebalance strategy, is to keep that going.”

According to Carter, maritime security is an important dimension, although the region is “not exclusively but importantly” a maritime theater.

During the course of the trip, he said, there will be opportunities to see the “sheer scale of trade” that passes through the area in places such as the Strait of Malacca.

Carter noted it is of “incredible importance” to all parties in the region to have, as they have for 70 years, freedom of navigation, freedom of the seas and peaceful use of the commons.

Chinese Inclusion The defense secretary responded to a question of how the United States will reassure China its rebalance to the region is not an act of aggression.

“The American approach, for 70 years, has been one, which is, first of all, grounded in the

| June 02, 2015 | Navy News Weekly | www.navy-kmi.com

values of participation by everyone, and security and prosperity for everyone,” he said. “So that is what the United States has stood for in the region.”

What the rebalance is about, Carter said, is basically helping to keep a security system—not a purely American one, but one of friends, allies and inclusiveness—going, which includes China.

Carter noted China has been invited to joint military exercises, and “we have very important ties … I hope we’re able to strengthen between our military and the Chinese military.”

“We work with the Chinese military,” he said, “along with lots of other militaries in the region on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief.”

Partnership in Asia-Pacific Region Carter said the multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in Nepal following the destruction wrought by a magnitude-7.8 earthquake serve as an example of partnership in the region.

That was a situation, he said, where many countries—including China—trained with the United States for those types of circumstances with many of them operating U.S. equipment.

“Whether it’s refugees and trafficking, natural disasters, counternarcotics [or] counterterrorism,” Carter said, “there are lots of things that plague this region of the world like they do others.”

He added, “Our system and our approach has always been one that is inclusive, and that’s when I say what we stand for is a system in which everybody wins.”

That’s not a hegemonic system, but a system in which everybody wins and everybody participates, Carter said.

Service Contracts at Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) ➥ Continued From pAGE 1 Naval Special Warfare Command According to the NSWC website, NSWC provides personnel, trains, equips, deploys and sustains Naval Special Warfare forces for operations and activities abroad in support of combatant commanders and U.S. national interests. NSWC is the maritime component of USSOCOM, organized around eight sea, air and land (SEAL) teams; one SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team; three special boat teams; and supporting commands, which deploy forces worldwide.

Contracts Reviewed at Naval Special Warfare Command We queried the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation (FPDS-NG) and identified that NSWC contracting personnel awarded 296 service contracts, valued at $163.5 million, from October 1, 2011, through June 30, 2014.

We reviewed a non-statistical sample of 35 contracts, valued at $15.5 million.

Review of Internal Controls DoD Instruction 5010.40, “Managers’ Internal Control Program Procedures,” May 30, 2013, requires DoD organizations to implement a comprehensive system of internal controls that provides reasonable assurance that programs are operating as intended and to evaluate the effectiveness of the controls.

We identified internal control weaknesses with NSWC contracting personnel awarding contracts with restrictive requirements and not performing adequate acquisition planning thus awarding contracts as sole source based on urgent and compelling training for recurring training needs. We will provide a copy of the report to the senior officials responsible for internal controls at NSWC and USSOCOM.

Finding

with FAR Parts 6 and 7. Specifically, NSWC contracting personnel awarded: • five contracts, valued at approximately $1.5 million, with restrictive statements of work (SOWs), statements of objectives (SOO) or performance work statements (PWS) because contracting personnel did not challenge or fully understand the nature of the requirements of those documents in accordance with FAR Part 6 requirements for competition; and • four contracts, valued at approximately $1.9 million, as sole source based on urgent and compelling training for recurring training needs instead of awarding competitive long-term contracts because technical and logistics personnel did not perform adequate acquisition planning in accordance with FAR Parts 6 and 7 requirements for competition and acquisition planning.

As a result, NSWC contracting personnel inappropriately limited competition, which may have favored certain contractors. In addition, NSWC was at risk for price increases.

Naval Special Warfare Command Contracts Did Not Meet Guidelines for Competition and Acquisition Planning NSWC contracting personnel did not award nine of 35 contracts, valued at approximately $3.4 million, in accordance with FAR Parts 6 and 7. Specifically, NSWC contracting personnel awarded five contracts with overly restrictive SOWs, SOO or PWS, and NSWC personnel did not perform adequate acquisition planning for four contracts and NSWC contracting personnel awarded them as sole source based on urgent and compelling training requirements.

Improvements Needed When Awarding Service Contracts at Naval Special Warfare Command

Overly Restrictive Contract Specifications May Have Limited Competition

NSWC contracting personnel did not award nine of 35 contracts, valued at approximately $3.4 million, in accordance

NSWC contracting personnel did not award five contracts, valued at approximately

$1.5 million, in accordance with FAR Part 6 requirements for competition. Specifically, NSWC contracting personnel awarded five training contracts with overly restrictive contract specifications.

The FAR states that contracting officers shall provide for full and open competition using competitive procedures. The FAR also states that agency and procuring activity advocates for competition are responsible for promoting full and open competition, challenging requirements that are not stated in terms of functions to be performed, and challenging barriers to the acquisition of commercial items and full and open competition such as unnecessarily restrictive statements of work and unnecessarily detailed specifications.

The Special Operations Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Part 56018 requires the contracting officer to review and approve requests for proposals $150,000 and below. Additionally, the supplement requires USSOCOM personnel to approve requests for proposals more than $150,000. Request for proposals included requirements documents such as SOW, SOO and PWS. The following examples demonstrate that NSWC awarded training contracts with overly restrictive experience requirements.

Restrictive Experience Requirements for Role-Player Training Contract NSWC personnel included overly restrictive experience requirements in the PWS for a contract, valued at approximately $168,000, awarded in September 2013 that limited the number of contractors that could meet the requirements. Specifically, the PWS contained overly restrictive experience requirements for role-player personnel to assist in the biannual SEAL Team Final Battle Problem training.

The PWS required role players to be from a specific service and specific grade. The PWS required five role players consisting of one NSWC SEAL officer, one Army Special Forces officer, one MARSOC officer, one Navy Surface Warfare officer and one intelligence officer with extensive special operations forces (SOF) experience. The PWS further required that: • all role players must: • be retired at the rank of O-5 or above;

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• not be on active duty status; and • have experience either assigned to or have worked with Special Operations Command Central.

• one senior staff member (retired O-6 or above) shall have: • operational and strategic-level experience; • must be SEAL, Army Special Forces or MARSOC qualified; and • experience within the past three years or demonstrated currency through ongoing past performance in SOF initiatives or training programs.

• one senior enlisted staff member (retired E-9) shall have: • SOF and joint experience within the past three years; or • demonstrated currency through ongoing past performance in SOF support initiatives or training programs.

A subsequent comparable contract included less restrictive experience requirements.

We identified a contract awarded in March 2014 for the same training course where the PWS requirements for the​role players were less specific. The more recent contract removed the rank-level requirements, and instead required role players to have theater experience and familiarity with SEAL, Army Special Forces, MARSOC, Navy Surface Warfare and Military Intelligence (Navy, Army or Marine).

If NSWC contracting personnel had challenged the requirement and suggested revisions to require instructors to have the experience needed, instead of specific ranks, the PWS would have been less restrictive and allowed for more competition. Because the contracting officer did not challenge the specific requirements on the PWS, NSWC contracting personnel limited competition on the contract, which may have favored certain contractors, and may not have obtained the best value for the government.

Restrictive Experience Requirements for Off-Road Driving Training Contract NSWC personnel included restrictive experience requirements in the SOO for a contract awarded in June 2013, valued at approximately $122,000, for advanced off-road driving training, which limited the number of contractors that could meet the experience requirements.

Specifically, the SOO required instructors to have significant, professional experience with rally racing in multiple environments along with “Camel Trophy” off-road event experience.

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The SOO also required that instructors have demonstrated successful teaching experience with NSWC. When we discussed why the specific requirement for “Camel Trophy” experience was necessary, NSWC contracting personnel accepted the SOO requirements and stated they were not aware of what Camel Trophy experience was or why it was necessary. Requiring activity personnel stated they requested Camel Trophy experience because it best simulated the austere environments they anticipated operating in. They further stated the Camel Trophy competition challenged individuals to conduct solo driving with limited recovery and field repair equipment in tactical environments.

According to requiring activity personnel, contractors could gain this knowledge only through time and experience. Therefore, the requiring activity requested the highest level of known experience for rugged, off-road driving to teach advanced training to individuals who would operate in similar conditions throughout the world.

The SOO already required instructors to have experience in long-range rally racing in multiple environments to include, but not limited to, arid, hot desert environments, cold, desolate desert environments and jungle terrain. Additionally, the driving portion of the Camel Trophy competition ended in 1998, which was 15 years before this contract award.

Since the SOO required the course to teach vehicle recovery and repairs in a tactical environment, NSWC contracting personnel should have required the contractor to have the experience and capability to teach these elements rather than require the contractor to have Camel Trophy experience. As a result, the SOO would have been less restrictive and allowed for more competition. Additionally, the requirement for instructors to have successful teaching experience with NSWC limited competition to personnel with prior NSWC teaching experience. Therefore, no new contractors were eligible to compete on the contract because they could not meet this requirement in the SOO, and NSWC contracting personnel may have favored a preferred contractor.

Restrictive Experience Requirements for High-Altitude Training Contract NSWC personnel included restrictive experience requirements in the SOW for a highaltitude training contract awarded in April 2013, valued at approximately $148,000, which could have limited the number of contractors able to

| June 02, 2015 | Navy News Weekly | www.navy-kmi.com

meet the experience requirements. Specifically, the SOW required personnel to have experience in the development of tactics, techniques and procedures; and have a background with operations in steep technical terrain, and multiple deployments in harsh environmental conditions. The SOW further required personnel to have experience with NSWC high altitude or U.S. Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center tactics, techniques and procedures.

Personnel were also required to have NSWC command leadership experience to understand NSWC-specific training objectives and scenario design. The NSWC contracting specialists who worked on the contract could not justify the restrictive requirements within the SOW. We identified a subsequent contract with similar requirements, awarded in December 2013, which USSOCOM personnel reviewed the SOW and concluded that the requirements were too restrictive, and NSWC contracting personnel revised the requirements before soliciting bids. Specifically, the revised SOW did not require, but preferred, personnel to have: • experience in the development of tactics, techniques and procedures; • a background with operations in highaltitude terrain; and • multiple deployments in harsh environmental conditions.

The change from “required” to “preferred” was less restrictive and allowed for more competition. In addition, the subsequent contract requirements allowed contractors with knowledge and experience in equivalent service environmental training to compete.

This requirement was also less restrictive because it allowed contractors with equivalent environmental training to compete instead of limiting the experience to the NSWC or U.S. Marine Corps. Finally, the subsequent contract SOW required SOF command leadership and SOF specific training objectives and scenario design versus limiting the requirement to NSWC. Without the changes to the SOW, the contractor who won the subsequent contract would not have been eligible for the award and, according to the contractor’s bid proposal, the contractor would not have met the NSWC experience requirement. Because NSWC contracting personnel did not challenge and revise the requirements for the contract in question, NSWC contracting personnel limited competition on the contract and may have favored specific contractors.

NSWC Contracting Personnel Limited Competition By accepting overly restrictive contract requirements, NSWC contracting personnel limited competition inappropriately for five contracts because NSWC contract personnel did not challenge or fully understand the nature of the requirements. For the three examples, NSWC contracting personnel posted a request for proposals or quotations on the FedBizOpps website to solicit bids from available contractors; however, each time only one contractor bid on the training.

The requirements were overly restrictive and limited the number of contractors that met the contract specifications. Additionally, the contracting officers did not challenge or justify the specific requirements in the SOWs, SOO or PWS. Finally, USSOCOM personnel did not review two of the five contracts we identified as restrictive because their projected value was below their review threshold of $150,000.

The remaining three contracts were at $150,000 or exceeded the USSOCOM review threshold; and although USSOCOM personnel reviewed the PWS for role-player training contract, in their review, they did not cite any issues with overly restrictive requirements.

For the remaining two contracts, USSOCOM personnel could not determine why they did not review them. The Commander, NSWC should establish procedures to ensure that contracting personnel challenge PWS, SOO, and SOWs requirements and ensure that restrictive requirements are adequately justified and documented.

Lack of Adequate Acquisition Planning Unnecessarily Led to Urgent and Compelling Awards NSWC contracting personnel did not award four contracts, valued at approximately $1.9 million, in accordance with FAR requirements for competition and acquisition planning.

Specifically, technical and logistics personnel did not perform adequate acquisition planning, and NSWC contracting personnel awarded four contracts as sole source based on urgent and compelling training requirements.

The FAR states contracting without providing for full and open competition shall not be justified on the basis of a lack of advance planning by the requiring activity. Additionally,

acquisition planning should begin as soon as the agency identifies the need, preferably well in advance of the fiscal year in which contract award or order placement is necessary. The FAR also states that requirements and logistics personnel should avoid issuing requirements on an urgent basis since it generally restricts competition and increases prices.

Three Urgent and Compelling Contracts Awarded for Recurring Training Since 2009 NSWC contracting personnel awarded three urgent and compelling contracts for training that recurred since FY 2009. In 2009, Navy procured four Scan Eagle unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with associated support equipment and spare parts. According to the justification and approval document prepared by the UAS training personnel and Navy contracting officer, the Scan Eagle UAS was highly technical with rapidly changing technology. NSWC personnel were required to have the most up-to-date training to operate new equipment and prevent loss and damage to the systems.

NSWC planned to award a long-term, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) training contract but instead awarded three subsequent urgent and compelling contracts.

In August 2012, NSWC technical personnel prepared a request for Scan Eagle training. In September 2012, NSWC contracting personnel issued a bridge contract to cover training on the Scan Eagle through December 2012 to allow enough time for NSWC contracting personnel to compete a long-term IDIQ contract.

In preparation for the permanent competed contract, in October 2012, NSWC contracting personnel posted a sources sought notice on the FedBizOpps website to determine the availability of commercial sources for the long-term contract.

In November 2012, NSWC contracting personnel posted a request for proposal on the FedBizOpps website to solicit bids from available contractors. NSWC contracting personnel amended the proposal to remain open for 30 days. However, NSWC contracting personnel never awarded the long-term IDIQ contract but awarded three urgent and compelling contracts for the same requirement to the same contractor in January 2013, February 2013 and April 2013, valued at approximately $158,000, $309,000 and $813,000, respectively.

NSWC contracting personnel awarded urgent and compelling sole-source contracts to meet immediate training needs because NSWC technical and logistics personnel did not

perform adequate acquisition planning to identify recurring training requirements. The Navy obtained Scan Eagle UAS technology in 2009 with the knowledge that the technology was rapidly changing and ongoing training would be necessary. NSWC technical and logistics personnel did not adequately plan or identify the upcoming Scan Eagle training requirements in time to provide the necessary lead times to complete the acquisition process in FY 2013.

NSWC contracting personnel received the contract requirements only 30 days before the award. According to NSWC contracting personnel, if the procurement was delayed to allow for the processing lead time required of a competitive procurement, it could result in operational mission failure. From FY 2009 through FY 2012, pricing on the recurring Scan Eagle training contracts stayed relatively steady. However, from the September 2012 contract to the April 2013 urgent and compelling award, the cost per student increased by approximately 35 percent.

If training acquisitions are not appropriately planned, NSWC personnel may not be missionready for deployments, which could negatively affect operational missions. Additionally, NSWC personnel inappropriately limited competition by awarding sole-source contracts as urgent and compelling, which may have favored certain contractors, and was at risk for pricing increases.

Urgent and Compelling Bridge Contract Awarded for Recurring Training NSWC contracting personnel awarded a sole-source bridge contract, valued at approximately $653,000, as urgent and compelling for recurring training requirements. In March 2012, the requiring activity prepared a request for contractual procurement for canine training services, which train, organize, deploy, maintain and integrate a multipurpose canine capability into deploying squadrons for SEAL Groups One and Two. However, requiring activity personnel prepared the request less than 30 days before the requiring activity needed the services.

According to the justification and approval document prepared by the NSWC contracting officer, existing contracts were set to expire in April 2012 and May 2012; therefore, NSWC contracting personnel awarded a six-month bridge contract effective until October 2012 as urgent and compelling. Although NSWC contracting personnel planned to award a long-term IDIQ contract for the canine training services, they did not initiate the action until just days before the September 2012 expiration. At

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that time, they posted a combined synopsis/ solicitation to determine the availability of commercial sources and to solicit bids from available contractors on the FedBizOpps website.

Therefore, contracting personnel extended the bridge contract into November 2012.

NSWC contracting personnel awarded this urgent and compelling bridge contract to meet immediate training needs because NSWC technical and logistics personnel did not perform adequate acquisition planning to identify recurring training requirements.

The requiring activity personnel provided the request for contractual procurement only 30 days before the award. Also, contracting personnel could not delay the procurement because this training requirement was essential for NSWC deployment theater requirements. Although NSWC did not experience price increases on the urgent and compelling sole-source bridge contract, lack of acquisition planning led to contracting personnel limiting competition, which may have favored certain contractors.

NSWC contracting personnel may have avoided the urgent and compelling bridge contracts and extended periods of performance on the bridge contract if contracting personnel and requiring activity personnel properly planned for this recurring training need. The Commander, NSWC should establish controls to ensure that NSWC personnel identify recurring requirements within their departments and develop an acquisition strategy to award competitive long-term contracts for known training to reduce the need for urgent and compelling awards. The Commander, NSWC should also provide training to NSWC personnel on the necessary lead times to complete the acquisition planning process for recurring training requirements and awarding sole-source contracts in accordance with FAR Subpart 6.3, “Other Than Full and Open Competition.”

Conclusion NSWC contracting personnel awarded five contracts with restrictive SOWs, SOO or PWS because contracting personnel did not challenge or fully understand the nature of the requirements of those documents in accordance with FAR Part 6 requirements for competition.

Additionally, NSWC contracting personnel awarded four contracts as sole source based on urgent and compelling training for recurring training needs instead of awarding long-term

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competitive contracts because technical and logistics personnel did not perform adequate acquisition planning in accordance with FAR Parts 6 and 7. As a result, NSWC contracting personnel inappropriately limited competition, which may have favored certain contractors, and was at risk for pricing increases. With recent and ongoing fiscal uncertainty, NSWC should seize every opportunity to increase competition and avoid unnecessary contracting costs.

Our Response

Recommendations, Management Comments and Our Response

Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command Comments

Recommendation 1 We recommend that the Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, establish procedures to ensure that contracting personnel challenge performance work statements, statements of objectives and statements of work requirements and ensure that restrictive requirements are adequately justified and documented.

Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command Comments The Commander, NSWC, agreed, stating that NSWC personnel hired two additional analysts, and in FY 2015 implemented a package review process for each service contract request upon its submission to the Contracting Office.

Our Response Comments from the Commander, NSWC, addressed all specifics of the recommendation, and no further comments are required.

Recommendation 2 We recommend that the Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, establish controls to ensure that Naval Special Warfare Command personnel identify recurring requirements within their departments.

Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command Comments The Commander, NSWC, agreed, stating that NSWC developed a tool to manage requirements. He stated that as of April 1, 2015, all requirements are centrally tracked and incoming packages incur a review for potential future events.

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Comments from the Commander, NSWC, addressed all specifics of the recommendation, and no further comments are required.

Recommendation 3 We recommend that the Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, develop an acquisition strategy to award competitive contracts for known training to reduce the need for urgent and compelling awards.

The Commander, NSWC, agreed, stating over the past two years NSWC personnel expanded the use of overarching service contracts with competitive acquisition strategies and, as a result, reduced the number of unusual and compelling justifications in those areas.

Our Response Comments from the Commander, NSWC, partially addressed the recommendation. The Commander did not provide details of the acquisition strategies used over the past two years. We request the Commander, NSWC, provide additional comments on Recommendation 3 that describe the competitive acquisition strategies implemented.

Recommendation 4 We recommend that the Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, provide training to Naval Special Warfare Command personnel on the necessary lead times to complete the acquisition planning process for recurring training requirements and awarding sole-source contracts in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 6.3, “Other Than Full and Open Competition.”

Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command Comments The Commander, NSWC, agreed, stating that NSWC personnel created a customer portal for access to acquisition planning resources, including acquisition timeline tools.

Additionally, he stated the training has been added to training events beginning in May 2015 with a completion date of June 2015.

Our Response Comments from the Commander, NSWC, addressed all specifics of the recommendation, and no further comments are required.

Contract Awards

29 May

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $149,495,209 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024 15 C-5408) for Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) and Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) fiscal 2015-2016 full-rate production. This contract modification will incorporate requirements for one base production year (fiscal 2015) and one option year (fiscal 2016). Both years include SM-6 Block I and Block IA all up rounds, instrumentation kits, SM-2 and SM-6 section-level and component spares, containers and design agent engineering services. This contract modification includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $562,427,449.

Work will be performed in Camden, Ark. (30.8 percent); Tucson, Ariz. (16.8 percent); Wolverhampton, England (15.1 percent); Andover, Mass. (7.8 percent); Middletown, Ohio (4.1 percent); San Jose, Calif. (3 percent); Dallas, Texas (2.4 percent); Huntsville, Ala. (2.1 percent); Anniston, Ala. (1.8 percent); Middletown, Conn. (1.4 percent); Clarkston, Ga. (1.3 percent); San Diego, Calif. (1 percent); Thousand Oaks, Calif.

(1 percent); Warrington, Pa. (1 percent); and other locations (10.4 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2018. Fiscal 2015 weapons procurement (Navy); fiscal 2015 Missile Defense Agency; and fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $233,304,187 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $2,826,619 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Insight Public Sector Inc., Tempe, Ariz., is being awarded $30,934,596 for call MU01 against a previously awarded blanket purchase agreement (N6600115-A-0001) to procure Microsoft brand name enterprise licenses and support, known as software assurance. Work will be performed in Tempe, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by May 2016.

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Fiscal 2015 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount $30,934,596 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

BAE Systems, Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, N.H., is being awarded a $29,967,408 firm-fixed-price, cost-plusincentive fee contract for the procurement of six OE-120(A)/UPX antenna groups for the Navy. The OE-120(A)/UPX antenna group is a component of the AN/UPX-29(V) interrogator system and is procured for use on DDG 119 through DDG 122, and LHA 8 class ships, and for the Missile Defense Agency. In addition, this contract provides for an engineering change proposal for system obsolescence upgrades. Work will be performed in Nashua, N.H., and is expected to be completed in May 2018.

Fiscal 2013, 2014 and 2015 shipbuilding conversion (Navy); fiscal 2014 and 2015 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and fiscal 2015 procurement (Defense agency) funding in the amount of $15,721,018 are being obligated at time of award, $686,750 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-15-C-0038).

Insight Public Sector Inc., Tempe, Ariz., is being awarded $18,401,694 for call MU02 against a previously awarded blanket purchase agreement (N6600115-A-0001) to procure Microsoft brand name enterprise licenses and support, known as software assurance. Work will be performed in Tempe, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by May 2016.

Fiscal 2015 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $18,401,694 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps

Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

L-3 Communications Corp., Northampton, Mass., is being awarded a $14,032,315 modification to previously awarded contract (N0002411-C-5447) to exercise options for the production of MK 20 electro-optical sensor systems (EOSS), radar cross sections kits, support and engineering services. The MK 20 EOSS is employed as a check sight and targeting sensor for anti-surface and anti-air warfare and naval gun fire support missions. Work will be performed in Northampton, Mass., and is expected to be completed by December 2017.

Fiscal 2015 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $14,032,315 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

CDM-FILANC JV, Carlsbad, Calif., is being awarded an $8,428,997 firmfixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N62473-10-C-5011) to increase the maximum dollar value of the contract to compensate the contractor for all delays associated with the North Regional Tertiary Treatment Plant’s suspension of work, as well as other government-related delay under the contract with associated operation and maintenance for wastewater systems at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $170,917,374. Work is being performed in Oceanside, Calif.

No new work is associated with this contract modification action; therefore, there is no completion date. Fiscal 2011 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,428,997 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

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Contract Awards

28 May

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Exelis EDO Communications & Countermeasures Systems, Van Nuys, Calif., is being awarded a $7,148,864 cost-plus-fixed-fee job order under previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00164-11-G-WS44) to procure test program sets for the CN-1717/A interference cancellation system (INCANS), weapon replaceable assembly, shop replaceable assemblies, circuit card assemblies including ap-

plicable data deliverables and training for ongoing support in establishing the repair depot at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane. The CN-1717/A INCANS is designated a core system in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 2464, with organic repair capability to be maintained at NSWC Crane Division.

The subject supplies are required to support NSWC Crane in its role as the repair depot activity, logistics manage-

ment information team and the fleet support team for the CN-1717/A. Work will be performed in Van Nuys, Calif., and will be completed by June 2018.

Fiscal 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $7,148,864 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center --Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity.

ViaSat Inc., Carlsbad, Calif., is being awarded a maximum potential $478,600,000 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N0003915-D-0008) for the production, development and sustainment of the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) terminals. The MIDS JTRS terminal is a four-channel software defined radio that delivers existing Link 16 with concurrent multi-netting-4 and tactical air navigation functionality, as well as three channels for future growth, including JTRS advanced networking waveforms such as tactical targeting network technology, multifunction advanced data link, intra-flight data link and other advanced networking waveforms. The MIDS JTRS terminal is a line-of-sight radio system for collecting and transmitting broadband, jam-resistant, secure data and voice across a variety of air, sea and ground platforms. The MIDS program office mission is to develop, field and support interoperable, affordable and secure MIDS tactical data link and programmable networking technologies and capabilities for the joint, coalition and international warfighter. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, Calif., and work is expected to be completed May 27, 2020. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,000,000 will be placed on contract and obligated on the first task order concurrent with contract award, which will meet the minimum order requirement. Funds will not expire at the end of

the current fiscal year. This contract is expected to combine purchases for the Navy and potentially other U.S. armed services (99 percent) and various other governments—Austria, Chile, Finland, Israel, Jordan, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, NATO and all NATO nations (one percent), under the Foreign Military Sales program.

This contract was not competitively procured because it is a follow-on, solesource, multiple-award procurement in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1)—only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, as implemented

by FAR Subpart 6.302-1. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N00039-15-D-0008).

mission readiness, as specified under individual delivery orders issued during the ordering period. Task order 0001 is being awarded at $1,877,966 for maintenance, mission support and operational readiness services. Work for this task order is expected to be completed

by May 2016. All work on this contract will be performed worldwide. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of May 2020. Fiscal 2015 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $1,877,966 are being obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with one proposal received.

The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N39430-15-D-1602).

MAR Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded a maximum amount $35,000,000 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for operation, maintenance and repair of M/V Independence, a vessel owned by the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC).

Specific tasks include providing crewing and engineering services necessary for NAVFAC EXWC to support its offshore missions from the M/V Independence.

The primary effort is to operate the M/V Independence and maintain the vessel’s

| June 02, 2015 | Navy News Weekly | www.navy-kmi.com

Engility Corp., Chantilly, Va., is being awarded a $23,939,937 modification to a previously awarded cost-plusfixed-fee contract (N00421-14-C-0021) for additional systems engineering and technical services. This modification includes systems integration and software development, platform simulation, integration and laboratory engineering and software engineering. These services are in support of the Navy and governments of Thailand, Taiwan, Norway, Australia, United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Pakistan and South Korea. Work will be

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performed in Patuxent River, Md. (84 percent); China Lake, Calif. (5 percent); Point Mugu, Calif. (5 percent); Jacksonville, Fla. (2.5 percent); Orlando, Fla. ( 2.5 percent); various locations within the continental United States (0.5 percent) and various locations outside the continental United States (0.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2016. Fiscal 2015 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy), fiscal 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy), fiscal 2015 working capital (Navy) and fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds, as well as Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $9,404,152 are being obligated on this award, $1,217,466 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($23,124,684; 96.5 percent); and the governments of Taiwan ($359,099; 1.5 percent); Thailand ($239,399; 1 percent); Norway ($108,378, 0.46 percent); Australia ($15,483, 0.06 percent); United Kingdom ($30,965, 0.14 percent); Brazil ($8,847, 0.05 percent); Canada ($8,847, 0.05 percent); Denmark ($8,847, 0.05 percent); Germany ($8,847, 0.05 percent); Japan ($8,847, 0.05 percent); Pakistan ($8,847, 0.05 percent); and South Korea ($8,847, 0.05 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin, Missiles and Fire Control, Technical Services, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $22,136,247 modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-13-D-5250) to extend the ordering period by 13 months for undersea warfare (USW) product support and installation services across USW Systems. This modification will cover procurement of USW product support. This includes integrated logistics, training conduct, equipment alteration and installation, fleet support, and life cycle supportability across USW system programs. Lockheed Martin, Missiles and Fire Control, Technical

Services will also support the installation and delivery of USW capabilities to the fleet. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Va., and is expected to be complete by June 2016. No funds are being obligated at time of award.

Funding is to be determined at time of delivery order funding obligation. This contract is a sole-source procurement negotiated under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1)— only one responsible source. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Ala., is being awarded a $19,278,221 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for continued research and development efforts for thermo-mechanical and ground testing of reentry materials and fabrication of flight hardware for the submarine-launched missile reentry systems. The main objective of this effort is to develop replacement and alternative reentry body heat shields, nose tip and antenna window materials, and to perform ground testing of these materials. This shall be accomplished through life-extension studies, analysis and phenomenological studies, fabrication of flight test and specialty hardware, material testing and evaluation for weapons procurement studies. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (25 percent) and the government of the United Kingdom (75 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program.

Work will be performed in Birmingham, Ala., and is expected to be completed

by June 2018. Fiscal 2015 foreign military sales and fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $20,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) — satisfying a requirement for unique supplies available from only one source. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity (N00178-15-C-1008).

Trandes Corp., Lanham, Md., is being awarded an $11,572,942 indefinitedelivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plusfixed-fee contract to provide technical and in-service engineering support services for the Marine Air Traffic Control and Landing System, Air Traffic Controls and Landing Systems and Mobile Fixed/ Tactical Fixed Systems. This is a singleaward, follow-on contract, where the awardee will be issued task orders during the ordering period. This three-year contract includes two one-year option periods, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to $19,226,940. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif. (75 percent), and at various air traffic control sites, ships and Defense Department/military installations and facilities worldwide (25 percent). Work is expected to be completed July 22, 2020. No funds are being obligated at this time of award.

Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Funds will be obligated as task orders are issued. The types of funding to be obligated include operations and maintenance (Navy) and other procurement (Navy). This contract was competitively procured as a 100-percent Small Business set-aside solicitation via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command e-Commerce Central website, with two proposals received and one was selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-15-D-0146).

King Aerospace Inc., Addison, Texas, is being awarded $12,160,474 for modification P00012 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinitequantity contract (N00019-12-D-0014) to exercise an option for contractor logistics services in support of C-9B aircraft, including base site operations, depot planned maintenance interval inspections and engine shop visits. Work will be performed at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C., and is

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Contract Awards expected to be completed in May 2016.

No funds are being obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated against individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

IXI Technology, Yorba Linda, Calif., is being awarded an $11,500, 000 firmfixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract for hardware equipment to include critical Navy tactical data systems (NTDS), interface boards, adapter module and cables, peripherals replacement systems equipment simulators, NTDS IO analyzers and PowerNet converters. These products are used in multiple systems to include Integrated Warfare Systems Lab, Aegis Training and Readiness Center, Surface Combat Systems Center, Combat Systems Engineering Development Site, Integrated Combat Systems Test Detachment,

27 May

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Bristol General Contractors LLC, Anchorage, Alaska (N4425515-D-0016); GSI Pacific Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii (N44255-15-D-0017); North Star Construction and Engineering Inc., Everett, Wash. (N44255-15-D-0018); RORE Inc., Gig Harbor, Wash. (N4425515-D-0019); Team Maniilaq JV, Seattle, Wash. (N44255-15-D-0020); and WHH Nisqually Federal Services LLC, Olympia, Wash. (N44255-15-D-0021), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contract for design-build or design-bid-build construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility (AOR).

The maximum dollar value including the base period and four option years for all six contracts combined is $99,000,000.

The work to be performed provides for new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition and repair work by designbuild or design-bid-build of facilities.

Types of projects include, but are not

Land-Based Test Sites and the current Aegis Fleet. Work will be performed in Yorba Linda, Calif., and is expected to be complete by May 2020. Fiscal 2015 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,185,132 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)—satisfying a requirement for unique supplies available from only one source. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity (N00178-15-D-2017).

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded an $8,463,768 modification to delivery order 4001 issued against a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0019) for non-recurring efforts for integration of

limited to, administrative and industrial facilities, housing renovation, child care centers, lodges, recreation/fitness centers, retail complexes, warehouses, housing offices, community centers, commercial and institutional buildings, manufacturing and industrial buildings and other similar facilities. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. WHH Nisqually Federal Services LLC is being awarded task order 0001 at $3,698,000 for the design-build replacement of three existing sewage lift stations at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor, Silverdale, Wash., and two existing sewage lift stations at NBK Keyport, Silverdale, Wash.. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by August 2016. All work on this contract will be performed primarily within the NAVFAC Northwest AOR which includes Washington (92 percent); Oregon (2 percent); Alaska (2 percent); Idaho (1 percent); Montana (1 percent); and Wyoming (1 percent). Work may

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software modifications of Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast into Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Guidance units in support of the MH-60 R/S aircraft. These services are in support of the Navy and the governments of Australia and Denmark.

Work will be performed in Woodland Hills, Calif. (80 percent); and Owego, N.Y. (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2017. Fiscal 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy) and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $8,463,768 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 Navy ($7,472,598; 88 percent); and the governments of Australia ($693,819; 8 percent); and Denmark ($297,351; 4 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

also be performed in the remainder of the United States (1 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of May 2020. Fiscal 2015 working capital (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $3,823,000 are being obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (Navy); operation and maintenance (Navy) and working capital funds (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 29 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity.

Young and Rubicam Inc., New York, N.Y., is being awarded an $84,425,403 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for advertising and marketing services in support of the Navy

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Recruiting Advertising Program. This contract contains one base year and four one-year optional periods, which, if exercised, would bring the contract cumulative value to $457,461,287.

Work will be performed in Memphis, Tenn. (46 percent); Nashville, Tenn. (27 percent); New York, N.Y. (19 percent); and Chicago, Ill. (8 percent). Work is expected to be completed by July 2016; if all options are exercised, work will be completed by July 2020. Fiscal 2015 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with the solicitation posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N0018915-D-Z024).

Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $46,428,897 costplus-fixed-fee, delivery-incentive-fee contract to perform planning efforts needed to conduct maintenance, upgrades, and modernization efforts on USS Montpelier (SSN 765) submarine during its interim dry-docking period. This scope of work encompasses planning efforts necessary to maintain full unrestricted operation of the submarine, as well as upgrades and modernization efforts required to ensure the submarine is operating at full technical capability. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $259,634,339. Work will be performed in Groton, Conn., and is expected to be completed by February 2018. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $20,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with two proposals solicited

via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-15-C-4300).

Bell/Boeing Joint Program Office, California, Md., is being awarded a $38,453,181 modification to delivery order 0006 under previously awarded contract (N00019-09-D-0008) for various repair parts for the V-22 aircraft.

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (80 percent); and Ridley Park, Pa. (20 percent), and work will be completed by December 2017. Fiscal 2015 working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $38,453,181 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One firm was solicited for this sole source requirement, and one offer was received under authority 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1). Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va., is being awarded an $8,390,906 modification to previously awarded contract (N0002415-C-5103) to exercise options for engineering support services in support of the program executive office for integrated warfare systems for AEGIS and AEGIS fleet readiness, Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Future Combat Systems, and DDG 1000. This modification combines an effort between the Navy (80 percent) and the countries of Japan (8 percent); Australia (5 percent); Korea (3 percent); Spain (2 percent); Mexico (1 percent); and Norway (1 percent), under the Foreign Military Sales program.

Work will be performed in Washington, D.C. (85 percent); Dahlgren, Va. (4 percent); Norfolk, Va. (2 percent); Bath, Maine (1 percent); Mayport, Fla. (1 percent); Moyock, N.C. (1 percent); Moorestown, N.J. (1 percent); New York, N.Y. (1 percent); Honolulu, Hawaii (1 percent); Reno, Nev. (1 percent); San

Diego, Calif. (1 percent); and Yokosuka, Japan (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by August 2015. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2015 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2014 and 2015 research and development; fiscal 2015 other procurement (Navy); and FMS funding in the amount of $7,392,173 will be obligated at time of award, and contract funds in the amount of $5,250,541 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Sunshine Aero Industries Inc., Florala, Ala., has been awarded a maximum $12,354,139 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for jet-A with additives fuel.

This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a four-year base contract. Location of performance is Alabama with a March 31, 2019, performance completion date. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-15-D-0102).

Trajen Flight Support LP, doing business as Atlantic Aviation, Plano, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $10,769,451 fixed-price with economicprice-adjustment contract for jet-A with additives fuel. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a four-year base contract. Location of performance is Texas with a March 31, 2019, performance completion date. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds.

The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-15-D-0063).

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Contract Awards

26 May

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $69,690,095 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-13-C-5111) for development and test of the Japan Aegis Modernization baseline computer programs and equipment. This modification covers efforts to support the upgrade of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Atago Class Ships (DDGs 177 and 178) from Baseline 7 Phase 1R to Advanced Capability Build 12 with Technology Insertion 12 technology and capability. This contract will support foreign military sales (FMS) to Japan (100 percent). Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey (98 percent); Washington, D.C. (1 percent); and Tokyo, Japan (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2017. FMS funding in the amount of $69,690,095 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $56,182,753 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N0001913-D-0007) to exercise an option for logistics and depot level services for 119 TH-57 aircraft in support of the Naval Air Training Command’s Undergraduate Helicopter Pilot Training Program.

Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Fla., and is expected to be completed in May 2016. No funds are being obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated

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against individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $24,788,109 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a maximum of 63 aircraft direction finders, radio tuner panels, and high-frequency radio shipsets for the Navy (47) and the government of Australia (16), in support of the P-8A program. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is expected to be completed in May 2020. This contract combines purchases for the Navy and the government of Australia under a memorandum of agreement.

Fiscal 2015 aircraft procurement funds (Navy) and Cooperative Partner funds (Australia) in the amount of $5,639,208 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-15-D-0003).

L-3 Communications Corp., Arlington, Texas, is being awarded $11,802,260 for modification to previously issued firm-fixed-price delivery order 0001 placed against a basic ordering agreement (N61340-12-G-0001) for updates to the F/A-18C/D Footprint Reduction/Storage Area Network. This update will reduce Tactical Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT) Host/Instructor Operator Station hardware, centralize software storage, provide expandable

| June 02, 2015 | Navy News Weekly | www.navy-kmi.com

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

software storage for future TOFT enhancements, allow for multiple software configurations, and update all analog Mission Management System video output to digital. Work will be performed at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Beaufort, S.C. (45 percent); MCAS Miramar, Calif. (28 percent); MCAS Iwakuni, Japan (18 percent); Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. (6 percent); and the Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2016. Fiscal 2013, 2014 and 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $11,802,260 will be obligated at the time of award, $1,057,581 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity.

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $8,007,259 for delivery order 0211 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for engineering and logistics support services to improve readiness, expand interactive electronic technical manual and structural repair manual work packages, and maintenance planning for the F/A-18A-F and E/A-18G aircraft.

Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed in May 2016. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.