Tuesday, September 16, 2014

DTN News - IRAQ UNREST: Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga Are on Red Alert against Islamic State (IS) Militants

DTN News - IRAQ UNREST: Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga Are on Red Alert against Islamic State (IS) Militants
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources DTN Defense News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 16, 2014:  Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighter are silhoutted against the sky on the front line in Khazer near the Kurdish checkpoint of Aski kalak, 40 km West of Erbil, Iraq, 16 September 2014. 



Iraq's Kurdish Peshmerga forces retook Qarag town from the militant Islamic State organization, while the Kurdish forces have continued fighting against Islamic State (IS) militants, backed by US airstrikes and retaking a number of areas near the militant-held city of Mosul. 

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources DTN Defense News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - UKRAINE NEWS: Ukraine-European Union Ratify A Landmark Political And Free Trade Deal Agreement

DTN News - UKRAINE NEWS: Ukraine-European Union Ratify A Landmark Political And Free Trade Deal Agreement
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources European Parliament / News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 16, 2014: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko shows a document about the ratification of a Ukraine-EU agreement after it was signed by him in the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, 16 September 2014. 

The parliaments of Ukraine and the European Union were set 16 September to ratify a landmark political and free trade deal, but some lawmakers expressed displeasure over a delay in the agreement. 

The political and trade deal ratified by parliaments in Ukraine and the European Union were the first step towards membership in the bloc, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said. 

The European Parliament gave its consent to the EU-Ukraine Association agreement, which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), on Tuesday in Strasbourg. At the same time, the Agreement was also ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev. The deal will establish a deep political association and economic integration between the EU and Ukraine and provide for mutual free market access.

MEPs backed the agreement with 535 votes in favour, 127 against and 35 abstentions.

"Through this ratification, Ukraine's European choice will be institutionalized and will bind the futures of the EU and Ukraine together. Ukrainian society has paid the highest price for its European aspirations, grieving the deaths of numerous people, suffering territorial occupation by Russia and experiencing deteriorating economic conditions. With this ratification, the EU gives Ukraine the strongest sign of support, despite the regrettable proposal to delay implementation of the agreement" said rapporteur Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (EPP, PL) before the vote.

He added that the agreement was "not a definitive goal of EU-Ukraine relations" and stressed that the common future of the EU and Ukraine must now be protected from Russian aggression by introducing "increasingly heavy sanctions until the cost for Russia will be too high to sustain its policy".

"This is an historic moment", said EP President Martin Schulz in his address to MPs in the Strasbourg and Kiev chambers via a video link. "The two parliaments freely determined to vote today at the same time on this agreement. This is free democracy, the opposite of directed democracy. The European Parliament has always defended the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and will continue to do so", he added.

Just before the Ukraine Parliament ratified the deal, President Poroshenko said "The Ukrainians have reversed the express-train going East, and I hope that also today's vote will confirm that. Our synchronised ratifications will be a feast, not just for Ukraine but also for Europe because without Ukraine there is no united Europe. I would like to thank Europe for the support it has given us in these difficult times. At the same time I would like to address our government - the EU only asks for one thing in return from us - the reforms. I urge you not to delay them in any way".

What does the deal involve?

The deal provides both for a political association and for free trade. The political provisions take Ukraine one step closer to the EU, by opening new channels for political dialogue and establishing ground rules for cooperation in areas such as energy, transport, and education. It requires Ukraine to implement reforms and respect democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law.

Among other rules, the deal provides for greater movement of workers, sets targets for establishing a visa-free travel regime and aligning the two sides’ regulatory systems by laying down detailed timetables for Ukraine to transpose parts of the EU acquis legislation into its national laws and put them into effect.

The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement part substantially integrates the EU and Ukraine markets, by dismantling import duties and banning other trade restrictions, albeit with specific limitations and transitional periods in “sensitive” areas, such as trade in agricultural products. It will also partially integrate public procurement markets.

When will it take effect?

As a result of today's votes both in the EU and Ukrainian Parliament, the deal will be applied provisionally but the date still needs to be confirmed by the Council. To take full legal effect, the deal has to be ratified by the 28 EU member states. So far, it has been ratified in six member states,, but several years may elapse before the process is completed in all member states.

It was planned to apply the trade rules from 1 November this year, but last Friday 12 September the EU, Ukraine and Russia agreed in talks to delay the provisional entry into effect of the trade rules until 31 December 2015.


The EU Commission says that it will continue to apply EU “autonomous trade preferences” to Ukraine, which in effect opens the EU market to Ukraine unilaterally. A decision to prolong these preferences later would need the backing of the European Parliament.


*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources European Parliament / News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 16, 2014

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 16, 2014
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-178-14 September 16, 2014
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 16, 2014: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued September 16, 2014 are undermentioned;

AIR FORCE
United Launch Services LLC, Littleton, Colorado, has been awarded a $938,372,859 modification (P00048) to previously awarded FA8811-13-C-0003 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for fiscal 2015 EELV launch capability for the Delta IV and Atlas V families of launch vehicles. This contract provides for mission assurance, program management, systems engineering, integration of the space vehicle with the launch vehicle, launch site and range operations, and launch infrastructure maintenance and sustainment. Work will be performed at Littleton, Colorado; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; and Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2015. Fiscal 2014 missile procurement funds in the amount of $231,831,252 are being obligated at the time of award. The Launch Systems Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.
United Technologies Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Division, East Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded a $6,983,002 modification (P00125) to previously awarded contract FA8611-08-C-2896 for a rotable parts pool for the F119 PW-100 engines. Work will be performed at East Hartford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2014. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,983,002 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Madison, Mississippi, has been awarded a $6,915,012 modification (P00019) to exercise the second option for the firm-fixed-price contract FA3010-13-C-0005 for full food services. Work will be performed at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2017. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance funds will be obligated when funds are made available. This is a multiple-years contract. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, is the contracting activity.
ARMY
Laboratory Corp. of America, Burlington, North Carolina, was awarded a $52,365,750 modification (P00012) to firm-fixed-price contract W81K04-12-D-0017 for laboratory testing services for all military members and dependents. Funding and work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Sept. 30, 2015. Army Medical Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity.
Advanced Reconnaissance Corp.,* Fishkill, New York (W911QX-14-D-0007); Applied Research Associates, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico (W911QX-14-D-0008); A-T Solutions, Inc.,* Fredericksburg, Virginia (W911QX-14-D-0009); CyPhy Works, Inc., Danvers, Massachusetts (W911QX-14-D-0010); EFW Inc., Ft. Worth, Texas (W911QX-14-D-0011); L-3 Communications Corp., Camden, New Jersey (W911QX-14-D-0012); NIITEK, Inc., Dulles, Virginia (W911QX-14-D-0013); Primal Innovation,* LLC, Sanford, Florida (W911QX-14-D-0014); QinetiQ, Inc., Centreville, Virginia (W911QX-14-D-0015); Robo-Team NA, Inc.,* Bethesda, Maryland (W911QX-14-D-0016); Advanced Technology Systems Co., Inc. (of Virginia), McLean, Virginia (W911QX-14-D-0017); Applied Research Associates, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico (W911QX-14-D-0018); iRobot Corp.,* Bedford, Massachusetts (W911QX-14-D-0019); K2 Solutions, Inc.,* Southern Pines, North Carolina (W911QX-14-D-0020); Lockheed Martin Procerus Technologies, L.C., Orem, Utah (W911QX-14-D-0021); QinetiQ, Inc., Centreville, Virginia (W911QX-14-D-0023); Robo-Team NA, Inc.,* Bethesda, Maryland (W911QX-14-D-0024); Stolar Research Corp.,* Rio Rancho, New Mexico (W911QX-14-D-0026); Science and Engineering Services, LLC, Columbia, Maryland (W911QX-14-D-0025); and Pearson Engineering Ltd., Newcastle Upon Tyne, Great Britain (W911QX-14-D-0022), were collectively awarded a ceiling $49,497,158 indefinite- delivery/indefinite-quantity, multi-year contract for the Army Research Lab/Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization Culvert Denial Challenge program. The contract covers the initial task order challenge event, through possible future testing, development, and deployment. Funding and work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2019. This award includes a minimum of guarantee of $3,400 that will be obligated on the first task order. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with 27 received. Army Contracting Command, Adelphi, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Akima Construction Services, LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded a $44,000,000 modification (P00003) to firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract W91ZLK-13-D-0026 for all plant, labor, material, equipment and transportation necessary to perform facilities maintenance, alterations, repair and minor construction work in the Aberdeen and Edgewood areas of Aberdeen Proving Ground, as well as various satellite off-post site locations. Funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Sept. 16, 2015. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Banneker Ventures, LLC,* Baltimore, Maryland, was awarded a $44,000,000 modification (P00003) to firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract W91ZLK-13-D-0027 for all plant, labor, material, equipment and transportation necessary to perform facilities maintenance, alterations, repair and minor construction work in the Aberdeen and Edgewood areas of Aberdeen Proving Ground, as well as various satellite off-post site locations. Funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Sept. 16, 2015. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Wycliffe Enterprises, Inc.,* Frederick, Maryland, was awarded a $44,000,000 modification (P00004) to firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract W91ZLK-13-D-0030 for all plant, labor, material, equipment and transportation necessary to perform facilities maintenance, alterations, repair and minor construction work in the Aberdeen and Edgewood areas of Aberdeen Proving Ground, as well as various satellite off-post site locations. Funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Sept. 16, 2015. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Bering Straits Technical Services, LLC,* Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, was awarded a $40,800,705 modification (P00002) to firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract W91ZLK-13-D-0028 for all plant, labor, material, equipment and transportation necessary to perform facilities maintenance, alterations, repair and minor construction work in the Aberdeen and Edgewood areas of Aberdeen Proving Ground, as well as various satellite off-post site locations. Funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Sept. 16, 2015. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Patriot Construction, LLC,* Dunkirk, Maryland, was awarded a $34,775,000 modification (P00002) to firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract W91ZLK-13-D-0029 for all plant, labor, material, equipment and transportation necessary to perform facilities maintenance, alterations, repair and minor construction work in the Aberdeen and Edgewood areas of Aberdeen Proving Ground, as well as various satellite off-post site locations. Funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Sept. 16, 2015. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
James Talcott Construction Co,* Great Falls, Montana, was awarded a $20,253,013 firm-fixed-price contract for an additional C130 maintenance hangar/fuel cell, corrosion control, building for the Montana Air National Guard. Work will be performed in Great Falls, Montana, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with six received. Fiscal 2014 military construction funds in the amount of $20,253,013 are being obligated at the time of the award. National Guard Bureau - Montana, Helena, Montana, is the contracting activity (W9124V-14-C-0004).
Kokosing Construction Co., Inc., Fredericktown, Ohio, was awarded an $18,920,840 firm-fixed-price contract for repair of the damage to the Oswego Harbor breakwater by Hurricane Sandy, to include setting bedding stone, underlayer stone, armor stone, and dolosse structures. Work will be performed in Oswego, New York, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with two received. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $18,920,840 are being obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo, New York, is the contracting activity (W912P4-14-C-0021).
CACI-ISS, Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $14,816,251 modification (P00014) to contract W81K04-13-F-0013, a follow-on requirement for medical logistics non-personal services in support of the Air Force Expeditionary/Contingency Medical Materiel Program performed at Department of Defense and Air Reserve/Guard installations within the continental United States and in the Pacific theater of operations. A small portion of these services supports Army prepositioned stock (APS) and unit deployment package requirements on Air Force installations. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $14,816,251 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Sept. 30, 2015. Work will be performed at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina; Langley Air Force Base, Virginia; Hurlburt Field, Florida; McChord Air Force Base, Washington; March Air Force Base, California; Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico; McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey; Kelly Consolidated War Reserve Materiel Storage and Deployment Center, San Antonio, Texas; Charleston, South Carolina; Fort Detrick, Maryland; Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; Moody Air Force Base, Georgia; Travis Air Force Base, California; Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona; Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland; Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi; MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; Alpena, Michigan; Topeka Air National Guard, Kansas; Willow Grove, Pennsylvania; Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington; and Charleston APS, South Carolina. Army Medical Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity.
Sikorsky Aircraft Co., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $14,538,253 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for maintenance and overhaul of UH-60 mechanical transmissions. Funding and work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2016. Four bids were solicited, with two received. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-14-D-0022).
Avon Protection Systems, Cadillac, Michigan, was awarded a $13,700,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multi-year contract for a sustainment contract for the M53 Joint Service General Purpose Mask. Funding and work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 13, 2019. One bid was solicited, with one received. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-14-D-0132).
Stanford University, Stanford, California, was awarded a $12,168,354 incrementally-funded cost contract for research and development for the "Brain Trauma Evidence-based Consortium." This contract is being awarded via the Naval Health Research Center broad agency announcement. Work will be performed in Stanford, California, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 14, 2017. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with one received. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,391,240 are being obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Natick, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (W911QY-14-C-0086).
S&K Electronics,* Ronan, Montana, was awarded a $7,347,881 firm-fixed-price, five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multi-year contract for the M3 Heater. Funding and work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 18, 2019. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with four received. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-14-D-0141).
NAVY
Alion Science and Technology Corp., Burr Ridge, Illinois, is being awarded a $41,758,729 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-12-C-4401) to increase the level of effort available to provide mission critical professional support services in support of the Surface Warfare Directorate. The contract provides necessary program management, engineering, logistics, technical support, planning and readiness support, fleet introduction training and financial management support services in support of ongoing maintenance and modernization efforts. Work will be performed in Washington, District of Columbia (56 percent); Norfolk, Virginia (23 percent); San Diego, California (6 percent); Pascagoula, Mississippi (6 percent); Bath, Maine (3 percent); Mayport, Florida (2 percent); Japan (2 percent); and other locations less than 1 percent (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2015. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $22,570,523 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
Walbridge Aldinger Co., Detroit, Michigan, is being awarded $9,982,290 for firm-fixed-price task order 0006 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-10-D-5331) for construction of an aerial target operation facility at Naval Air Station Oceana, Dam Neck Annex. The work to be performed provides for the construction of a three-story facility with concrete masonry unit walls and structural steel framing on pile foundation with an operational control room for the third level; a stand-alone center-of gravity building with concrete masonry unit walls on pile foundation and structural steel framing with a range operations center; a launch site for eight aerial targets; a mass notification and fire protection system with fire booster pump; repairs to an existing aerial target launch pad; and connections to an existing septic tank sewer system to the base's main sewer system. The task order also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $10,159,940. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by October 2016. Fiscal 2014 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,982,290 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, is being awarded $9,242,869 for cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price modification to previously issued delivery order 4010 against Basic Ordering Agreement N00019-14-G-0004. This order provides for non-recurring efforts in support of the cabin interior and the environmental control system redesign of the VH-3D aircraft, including VIP seats, cabin interior kit, and special tooling. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed in August 2016. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,242,869 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
RQ Construction, LLC, Carlsbad, California, is being awarded $6,681,000 for firm-fixed-price task order 0016 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-10-D-5409) for renovation of Sterile Processing Department Building 1 at Naval Medical Center San Diego. This extensive renovation constitutes a complete reconfiguration of the existing sterilization processing department including the receiving/decontamination, pre-sterile, sterile, offices, and support functions. The task order also contains one planned modification, which if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $6,998,100. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by March 2016. Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance (Defense Health Program) contract funds in the amount of $6,681,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Owego, New York, has been awarded a minimum $13,983,000 firm-fixed-price contract for aircraft mission computers. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. This is a four-year base contract, with no option periods. Location of performance is New York, with a July 31, 2018, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPRWA1-13-D-2000-THB1).
Federal Prison Industries, Inc., doing business as UNICOR, Washington, District of Columbia, has been awarded a maximum $13,533,000 modification (P00102) on a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-12-D-P512), with two one-year option periods. This is a firm-fixed-price contract for Army physical fitness uniform jackets. Locations of performance are Washington, District of Columbia, and Virginia, with a Sept. 19, 2015, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
*Small business 

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-178-14 September 16, 2014 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS