Fort Huachuca Communications Upgrade
The U.S. Army is modernizing the communications infrastructure and systems at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, to support increased bandwidth and converged communications while improving vital communications for current and future military operations. The Army post’s outside and inside plant infrastructure will be upgraded. The work also will involve installing prefabricated communications shelters to store and protect critical communications assets as well as modernizing the facility’s data network. The upgrade enables Fort Huachuca to introduce new Internet protocol (IP)-based services with the next generation of IP—IPv6—and provides future capabilities to integrate voice, data and video systems into a unified Army network infrastructure. Verizon Business won the contract, which has an estimated worth of up to $20 million and covers two and a half years. The task order was issued under the $4 billion infrastructure modernization contract through which the Army is updating communications capabilities at major facilities.
 
Technology Solution for New Nanosatellite
An innovative technology solution is being procured for a nanosatellite capable of independently providing localized space situational awareness and anomaly characterization of a host satellite’s local space environment. The new nanosatellite will be capable of flight experimentation by early fiscal year 2010. The vehicle is capable of direct, secure and Air Force Satellite Control Network-compatible ground communications. It allows operation with minimal ground intervention and without reliance on the host. The nanosatellite is built to have the absolute minimum impact on a host asset. The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is procuring the technology from Orbital Sciences Corporation. The Air Force Research Laboratory is the contracting activity. The award is worth $29.5 million, of which $2.3 million has been obligated.
 
Services for Citizenship and Immigration
Technical and process support services will be provided to the Information and Customer Service Division (ICSD) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The ICSD will receive support to its National Customer Service Center, which offers nationwide assistance to customers calling within the United States about immigration services and benefits. Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) won the contract, which has a six-month base period and four one-year options. The award is worth an estimated $34 million if all options are exercised. Teaming with CSC is Irving Burton Associates Incorporated. The contract calls for seven separate sections encompassing business process improvements, studies and analysis, information technology, enterprise communications, a local office initiative and a customer relationship interface system along with support of the Eastern Telephone Center located in New York City.
 
Electronic Jammers Ordered
More than 1,200 CREW 2.1 vehicle-mounted electronic jammers have been ordered for delivery by April. Forces from each of the military services will use the devices in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. CREW stands for counter radio-controlled improvised explosive device electronic warfare. EDO Corporation received the contract order valued at $95 million for the EDO model known as the CREW vehicle receiver/jammer (CVRJ) system. Earlier in the year, 6,350 CVRJ units and 1,100 mobile multiband jammer units were ordered. In making the award, the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Program Executive Office for Littoral and Mine Warfare exercised options to a competitively awarded contract.
 
Phalanx Overhaul and Construction
Thirty-four U.S. Navy Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems and one matching system for the Royal Australian Navy are contracted for overhaul and upgrade. Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20-millimeter gun system that automatically acquires, tracks and destroys enemy threats. In addition to the improvements, 12 Land-Based Phalanx Weapon Systems will be built for the U.S. Army. Associated system hardware will be provided to each of the three military services under the agreements. Raytheon Company won two contracts totaling $242 million for the work. To date, more than 850 sea-based systems have been built and deployed in the navies of 25 nations.

Support for U.S. and U.K. Systems
A strategic systems programs contract calls for the provision of the fiscal year 2008-2009 U.S. and U.K. Fire Control System and U.S. SSGN Attack Weapon Control System (AWCS). Specific efforts include U.S. and U.K. operational support, repair, installation and checkout; MOD 6/7 development and production; MOD 8/9 development; engineered refueling overhaul support; training-unique development; AWCS; auxiliary systems technical refresh; AWCS Mod 0 updates; conventional tactical real-time interaction in distributed environments modification development; and MK 6 life extension development. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems won the $91.3 million contract and will carry out the work through April 2, 2011. Strategic Systems Programs is the contracting authority on this cost-plus-incentive-fee contract. The award includes $27.8 million worth of funding that would expire at the end of fiscal year 2008.

Army Simulation Operation and Maintenance
Simulator operation and maintenance work and logistical support will be performed at eight U.S. Army locations. The locations will receive engineering, repairs, equipment, facilities, testing, technical, management, logistics and clerical support. The scope of work encompasses all labor, materials and consumable tools and test equipment; supply support, maintenance and repair activity; installation/de-installation; engineering modification and development; production; operation; transportation; and relocation necessary to maintain the training aids, devices, simulators and simulations and the material support package in a fully operational condition. A commercial nonproprietary, open-format, real-time management information system to collect, store and manage all operations information also will be provided. SGIS won the Artillery and Chemical Training Life Cycle Contractor Support prime contract from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation. The award is valued at $14.5 million and valid until February 2013. SGIS’ only subcontractor, Pulau Electronics Corporation, will provide on-site labor support and procurement capability.


Submit information about contract awards to signalnews@afcea.org.