Aloha Kakahiaka: Up to $500M for Solar on Hawaiian Bases

Coronado Naval Base
Parking lot

In August 2011, US Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific in Pearl Harbor, HI issued an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract for “reliable locally generated solar alternating current power” at military installations in its area of responsibility.

The contract announcement comes hard on the heels of an official unveiling for a new US Army Energy Initiatives Office Task Force, which aims to “leverage industry for the execution of large-scale renewable and alternative energy projects on Army installations”…

Up to 3 Years, $730M for Asstd. USN Support Work

In August 2011, the US Fleet Logistics Center San Diego, Regional Contracts Department in San Diego, CA issued up to $730 million in contracts over a 3-year period, for a wide range of temporary support services that will be defined in individual task order requests. These services will encompass 15 functional areas: administrative support and clerical services, quarters management services, healthcare services (excluding doctors, nurses and physician assistants), information and arts, information technology, instructional and training services, maritime material handling, mechanics and maintenance and repair, plant and system operation, engineering/technical support, mobile equipment operation, financial management, specialized technology, industrial services, and general services and support.

The winning small business firms, and regions contracted, include:

Chinese Controversy 2? US Army Buying Lenovo Computers

Tabula Rasa?

On Aug 24/11, the Tobyhanna Army Depot in Tobyhanna, PA announced over $20 million in contracts for 12,263 computers and tablets, to be delivered by the end of November 2011. No eyebrows were raised over Dell’s $7.5 million contract for 354 Latitude E6520 computers and 6,295 Dell OptiPlex small form factor computers (W91QUZ-06-D-0006), but a $13.6 million contract to Iron Bow Technology in Chantilly, VA may attract more scrutiny.

Iron Bow is asked to deliver 5,096 Lenovo tablets; 217 Lenovo think pads; 520 Lenovo think centre computers; 261 Fujitsu computers; and 40 Wyse computers (W91QUZ-06-D-0010). Because the Chinese government owns a significant share of Lenovo’s parent firm, Lenovo computers have been a source of controversy in the past. The US State Department was forced to backtrack on a 2006 purchase of 16,000 computers, pledging to keep them off of networks that handle classified government messages and documents. Iron Bow refused to comment on the deal, or on any security measures they might be able to undertake.

Evergreen in Alaska: FY 2012 Heli-Support

Aug 25/11: Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. in McMinnville, OR received a $16.5 million firm-fixed-price contract, to provide medical evacuation services and training support for the U.S. Army in Alaska. Work will be performed in Fairbanks, AK, with an estimated completion date of Aug 31/12. Four bids were solicited, with 2 bids received by the U.S. Army Mission & Installation Contracting Command at Fort Wainright, AK (W912D0-11-D-0002).

Evergreen Helicopters has been working stateside with the US military for some time, and is also contracted to help with heli-lift in Afghanistan. Their fleet is a diverse array of types.

Rapid Fire 2011-08-25: J-20 Stealth Fighter Speculation

• The Department of Defense releases Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2011 [PDF]. While the report acknowledges China’s growing importance to peacekeeping and an array of international security operations, Taiwan remains the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) ‘main strategic direction’. State media reiterated that China’s defense policy is defensive in nature and criticized US interference over Taiwan.

• Boeing delivers three more F-15K Slam Eagles to South Korea.

• The Iranian Ambassador to Moscow hopes that the International Court of Arbitration will rule in favor of Tehran over the legality of Russia’s $800 million contract to supply Iran with S-300 air defense systems.

• Meanwhile, sources claim that Russia will next test-launch its Bulava (SS-NX-30) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on the 27th August. The launch will be from the Borey Class Yuri Dolgoruky strategic nuclear submarine.

• Research and Markets adds Defense and Security in India 2011 Report to its list of publications. The report says India spent $39 billion on defense and security in 2010, and continues to look towards self-sufficiency. Publication also comes at a time when Robert Sher, Deputy Assistant of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, called US-Indian defense ties a ‘natural partnership’.

• Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Richard Shelby (R-AL) release a statement saying that the failure of the Russian Progress resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) underscores the need for American leadership in space and the development of the Space Launch System (SLS).

• As the Government Accountability Office (GAO) releases a report [PDF] on US initiatives to safeguard maritime energy security, analysts line up to argue that the US Navy should increase its focus on irregular warfare challenges.

• Interest in China’s J-20 stealth fighter continues at a relentless pace. A new set of photographs reveal the aircraft’s weapons bay. Photos have also emerged of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) North Sea Fleet’s nuclear submarine base.