RVSS Expansion on Hold. Customs and Border Protection has delayed its plans to expand a sensor system along the southwest and northern borders. The agency told interested vendors in a Nov. 21 announcement that “it no longer intends to release a solicitation towards the end of calendar year 2017, or at any time in the near future” for the expansion of the Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS) upgrade program. A CBP spokesman told Defense Daily that the Border Patrol “is currently reviewing the requirements/strategy of the RVSS program.” The RVSS systems consist of pole-mounted day and night cameras and related communications equipment located at certain areas of the southern and northern borders. In January CBP said it was contemplating an expansion of the program throughout the entire southwest and northern borders, and followed up in May saying it planned to release a final solicitation at the end of 2017.
Another NSC Nears Delivery. Huntington Ingalls Industries said it has launched the Coast Guard’s eighth National Security Cutter, the Midgett (WMSL 757), at its shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., with the christening set for Dec. 9. The 418-foot high-endurance cutter is slated for delivery in 2018. HII is under contract for nine NSCs and Senate and House appropriators are at odds on whether at 10th vessel should be built, with the Senate in favor and House opposed. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) wants to build 12 NSCs. The Coast Guard’s program of record is for eight.
…And an FRC is Delivered. Separately, earlier in November the Coast Guard accepted delivery of its 26th Fast Response Cutter, which is built by Bollinger Shipyards. The Joseph Gerczak will be stationed in Honolulu. The service plans to buy up to 58 of the 154-foot cutters, which typically operate in littoral waters. The Coast Guard has ordered 44 FRCs so far.
Medical Contract. General Dynamics Information Technology [GD] was awarded the Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA) Strategic Support Services contract to provide support services for vaccine, drug and medical device research and development programs. The single-award, task order contract has a potential value of approximately $52 million over five years. GD will provide programmatic, scientific, technical, logistical and administrative support for development requirements of medical products at the USAMMDA. The company also will help guide medical technologies through the Food and Drug Administration regulatory process and develop plans to bring the products into service. Work on the contract will be conducted at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md.
NDIA On NDAA. The National Defense Industrial Association, which advocates for defense contractors, applauded passage of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. “The legislation authorizes resources at a level commensurate to the threat environment in which our sailors, airmen, soldiers and Marines operate,” NDIA said in a statement. “It also makes critical program investments and business and acquisition reforms to help arrest our eroding technical superiority, and enables the Defense Department to operate more efficiently while being a better steward of taxpayer dollars.”
… But Funding? The NDAA only authorized the Defense Department to spend money but does not itself authorize the funding. The stopgap spending bill under which the government is operating expires Dec. 8 and spending caps set by the 20-11 Budget Control Act loom. “The hardest work is ahead,” NDIA said in the statement. “NDIA urges swift action to reach a budget agreement that provides sufficient defense funds for the remainder of FY 2018. It must also meet the needs indicated in the soon-to-be-released National Defense Strategy and Nuclear Posture Review that will drive the FY 2019 budget request and Future Years Defense Program,” the association said. “We are concerned by initial reports indicating congressional leaders are considering a final budget deal for FY 2018 that would allocate defense funds significantly below the $700 billion level authorized by unanimous consent in the Senate and by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House. We urge swift action to pass appropriations before December 8, at a level both necessary and supported by both parties and both chambers of Congress.”
JSTARS Support. The Air Force has awarded a one-year, $349.6-million contract extension to Northrop Grumman to continue providing logistics support for the E-8C Joint STARS ground-surveillance aircraft fleet. Under the extension, which marks the 18th renewal of the contract, Northrop Grumman will continue providing program management, engineering technical support, supply chain and spares management, aircrew training, technical data, and customer support performed by field service representatives. “The Air Force and Northrop Grumman will continue to work to increase aircraft availability while reducing cost on the Joint STARS system to provide the best value for our customers and to deliver this critical capability to our combatant commanders,” said Col. Ray Wier, a system program manager for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
DDG Services. The U.S. Navy awarded General Dynamics a $44 million modification to exercise an option for DDG planning yard services. The work continues integrated planning yard services for Alreigh Burke-class destroyers and Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates. Work will occur in Bath, Maine and is expected to be finished by June 2018.
F-35 Support. The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded Lockheed Martin a $43 million modification for support for base stand-up at F-35 sites, which includes labor and other direct costs for interim contractor support. The award also provides supports F-35 recurring sustainment program management activities. This contract covers purchases for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, non-Defense Department participants, and Foreign Military Sales.
USNS Comfort. The Military Sealift Command USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) hospital ship returned to Naval Station Norfolk this week after providing disaster relief support to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. The ship was in Puerto Rico since Oct. 3 and while there treated 1,899 patients, performed 191 surgeries, had two babies born aboard, and provided tons of food and water.