SIGNALScape

Telford Aviation Incorporated has received a $36.2 million time-and-materials contract for award of an undefinitized contract action for the continued operational support of Multi-Sensor Airborne Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems (MARSSs). This contract will meet the urgent requirements of Project Manager Arial Common Sensors for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror in the Southwest Asia area of operations.

Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Coast Guard have exercised contract options valued at $13.25 million to install mission systems aboard two HC-130J aircraft. The aircraft's new mission equipment and sensor packages deliver enhanced search, detection and tracking capabilities in maritime search and rescue, law enforcement and homeland security missions.

Chris Dorobek, writing in this month's Incoming column, notes several examples of successful Gov 2.0 implementation in various agencies. He writes that the impending change in Washington's scenery and political tides may not be as nebulous as the rhetorical cry for "change" might imply:

Each inauguration brings about change. But this year, there is an almost palpable feeling that it is a time of change. For more than a year, the mantra on the presidential campaign has been change.

This is probably a good thing. Everyone should be concerned when the approval percentages for the president-and Congress-wallow in the 20s. People feel detached, almost alienated, from their government. What has not been fully defined is what change will mean once it makes its way through the Washington bureaucracy.

There are several reasons for hope, and President-elect Obama comes to Washington at a time when there are many somewhat paradoxical factors. The fact is these are unique times. It is the age of sometimes ruthless competition. We are all hyper-connected. We all feel that we are working 24/7 but that we should be working 25/8.

Competition is pressing the government as well. Agencies are not compared to other agencies, but increasingly, their successes-or failures-are compared to everybody else's. Some real opportunities ahead can alter the way the government has done business-and for the better.

Thales has been awarded a contract by the Norwegian Defence Procurement Division to deliver a new satellite communications system for five Norwegian Nansen class frigates.