The U.S. Defense Department already is looking beyond its massive $600 million investment in 5G experiments announced in October. Plans include a second round of experiments and the potential for expanding efforts with other government agencies and with international partners.
OSD
Accessible radio frequencies are crucial for warfighter training, testing and operations. Ensuring access to the necessary electromagnetic spectrum for U.S. Defense Department missions is not an easy task, especially in a time of growing demand across the military and commercial sectors, explains Col. Frederick Williams, USAF, acting director of the Office of Spectrum Policy and Programs, Office of the Secretary of Defense, or OSD. The military operates in a wide range of spectrum bands, both on an exclusive and shared basis. In the last several years, Defense Department operational requirements for spectrum access have increased.
As the Defense Department’s acquisition and sustainment office works to improve the military’s contracting processes, the research and engineering component—newly separated from acquisition and sustainment in a major reorganization last year—is ready for industry advancements, said Doug Schroeder, DASD Space, Strategic and Intelligence Systems and deputy director, National Intelligence Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).
The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) in Alexandria, Virginia, was awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling of $950,668,589 and an $11,844,044 cost-plus-fixed-fee task order. Under the contract, IDA will provide research, analyses, technical evaluation, and test and evaluation support to the Office of the Secretary of Defense Joint Staff, combatant commands, and defense agencies. IDA work will involve the comprehensive evaluation of national security issues, including systems and technologies at all stages of development, deployment, and use. Work performance will take place at the Mark Center, Alexandria, Virginia, and other Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S.
Maj. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan, USAF, has been nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and assignment as director, Joint Strike Fighter Program, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Arlington, Virginia.
Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems, Bethesda, Maryland, is being awarded an $85,549,227 fixed-price incentive-fee contract for a full range of classified and unclassified information technology services in the National Capital Region (NCR). The effort provides services to approximately 18,000 users in the NCR and within a 300-mile radius of the Pentagon. Users include the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Military Command Center, Headquarters Air Force, and other government agencies who interface with the Department of Defense. Air Force District of Washington, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Netcentrics Corporation, Herndon, Virginia, is being awarded a $12,976,129 firm-fixed-price contract to obtain information technology operations back office support for the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Washington Headquarters Service (WHS); WHS supported organizations; and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. Washington Headquarters Service is the contracting activity.
Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly, USMC, has been appointed senior military assistant to the secretary of defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.
Over the past year, situational awareness (SA) in Afghanistan has received a huge boost via the new Afghan Mission Network, which is transforming how U.S. and coalition partners share intel that's classified secret and below. Formally approved by NATO in early 2010, it reached IOC in the summer. In this month's issue of SIGNAL Magazine, Technology Editor George I. Seffers examines the high-level U.S.
David M. Wennergren has been assigned as assistant deputy chief management officer, Office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.