SOCOM

Sierra Nevada Corp., Centennial, Colorado, was awarded a $700,000,000 fixed-price-award-fee, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, time-and-materials and cost-reimbursement-no-fee contract (H92408-20-C-0004) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the development and procurement of Radio Frequency Countermeasure (RFCM) systems. The systems will be integrated onto AC-130J Ghostrider and MC-130J Commando II aircraft operated by Air Force Special Operations Command to help protect aircrews from air- and land-based enemy radar and missile systems. The contract includes RFCM system engineering services, logistics support and spare parts. Funds in the amount of $87,929,352 are being obligated at the time of award.

The General Services Administration (GSA), on behalf of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), issued a Request for Information on May 3 to determine the availability and technical capability of the industry to provide joint airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (AISR)-related services. The anticipated North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 517410 Satellite Telecommunications with the corresponding size standard of $32,500,000.00. 

Wyle Laboratories Inc. (KBRwyle), Houston, Texas, has been awarded a $500,000,000 maximum ceiling value, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H92400-19-D-0001) for contractor-provided personal services and expertise to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to support the Preservation of the Force and Family Program. The support will be provided at 26 geographic locations inside and outside of the continental U.S. The contract has a base period of five years with one three-year option period for a total ordering period of up to eight years. This contract was awarded through full and open competition with eight proposals received. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity

Harris Corp., Clifton, New Jersey, has been awarded a $93,500,000 modification (P00012) for an existing non-competitive single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H92241-14-D-0006) to provide a suite of integrated radio frequency countermeasure components and related services for the technology applications and CV-22 program offices. This modification increases the ceiling amount to $383,500,000. At the time of obligation, each task order is funded with current fiscal year operations and maintenance, or procurement, appropriations. Ordering periods will end July 30, 2019. The majority of the work is being performed in Clifton, New Jersey. This contract was a non-competitive award. U.S.

DOD reported that Insitu Inc. of Bingen, Washington will support both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) with unmanned aircraft systems. 

Raytheon Company Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $315,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the production of the Griffin missile as well as related support for product improvements and operations and sustainment. Work will be performed at contractor facilities in Tucson. Fiscal year 2018 research, development, testing, and evaluation funds will be obligated to satisfy the contract minimum amount. Additional funding will be obligated on a delivery/task order basis. The contract was a sole-source acquisition with only one responsible source satisfying agency requirements.

Wittenberg Weiner Consulting LLC, Lutz, Florida, is being awarded a $200,000,000, five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to support U.S. Special Operations Command in executing joint collective training and exercises. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $25,000,000 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition awarded through a section 8(a) set aside with 10 proposals received. U.S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting agency (H92400-18-D-0001). 

U.S. Marine Corps soldiers in the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) are adding a new tool to the doghouse: a “robot dog” for hands-on canine medical training. The realistic dog mannequin simulator, used recently for the first time at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, will help the soldiers improve their canine medical skills, according to a report by Cpl. Bryann Whitley, USMC. 

LandWarNet 2011 took on a naval twist this morning as Adm. William McRaven, USN, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), took the stage to discuss his view of communications. The leader quickly pointed out the relevance of SOCOM at a largely U.S Army conference, explaining that members of his command are inherently joint and interagency. He then cleared up any confusion that special operations are always kinetic by emphasizing that engagement activities are a critical part of missions. Adm. McRaven also said that SOF warriors represent a major value to the country. "I like to think we're the most cost effective capability the U.S. government has out there," he stated.

After a special operations deployment, handling state-of-the-art communications technology tops the list.

Back from a nearly year-long deployment to Afghanistan, the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion already is working to apply lessons learned to training for the next deployment. As the battalion prepares for its next mission, it is reflecting on what its Marines learned about how they train, how their equipment worked and how they will prepare themselves for the future.