Monterey @ MindSay 
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Red Star Enterprises Limited, Gibraltar is being awarded a maximum $720,568,375 fixed price with economic price adjustment, sole source contract for fuel deliveries. Other location of performance is Bagram Air Base Afghanistan. Using service is Army. This was proposal was originally Web solicited with one response. This contract is for a period of two years with a one year option. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Sept. 1, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-1017).
BMI Defense Systems, Inc., College Station, Texas, was awarded on Jul. 31, 2008, a $6,995,365.20 firm fixed price, contract for driver protection package, ballistic blanket kit for light armored vehicles. Work will be performed in College Station, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Mar. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bids solicited on Jun. 10, 2008, and one bid was received. U.S. Army TACOM Office of the Program Management for Light Armored Vehicles, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0488).
General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Jul. 31, 2008, a $24,171,854.00 FFP/CPFF production contract, contract for production of vehicles to meet anticipatory war loss requirements. Work will be performed in Ontario, Canada, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bids solicited on Mar. 17, 2008, and 1 bid was received. TACOM, LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-C-0255).
Inglett and Stubbs, International, Smyrna, Ga., was awarded on Jul. 31, 2008, a $34,975,000.00 firm fixed price, contract for construction of a power plant for Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Afghanistan, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on Jul. 18, 2008, and one bid was received. Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912BU-05-D-0004).
Clark/Hunt, Joint Venture, Tampa, Fla., was awarded on Jul. 31, 2008, a $126,101,402 firm fixed price task Order, contract for construction at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Jul. 15, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two bids were received on Dec. 21, 2007. US Army Engineer District, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-08-C-0036).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded on Jul. 30, 2008, a $68,950,208 firm fixed price and cost plus fixed fee, contract for guided multiple launch rocket systems. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas; East Camden, Ark.; and Orlando, Fl., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on May 31, 2007, and one bid was received. US Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-08-C-0021).
Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., was awarded on Jul. 30, 2008, an $11,310,971 firm fixed price, contract for heavy equipment tractor truck tractors and spare parts. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was received on April 3, 2008. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0435).
BAE Systems, Anniston, Ala., was awarded on Jul. 31, 2008, a $21,561,457.21 cost reimbursement, contract for long lead items for the reset of M113 vehicles. Work will be performed in Anniston, Ala., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on Jun. 23, 2008, and one bid was received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group, Pasadena, Calif., was awarded on Jul. 31, 2008, a $15,072,345 cost-plus award fee, modification for balance of the closure of the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility. Work will be performed in Newport, Ind., and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were 32 bids solicited on Mar. 9, 2008, and two bids were received. US Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (original contract DAAA09-99-C-0016; Modification P00166).
BAE Systems Analytical Solutions, Huntsville, Ala., was awarded on Jul. 30, 2008, a $12,733,800 cost-plus-fixed-fee, IDQ, task order, level of effort, contract for support for the Training and Doctrine Command Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2 in strategic, operational and tactical program analysis. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Ala., and across the continental United States, and is expected to be completed by Jul. 24, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two bids were received on Jun. 12, 2008. US Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity (W91260-06-D-0005).
Veterans Enterprises Technology Services, LLC, was awarded on Jul. 31, 2008, a $19,100,000 firm fixed price, contract for designing and building dining facilities at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Work will be performed in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and is expected to be completed by Jul. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were six bids received on Nov. 4, 2007. US Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, VA., is the contracting activity (W91236-08-D-0055).
Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded a $29,355,367 firm-fixed-priced modification to delivery order #0007 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for sustainment items needed to support Category I Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) vehicles in theater. This order will also be used to support several Engineering Change Proposals to increase the vehicles' capabilities. Work will be performed in West Point, Miss., and work is expected to be completed Apr. 2009. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded a $27,394,820 firm-fixed-priced modification to delivery order #0002 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for sustainment items needed to support Category I Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Low Rate Initial Production vehicles in theater. This order will also be used to support several Engineering Change Proposals to increase the vehicles' capabilities. Work will be performed in West Point, Miss., and work is expected to be completed Apr. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Complex Solutions, Inc., Kailua, Hawaii, is being awarded an $18,091,192 time and materials, indefinite-delivery modification to previously awarded contract (N00244-07-D-0035) to exercise an option for technical and educational support services to the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for civil military relations education and training program. Work will be performed in Kailua, Hawaii, (6 percent); Monterey, Calif., (8 percent); various locations in the United States (24 percent); and various locations outside the Continental United States (62 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Jul. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This offer was awarded competitively through Navy Electronic Commerce Online, with two offers received. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Keyport, Wash., is being awarded a $5,965,173 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6101) to provide cost growth funding for the P2U NRE (Producibility 2nd Year Upgrade) completion efforts and to convert the effort to Firm-Fixed Price (FFP). This effort is a continuation of MK48 ADCAP, MK48 CBASS and MK54 torpedo programs under contracts N00024-98-C-6107, N00024-00-C-6100, N00024-00-C-6102 and N00024-03-C-6104. Work will be performed in Keyport, Wash., (50 percent) and Portsmouth, R.I., (50 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics Land Systems, operating through its division General Dynamics Amphibious Systems, Woodbridge, Va., is being awarded a $766,816,525 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the development and manufacture of System Development and Demonstration two (SDD-2) Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) prototypes. In addition, the contractor will modify existing EFV prototypes, procure preliminary spares and repair parts, long lead materials for the SDD-2 prototypes, and conduct systems engineering, studies and analysis, logistics support and test support. Work will be performed in Va., (55 percent), Ind., (10 percent), Mich., (9 percent), Germany, (9 percent), Ohio, (4 percent), and various other states (13 percent), and work is expected to be completed Sept. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively awarded. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-08-C-0003).
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $91,805,665 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-08-C-0025) for Phase II of the CV-22 aircraft Block 20 Upgrade consisting of follow-on efforts to the CV-22 Block 20 Phase I, effort including the design, development, integration, and testing of the CV-22 Block 20 improvements and enhancements. The modification includes performance upgrades to enhance the CV-22 aircraft, such as Terrain Following (below 50 knots), Terrain Following Logic Improvements, Communication Co-Site Interference, Advanced Mission Computer (AMC) Thru-put, flight test engineering support, and logistics and supply support. Work will be performed in Hulbert Field, Fla., (70 percent); Ridley Park, Pa., (15 percent); and Amarillo, Texas, (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $12,639,173 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-06-C-0086) for H-1 Upgrade logistics products and services. This modification includes logistic management support, technical material for maintenance planning, design interface, supply /material support, support of support equipment, technical data, distribution and inventory management/packaging, handling, storage & transportation, configuration management, supportability analysis, aircraft acceptance discrepancies, and contractor logistics support/technical liaison. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in May 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $9,979,205 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-04-C-0569) for the procurement of 22 each Tomahawk Block IV Mid-body Range Safety System (M-RSS) kits and Flight Test Kits (FTKs) for the U.S. Navy, (20) and the United Kingdom, (2). In addition, this modification provides for one set of RSS components for the U.S. Navy. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. (25 percent); San Diego, Calif., (14.5 percent); Bristol, Pa., (10.7 percent); Westminster, Colo., (10 percent); Largo, Fla. (5.8 percent); Middletown, Conn., (5.3 percent); Lancaster, Pa., (1.8 percent); Los Angeles, Calif., (1.1 percent); and various locations within the United States (25.8 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jun. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $6,773,166 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, ($9,090,171; 91 percent) and the United Kingdom, ($889,034; 9 percent) under the Foreign military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
SFA Inc, Crofton, Md., is being awarded a $9,910,834 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the research, development and applications-oriented activities in the generation of sensing systems, integrated optics and communication systems. The contract is for "Optical Techniques, Devices, and Measurements." This contract contains options, which if exercised, will bring the total contract value to $52,879,393. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and work is expected to be completed Jul. 2009 (Jul. 2013 with options exercised). Contract funds in the amount of $1,475,232 will expire at end of current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under a Request for Proposal No N000173-08-R-JR03, with one offer received. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N000173-08-R-JR03).
WareOnEarth Communications, Inc.*, North Charleston, S.C., is being awarded a $9,452,343 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, performance-based contract (with provisions for firm-fixed price orders) to provide technical services supporting U.S. tactical and strategic operations with emphasis on Information Assurance (IA) and automated sensor systems for military health systems and require expertise in the full range of the IA disciplines, architecture development, requirements management, vulnerability management, electronic key management, IA and sensor security logistic and life cycle management, certification and accreditation, risk management, security awareness, training and education and security engineering. This contract includes options, which, if exercised, will bring the total cumulative value of the contract to the estimated amount of $48,815,599. Work will be performed in Charleston, S.C., and is expected to be completed by Jul. 2009 (July 2013 with options exercised). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured and nine offers were received via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center E-commerce website. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston, S.C., is the contracting activity (N65236-08-D-6809).
Seyer Industries, Inc.*, St. Peters, Mo., is being awarded a $7,051,226 firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture of various pieces of Peculiar Support Equipment for the U.S. Marine Corps, (332 pieces) and the U.S. Air Force, (218 pieces), to support the V-22 Aircraft at the Organizational and Intermediate (I&O) levels of maintenance. Work will be performed in St. Peters, Mo., and is expected to be completed in Jun. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured by electronic request for proposals, with two firms solicited and one offer received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-08-C-0346).
Gyrocam Systems, LLC, Sarasota, Fla., is being awarded a $6,665,204 firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0002 under a previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5075) for the purchase of sustainment services, parts, training, and the replacement of six camera systems due to battle loss. Work will be performed in Sarasota, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $6,665,204 will expire by the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $6,515,699 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-06-C-0086) for non-recurring engineering necessary to build, install and test of the combining Gearbox Test Stand in support of the H-1 Upgrades Aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in Jun. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Z Corp,* Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $5,695,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of MP (military Police) Co., Operations Complex, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C. The work to be performed includes the design and construction of multi-story and single-story operations facilities for the MP Co., 2D Marine Logistics Group. Construction will include administrative space, storage space, drive-through equipment maintenance bays, communications/electronic equipment repair; secure weapons armory, dedicated NMCI telecommunication rooms, showers and locker areas and all incidental related work. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by August 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured among the four contractors on the eight (a) Multiple Award Contract with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-05-D-6832).
General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., is being awarded a $5,500,493 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development for applications of Intelligent Machining (IM) of Advanced Defense Materials at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) Lima, Ohio. Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by Jul. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $2,914,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity for contract (M67854-08-C-0009).
BAE Systems Advanced Information Technologies of Burlington, Mass., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $21,490,727. This effort will develop, demonstrate and deliver a single platform and multiple platform software system that enables long term maritime and ground target tracking. The effort will involve development in Technology areas including advance radar sensor networking and communication. The performance of the single platform and multiple platform configurations will be evaluated and demonstrated in a laboratory simulation environment utilizing real and simulated data. The software system will also be used and evaluated during a series of flight tests and demonstrations. At this time $7,688,926 has been obligated. Air Force Research Laboratory/RIKF, Rome, N.Y., is the contracting activity (FA8750-08-C-0217).
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., is being awarded cost plus fixed free contract for $11,494,519. This action will provide technical and analytical support to the Program Executive Office Combat Support and the Tank and Automotive Research and Development Team. At this time $135,266 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, DO 0264).
Entereza Network Solution, Inc., of Albuquerque, N.M., is being awarded a firm fixed, cost reimbursement contract for a maximum of $6 million. The overall objective of the work effort under this training services contract as defined in Performance Work State of Word dated Mar. 4, 2008, is to effectively and efficiently meet the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) mission. AFOTEC is responsible for planning, executing, and reporting independent Operational Test and Evaluations (OT&E). AFOTEC supports Air Force (AF), Department of Defense (DoD), and other government agencies by evaluating operational capabilities and limitations to meet warfighter mission needs. The mission of AFOTEC is to assess the capability of new systems and provide operational effectiveness, operational suitability, and operational impact expertise from concept through system employment in the battlespace environment, AFOTEC's Test and Evaluation University (T&EU) was formed to provide in-house course development, updates, and instruction to support the technical training needs of the OT&E workforce. The contractor will provide subject matter experts (SME) to instruct, develop courses, and maintain/update course materials using Instructional Systems Development (ISD) methodology. In addition to performing instructional duties, the contractor will up existing courses as required, as well as develop, instruct, and update emerging courses and associated courseware. Instructional staff may, within the discretion of the Government, include augmentation from Government SMEs. At this time $284,529 has been obligated. Headquarters, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, HQ AFOTEC/A7K, Contracting Division, Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA7046-08-D-0002).
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), of San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $5,913,886. The action will provide for Air Force Research laboratory/RYZT requires the use of R&D support contract to accomplish specialized research, analysis, test, and development for combat identification work. At this time $1.5 million has been obligated. AFRL/PKSR, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-08-C-1373).
Turkey shocked by allegations in Ergenekon indictment
“The indictment against the shadowy Ergenekon group went to court Monday (July 14th), following a 13-month-long investigation. […] The indictment claims Ergenekon has tried to develop chemical and biological warfare and was behind drug trafficking in Turkey.” (Southeast European Times; 16Jul08; Ayhan Simsek)
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2008/07/16/feature-01
Vietnam suspects anthrax in mass food poisoning
“Health authorities in communist Vietnam suspect the bacterial livestock disease anthrax caused an outbreak of food poisoning in the country's far north […] Hundreds of people fell ill, and at least one person died, after eating beef in a village in Meo Vac district in the mountainous Ha Giang province near the Chinese border” (France 24; 16Jul08) http://www.france24.com/en/20080716-vietnam-suspects-anthrax-mass-food-poisoning
Update on USAMRIID [U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command] biodefence project
“Integrated BioTherapeutics has received a five-year NIH research grant to develop human antibody therapeutics against staphylococcal enterotoxin B, a bacterial-derived toxin from Staphylococcus aureus. The project is a continuation of a biodefense-related project initiated by USAMRIID, an organization of the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, in September 2006 using AbD Serotec's custom monoclonal antibody services IBT will use a selection of Hucal-based antibodies originally generated by AbD Serotec against staphylococcal eneterotoxin B in in vitro and in vivo experiments […]” (Laboratory Talk; 16Jul08) http://www.laboratorytalk.com/news/aib/aib117.html
Hizbullah Gears Up For War, [Israeli Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert Asks for UN Help
“Arab reports indicate that Hizbullah is preparing to arm its rockets with chemical warheads and to build extensive fortifications. Defense Minister Ehud Barak blames the Syrians […] Adding further weight to Defense Minister Barak's declaration is an article in the Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyasa, which reported Monday that Hizbullah has acquired chemicals needed to make weapons such as nerve gas or mustard gas from North Korean suppliers.” (Arutz Sheva; 14Jul08; Nissan Ratzlav-Katz & Pinchas Sanderson)
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/126842
Sarin that leaked Friday should have been destroyed
“The sarin nerve agent that leaked at the Blue Grass Army Depot on Friday should have been destroyed two months ago, under a plan approved in January. But the agency responsible for neutralizing the agent has not even started constructing the facility for the destruction. […] ‘Literally, we are moving as fast as we can,’ said Richard Sloan, spokesman for the depot. ‘It may look like a turtle in the middle of a race, but we are moving as fast as safety dictates.’ […] Sloan said the leak wasn't a danger to the community or the environment, and the igloo will remain under continuous filtration to ensure that vapor doesn't leak into the atmosphere.” (Lexington Herald-Leader; 15Jul08; Ashlee Clark) http://www.kentucky.com/178/story/461070.html
8-inch shells being moved for disposal at Umatilla
“Workers at the Umatilla Chemical Depot storage have begun moving 8-inch VX-filled artillery shells to the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility. Last month, workers at the facility finished destroying the last of more than 32,000, 155mm VX-filled artillery shells. Now, the plant machinery has been reconfigured to start work on the 8-inch diameter shells. ‘The work is moving along fairly quickly,’ said Jim Hackett, an Army public affairs officer at the depot. All of the VX stockpile should be destroyed by early 2009, barring any unforeseen delays, he said.” (Tri City Herald; 16Jul08; Mary Hopkins) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/241045.html
Army recycles PackBots to sniff out chemicals
“The U.S. military has been working on a new use for old PackBots that will save soldiers time and aggravation, though not replace them completely, when it comes to chemical warfare. With new Foster-Miller Talon and 510 PackBot models being introduced, the old PackBot models will be rotated out of use in combat. […] The new/old PackBot, called a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Unmanned Ground Vehicle or CUGV for short, will be ready for field use this fall, according to the U.S. Army. It's been fitted with a lightweight chemical detector to sense nerve gas, among other things.” (C Net News; 15Jul08; Candace Lombardi) http://news.cnet.com/8301-17912_3-9991461-72.html
FADC [Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee]: Hand out gas masks immediately
“Israeli civilians are unprepared for nonconventional attacks, warned prominent members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Tuesday afternoon, blasting the defense establishment for ignoring calls to fix the situation. […] Committee chairman MK Tzahi Hanegbi (Kadima) and MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud), chairman of the Subcomittee for Readiness, held a press conference during which they called on the government to begin immediate distribution of gas masks to the public. […] Hanegbi was more cautious, arguing that the risk of chemical attack was low, but adding that ‘even unlikely scenarios could occur, and thus we must urgently act to hand out the masks.’” (The Jerusalem Post; 15Jul08; Rebecca Anna Stoil) http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215330981793&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
JR in terrorist attack exercise
“More than 200 staff from Oxfordshire emergency crews took part in a terrorist training exercise yesterday in which nerve gas was released on a coach on the M40. Although those taking part were not dealing with a real-life incident, managers said lessons were learned from the largest exercise of its kind to take place at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. Emergency crews worked alongside staff at the hospital in Exercise Orpheus II, which was overseen by the Government's Health Protection Agency.”
(Oxford Mail; 16Jul08; Andrew French)
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.2399494.0.jr_in_terrorist_attack_exercise.php
Government: [Government Accountability Office] Report says it's taking too long to secure radioactive material
“The government is taking too long to secure radioactive materials across the country that could get into terrorists' hands, according to a government report. […] Experts believe such an attack would be contained to a small area but could have significant psychological impact and have serious economic consequences because of cleanup problems. […] In a probe last year that set up a bogus company, investigators said they were able to obtain a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that allowed them to buy enough radioactive material for a small dirty bomb.” (Chicago Tribune; 15Jul08; Eileen Sullivan) http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-dirty-bomb-materials,0,1174417.story
ICx Technologies Wins $2.5 Million Contract for identiFINDER Radiation Detectors for the 2008 Beijing Olympics
“a developer of advanced sensor technologies for homeland security, force protection and commercial applications, announced today that it has won $2.5 million in contracts to supply identiFINDERs to the Government of China […] IdentiFINDERs are handheld, radioisotope identification devices (RIID). Every identiFINDER is able to rapidly locate, accurately measure and precisely identify sources or contaminations from gamma and neutron radiation. The units are able to differentiate between dangerous radioactive materials, medical and naturally occurring radioisotopes, such as bananas.” (Trading Markets; 15Jul08; Vicki Contavespi) http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1759052/
Homeland Security Office fighting to keep nukes out [of the U.S.]
“The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on domestic defenses against nuclear attacks. Chairman Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) said that nuclear detection architecture, the responsibility of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), is of great importance because it prevents nuclear terrorism before it can happen. […] Charles Gallaway, deputy director of the DNDO, said the measured three-step approach applied to three layers (threats overseas, at the border, and within the country), helped the U.S. become safer from nuclear attacks now than it was three years ago.” (Talk Radio News Service; 16Jul08) http://talkradionews.com/2008/07/homeland-security-office-fighting-to-keep-nukes-out/
Report says terrorists can smuggle nuclear materials into U.S.
“Three years and $5 billion later, federal authorities have failed to effectively block terrorists from smuggling nuclear materials into the United States, according to a report by congressional investigators. David Maurer, an acting director at the Government Accountability Office, is scheduled to testify today before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that the three-year-old Domestic Nuclear Detection Office lacks an ‘over-arching strategic plan’ to prevent nuclear material from being smuggled into the country. […] ‘If a terrorist or rogue state somehow gains possession of a nuclear device and intends to use it against the United States, we are in big trouble,’ [Bob] Nesbit [a member of the Defense Science Board] said in prepared testimony given to the committee.” (The News-Times; 16Jul08; Peter Urban) http://www.newstimes.com/ci_9893850?source=most_emailed
Scientists to confer on global catastrophic risks
“A group of scientists from around the world will hold a first of its kind conference Thursday on global catastrophic risks, according to media report Wednesday. They will discuss what should be done to prevent these risks from becoming realities that could lead to the end of human life on Earth as we know it.” (China Daily; 16Jul08) http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2008-07/16/content_6851931.htm
MPs [Members of Parliament] inquiry into UK's non-proliferation strategy
“The Foreign Affairs Committee announced Tuesday it was launching an inquiry into the British govt's non proliferation strategy. […] The Committee will consider the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. It will also consider the role of ballistic missiles.”
(Mathaba; 16Jul08)
http://mathaba.net/news/?x=598649
Parliament to get N-shield soon
“Highly placed sources have revealed that the joint parliamentary committee on security has recommended protection from nuclear and biological weapons for Parliament House. […] A state-of-the-art air filtration equipment — which can counter chemicals unleashed in a nuclear, biological or a chemical weapons attack — will be installed.”(The Economic Times; 15Jul08) http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Parliament_to_get_N-shield_soon/articleshow/3235416.cms
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
By Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2008 - Army and Air National Guard members from California and North Carolina are supporting firefighting efforts in Northern California today following a state active-duty call-up by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and a request for airborne firefighting assets by the Interagency Fire Center. The governor's office reported yesterday that a "swarm of dry lighting cells over the last 16 hours sparked nearly 400 new fires across the state, spanning from Monterey and Fresno counties to the Oregon-California border."
Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency June 22 for Monterey and Trinity counties. The governor made similar declarations for Butte and Santa Cruz counties June 11 and 12. At least 30 Guard members were operating in Redding, Napa and Stockton.
The Interagency Fire Center reported more than 33,000 wild land fires in the United States this year. More than 1,000 new fires have been reported in California since June 21.
Two specially equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft, aircrews and support assets from the North Carolina Air Guard's 145th Airlift Wing arrived in Chico, Calif., yesterday, adding to 10 other Army and Air National Guard aircraft and aircrews performing firefighting missions in the state.
Four Air Guard C-130s carry special mobile airborne firefighting systems that can drop 3,000 gallons of an orange-colored water and fire-retardant mixture. In addition, four Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter equipped with helibuckets also are suppressing wildfires from a staging area at the Stockton Flight Facility.
Two Army Guard OH-58 Kiowa observation helicopters from Los Alamitos are performing fire-spotting missions out of Mather Air Field, and one RC-26 Metroliner is performing aerial reconnaissance missions. Officials reported additional requests for at least eight Army Guard aircraft from Nevada, Washington and Oregon.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves with the National Guard Bureau.)
My sister was at woodstock. this sorta sums her up. I don't know how close she got to any of the performances. in all likelihood she put on a sarong and hitched a ride to boston but mindlessly went along for the ride. only afterwards she realized what she had been near. I am more the monterey pop sister. it was about music not rolling in mudholes totally stoned. Why am I thinking of her? Oh i know..it was the npr music this morning which made me think of joplin which lead me to think of woodstock which led to paula which lead to criminal activities. okay ... so do I sound bitter? Living well is the best revenge when one has a sibling who is a thief, drug dealer, liar and all around disaster to be involved with. sorry for ending a sentence with a preposition. . and the rant.
In the personal news is Clear Lake Oregon- formed by a volcano 3000 years ago with absolutely crystal clear water and petrified underwater trees. we even managed to canoe up through a small rapids. it took three tries and we lnocked a year off the life of our paddles but it was worth it to get to the spring that feeds the mckenzie river.
Yesterday I was sewing and came out of the studio to the house, a light rain was falling. the trees glowed from the sideways sun that was illuminating every drop. it took my breathe away and again i was reminded of what a jewel of a planet we live on and how important it is to get things right before we destroy this paradise. please think of ways to conserve.
In the last two days:
1. Abi has managed to get into a tree and on the roof. No more leashed outings for her.
2. Tony killed Ralphie. Carmella wouldn't like this.
3. The neighbors cat dug up my dicentra plant.
4. It has been raining- which i love.
5. We decided to screen the deck in with mosquito curtains.
6. My brioche is delicious.
7. Gave myself a new louise brooks bob hair cut - it's adorable.
8. I may buy a new vibrator. will keep y'all posted.
now i have to help abi- she is whining because she can't reach a fly.
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