Austin Lauds Strength of U.S.-U.K. Relationship

View Online Austin Lauds Strength of U.S.-U.K. Relationship Jan. 31, 2024 | By Joseph Clark Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps today underscored the U.S. and United Kingdom’s shared commitment to upholding global peace and security as the two leaders met to discuss a range of security issues. Austin said the U.S.-U.K alliance remains central as both countries work together to address the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza; attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea; and Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Spotlight: Support for Ukraine Amid the range of security challenges, Austin said the “U.S.-U.K. special relationship is as strong as ever.” The leaders met at the Pentagon on the heels of precision strikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen that were carried by the U.S. and U.K. with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands. The two successful strikes launched earlier this month were aimed at diminishing the rebel group’s ability to launch further attacks against vessels operating in international waters. “The United Kingdom’s partnership is pivotal to addressing these reckless and illegal attacks against military vessels and commercial shipping in the Red Sea,” Austin said as he met with Shapps. “We can see Iran’s hand here, as well — providing the Houthis with advanced conventional weapons, intelligence and expertise. The U.S. and U.K. are deeply committed to the rules-based international order and defending the freedom of navigation.” Austin also thanked Shapps for his leadership as the two countries work shoulder to shoulder to confront the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. “We share the view that Israel must be able to defend itself from Hamas’ terrorism in accordance with international law,” Austin said. “We also believe that Israel has a duty to avoid harming Palestinian civilians and that the people of Gaza urgently need far more humanitarian assistance.” He added that the U.S. and U.K. continue to “stand foursquare together with Ukraine” as Russia’s invasion enters its third year. “I look forward to discussing ways that we can continue to strengthen Ukraine’s capability to defend its sovereign territory,” Austin said. In remarks ahead of their meeting, the two leaders also previewed discussions about NATO‘s central role in maintaining transatlantic security, as members of the alliance prepare for next month’s meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. They’ll meet again at a summit marking the 75th anniversary of the alliance in Washington later this year. Spotlight: NATO Also ahead of today’s talks, both leaders condemned attacks in Jordan over the weekend that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members and wounded dozens more. Austin reiterated his “anger and grief” on behalf of the whole of the department over the deaths of the three U.S. soldiers and those wounded in the attack. “The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces from Iran-backed terrorist groups or anyone else,” he said. “As President Biden has said, we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing.”

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Girls Build Award-Winning Robot, Get STEM Inspiration

View Online Girls Build Award-Winning Robot, Get STEM Inspiration Jan. 31, 2024 | By David Vergun Four girls from North Carolina —along with the large robot they built— visited the Pentagon last week to brief European participants of the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program on increasing inclusivity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or STEM.  G-Force Robotics is a 12-member, all-girl team that was named Rookie All Star winners at the 2023 FIRST Robotics Competition world championship in Houston. Nearly 3,500 high school teams from all over the world competed, with 620 advancing to the world championship.     G-Force Robotics is one of 1,185 robotics teams sponsored by the Defense Department and industry, located throughout the world. More than 86,000 students in grades K-12 compete and only 2% of teams are all-female.    “The G-Force team’s mission is to inspire and encourage girls’ participation at all levels in science, technology, engineering and math and help guide them on their career pathways—be that with DOD, other U.S. government agencies, industry or whatever else they choose,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Shannon Mann, the team’s coach.    Spotlight: Science & Tech Mann said the girls have achieved amazing success in a short period of time. “A little over a year ago, these girls didn’t know how to use power tools, code in Java or build robots. Working as a team, they built their winning robot in about eight weeks for a competition. Twenty years from now, these girls could be going to Mars. They can be the leaders that will deter our next global enemy,” she said.    In addition to building the winning robot, Mann said the team collectively logged 3,200 hours of volunteer service that mostly focused on STEM outreach in their communities.     During the team’s discussion with the IVLP participants, they shared details of their outreach programs, including a book donation and reading program for elementary school students; a partnership with their local libraries and STEM classes for middle school girls; and a career-oriented breakfast for high school girls with female, STEM-industry leaders.    The girls also shared G-Force Robotics’ experiences, a DOD-affiliated exhibitor at the Fall STEAM Expo at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math, with arts referring to fine arts which drives creativity and innovation.    Spotlight: Engineering in the DOD Beyond being sponsored by the department’s STEM professionals, dubbed DoD STEM, the team has a robust relationship with Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the 4th Fighter Wing in North Carolina. At the base, the team has hosted two “Aviation & Robotics Day” events for about 300 participants; participated in a large Project Quesada event with 600 students in 2022; and helped organize and host the first STEM Hangar at the Wings Over Wayne Air Show in May for 62,000 attendees.  While at Seymour, the girls met female pilots and other aviators and STEM-focused airmen who discussed what they do and opportunities in the Air Force and the other services.    IVLP participants had many questions for the G-Force team members. Neda Zutautaite, executive director of the nongovernmental organization Knowledge Economy Forum in Vilnius, Lithuania, asked the girls what sparked their interest in joining the robotics team.    Claire Fendrick, a 10th grader who’s been in robotics for two years, said that she once read about a girl who wanted to be an astronaut.     Fendrick said that got her thinking about the many opportunities for “really cool” jobs. “Then, when I saw online about an all-girls robotics team forming, I just decided, ‘Hey, I’m gonna’ try it.’ I tried it and loved it. And I’ve learned so much.”    Sloan Mann, a 10th grader who has been in robotics for six years, said she initially joined a middle school robotics team where she was the only girl, but she got pushed aside from building and coding to make posters and prepare judging material. So she started an all-girl robotics team where she could increase her technical skills and help other girls with theirs, too.    Yelizaveta Korenko, the leader of STEM at FEM — a nongovernmental organization that arranges programs to inspire young women in STEM fields in Ukraine — asked the team if they ever tried to reach out to other girls to join them.    Fendrick said, “I talked with friends. Everybody’s like, ‘Oh, that’s so cool.’ And then the second thing they say is, ‘I could never do that.’    “We need to show girls that they are capable of doing anything,” she added.

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DOD Reduces On-Base Child Care Fees for Military Families

View Online DOD Reduces On-Base Child Care Fees for Military Families Jan. 31, 2024 | By Joseph Clark The Defense Department is focused on making quality child care options affordable for military families as officials continue to prioritize initiatives to take care of those who serve.   Earlier this month the department implemented its new fee schedule for on base child care designed to reduce fees for lower income military families while maintaining high quality care at DOD child development centers around the world.    Chad Sheldon, DOD’s associate director for child and youth programs policy, said the driver behind this year’s fee change was “to make the child care fees more equitable and more affordable, specifically for those families with the greatest economic need.”  “We wanted to be able to reduce the percentage of income that they’re paying for child care and balance that across our fee schedule,” he said.   The reduction in the basic weekly rate for on base child care is applied across several tiers under the new structure, as determined by military families’ total family income:  Those with a total family income of $45,000 will pay a basic weekly rate of $54, down from $82 under the previous fee schedule.  Those with a total family income of $65,000 will pay a basic weekly rate of $74, down from $121 under the previous fee schedule.  Those with a total family income of $90,000 will pay a basic weekly rate of $104, down from $143 under the previous fee schedule.  Those with a total family income of $115,000 will pay a basic weekly rate of $138, down from $154 under the previous fee schedule.   Sheldon said child care can be a major expense for new families who are typically still in the early stages of their careers and not at the peak of their earning potential.   “By making these adjustments to our fees, our intent is that they’re going to have more money in their pocket to cover additional expenses – food, diapers, all those things that come along with being a parent as well,” he said.   President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden have made reducing child care costs for military families a key focus of the Biden-Harris administration.   The new fee structure follows Biden’s executive order in April directing the DOD to improve child care affordability on military installations.   Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has prioritized efforts to strengthen support for DOD personnel and family members under his “Taking Care of Our Service Members and Families” initiative.   Spotlight: Taking Care of Our People Improving access to child care is a key part of that effort.    The DOD operates one of the largest employer-sponsored child care programs in the U.S., serving more than 160,000 children every year, according to 2022 figures.   “Our service members matter,” Sheldon said. “Their families matter. And certainly we have a vested interest in children and youth. Our mission is a really important one and one that we take seriously.”  He said child care providers and child development center staff throughout DOD, take their mission to serve the children of military families to heart.   “I hope that service members know that their well-being and their family’s well-being is something that is critically important to us,” he said.

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Contracts For Jan. 31, 2024

View Online FOR RELEASE AT 5 PM ET Contracts For Jan. 31, 2024 DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY ASRC Federal Facilities Logistics LLC, Beltsville, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $150,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for industrial product support. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a three-year base contract with two two-year option periods and one three-year option period. The performance completion date is Sept. 30, 2027. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2024 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4AX-24-D-9414). Avon Protection Ceradyne LLC, Salem, New Hampshire, has been awarded a maximum $39,324,000 modification (P00028) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-22-D-1516) with four one-year option periods for second generation advanced combat helmets. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The ordering period end date is Feb. 6, 2025. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2024 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ROICOM USA LLC,* El Paso, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $36,687,299 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for men’s service uniform all-weather coats. This was a competitive acquisition with six responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Jan. 30, 2029. Using military service is Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2024 through 2029 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-24-D-0026). Olgoonik Logistics LLC,* has been awarded a maximum $26,508,614 hybrid firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursement, no-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for warehousing and operations support services. This was a competitive acquisition with seven responses received. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. Location of performance is Guam, with a Feb. 28, 2029, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2024 through 2029 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania (SP3300‐24-D-5001). Connectec Co.,* Irving, California, has been awarded a maximum $10,332,740 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for switch subassembly units. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The performance completion date is Jan. 31, 2029. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2024 through 2029 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-24-D-0024). CORRECTION: The contract announced on Dec. 29, 2023, for General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan (SPE7LX-21-D-0110/P00014) for $7,644,549 was announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is Jan. 30, 2024. ARMY DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $67,480,808 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for maintenance support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Saudi Arabia, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2025. Fiscal 2024 Foreign Military Sales (Saudi Arabia) funds in the amount of $33,065,596 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-24-C-0026). Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded a $62,055,622 firm-fixed-price contract for harbor deepening and widening. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Irvington, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2025. Fiscal 2020 civil construction funds and fiscal 2023 civil operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $62,055,622 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W91278-24-C-0015). BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $19,500,242 modification (P00006) to contract W56HZV-23-C-0024 for reactive armor kits, cold start kits and supplemental air transport kits for Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2026. Fiscal 2023 and 2024 weapons and tracked combat vehicle procurement, Army funds in the amount of $19,500,242 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Mississippi Limestone Corp.,* Friars Point, Mississippi, was awarded a $17,400,000 firm-fixed-price contract for articulated concrete mattresses. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Delta, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2025. Fiscal 2024 civil construction funds in the amount of $17,400,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Mississippi, is the contracting activity (W912EE-24-C-0007). Metis Li, Huntington Beach, California, was awarded a $9,599,684 firm-fixed-price contract for software licenses and software support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Huntington Beach, California, and India, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2027. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (India) funds in the amount of $9,599,684 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-24-C-5016). Noreas Environmental Services LLC, Irvine, California, was awarded a $9,157,529 firm-fixed-price contract to remove arsenic and lead contaminated soil pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Evansville, Indiana, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 10, 2025. Fiscal 2024 environmental restoration, Army funds in the amount of $9,157,529 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky, is the contracting activity (W912QR-24-F-0025). AIR FORCE General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a face value $16,928,439 cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-priced contract modification (P00003) to previously awarded contract FA8689-23-C-2013, to exercise of an option for continued sustainment for the Italian Air Force MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial System Program fleet currently being serviced under the basic contract that provides logistics support activities including core, depot repair, engineering services, field team support, country standard technical order revision services, insurance, contractor managed storage, transportation, data, spares, and software maintenance services for the Italian Air Force MQ-9 Blocks 1 and 5 aircraft. Work will be performed in Poway, California; Italy; and Kuwait, and is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2025. This contract involves 100% foreign military sales to Italy. Foreign Military Sales in the amount of $16,928,439 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. NAVY Stellant Systems Inc., Torrance, California, is being awarded $9,400,000 for a ceiling-priced, undefinitized, spares delivery order (N00383-24-F-SW00) under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-24-G-SW01) for the purchase of 22 electron tubes used on the F/A-18 aircraft. All work will be performed in Torrance, California, and work is expected to be completed by December 2026. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $4,606,000 will be obligated at time of award, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Textron Systems Corp., (Textron), New Orleans, Louisiana, is awarded an $8,921,139 cost-reimbursable, not-to-exceed modification to previously awarded contract N00024-23-C-2452 for the procurement of landing craft air cushion 100 Class material and non-recurring activities for five future ship to shore connector landing craft air cushion 100 class craft. Work will be performed in New Orleans, Louisiana (50%); El Segundo, California (17%); North Hollywood, California (11%); Fort Worth, Texas (7%); New Port Richey, Florida (7%); Garden Grove, California (5%); and Brewton, Alabama (3%), and is expected to be completed by October 2025. Fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,853,886 (58%); and fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,836,969 (42%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. *Small Business

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Today in DOD: Feb. 1, 2024

Today in DOD: Feb. 1, 2024 Open Press Events Secretary of Defense The secretary has no public or media events on his schedule. Read More > Deputy Secretary of Defense The deputy secretary has no public or media events on her schedule. Read More > Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The chairman has no public or media events on his schedule. Read More > Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The vice chairman has no public or media events on his schedule. Read More > Additional Open Press Events A Senate Armed Services Committee hearing at 9:30 a.m. EST considers the nomination of Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo for reappointment to the grade of admiral, and to be commander, U.S… Read More > View All Postings Contacts Additions and corrections for Today in DOD are invited and should be directed to the press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131 or +1 (703) 697-5132. For additional media information click here. Public Inquiries Contact us for more information, if you have questions or for technical support. Media Questions News media representatives with questions for the Department of Defense may reach our press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131. Duty Officer A public affairs duty officer is available 24 hours a day through +1 (703) 697-5131.

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Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Meeting With United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps

View Online IMMEDIATE RELEASE Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Meeting With United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps Jan. 31, 2024 Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with his U.K. counterpart, Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, to discuss the escalating attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups on U.S troops in the Middle East, the illegal Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and both nations’ continued support to Ukraine. Secretary Austin thanked Secretary Shapps for the United Kingdom’s steadfast support and leadership in coalition efforts to stave off further Houthi aggression, while defending naval and international commercial vessels exercising navigational rights and freedoms. The leaders also discussed AUKUS and the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the close and durable U.S.-U.K. partnership and commitment to the rules-based international order.

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DOD Harnesses Science, Technology to Counter Adversaries

View Online DOD Harnesses Science, Technology to Counter Adversaries Jan. 31, 2024 | By David Vergun China is attempting to offer an alternative to the international world order, increasing its capacity to reshape international borders and rapidly developing capabilities in artificial intelligence, hypersonic weapons, shipbuilding and space capabilities, said Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering. Addressing these long-term challenges requires a robust and accelerated science, technology and development response by the Defense Department, with fewer bureaucratic processes that impede that goal, Shyu told attendees of the 10th Annual Defense R&D Summit in Alexandria, Virginia. “Unfortunately, there’s no monolithic solution to accelerate the department’s effort in development and acquisition of leading-edge technologies,” she said. Shyu said one of the many ways the department is approaching the effort is the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve program, established two years ago. Spotlight: Engineering in the DOD She said the program aims to deliver the best technology and address common problems that are faced by companies through experimentation and exercises that accelerate technology from prototype to validated military capabilities, she said. Shyu noted that industry works directly with the services, combatant commanders and the joint staff. The program focuses on areas crucial to joint warfare in highly contested environments, including command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; unmanned systems; contested logistics; joint fires; information; and command and control, she said. The department is also assisting private-sector investment in critical technologies. The Office of Strategic Capital was stood up a year ago, as authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act, to allow the department to provide loans to small companies, she said. The Office of Strategic Capital will help secure the department’s supply chain and facilitate onshore production of cutting-edge technologies, including microchips and quantum, she said. “I’m absolutely confident that our nation’s R&D enterprise will continue to deliver the most advanced military capability to the warfighters,” she said, referring to industry research and development professionals.

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DOD Featured Photos

Sea Formation From left: the USS Carl Vinson, the USS Sterett, the USS Princeton, the Japanese ship Ise, the USS R… Photo Details > Corps Comms Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph Kim radios to the squad during training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 1… Photo Details > View All Photos

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DOD Featured Photos

Best Direction Air Force Airman 1st Class Nathalie Olarte directs an F-16 Fighting Falcon as it launches from a loc… Photo Details > Warrior Strike Soldiers fire at simulated targets during Warrior Strike, a combined arms live-fire exercise, at the… Photo Details > View All Photos

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DOD Featured Photos

Sea Formation From left: the USS Carl Vinson, the USS Sterett, the USS Princeton, the Japanese ship Ise, the USS R… Photo Details > Warrior Strike Soldiers fire at simulated targets during Warrior Strike, a combined arms live-fire exercise, at the… Photo Details > View All Photos

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