Procurement

VIRGINIA

DIA picks Invertix for support work

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in McLean has contracted Invertix Corp. to provide engineering support to the Department of Defense Intelligence Information System.

Invertix was awarded a five-year, $75 million contract to support the Department of Defense Intelligence Information System with engineering and technical assistance at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington.

“I am pleased to begin our relationship with the DIA on such a significant program,” Art Hurtado, Invertix chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

“We believe heartily in the DIA mission and see this as an opportunity to further strengthen our position in the defense intelligence community providing mission critical support.”

Under the deal, Invertix will work with a team of 12 subcontractors to provide engineering support work for Department of Defense Intelligence Information System enterprise services.

ILLINOIS

Navistar awarded follow-on TACOM deal

WARRENVILLE | The Army has contracted with Navistar Defense for six additional delivery orders for severe service vehicles to support the Iraq Ministry of Defense.

Illinois-based Navistar received the follow-on contract from the Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), Life Cycle Management Command. Under the deal, Navistar will supply the Iraqi army with its severe service vehicles based on the company’s International 7000 Series platform.

Navistar officials say the vehicles will be supplied in several variants, including diesel fuel trucks and water tankers. Combined with two previous awards from 2007, the total award from the Army is worth up to $37 million.

“Navistar’s strong performance in providing quality vehicles and reliable service has positioned us as a leader in the defense industry,” Bob Walsh, Navistar Defense vice president, said in a statement.

“We will continue to deliver on our commitment to provide for U.S. military and its allies with a comprehensive value solution that includes military vehicles, and worldwide parts and field service support,” he said.

WASHINGTON

Army contracts for ICx Cerberus towers

The Army has contracted ICx Technologies to support the Base Expeditionary Targeting and Surveillance Sensors-Combined (BETSS-C) program.

Advanced sensor technology developer ICx was awarded a $14 million contract to supply 22 of its Cerberus mobile surveillance towers in support of the BETSS-C program. Officials say ICx’s Cerberus technology will be deployed in an Army initiative to enhance situational awareness at bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

ICx says the Cerberus towers will be integrated into the BETSS-C, a program run by the Army Asymmetric Warfare Office, and will provide a combination of high-resolution radars with thermal and imaging cameras for soldiers protecting bases.

“Our military is facing the new reality of asymmetric warfare that requires superior situational awareness,” Adam Strange, ICx Tactical Platforms president, said in a statement.

“Combining and integrating advanced sensors on mobile platforms will become an increasingly important tool for our troops to fight those challenges,” he said. “We are proud to leverage the technology we developed for our border defense for this important defense program.”

PENNSYLVANIA

BAE to supply parts for Marine MRAPs

YORK | The Marine Corps has contracted BAE Systems to provide engineering support and additional spare parts for mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles.

BAE was awarded four delivery orders of spare parts and engineering support to maintain the company’s five MRAP variants deployed by the Marine Corps. Officials say the contracts are worth $226 million.

The Marine Corps is currently operating BAE’s Caiman, the RG31 and the RG33. The RG33 includes a 4X4, 6X6, the Heavy Armored Ground Ambulance and the Special Operations Command vehicle configurations.

BAE will provide engineering changes to 51 Heavy Armored Ground Ambulance and 393 Category 6X6 vehicles. The additional orders are for 6X6 variants, SOCOM and HAGA spare parts.

“These changes provide improved mobility and survivability capabilities that take the performance of the RG33 platform to a whole new level,” Matt Riddle, BAE Systems vice president for wheeled vehicle programs, said in a statement.

“These enhancements significantly extend the mission envelope and improve the war fighting capabilities of the vehicle,” he said.

CALIFORNIA

USSOCOM contracts for AV’s Puma UAS

MONROVIA | The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has contracted unmanned aircraft system (UAS) developer AeroVironment Inc. for the company’s Puma AE technology.

California-based AV’s Puma AE, a hand-launched UAS, was selected by USSOCOM as its all-environment-capable variant to meet the command’s small UAS requirements. The initial contract is for $6 million. Officials say if all options are exercised, the contract could be worth $200 million over five years.

The Puma AE, currently deployed by the Department of Defense and U.S. allies, provides the military with day and night reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities utilized by military units in dense urban combat environments for additional security.

“AV responded to a USSOCOM requirement for a hand-launched UAS,” John Grabowsky, AV executive vice president and general manager of unmanned aircraft systems, said in a statement.

“We are pleased to be chosen to deliver these capabilities into the hands of war fighters with a new, more capable third generation version of our Puma,” he said.

VIRGINIA

CACI to continue with Army PD SW

The Army has awarded CACI International Inc. in Arlington a follow-on contract for continued support of the Army Project Director, Signals Warfare (PD SW).

Under the three-year, $23 million strategic services sourcing contract, CACI will continue to support acquisition, logistics, training and engineering among other services for the PD SW.

The PD SW provides the Army with tactical signals intelligence and electronic warfare systems that support combat engagements. CACI will support the PD SW in an initiative to enhance soldier’s abilities to counter the threat of improvised explosive devices.

“The importance of the U.S. Army’s signals warfare programs continuously increases as the Army moves to create its future force and counter evolving terrorist threats,” Bill Fairl, CACI acting president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

“Signals warfare systems are a critical force multiplier, giving commanders at all levels a multilayered and multidimensional view of the battlefield,” he said.

FLORIDA

Point Blank gets IOTV contract

POMPANO BEACH | The Army has contracted Point Blank Solutions Inc. for improved outer tactical vests (IOTV) to offer soldiers enhanced protection in combat zones.

Florida-based Point Blank Solutions says its subsidiary, Point Blank Body Armor, received the $86.2 million contract from the Army for the production of 150,000 IOTVs. Point Blank, who is also currently under consideration for a 966,000 IOTV production deal with the Army, says the announced order Thursday for IOTVs will be completed before January 2009.

Officials say while the 966,000-IOTV contract is being delayed for contractor bidding purposes, the Army required an immediate order of IOTVs. As a result, Point Blank Body Armor, one of only two companies with an IOTV Army approval, was awarded the contract for the immediate production of 150,000 IOTVs.

“We are proud Point Blank continues to be the chosen supplier of the U.S. Army and look forward to meeting the requirements of the soldiers who protect our nation,” Larry Ellis, Point Blank president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

• Compiled by Steven Davy of United Press International