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Archive for the ‘Contracts’ Category

Burlington Wins $8.4 Million Performance Fabric Contract For Army Physical Training Uniform

Friday, December 4th, 2015

Burlington Wins $8.4 Million Performance Fabric Contract for Army Physical Training Uniform
Unique domestic manufacturing capabilities provide Armed Services with technically advanced textiles

GREENSBORO, NC, December 3, 2015 — Burlington Industries LLC, a division of International Textile Group (ITG), announced it has been awarded a $8.4 million contract to supply micro denier polyester fabrics to the United States Army for use in physical training (PT) shorts. These fabrics will be produced at the company’s facilities in Cordova and Burlington, North Carolina.

The new Army Physical Training Short uses an advanced microdenier woven polyester fabric that features Burlington’s MCS®, Moisture Control System, a proprietary wicking and absorption technology. The fabric is lightweight with a soft hand and improved breathability as well as inherent moisture management properties. The MCS® fabric works by absorbing moisture, moving it away from the skin, and releasing it for quick evaporation. This allows the wearer of the shorts to remain cool, dry and comfortable.

“Light weight performance fabrics are one of Burlington’s core competencies,” said Burlington President Jeff Peck. “Our MCS® technology foundation provides the performance needed to support the Army’s renewed emphasis on physical training. These shorts offer moisture management, durability and stain resistance, resulting in the most advanced PT uniform in the Army’s history.”

Since 1923, Burlington has been a global textile leader with core competencies in worsted wool and performance synthetics and has been an integral part of the defense supply chain for more than 50 years. Offering a diverse range of vertical manufacturing capabilities, fiber, and fabric blends, Burlington® Military is proud to provide quality fabrics for United States Military personnel. Through innovation, Burlington’s® in-house Research and Development department, Burlington Labs®, engineers advance fabrications and technical finishes that are applied to protect and enhance performance while providing troops easy-care and comfort in combat and training.

“We continue to explore new opportunities to equip and protect our U.S. Armed Forces,” said Peck. “Our products range from basic innovations that elevate the performance of PT, battle and dress uniforms to the newest advanced technologies in infrared, insect repellant, cold weather, fire, and ballistic protection.”

Several years ago, to expand its military business, ITG combined the resources from its Burlington, Safety Components and Carlisle business units to create an extensive military products platform of diversified fabrics developed to service the specific needs of the military market. Products include fabrics for camouflage combat and utility uniforms, Class A dress uniforms, physical training and extreme cold weather wear, flame resistant and fire fighting protective clothing, high performance equipment, ballistic fabric for body armor and load carrying equipment, and other specialty items.

www.itg-global.com

New Zealand Defence Force To Replace Current Service Pistol With Glock 17

Monday, November 30th, 2015

glock17gen4pistol

Earlier this month, the New Zealand Defence Force announced their current SIG Sauer P226 service pistol is to be replaced with the “new generation” (likely GEN 4) Glock 17 pistol. The pistols will be introduced into service across the New Zealand Navy, Army, and Air Force in the second half of 2016.

Lieutenant Colonel Dean Paul of the Land Capability Delivery Branch had this to say about the adoption of the Glock 17 pistol:

“Ensuring we remain a force equipped to succeed means supplying our people with fit-for-purpose personal protection weapons. This is part of our 2020 strategy for enhanced combat capability and we are pleased to be rolling out the new pistols next year.”

Australian company NIOA Nominees Pty Ltd was awarded the $1.8 million contract to supply approximately 1900 Glock 17s to the NZDF. The contract includes the pistols, along with ancillaries and through-life support.

This follows the announcement earlier in the year that the NZDF is replacing the Steyr AUG rifle currently in service with a Lewis Machine & Tool AR-15 pattern rifle. The particular model of rifle has yet to be announced.

Source: www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/2015/20151125-nzdftgngp

FBI HRT Adopts Aimpoint T-2

Tuesday, November 24th, 2015

The FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team and Defensive Systems Unit are now being issued the Aimpoint Micro T-2 and Micro H-2, respectively. This seems to be a direct result of the recent fallout regarding the issues with EOTech optics.

T-2

Federal Burearu of Investigation Selects Aimpoint Micro Sights for use by elite teams

Chantilly, VA – November 24, 2015 – Aimpoint, the originator and worldwide leader in electronic red-dot sighting technology, has announced that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now issuing Aimpoing Micro Series Sights to agents in the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and Defensive Systems Unit (DSU).

The FBI conducted rigorous testing on optics from a wide variety of manufacturers. Following this selection process, the Aimpoint Micro T-2 and Micro H-2 were authorized as issued optics. The Micro T-2 was chosen for use by the HRT, and the Micro H-2 was selected by the DSU.

Contracts were awarded via competitive bidding process, and Aimpoint Dealers began shipments to the FBI in July, 2015.

For more information on Aimpoint or the Aimpoint Micro T-2 or Micro H-2, visit the company’s webpage at: www.aimpoint.com.

Senator John McCain On The Army Modular Handgun System Program

Friday, October 30th, 2015

Screenshot (84)

Click to view .pdf

Arizona Senator John McCain issued a five page report on the ongoing US Army Modular Handgun System selection, criticizing key points of the ongoing program. The report starts by establishing that the US Army is no stranger to expensive and ultimately ineffective weapon systems programs, and then goes on to detail what he feels are key errors in the ongoing handgun selection program, including:

  • An overly complicated 350 page requirements document, which among its contents specifies extraneous details such the size of the handgun’s exterior packaging and that “paper used for correspondence” must use “1” margins”.
  • The lack of a caliber study and unified caliber choice, and the lack of focus on caliber studies already conducted by entities such as the FBI and U.S. Special Operations Command, instead conducting “an open caliber competition” among vendors.
  • Conducing the Modular Handgun System in lieu of allowing for the selection of handguns, ammunition, and accessories already approved by USSOCOM and JSOC.
  • Not allowing rank and file Soldiers the opportunity to test and provide feedback on the handguns.
  • Senator McCain’s report is relatively brief, yet does a good job of touching on all the ongoing issues with the current Modular Handgun System program. I’ve got to say, I agree with much of Senator McCain’s criticisms. However, while I agree that the Army should just adopt a pistol already in the system, placing the decision on which one to use on a Brigade commander, is not the best course of action.

    It’s worth a read. You can check it out by clicking the image above.

    USMC Snipers Select Mystery Ranch Packs

    Wednesday, October 21st, 2015

    Marine Corps Systems Command selects Mystery Ranch by way of DLA’s Tailored Logistic Support Program to provide the Overload pack

      
    MYSTERY RANCH has been selected by Marine Corps Systems Command to provide their Overload pack for the Scout Snipers. The Overload pack is a unique carry system designed to securely transport all manner of crew-served weapons. Based on the carbon-fiber NICE frame, the pack folds away from the frame allowing weapons, etc to be attached close to the user’s back. Weapons are secured cross-carry, which allows for protection of a weapon’s optic while being transported and also helps conceal the sniper’s rifle from observation. Additionally, the pack can extend further to transport mortars, Pelican cases, ammo cans or larger gear.

      
    “It’s great to see this come full circle for the Overload pack –its design began with the Scout Snipers. I’m proud that we’re able to help them be more combat effective.” said Kent Orms, Director of Gov’t Programs for MYSTERY RANCH.

    The MYSTERY RANCH Overload has previous success with the Marine Corps; it and the 3-Day Assault pack have been the main issue packs for MARSOC since 2013.

    www.mysteryranch.com/nice-overload-3zip-bvs-pack

    US Army Releases MHS Q&A

    Thursday, October 8th, 2015

    The Army has released the first round of Questions & Answers pertaining to the Modular Handgun System solicitation.  I didn’t see anything earth shattering, but worth a look all the same.

    www.fbo.gov

    AQYR Technologies Awared A $100 Million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Production Contract

    Wednesday, October 7th, 2015

    AN-PRS-11

    Click to view .pdf

    AQYR Technologies has been awarded a $100 million contract as a result of a Small Business Innovation Research granted by the Air Force Research Laboratories, with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center being the contracting activity. This contract will allow AQYR to provide AN/PRS-12 and AN/PRS-11 Portable Receive Suites, spares, training, support, and engineering services to the US Air Force and other branches of the US Military.

    AN-PRS-12

    Click to view .pdf

    These systems are portable, satellite receive suites capable of being deployed and operated by a single user. They allow Warfighters to receive crucial command center information and data, including Unmanned Aircraft Systems; video and imagery, weather, terrain, geospatial and mapping info; FLIR imagery; streaming video, web content replication, and other large files. The Portable Receiver Suites are also ruggedly built, able to withstand environmental conditions such as high humidity, blowing sand, rain, and extreme heat/cold.

    aqyrtech.com

    Source: www.satnews.com

    Gotta Be Careful With Those Titles on FedBizOpps

    Thursday, October 1st, 2015

      
    Stuff like this could give the term “solicitation” a whole new meaning.