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Archive for the ‘Contracts’ Category

GA-ASI to Deliver MQ-9A Reapers to Poland

Monday, October 31st, 2022

World-Leading RPA Capabilities Will Fortify Poland’s National Defense and Security

SAN DIEGO – 31 October 2022 – As part of a lease agreement, Poland will take delivery of MQ-9A Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The new agreement between GA-ASI and the Polish Ministry of Defence has a net value of $70.6 million.

“GA-ASI’s support for Poland and the NATO alliance is steadfast as they confront the ongoing war in the region,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “We look forward to delivering our proven MQ-9A platform system to Poland to enhance the nation’s ability to conduct persistent airborne ISR and support its Defense Forces.”  

MQ-9A Reapers are operated by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. GA-ASI’s newer MQ-9B variant has been acquired by the UK and Belgium. The MQ-9B maritime surveillance configuration (SeaGuardian®) recently began operations in support of the Japan Coast Guard.

MQ-9A Reaper has endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS and can operate up to 50,000 feet. It has a 3,850-pound (1,746-kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of external stores. It provides a long-endurance, persistent surveillance capability with Full-Motion Video and Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Radar. An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A Block 5 is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and triple redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

Multimillion Euro Order from the Bundeswehr:  Rheinmetall Supplying Additional Practice Ammunition for the Leopard 2

Friday, October 28th, 2022

Rheinmetall has won an order from the German Bundeswehr to supply additional rounds of its innovative 120mm practice ammunition for main battle tanks. The contract encompasses 10,715 DM98 cartridges and 10,000 DM88 cartridges.  Issued in the second quarter of 2022, the order is worth around €42 million, including value added tax. Delivery began in August and is slated to be complete in October.

The German armed forces first took delivery of the new DM98 120mm practice round at the end of 2017. Developed by Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, this full-calibre practice round supersedes the earlier DM18 cartridge.  Key features of the new round include above-average accuracy at ranges exceeding 2,000 metres as well as good observability during firing thanks to its continuously visible tracer under all daylight conditions. 

The new round, dubbed the “RH88”, was qualified in 2015 by Denmark, the pilot customer, for all Leopard 2 main armament variants in response to an urgent operational requirement. In 2016 it was successfully qualified by the Bundeswehr with a second packaging system and introduced as the DM98.  In English it is officially known as the “Cartridge 120mm x 570, DM98 TP-T”, with the last three letters standing for Target Practice-Tracer.

Qualified by the Bundeswehr in 2015/2016, the equally new 120mm DM88 subcalibre practice cartridge has been successfully used by the German military ever since. Developed by Rheinmetall as a successor to the DM78, it features an improved tracer as well as minor modifications due to altered materials specifications.  Like the DM98, the DM88 features excellent accuracy, resulting in a highly realistic training experience. Its official English designation is “Cartridge 120mm x 570, DM88 TPCSDS-T”, short for Target Practice Cone Stabilized Discarding Sabot Tracer.

In their current state of design, the cartridges fully comply with the EU regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Selects Geissele Automatics for Rifle and Spare Parts

Thursday, October 27th, 2022

The United States Customs and Border Protection has awarded Geissele Automatics a 5 Year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contract valued at $21,000,000.00.

This IDIQ will provide complete rifles, in a variety of configurations along with spare parts and accessories to sustain these rifles in the field.

Furthermore, Weapons Maintenance training is a part of this IDIQ.

This contract will permit, upon Contracting Officer approval, other Federal agencies to request placement of delivery orders.

Q30 Innovations is Awarded $2.8 Million Contract by the US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity to Aid in the Fight Against Traumatic Brain Injury in the Military

Wednesday, October 26th, 2022

WESTPORT, CT (October 26, 2022) –  The Q-Collar is an FDA-authorized, non-invasive device intended to be worn around the neck of athletes aged 13 years and older during sports activities to aid in the protection of the brain from effects associated with repetitive sub-concussive head impacts. In an effort to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and field suitability of the Q-Collar to help prevent or reduce traumatic brain injury (TBI) from blunt force and blast waves in soldiers in the operational environment, Q30 Innovations has been awarded a $2.8 million contract by the United States Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC).

There were 454,000 diagnosed TBIs in the US military from 2000 through 2021. The United States Army Medical Materiel Development Activity’s Warfighter Brain Health Project Management Office is leading the effort and is now partnered with Q30 Innovations to ensure an advanced solution to help prevent or reduce the severity of TBIs caused by pressure waves from missiles, ballistics, artillery, IEDs, and shoulder-fired weapons.

The Q-Collar is the result of 10 years and more than $30 million in research and development, including independent clinical trials involving hundreds of high school athletes, used to support the FDA-granted De Novo classification for marketing of the device. The Collar is gaining acceptance among premier athletes at the high school, collegiate and professional levels, in sports ranging from football, lacrosse and soccer to bobsledding and surfing; to aid in the protection of the brain from effects associated with repetitive sub-concussive head impacts. The awarded contract enables further research and development to study the safety, efficacy, and field suitability of the Q-Collar in operational scenarios to include blast.

“Q30 is committed to protecting our brave armed forces and we are honored to be a part of the next steps in significantly reducing TBI throughout our military,” said Q30’s Co-CEO Tom Hoey. “The Q-Collar is a proven device to help mitigate the risks of brain injuries caused by head impacts. By working with our DoD partners, we aim to make a direct impact in the lives of our American servicemen and women and their families. We are proud to have been awarded this contract following a competitive bidding process. We are confident that the Q-Collar is the right solution to help protect soldiers who are at risk of TBIs.” 

The current contract will advance the research and development of the Q-Collar to prove that it can help reduce blast-induced TBI and that it is a safe, effective, and durable option for soldiers. The funding was made possible because of a congressional mandate to research novel methods to reduce TBI in soldiers.

On the sports field and potentially the battlefield, the Q-Collar is protective gear specifically designed to help safeguard the brain. While a helmet protects the skull from the outside, the Q-Collar gives an added layer of protection on the inside by limiting brain movement. The rapid acceleration and deceleration movement of the brain (commonly known as “brain slosh”) can occur in a number of military situations, leading to the twisting and tearing of neurons, causing traumatic brain injuries.   
 

More information on the product, research, and how to purchase the Q-Collar can be found at q30.com/pages/military.

Noctis Technologies Awarded Maintenance Contract for Iraqi Night Vision Systems

Monday, October 24th, 2022

Noctis Technologies supplies the United States government and its allies with state-of-the-art night vision systems and components.

With over 70 years of experience in the design, manufacture, maintenance, and operational use of various night vision devices, Noctis Technologies has been a leading/pioneering company and manufacturer of these components on a global scale.

In 2022, Noctis Technologies was awarded a multi-million, multi-year contract to fulfill a military foreign sales requirement on behalf of the security assistance management directorate for the country of Iraq. The requirement is for the life-cycle repair and return of night vision devices. Noctis Technologies has extensive experience in NVD repair and return programs around the world.

Canadian Department of National Defence Awards Logistik Unicorp Contract to Supply Operational Clothing and Footwear to the Canadian Armed Forces

Friday, October 21st, 2022

Minister Anand announces investment of up to $3.7 billion to supply operational clothing and footwear to the Canadian Armed Forces

October 20, 2022 – Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, announced that Logistik Unicorp based in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, has been awarded a contract to provide operational clothing and footwear to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). This contract, valued at up to $3.7 billion over 20 years, will support over 3000 jobs in Canada’s clothing, footwear and textile industries.

This investment will deliver approximately 1,222 different items of clothing and footwear worn by CAF members during their deployments, including:

• combat uniforms using Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) camouflage,

• badges and insignias,

• footwear including combat boots, arid/hot weather boots, and mukluks,

• winter gear such as parkas, headwear and hand wear,

• soldiers’ personal equipment, such as sleeping bags and day packs.

This contract will deliver supplies for more than 160,000 people, including Regular and Reserve Force members, Canadian Rangers, Junior Rangers, search and rescue technicians, firefighters and Cadets. This contract also contains provisions to enable the ad hoc procurement of equipment required for unexpected deployment operations – such as the immediate supply of Personal Protective Equipment during critical emergencies.

Today’s Operational Clothing and Footwear Consolidated Contract (OCFC2) represents a new approach to supplying the operational gear that the CAF needs to succeed on domestic and international operations. Once the contract is fully implemented, members will be able to order items online and have orders shipped to their door, while also providing the CAF with the ability to continue distributing uniforms directly to units. This new approach will deliver better resource and inventory management for the CAF, improve item availability, and provide better value for taxpayers.

This project will deliver concrete economic benefits to Quebecers and all Canadians. Logistik Unicorp will invest in research and development and skills training in the textile, apparel and footwear sectors, which will generate additional jobs and export opportunities. Logistik Unicorp must also conform to mandatory Canadian content requirements by ensuring that the majority of manufacturing of clothing and footwear items is done in Canada.

The Government of Canada is committed to providing the CAF with the equipment and tools that they need to serve Canada domestically and internationally. 

“Today’s investment will support thousands of well-paying jobs for Canadian workers, and deliver modern, cutting-edge equipment for the members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Canadian Armed Forces uniform is a source of great pride for Canadians at home and abroad, and this new contract with Logistik Unicorp will ensure that our members have the equipment they need, when they need it to fulfill the duties that we ask of them. I look forward to seeing the results of today’s investment, which is great news for Quebecers and all Canadians.” 

– The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

Quick facts

• Currently, operational clothing and footwear items are being procured through multiple individual contracts. By combining the various contracts into one, we will achieve greater efficiency and availability of items the CAF needs and better value for taxpayers.

• This contract is the result of a competitive process and the winning bidder is qualified and capable of delivering a managed clothing solution to the CAF.

• Delivery of items to clothing stores will commence during the second year of the contract, and individual online ordering capability is targeted to be implemented during the third year.

• This contract also incentivizes the contractor to include Indigenous businesses as part of its supply chain.

• The Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, was applied to the OCFC2 request for proposal requirements to leverage economic benefits for Canada equal to the value of the logistics services component of the contract. As a result, the contract will ensure long-term, sustainable support for the Canadian apparel, textile and footwear sectors. 

• Logistik Unicorp has experience in ensuring that Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) considerations are incorporated. Procured items will meet the requirements of the diverse CAF population with a faster turnaround time.

Mission Ready’s Innovation Division Awarded OTA Agreement from the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command – Soldier Center

Tuesday, October 18th, 2022

Protect The Force Inc. to Develop Hardened Arm Protective Yoke Prototype(s) for the US Army

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA – OCTOBER 11, 2022 – Mission Ready Solutions Inc (“Mission Ready” or the “Company“) (TSX-V: MRS) (OTCQX: MSNVF) (FSE: 2R4), a provider of comprehensive government contracting solutions, is pleased to announce that, Protect the Force Inc. (PTF), the Company’s innovation and manufacturing division, has been awarded an Other Transaction for Prototype Agreement to develop a hardened arm protective yoke (HARPY) for next-generation body armor.

The award is in reference to a Request for Project Proposal (RPP) DEVCOM SC BOTAA 22-01 by the US Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground – Natick Contracting Division. As a result of the award, PTF will fabricate HARPY prototypes for the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command – Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC).

“The HARPY is one of the only ballistic protective items in the Army development pipeline since the Ballistic Combat Shirt that led to PTF’s Flex9Armor,” said Francisco J. Martinez, Chief Technology Officer at Protect the Force and Unifire, Inc. “Our past performance and demonstrated experience in developing advanced military-grade body armor systems will drive us to produce innovative solutions that will enhance and ensure the safety of our troops. We look forward to supporting DEVCOM-SC’s Engineers in prototyping, perfecting, and scaling up HARPY.”

The HARPY will be an integral part of a future protective ensemble, compatible with the Army Combat Shirt (ACS), among other items. The garment is intended to enhance Soldier protection and mobility while meeting the DoD performance and standard military textile requirements (flame retardancy, antimicrobial, visual signature, care, maintenance, etc.)

HHS Purchases Drug for Use in Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies

Saturday, October 15th, 2022

As part of long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is purchasing a supply of the drug Nplate from Amgen USA Inc; Nplate is approved to treat blood cell injuries that accompany acute radiation syndrome in adult and pediatric patients (ARS).

Amgen, based in Thousands Oaks, California, developed Nplate for ARS with support from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), as well as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.

BARDA is using its authority provided under the 2004 Project Bioshield Act and $290 million in Project BioShield designated funding to purchase this supply of the drug. Amgen will maintain this supply in vendor-managed inventory. This approach decreases life-cycle management costs for taxpayers because doses that near expiration can be rotated into the commercial market for rapid use prior to expiry and new doses can be added to the government supply.

ARS, also known as radiation sickness, occurs when a person’s entire body is exposed to a high dose of penetrating radiation, reaching internal organs in a matter of seconds. Symptoms of ARS injuries include impaired blood clotting as a result of low platelet counts, which can lead to uncontrolled and life-threatening bleeding.

To reduce radiation-induced bleeding, Nplate stimulates the body’s production of platelets. The drug can be used to treat adults and children.

Nplate is also approved for adult and pediatric patients with immune thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder resulting in low platelet counts. Repurposing drugs for acute radiation syndrome that also are approved for a commercial indication helps to sustain availability of the product and improves healthcare provider familiarity with the drug.