Friday, November 1, 2024

Barracks Wi-Fi 'Mission Essential,' Defense Leader Says

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Barracks Wi-Fi 'Mission Essential,' Defense Leader Says
Oct. 31, 2024 | By C. Todd Lopez

In September, the Department of Defense released a set of initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and well-being of service members and their families. 

The initiatives included, among other things, establishment of health care flexible spending accounts for service members, policy changes to lower the cost of permanent change of station moves, and efforts to improve the quality of life for service members at remote and isolated duty locations. 

Also among the initiatives is an effort to provide free wireless internet connectivity, or free Wi-Fi, to service members residing in military barracks. The department directed the military services to carry out a series of pilot projects to advance the effort. 

Providing that connectivity is about more than just allowing service members to watch movies or play games, however. Free Wi-Fi for single service members is an operational issue, explained Brendan Owens, assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations and environment. 

While participating in a discussion at the Center for a New American Security in Washington on Wednesday, Owens said he spends time talking with service members and families. 

"Every time we go and we visit barracks … one of the questions that I ask our soldiers, our airmen, our Marines, our guardians, whoever, in those barracks is, if you could have 10 more square feet in your barracks room or free Wi-Fi, what would it be?" Ownes said. "No one is going to be surprised that a 19-year-old wants free Wi-Fi. And I think that that's one piece of the puzzle, is that there's a clear demand signal and a need there." 

While it's easy to assume young service members are interested only in the entertainment options that the internet provides, there is more to it than that, Owens said. 

"The other thing that I think is important is that as we sort of peel back what our service members, particularly our enlisted service members living in unaccompanied housing were doing with their Wi-Fi. They were doing things like accessing mental health services," he said. "They were doing things like connecting with their families when they're in remote locations." 

Many service members, particularly those in combat arms and equipment maintenance fields, don't have regular access to a computer with an internet connection as part of their military job. If those service members want to engage in activities that require a computer, such as enrolling in online education, making adjustments to their military benefits, paying bills or making changes to their insurance, participating in online counseling, they will need to do those things on their own time and on their own computers. 

"From my perspective, and I think that this is certainly something that's supported down in other parts of the , certainly, mission essential requirements," Owens said. "We were able to get our legal teams aligned that was actually a mission essential thing, and that's really kind of the jumping off point for how this is all coming together." 

Access to wireless internet will allow junior service members access to personal email, banking and entertainment options, but will also help service members connect with mandatory online training requirements and other health and life related resources such as telehealth appointments, Military OneSource, and military and family life counselors. 

According to department documents, DOD has long-term plans to establish a "Wi-Fi-connected force." For service members in unaccompanied housing, there is not expected to be any cost to access the provided internet services. 

"We got a lot more work to do on making sure that we are capable of providing the Wi-Fi services that are necessary to fully support what our service members need," Owens said. "But from an installations and an infrastructure perspective, it's landed with us because we're the people who are capable of creating the enhanced use leases and the deals that are necessary for … us to be able to provide this to our service members in as expeditious a way as possible." 

Free Wi-Fi for service members in military barracks is just one effort underway by the Defense Department to take care of service members and their families.   

The September memorandum that announced both the Wi-Fi and six other initiatives is just the latest in a series of initiatives since 2021, to improve the lives of service members and their families. 

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Today in DOD: Nov. 1, 2024

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Today in DOD: Nov. 1, 2024
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North Korean Soldiers Likely to Enter Russian War on Ukraine

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North Korean Soldiers Likely to Enter Russian War on Ukraine
Oct. 31, 2024 | By Jim Garamone

It appears that North Korean troops will enter combat against Ukraine in the coming days, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today at the conclusion of 2+2 meetings with South Korean officials at the State Department.

Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun also spoke of the ironclad alliance between the United States and South Korea and steps to strengthen that alliance. 

"We now assess that North Korea has sent around 10,000 of its soldiers to train in eastern Russia," Austin said. "Our most recent information indicates that about 8,000 of those soldiers are now in the Kursk Oblast. Now, we've not yet seen these soldiers deploy into combat against Ukraine's forces, but we expect that these North Korean soldiers will join the fight against Ukraine in the coming days." 

Austin said Russian forces have trained the North Korean soldiers in artillery operations, unmanned aerial vehicle operations and basic infantry tactics to include trench clearing. "The Kremlin has also provided these troops with Russian uniforms and equipment, and all of that strongly indicates that Russia intends to use these foreign forces in frontline operations in its war of choice against Ukraine," Austin said.  

"Make no mistake, if these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would make themselves legitimate military targets," the secretary said.  

The United States is consulting closely with allies and partners on these developments. "As I discussed last week in Kyiv, Ukraine's military continues to perform admirably on the battlefield, and Putin's forces have suffered serious losses in recent months," Austin said. "Ukrainian forces have caused more than 1,200 Russian casualties per day, more than at any other time during Putin's war. By 'tin-cupping' to North Korea for manpower, Putin is showing the world another clear sign of weakness. The Kremlin's North Korean gambit just underscores how badly Putin's war has gone and how much trouble he is in." 

Austin and Blinken both noted it is the first time in more than a century that Russia has welcomed foreign troops on its soil.  

"The United States will continue to surge security assistance to Ukraine, and so will our allies and partners in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group," the secretary said. This assistance includes artillery, anti-air defense, armored vehicles, munitions and other crucial capabilities. The secretary said the U.S. will announce additional security assistance for Ukraine in the coming days.  

The U.S.-South Korea alliance is evolving into a comprehensive global partnership. "We agreed today to further enhance our interoperability and strengthen our extended deterrence," Austin said. "Our countries are deepening our nuclear and strategic planning efforts through the Nuclear Consultative Group, and we're increasing the regular deployments of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula." 

The two countries agreed that attacks in space or cyberspace "that clearly challenge the security of the alliance could lead us to invoke Article III of the Mutual Defense Treaty," the secretary said. "So, to improve our awareness of threats in the space and cyber domains, we're enhancing our interoperability and information sharing." 

The United States and South Korea will continue to advance defense ties with regional allies and partners, especially the historic growth of trilateral security cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States, Austin said. "Our robust partnerships, especially with Japan and the ROK, let us share information, assess threats and craft thoughtful responses, just like last night when conducted its latest irresponsible missile test, and across the Indo-Pacific," the secretary said. "We're working to strengthen maritime security and to bolster interoperability through multilateral exercises." 

The United States and South Korea are working with partner countries to tackle shared security challenges.

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Contracts For Oct. 31, 2024

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Contracts For Oct. 31, 2024

ARMY

Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, was awarded an $86,700,000 modification (P00011) to contract W909MY-23-C-0004 for low-rate initial production of Third Generation Forward Looking Infrared B-Kits. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2029. Fiscal 2024 other procurement, Army funds were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. 

UDC USA Inc.,* Tampa, Florida, was awarded a $49,848,683 firm-fixed-price contract for Battlefield Effect Simulators. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 30, 2029. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-25-D-0005). 

The Boeing Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $44,305,708 modification (P00001) to contract W58RGZ-23-F-0006 in support of the CH-47F program. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 10, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Oct. 24, 2024) 

CORRECTION: The $27,915,370 contract (W911KB-24-C-0023) announced on Sept. 26, 2024, for ARSC Builders LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska, to replace a plumbing system was in fact awarded on Oct. 30, 2024, in the amount of $27,385,160. 

CORRECTION: The $11,895,180 contract (W911KB-24-C-0021) announced on Sept. 26, 2024, for ARSC Builders LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska, to provide electrical power redundancy was in fact awarded on Oct. 30, 2024, in the amount of $12,164,127. 

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Burlington Apparel Fabrics, Charlotte, North Carolina (SPE1C1-25-D-0017, $74,760,000); and American Woolen Co.,* Stafford Springs, Connecticut (SPE1C1-25-D-0016, $20,565,000), have each been awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPE1C1-23-R-0087 for heritage taupe gaberdine cloth. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. These are five-year contracts with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Oct. 30, 2029. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Sawasawa LLC,* Los Angeles, California, has been awarded a maximum $18,822,937 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for physical training uniform trunks. This was a competitive acquisition with 16 responses received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Oct. 30, 2027. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2028 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-25-D-0010).

Graham Dyeing & Finishing Inc.,* Burlington, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $14,737,687 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for cold weather sock system. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Oct. 30, 2027. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2028 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-25-D-0008).

American Apparel Inc.,* Selma, Alabama, has been awarded a maximum $11,115,825 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for tropical combat uniform blouses and trousers. This was a competitive acquisition with four responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Oct. 28, 2029. Using military service is Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-25-D-0006).

NAVY

General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $58,941,481 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-21-C-2103 to exercise options for engineering and technical design to support research and development concept formulation for current and future submarine platforms. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (95%); Bremerton, Washington (2%); Kings Bay, Georgia (2%); and Newport, Rhode Island (1%), and is expected to be completed by September 2025. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $9,814,000 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. (Awarded Oct. 30, 2024)

Huntington Ingalls Inc., Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $55,521,811 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-21-C-2104 to exercise an option to support research and development of advanced submarine technologies for current and future submarine platforms. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by September 2025. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,389,000 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. (Awarded Oct. 30, 2024)

Proferre Inc.,* Tumon, Guam, is awarded a $9,599,264 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for grounds maintenance and tree trimming services at Naval Base (NB) Guam and Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB). The work to be performed provides for all labor, supervision, management, tools, material, equipment, facilities, transportation and incidental engineering, and other items necessary to perform grounds maintenance and tree trimming services on NB Guam and AAFB. The maximum dollar value including the base period, four option years, and a six-month extension period, is $54,552,080. Work will be performed within the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Marianas area of operations including, but not limited to Guam, and is expected to be completed by November 2029. No funds will be obligated at time of award. This contract was competitively procured via www.sam.gov, with four offers received. NAVFAC Marianas, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity (N40192-25-D-9000). (Awarded Oct. 30, 2024)

*Small business

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