via Wall Street Journal...
Battelle to Build Armored Vehicles for Special Operations ForcesI'm not sure I understand what Special Operations Command is doing here. They already have a competition for a Special Ops vehicle and now they're doing a blanket contract to have some built from standard vehicles???
General Services Administration Has Awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement With an Estimated Value of $58 Million Over Three Years
COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - May 9, 2013) - Battelle's Tactical Systems business will begin transforming standard pickup trucks into Special Operations vehicles for the Department of Defense. For the past year, Battelle has steadily built its specialty automotive manufacturing capabilities in a non-descript west side industrial park that is about to start humming with activity.
The General Services Administration recently awarded Battelle a Blanket Purchase Agreement to modify trucks as required by SOF for the coming year with an option to extend the Blanket Purchase Agreement for two additional years. Work begins immediately to fulfill the initial requirements -- valued at up to $2 million.
"Battelle has a proven track record of performing sophisticated systems integration for military and commercial applications. Under this contract, our vehicle systems team will execute on its custom designs and integrate complex systems to meet mission requirements -- at a competitive cost," said retired Air Force Major General John Folkerts, Vice President for Battelle's Special Operations Market Group.
Battelle takes existing vehicles, reengineers them with protective armor and adds other durability features, such as stronger suspensions for operations in rugged terrain and enhanced alternators to withstand extreme climates.
"Increasingly, Battelle has looked to advanced manufacturing capabilities to help customers solve complex problems in the aerospace, maritime and automotive industries," said Steve Kelly, President of Battelle National Security.
Battelle is the prime contractor and draws upon the skills and expertise of seven different sub-contractors, including small businesses that are disabled veteran-owned, and Native-American owned companies. Battelle's teammates include: Action Group of Blacklick; Hollingsworth Logistics in southwest Columbus; Defense Logistics Services; Gryphon Group; GS Engineering; Triad Services; and UPI Manufacturing.
One day someone is going to take a serious look at SOCOM's budget and it will be hell in a handbasket.
Terrorism is moving to a law enforcement function, and only Special Forces seems ready to roll into a mission set that is outside of the raid, raid and more raids routine.
Once they get finished bashing big Army, it'll be SOCOM's turn....and they won't have a JCS that's at their beck and call to defend them.
Doesn't mater the shit they sell or the cost as long as you have bunch of retired brass on the board ,the same brass probably worked for them before retirement . it never stops to amaze me the level of corruption built into all US branches of power,at all levels to the degree its not even considered corrupt in US.
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