Branch working to ensure safety and security of warfighters

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. William Stratemeyer
  • Force Protection Branch
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Life Cycle Management Center's Force Protection Branch awarded their largest Intrusion Detection System order to date May 24 to ensure warfighters working in harsh and dangerous environments are protected.

The Air Force Central Command, or AFCENT, Fixed-Site Intrusion Detection System Delivery Order was awarded to Northrop Grumman Corp. for $10,950,281 under the Force Protection Security Systems contract. The FPS2 contract is an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to support integrated base defense at Air Force and Department of Defense sites worldwide.

"Despite the trying fiscal times we are in, the team was able to put this work on contract on time with significant cost savings to the government," said Maj. Gregory Dandeles, program manager.

The cost savings were accomplished using the techniques outlined in the Defense Department's "Better Buying Power" initiative: fostering competition between the three FPS2 contractors and holding a thorough FPS2 Bidder's Conference for the effort.

Under this delivery order, the contractor will acquire, design, and install fixed-site systems at three bases in Southwest Asia.

"These three systems will provide the installations with mission-critical integrated security that will enhance the protection of U.S. resources, facilities and personnel," said Dandeles.

Using a combination of state-of-the-art all weather detection and assessment systems, such as cameras and sensors, these systems will be combined to make sure warfighters in areas of responsibility have the most up-to-date and secure protection available.

"The systems will also help ease the burden put on security forces units overseas," said Dandeles. "The imagers, cameras and high tech sensors act as force multipliers, extending every base defender's ability to detect, assess and respond to potential threats."

Work begins this summer with a government and contractor site survey of the three bases, during which the contractor will collect the data needed to complete its technical design.

At the same time, the Force Protection Branch will be working on awarding the AFCENT Operational Readiness Support Delivery Order. That service contract will ensure the continued operational availability of the current Tactical Automated Security Systems and the current and future AFCENT Fixed-Site Fixed Intrusion Detection Systems located throughout the Southwest Asia area of responsibility.

The winner of this delivery order will also be responsible for the rapid deployment and reconfiguration of tactical systems at bases in Southwest Asia as they expand, shrink and close over the next few years.

"We want to ensure the brave men and women serving our nation are the most protected they can be, while ensuring the most efficient and effective use of our nation's resources," said Dandeles.