U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR SEPTEMBER 3, 2014

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT

CONTRACTS

ARMY

Sundt Construction, Inc., Tempe, Arizona, was awarded a $107,899,999 firm-fixed-price, design, bid, and build contract for the replacement of a runway at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $107,899,999 were obligated at the time of the award, with an estimated completion date of April 4, 2017. Bids were solicited via the Internet with two received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock, Arkansas, is the contracting activity (W9127S-14-C-6003).

EMLS-Future Net Group JV,* Detroit, Michigan, (W912EK-14-D-0004); RB Construction Company,* Sterling Heights, Michigan, (W912EK-14-D-0006); and SAF, Inc.,* Akron, Ohio, (W912EK-14-D-0007), were awarded a $10,000,000 multiple-award, firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance, including general carpentry to doors, windows, roofing, and gutters. The work is also for moisture and thermal protection and masonry, to include rehabilitation of stone structures. The task order contract covers work in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Work and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 3, 2019. Bids were solicited via the Internet with seven received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island, Illinois, is the contracting activity.

Facility Support Services, LLC*, Richmond, Virginia, was awarded a $9,949,500 firm-fixed-price contract to repair Reserve forces operations and training facilities. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds and fiscal 2014 other (Army) funds in the amount of $9,949,500 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet with eight received. National Guard Bureau, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (W912R1-14-C-0007).

L3 Global Communications Solutions, Inc., Victor, New York, was awarded an $8,402,031 undefinitized contract action for sustainment of the Army’s existing combat services support, for very small aperture terminal transmission systems and satellite communications terminals. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $4,200,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in Victor, New York, with estimated completion date of Aug. 28, 2016. Bids were solicited with one received. Army Contract Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-14-C-0057).
Johnson Machine Works,* Inc., Chariton, Iowa, was awarded a $7,875,953 firm-fixed-price contract for major maintenance of the Illinois Waterway Mississippi River and replacement of the La Grange Miter Gate and Tainter Gate. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $7,875,953 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in Morris, Illinois ($1,190,330; 15 percent); Versailles, Illinois ($3,548,803; 45 percent); and Dubuque, Iowa ($3,136,820; (40 percent), with an estimated completion date of Sept. 2, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet with three received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island, Illinois is the contracting activity (W912EK-14-C-0084).

NAVY

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a $49,482,902 firm-fixed-price contract for the modification of 500 AGM-65A/B guidance control sections to an AGM-65E2 configuration. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (53 percent); Williamsport, Pennsylvania (31 percent); Orlando, Florida (8 percent); Ontario, Canada (4 percent); Joplin, Missouri (3 percent); and Grass Valley, California (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed in January 2017. Fiscal 2014 weapons procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $49,482,902 is being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-14-C-0071).

Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is being awarded a $10,055,878 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0020) for the procurement of MissionCareTM support for the AE1107C engine, including lower power engine removals and repairs for the V-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in Oakland, California (70 percent), and Indianapolis, Indiana (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2015. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,055,878 are being obligated at the time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Leidos, Inc., Reston, Virginia, is being awarded a $6,547,341 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for innovative research and development in the area of Heterogeneous Networking and Advanced Communication Technologies Development and Demonstration. Work will be performed in Reston, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by February 2017. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) funds in the amount of $1,512,732 will be obligated at the time of award; these funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This award is the result of a competitive DARPA broad agency announcement, with 28 offers received. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, Charleston, South Carolina, is the contracting activity (N65236-14-C-2821).

AIR FORCE

Boeing Co., Newark, Ohio, has been awarded a $46,882,260 delivery order on previously awarded contract F42610-99-D-0006-0081 to procure, repair and supply investment material for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile NS-50 Missile Guidance Set under the Boeing Guidance Repair Center contract. Work will be performed at Newark, Ohio, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 27, 2015. Fiscal 2014 funds in the amount of $17,668,874 are being obligated at the time of award. Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity.

Space Coast Launch Services, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, has been awarded a $36,328,456 modification (P00189) on previously awarded contract FA2521-05-C-0008 to exercise an option. Contractor will provide operations, maintenance and engineering support to critical launch, spacecraft and ordnance facilities and support systems owned by the 45th Space Wing. These facilities and systems are vital to the support of Department of Defense, civil and commercial space launch processing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The Launch Operations Support Contract contractor is responsible for planning and executing all preventive and corrective maintenance and performing configuration changes to LOSC facilities and systems necessary to achieve the greatest operational availability for mission support. Work will be performed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2015. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The 45th Contracting Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Harris IT Services Corp., Dulles, Virginia, has been awarded an $8,207,316 modification (MG0620) to previously awarded contract FA8771-04-D-0003 for network support services. Work will be performed at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2015. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2014 other procurement; missile procurement; operations and maintenance and research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,045,133 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center Contracting Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training, Moorestown, New Jersey, has been awarded a $10,330,015 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract HQ0276-10-C-0003 for test and engineering support for the Aegis Ashore program. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $347,727,974 from $337,397,959. Work will be performed at Moorestown, New Jersey; San Diego, California; Kekaha, Hawaii; and Deveselu, Romania, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2015. Fiscal 2014 and 2015 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be used to fund this effort. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND

Marine Terminals Corporation-East, Savannah, Georgia, was awarded an estimated $6,561,822 modification (P00013), extending the period of performance on previously awarded contract W81GYE-10-D-0002 for stevedoring and related terminal services. This is a fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Work will be performed at the Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, North Carolina, with a Feb. 28, 2015, performance completion date. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $62,923,529 from $56,361,707. Fiscal 2014 funds will be obligated on individual task orders in the amount of $6,561,822. The U.S. Transportation Command Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity.

REMARKS: PRESIDENT OBAMA AND BALTIC STATE LEADERS REGARDING SECURITY

 FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

Remarks by President Obama and Leaders of Baltic States in Multilateral Meeting

3:22 P.M. EEST

PRESIDENT ILVES:  Let me just say that it has been a genuine honor and pleasure to host this multilateral meeting of President Obama, President Grybauskaitė and President Bērziņš here in Tallinn today, a day before the NATO Summit.  American engagement in our region’s security runs deep.  Twenty years ago, Russian troops left the Baltic states.  Ten years ago, Russian troops left -- or we joined NATO.  And we’ve all -- we’ve reached all of those historic milestones thanks to very strong U.S. support and leadership.

Our defense and security cooperation is extremely close.  We appreciate the immediate steps that the United States has taken to demonstrate solidarity with our three countries, with Poland and Romania.  In the past months, we have seen an increased U.S. air, ground and naval presence in our region as well as an enhancement of scheduled exercises.

The four of us share a common vision and goals for the upcoming NATO Summit.  We face a completely new security situation in Europe and we’re pleased that this is reflected in many of the summit’s documents.  We expect the summit to adopt the readiness action plan that will guide Allied nations for years to come through a set of practical steps and measures of reassurance and deterrence.

We expect it to provide a solid framework for allies to contribute to a stronger NATO presence on its eastern border.  Maintaining a persistent presence in this region should include, among other things, increasing the readiness of the Multinational Corps Northeast, in Poland, and giving it more responsibilities for matters of collective defense.  This would help facilitate NATO’s rapid reaction in our region and bolster security on NATO’s periphery.

A good part of our discussion today obviously focused on Ukraine.  We need to think about what more can be done to support this country.  Estonia has doubled its humanitarian and development assistance, and is looking for ways to do more, including assisting wounded soldiers from Ukraine here in our rehabilitation center.  But we should not forget about the other so-called Eastern Partnership countries.  Countries like Georgia and Moldova should not be left on their own as we focus on Ukraine.  They must have the right to make their own decisions, their own security arrangements and alliances.  Continued U.S. support for these countries’ engagement in the region is of vital importance.

We also believe in maintaining a strong transatlantic link in other areas, such as cyber and energy security.  But over the past year, our cooperation on cyber issues has strengthened and now covers many areas on both civilian and military levels.  I keep no tally of cyber-attacks, hacks and espionage, but it is absolutely clear that cybersecurity has become a concern for all of us to a degree we have never seen before -- a domain of warfare in the same category as land, sea and air.

There is no doubt that the security architecture here in Europe has changed in the past year -- and alas, not for the better.  How it will look in a year is difficult to predict given the unpredictability of so many of the actions we have seen.  But I can confidently predict that whatever the future does hold, the Baltic countries and the United States are working together globally to promote our common values -- democracy, human rights, rule of law, freedom, and especially Internet freedom.

Thank you.

PRESIDENT GRYBAUSKAITĖ:  So we had important meeting because we do have in our region today American President, and this means a lot not only for our region and security of our region, but a signal before the summit, NATO Summit, for all Europe.

Today what’s happening on Ukraine’s soil, that open aggression from Russian side against sovereign country, means that the recent attack, not only against Ukraine, it is an attack against the peace and borders of Europe after Second World War.

Why?  Today Ukraine is fighting not only for its own freedom, but it’s fighting instead of us, for us.  So why it is so important our full pledge to support Ukrainian sovereignty, support of the fight against aggression?  And, of course, we need to think about further improvement of security in our region.  And we appreciate the United States’ bilateral commitments and NATO’s commitments for our region, for the NATO members, and Article 5 commitments.

Why today standing here?  We very clearly know what we want from NATO Summit tomorrow, what kind of measures improving our security we ask for -- an updated standing defense plans, additional NATO and U.S. presence in our region, rapid reaction force, and other measures necessary to improve and secure our region’s security.

So today and tomorrow, we are talking and solving the future peace and security of Europe.  Why?  Our responsibility lies on our shoulders, not only thinking about our region, about our countries, but also about Ukraine.

Ukraine today is in frontline for all of us, and we need to take this very seriously and responsibly, helping Ukraine in every measure available in our hands.

PRESIDENT BĒRZIŅŠ:  Thank you, President Ilves, for the warm welcome.  President Obama, welcome to the Baltics.  At the beginning, I condemn the killing of American Steven Sotloff, and express my condolences to his family and friends.  We express our support and solidarity with the U.S. in their fight with terrorists in Iraq and elsewhere.

Today’s meeting proves a strategic partnership of the Baltic states and the United States.  Last year we met at the White House.  This meeting should be continued not less than annually.  Security cooperation based on shared values is a foundation of our relations.

I thank President Obama for the American leadership.  Your support, the European reinforcement initiative is very important for our region’s security.  I’m confident that the U.S. Congress will pass it without delay.  I commend the U.S. in providing troop presence in the Baltic region.  We would like to see the U.S. troops and equipment in Latvia as long as necessary.  We support U.S. efforts to consolidate firm international response against Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.  We must realize that to stop further aggression, solidarity in speaking with one voice is a key.

Today, we discussed the NATO Wales Summit.  The summit will need a clear message about reinforcing collective defense.  We’ll accept complete measures to ensure troop presence, infrastructure, and command structure in the Baltic region.

Transatlantic relations and the U.S. presence in Europe is crucial for the Euro-Atlantic security.  Europe, too, has to invest more in defense.  Latvia will increase defense spending to 2 percent of GDP by 2020.  The parliament of Latvia has passed a special law on it.  Answering the challenge of information war, Latvia will host the NATO Center of Excellence for Strategic Communication.

During the summit, we will discuss what NATO can do together to eradicate the greatest source of terrorism in the Middle East -- militant fighters of the Islamic State.

Together, we go ahead with the Baltic-U.S. cybersecurity partnership that we started last year in Washington.  We reaffirm our commitment to the strategic Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations.  We need to work as fast as possible to enable the signing of this agreement.

We wish to develop a real transatlantic bond between Europe and the U.S. on energy.  Recent developments in Ukraine are the further proof of the urgency to reduce dependency on one supply here.  Thereby, the U.S. involvement is very important for our efforts to make strong energy security and develop integrated energy markets in the region.  It would also benefit both the European and American economic interests.

I’d like to convey my gratitude to our friends and partners for the significant contribution and support in opening the OECD membership talks with Latvia.  The Baltic states and the U.S. have a shared interest in supporting economic development and good governance in the EU Eastern Partnership countries and in Central Asia.  This will be main priority during Latvia’s presidency in the Council of the EU next year.

Finally, I would like to stress that the Baltic states and the U.S. are natural partners bound by a shared belief in democratic governance, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and civil liberties.

Thank you.

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I am the final speaker, so I will be brief.

I want to thank President Ilves for hosting us today, especially in these magnificent surroundings, which speak to the long and diverse history of this country and the endurance of the Estonian people.  And I want to thank my colleagues, Dalia and Andris, for coming here for this important meeting.

As has been indicated already, we last met as a group a year ago, and I was pleased to host our three Baltic allies at the White House.  The four of us spoke more recently to discuss the situation in Ukraine.  And my main message today is the same as it was last year at the White House:  The Baltic nations are among our most reliable Allies in NATO, and the commitment of the United States to their security is rock solid.

More recently, we’ve demonstrated our commitment to the additional American aircraft that have joined NATO’s Baltic air patrols, and we’ve demonstrated our commitment in the additional training exercises that our forces are now conducting.  And we’ve demonstrated our commitment to the additional American forces that are now continuously rotating through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.  So here in the Baltics, the United States has stepped up its presence.

And we are working to do even more.  As I announced earlier, the initiative I’ve proposed to bolster the American military presence in Europe would include additional air force units and aircraft for training exercises here in the Nordic-Baltic region -- with all three of these allies.  And the NATO Summit in Wales will be an opportunity to bring the Alliance together around a plan to enhance our readiness even further, including infrastructure and facilities here in the Baltics capable of handling rapid reinforcements.

So the bottom line is this:  As NATO Allies, we will meet our solemn duty, our Article 5 obligation to our collective defense.  And today I want every Estonian and Latvian and Lithuanian to know that you will never stand alone.

I want to thank all of these leaders for coming here today. I’d close with this observation.  Nearly 100 years ago, the United States recognized the independence of the Baltic nations.  And for 50 years, you’ve endured a brutal Soviet occupation.  In all those years, the United States never recognized that illegal occupation.  All those years -- even as your flags of independence were often banned here at home -- your embassies stayed open in the United States, and your flags flew proudly alongside ours.  They always will.  Because the United States intends to always stand with you.

So thank you very much, everybody.  Thank you.

END
3:40 P.M. EEST

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S REMARKS REGARDING MURDER OF STEVEN SOTLOFF

DOD VIDEO: SEC HAGEL SPEAKS AT SOUTHWESTERN NEW ENGLAND DEFENSE INDUSTRY ALLIANCE

NOAA VIDEO: ROBERT RUTLEDGE - ON MONITORING SPACE WEATHER

AL-SHABAB LEAER TARGET OF U.S. AIRSTRIKE

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

Somali Airstrike Targeted al-Shabab Leader, Camp, Official Says

By Claudette Roulo

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2014 – Manned and unmanned aircraft operated by U.S. special operations forces participated in an airstrike yesterday in Somalia that destroyed an al-Shabab encampment and a vehicle located at that camp, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said today.

Kirby said the operation was a direct strike against the al-Shabab network, and specifically, the group's leader, Ahmed Abdi al-Muhammad, also known Ahmed Godane.

The operation was carried out after actionable intelligence was obtained that suggested that Godane was present at the camp, located south of the Somali capital of Mogadishu, the press secretary said. It’s too early to know whether Godane was killed as a result of the airstrikes, Kirby said, adding that if he were, it would be a “very significant blow to their network, to their organization and, we believe, to their ability to continue to conduct terrorist attacks.”

The aircraft fired several Hellfire missiles and laser-guided munitions, he said, noting that the Defense Department is still assessing the results of the operation.

“We certainly believe that we hit what we were aiming at,” the press secretary said. “And based on intelligence that, as I said, we believe was actionable -- in other words, strong enough -- we took this strike.”

No U.S. forces were present on the ground, either before or after the attack, he noted.

Al-Shabab is a jihadist group based in Somalia. It has claimed responsibility for last year’s attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, which resulted in more than 70 deaths and 200 injured. The group is also believed to be responsible for many bombings, including suicide attacks in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, the admiral said.

These attacks typically target officials and perceived allies of the current federal government of Somalia and the former transitional federal government of Somalia, Kirby said.

Al-Shabab has occupied most of southern Somalia since 2006, he said. It has claimed responsibility for the deaths of numerous government officials, aid workers, peace activists and journalists and was named as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department in 2008.

“They've also continued to plan plots targeting Westerners, including U.S. personnel in East Africa,” the press secretary said. “In recent months, al-Shabab claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Djibouti that killed a Turkish national and wounded several Western soldiers, as well as a car bomb at the Mogadishu Airport that targeted and killed members of the United Nations convoy.”

The operation is an example of the commitment of the U.S. government and its allies and partners to the people and government of Somalia “to detect, deter, disrupt and defeat violent extremists who threaten progress in the region, as well as threaten to conduct terrorist attacks against innocent people around the world,” Kirby said.

The United States will continue to use all of the tools at its disposal, he said -- including finance, diplomacy, intelligence and military force -- to dismantle al-Shabab and other terrorist groups that threaten U.S. interests and those of U.S. allies and partners.

U.S. AIR FORCE VIDEO: PORTRAITS IN COURAGE IX

SEC ANNOUNCES WHISTLEBLOWER AWARD OF $300,000

 FROM:  U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced a whistleblower award of more than $300,000 to a company employee who performed audit and compliance functions and reported wrongdoing to the SEC after the company failed to take action when the employee reported it internally.

It’s the first award for a whistleblower with an audit or compliance function at a company.

“Individuals who perform internal audit, compliance, and legal functions for companies are on the front lines in the battle against fraud and corruption.  They often are privy to the very kinds of specific, timely, and credible information that can prevent an imminent fraud or stop an ongoing one,” said Sean McKessy, Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower.  “These individuals may be eligible for an SEC whistleblower award if their companies fail to take appropriate, timely action on information they first reported internally.”

This particular whistleblower award recipient reported concerns of wrongdoing to appropriate personnel within the company, including a supervisor.  But when the company took no action on the information within 120 days, the whistleblower reported the same information to the SEC.  The information provided by the whistleblower led directly to an SEC enforcement action.

The SEC’s whistleblower program rewards high-quality, original information that results in an SEC enforcement action with sanctions exceeding $1 million.  Whistleblower awards can range from 10 percent to 30 percent of the money collected in a case.  By law, the SEC must protect the confidentiality of whistleblowers and cannot disclose any information that might directly or indirectly reveal a whistleblower’s identity.

SAILORS, MARINES RESCUED FROM CRASH

FTC ANNOUNCES DO NOT CALL REGISTRY ACCESS FEE INCREASE

FROM:  U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

FTC Updates Telemarketer Fees for the Do Not Call Registry as of October 1, 2014

The Federal Trade Commission has announced updated fees starting on October 1, 2014, for telemarketers accessing phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry.

All telemarketers calling consumers in the United States are required to download the numbers on the Do Not Call Registry to ensure they do not call those who have registered their phone numbers. The first five area codes are free, and organizations that are exempt from the Do Not Call rules, such as some charitable organizations, may obtain the entire list for free. Telemarketers must subscribe each year for access to the Registry numbers.

The access fees for the Registry are being increased as required by the Do‑Not‑Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007. Under the Act’s provisions, in fiscal year 2015 (from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015), telemarketers will pay $60, an increase of $1, for access to Registry phone numbers in a single area code, up to a maximum charge of $16,482 for all area codes nationwide, an increase from the previous maximum of $16,228. Telemarketers will pay the same as last year for numbers they subscribe to receive during the second half of the 12‑month subscription period, $30 per area code.

U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2, 2014

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

CONTRACTS

ARMY

Science Application International Corporation,* McLean, Virginia (W91CRB-11-D-0001); Battelle Memorial Institute,* Columbus, Ohio (W91CRB-11-D-0002); Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean,Virginia (W91CRB-11-D-0003); Exelis Inc., Alexandria, Virginia (W91CRB-11-D-0004); Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Herndon, Virginia (W91CRB-11-D-0005); Wintec Arrowmaker, Inc.,* Washington, Maryland (W91CRB-11-D-0006); and Technical and Project Engineering, LLC, Alexandria, Virginia (W91CRB-11-D-0007), were awarded a $150,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to increase the contract ceiling for a previously awarded multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to support the Army Research Lab’s increased mission requirements; this is the third award and raises the contract ceiling to $630,000,000. Work and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 6, 2015. Army Contracting Command, Triangle Park, North Carolina, is the contracting activity.

Watts Constructors, LLC., Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded a $38,914,500 firm-fixed-price contract for a satellite communications earth terminal station facility. Fiscal 2014 military construction (Army) funds in the amount of $38,914,500 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in San Miguel, California, with an estimated completion date of June 27, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet with six received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento, California, is the contracting activity (W9128-14-C-0040).

The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $12,102,856 modification (P00013) for engineering services to support the engineering directorate on the work statement Advanced Weapon System and Manufacturing Technologies. Work and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 8, 2015. Bids were solicited and one received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-12-D-0011).

HDR Engineering, Inc., Claremont, California, was awarded a $9,999,900 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for cathodic protection and corrosion control, at various locations worldwide. This contract awards a one year cathodic protection plan with options for up to two additional periods. Work and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 1, 2017. Bids were solicited via the Internet with six received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston, South Carolina, is the contracting activity (W912HP-14-D-0023).

Bristol Engineering Services Corporation,* Anchorage, Alaska (W912DW-13-D-1015); Cherokee General Corporation,* Federal Way, Washington (W912DW-13-D-1016); CKY, Inc.,* San Pedro, California (W912DW-13-D-1017); Macro-Z-Technology,* Santa Ana, California (W912DW-13-D-1018); and Nordic Industries, Inc.,* Olivehurst, California (W912DW-13-D-1019), were awarded a $9,800,000 modification number (P0001) to exercise option period one on a multiple award task order contract for design-build and horizontal construction work. This work will be performed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle district, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Northwestern division boundaries. Work and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 4, 2015. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle, Washington, is the contracting activity.

BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc., Kingsport, Tennessee, was awarded a $9,653,246 modification (P00547) to contract DAAA09-98-E-0006 for a facility use contract requirement for installation of additional anoxic treatment capacity in Building 221, Phase 1. Fiscal 2014 (other) Army funds in the amount of $9,653,246 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in Kingsport, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2017. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.

Heeter*, Spencer, West Virginia was awarded $9,620,766 modification (P00004) to contract W91237-12-C-0006 to exercise option seven for Bluestone Dam safety assurance- Phase 4, anchors, Hinton, West Virginia. This contract will involve the installation of 278 anchors in Bluestone Dam. Fiscal 2014 (other) Army funds in the amount of $9,620,766 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in Hinton, West Virginia, with an estimated completion of Oct. 16, 2019. Bids were solicited via the Internet with three received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington, West Virginia, is the contracting activity.

A-T Solutions, Inc, Fredericksburg, Virginia, was awarded a $9,016,253 modification (P00005) to contract W911QX-12-C-0174 for freedom of maneuver for the Afghan national security forces programs. These programs will develop and assess a spiral development and prototyping approach to expedite integration of technical and operational information. These programs will also integrate tactical training and technologies for host nation forces that support counter-improvised explosive devices operations in Afghanistan. Fiscal 2013 (other) Army funds in the amount of $9,016,253 were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in Afghanistan ($7,573,652; 84 percent) and Fredericksburg, Virginia ($1,442,600; 16 percent), with an estimated completion date of March 29, 2015. Army Contracting Command, Adelphi, Maryland, is the contracting activity. 

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Propper International, Inc., Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $124,470,982 modification (P00107) exercising the first option period on a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-13-D-1062), with two one-year option periods. This is a firm-fixed-price contract for modular lightweight load carrying equipment. Location of performance is Puerto Rico with a Sept. 5, 2015, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

NAVY

AH/BC NAVY JV, LLC, Newport News, Virginia, is being awarded a maximum amount $50,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, architect-engineering contract for architectural and engineering services for Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act Environmental Compliance Engineering Support for Navy, Marine Corps and other Department of Defense installations and federal agencies within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic area of responsibility (AOR) world-wide. Task order 0001 is being awarded at $116,802 for Water Purveyor Drinking Systems Source and Produced Water Surface Water Treatment Rules Monitoring Gap Analysis at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy. Work on this task order is expected to be completed by December 2015. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other defense installations and federal agencies within the NAVFAC Atlantic AOR world-wide including, but not limited to, California (25 percent), Europe (20 percent), Southwest Asia (10 percent), Virginia (10 percent), North Carolina (10 percent), Florida (10 percent), North Africa (5 percent), Washington, District of Columbia (5 percent), and Maryland (5 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of September 2019. Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $116,802 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-14-D-9022).

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Training, Owego, New York, is being awarded $8,879,035 for delivery order 4001 against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-14-G-0019) for non-recurring efforts for software modifications required for MH-60 Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS II) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast enhancements, including integration of the TAWS II software into the 2018 product line. These services are in support of the U.S. Navy and the governments of Australia and Denmark. Work will be performed in Owego, New York, and is expected to be completed in October 2017. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy), 2014 aircraft procurement (Navy) and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $8,353,021 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($8,395,805; 95 percent); and the governments of Denmark ($392,585; 4 percent); and Australia ($90,645; 1 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Total Concepts of Design Inc., Scottsburg, Indiana, is being awarded a $6,762,400 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for MK 3 MOD 0 and MK 12 MOD 1 metal material handling pallets used to transport different types of munitions in support of U.S. Navy and U.S. Army mission requirements. Work will be performed in Scottsburg, Indiana, and is expected to be completed by September 2019. Fiscal 2012 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) and fiscal 2014 ammunition procurement (Army) contract funds in the amount of $91,461 will be obligated at the time of contract award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-14-D-JR05).

AIR FORCE

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a $9,519,633 fixed-price modification (P00257) on existing contract FA8625-07-C-6471 for the C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining program. The contract modification is for the supply of the C-5 RERP Lot 7 readiness spares package. Fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $9,519,633 are being obligated at time of award. Work will be performed at Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by January 2017. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity.

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems of Woburn, Massachusetts is being awarded a $53,252,500 contract modification (P00023) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (HQ0147-12-C-0006). This contract modification is for the production of an ANTPY-2 Float Cooling Equipment Unit #2, Float Electronic Equipment Unit #2, Spares, Reliability Improvements, and Mission Assurance. Work will be performed in Woburn, Massachusetts with an expected completion date of December 2016. Fiscal 2014 procurement funds in the amount of $53,252,500 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama is the contracting activity.

*Small business
   

President Obama Delivers a Message to West Africans on Ebola

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S LETTER REGARDING WAR POWERS RESOLUTION

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

Letter from the President -- War Powers Resolution Regarding Iraq

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE

September 1, 2014

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

As I reported on August 8 and 17, 2014, U.S. Armed Forces have conducted targeted airstrikes in Iraq for the limited purposes of stopping the advance on Erbil by the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), supporting civilians trapped on Mount Sinjar, and supporting operations by Iraqi forces to recapture the Mosul Dam. U.S. Armed Forces have also provided humanitarian assistance to the civilians trapped on Mount Sinjar.

On August 28, 2014, I further authorized U.S. Armed Forces to conduct targeted airstrikes in support of an operation to deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians in the town of Amirli, Iraq, which is surrounded and besieged by ISIL. Pursuant to this authorization, on August 30, 2014, U.S. military forces commenced targeted airstrike operations in the vicinity of Amirli, Iraq. These additional operations will be limited in their scope and duration as necessary to address this emerging humanitarian crisis and protect the civilians trapped in Amirli.

I have directed these actions, which are in the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States, pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. These actions are being undertaken in coordination with and at the request of the Iraqi government.

I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA

NASA SAYS ROCKET MADE FOR MARS REVIEW COMPLETED

Image credit: NASA/MSFC

FROM:  NASA 

NASA officials Wednesday announced they have completed a rigorous review of the Space Launch System (SLS) -- the heavy-lift, exploration class rocket under development to take humans beyond Earth orbit and to Mars -- and approved the program's progression from formulation to development, something no other exploration class vehicle has achieved since the agency built the space shuttle.
"We are on a journey of scientific and human exploration that leads to Mars," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "And we’re firmly committed to building the launch vehicle and other supporting systems that will take us on that journey."
For its first flight test, SLS will be configured for a 70-metric-ton (77-ton) lift capacity and carry an uncrewed Orion spacecraft beyond low-Earth orbit. In its most powerful configuration, SLS will provide an unprecedented lift capability of 130 metric tons (143 tons), which will enable missions even farther into our solar system, including such destinations as an asteroid and Mars.

This decision comes after a thorough review known as Key Decision Point C (KDP-C), which provides a development cost baseline for the 70-metric ton version of the SLS of $7.021 billion from February 2014 through the first launch and a launch readiness schedule based on an initial SLS flight no later than November 2018.

Conservative cost and schedule commitments outlined in the KDP-C align the SLS program with program management best practices that account for potential technical risks and budgetary uncertainty beyond the program's control.
“Our nation is embarked on an ambitious space exploration program, and we owe it to the American taxpayers to get it right,” said Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot, who oversaw the review process. “After rigorous review, we’re committing today to a funding level and readiness date that will keep us on track to sending humans to Mars in the 2030s – and we’re going to stand behind that commitment.”

"The Space Launch System Program has done exemplary work during the past three years to get us to this point," said William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for the Human Explorations and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "We will keep the teams working toward a more ambitious readiness date, but will be ready no later than November 2018.”
The SLS, Orion, and Ground Systems Development and Operations programs each conduct a design review prior to each program’s respective KDP-C, and each program will establish cost and schedule commitments that account for its individual technical requirements.

"We are keeping each part of the program -- the rocket, ground systems, and Orion -- moving at its best possible speed toward the first integrated test launch,” said Bill Hill, director Exploration Systems Development at NASA. "We are on a solid path toward an integrated mission and making progress in all three programs every day."

“Engineers have made significant technical progress on the rocket and have produced hardware for all elements of the SLS program,” said SLS program manager Todd May. “The team members deserve an enormous amount of credit for their dedication to building this national asset.”

The program delivered in April the first piece of flight hardware for Orion’s maiden flight, Exploration Flight Test-1 targeted for December. This stage adapter is of the same design that will be used on SLS’s first flight, Exploration Mission-1.

Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans has all major tools installed and is producing hardware, including the first pieces of flight hardware for SLS. Sixteen RS-25 engines, enough for four flights, currently are in inventory at Stennis Space Center, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, where an engine is already installed and ready for testing this fall. NASA contractor ATK has conducted successful test firings of the five-segment solid rocket boosters and is preparing for the first qualification motor test.

SLS will be the world's most capable rocket. In addition to opening new frontiers for explorers traveling aboard the Orion capsule, the SLS may also offer benefits for science missions that require its use and can’t be flown on commercial rockets.
The next phase of development for SLS is the Critical Design Review, a programmatic gate that reaffirms the agency's confidence in the program planning and technical risk posture.

FINAL ORDER APPROVED BY FTC OVER DIETARY SUPPLEMENT'S MEMORY IMPROVEMENT CLAIMS

FROM:  U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that “BrainStrong Adult” Supplement Marketers Made Deceptive Memory Improvement Claims

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that supplement marketers i-Health, Inc. and Martek Biosciences made deceptive claims while advertising their BrainStrong Adult dietary supplement.

The FTC’s complaint against i-Health and Martek, announced in June 2014, charges that the two companies, which sold the supplement at major retail stores, including CVS Pharmacy, Walmart, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, as well as online through drugstore.com and Amazon.com falsely claimed that they had clinical proof that BrainStrong Adult improves adult memory.

The final order bars the companies from claiming that any dietary supplement, food, drug, or product promoted to prevent cognitive decline or improve memory or containing DHA can prevent cognitive decline or improve memory in adults, unless the claim is truthful and supported by clinical testing. It also bars the companies from making claims about the health benefits, performance, safety, or effectiveness of such products, unless the claims are supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.  Finally, the companies cannot claim they have clinical proof when they do not.

The Commission vote approving the administrative final order and responses to members of the public who submitted comments was 3-1-1, with Commissioner Maureen K. Ohlhausen voting no, and Commissioner Terrell McSweeny not participating. (FTC File No. 132-3067).

NSF VIDEO: SCIENCE NATION - SECRETS OF SLITHERING SNAKES

FORMER EXEC SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR INVOLVEMENT IN $750 MILLION SECURITIES FRAUD SCHEME

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Friday, August 29, 2014

Former Arthrocare Executives Sentenced for Orchestrating $750 Million Securities Fraud Scheme

Former CEO and CFO Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison and 10 Years in Prison, Respectively

The former chief executive officer (CEO) of ArthroCare Corporation was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison, and the former chief financial officer (CFO) was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison today for their leading roles in a $750 million securities fraud scheme.   Two other former senior vice presidents of ArthroCare were also sentenced to prison terms for their roles in the scheme.  

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Marshall L. Miller of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Christopher H. Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office made the announcement.   U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks in the Western District of Texas imposed the sentences.

“Earlier today, in federal court in Austin, Texas, we witnessed the culmination of an epic tale of greed,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Miller.  “The CEO, CFO and two vice presidents of ArthroCare sentenced today ran a successful business, but they wanted more.  Their greed led to fraud, and their fraud caused investors to lose hundreds of millions of dollars.   At the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, we are committed to prosecuting individuals who commit crimes to make money, whether they do so on street corners or in corner offices.  The aggressive pursuit of corporate executives  who commit fraud is at the core of our mission to  pursue justice and protect the American public.”

“This scheme of betrayal and deceit was carried out by the defendants without regard to the deep-reaching and irreparable harm their actions caused to thousands of victims, here in Texas, and throughout the United States,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs.   “While it is important to recognize the financial losses sustained by all victims, which includes individual investors and institutional investment firms, many of the victims will never recover from the financial ruin caused by the defendants’ greed.  Many of the victims worked hard their entire lives, saving money for retirement or their children’s’ college funds.  Some were already living on fixed incomes and are now struggling to make ends meet.  The FBI will continue to aggressively work to uncover these fraud schemes in an effort to prevent future victimization and to protect the integrity of the securities and commodities market.”

On June 2, 2014, former ArthroCare’s CEO Michael Baker, 55, and former CFO Michael Gluk, 56, were convicted by a jury of wire fraud, securities fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire and securities fraud; Baker was also convicted of making false statements.   On June 24, 2013, John Raffle, 46, the former Vice President of Strategic Business Units, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities, mail and wire fraud, and two false statements charges.  On May 9, 2013, David Applegate, 55, the former Senior Vice President of the Spine Division, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities, mail and wire fraud, and a false statements charge.   At sentencing, the court found that investors lost approximately $756 million as a result of the defendants’ scheme to artificially inflate the share price of ArthroCare stock through sham transactions.

According to court documents, between 2005 and 2009, Baker, Gluk, Raffle and Applegate executed a scheme to artificially inflate sales and revenue through a series of end-of-quarter transactions involving several of ArthroCare’s distributors.  Products were shipped to distributors at quarter end based on ArthroCare’s need to meet Wall Street analyst forecasts, rather than distributors’ actual orders.  ArthroCare then fraudulently reported these shipments as sales in its quarterly and annual filings at the time of the shipment, enabling the company to appear to meet or exceed internal and external earnings forecasts.  ArthroCare’s distributors agreed to accept these shipments of millions of dollars of excess inventory in exchange for lucrative concessions from ArthroCare, such as upfront cash commissions, extended payment terms, and the ability to return products.  In some cases, like that of ArthroCare’s largest distributor, DiscoCare, the defendants agreed ArthroCare would acquire the distributor and the inventory so that the distributor would not have to pay ArthroCare for the products at all.  

Between December 2005 and February 2009, ArthroCare’s shareholders held more than 25 million shares of ArthroCare stock.   On July 21, 2008, after ArthroCare announced publicly that it would be restating its previously reported financial results to reflect the results of an internal investigation and account for the defendants’ fraud, the price of ArthroCare shares dropped from $40.03 to $23.21 per share.   On Dec.19, 2008, ArthroCare again announced publicly that it had identified more accounting errors and possible irregularities related to the defendants’ fraud.   That day, the price of ArthroCare shares dropped from approximately $16.23 to approximately $5.92 per share.

In addition to the underlying conduct, Baker was convicted of lying to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission during its investigation of the conduct.   The court further found, as part of sentencing, that Baker and Gluk each lied under oath during their trial testimony, in which they attempted to escape responsibility for their actions.

In addition to their prison terms, Baker and Gluk were sentenced to serve five years of supervised release.   In addition, the court ordered Gluk and Baker to forfeit $22,165,030, the amount of their profits from the scheme.

John Raffle was sentenced to serve 80 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.   David Applegate was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office.  The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Benjamin D. Singer and Trial Attorneys Henry P. Van Dyck and William S.W. Chang of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.   The Department recognizes the substantial assistance of the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the critical role of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, which provided invaluable support to the prosecution team during all phases of the litigation.

CHRISTOPHER KLEIN'S REMARKS TO UN ON INTERIM ADMINISTRATION MISSION IN KOSOVO

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

Remarks by Christopher Klein, Political Minister Counselor, U.S. Mission to the United Nations, at a Security Council Open Debate on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

Christopher Klein, Political Minister Counselor

New York, NY

August 29, 2014

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Special Representative Zarif for your briefing. I would also like to thank Foreign Minister Dacic and Foreign Minister Hoxhaj for your remarks.

Mr. President, the United States notes and welcomes Kosovo’s continued steps toward full integration within the international community. We commend the governments of the Solomon Islands and Togo for their recognition of Kosovo as a sovereign, independent state. We are also very pleased about Kosovo’s acceptance into the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe as its 60th member state. These steps further cement Kosovo’s place within the international community, strengthening Kosovo, the region, and international cooperation.

The United States praises both Serbia and Kosovo for their continued dedication to the EU-facilitated Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue and the implementation of the April 2013 agreement to normalize relations. While the next high-level meetings await government formation in Kosovo, we are encouraged that working level discussions continue, including a planned meeting on September 4 to carry forward the work on integrated border management. Both governments have made difficult but necessary decisions to advance the Dialogue, which remains integral to a stable, peaceful, and prosperous region. We are further heartened by the recent public statements by Serbian officials reaffirming that stability is Belgrade’s key interest in Kosovo.

The process of government formation in Kosovo is underway following successful parliamentary elections in June. We are encouraged by the positive reports from local and international observers on the smooth and orderly conduct of the election and broad participation throughout Kosovo. As Kosovo’s political and party leaders work to form the next government, it is important that the process proceed in line with Kosovo’s laws and constitution; the July 1 and August 26 rulings by Kosovo’s constitutional court should serve as guidelines in this regard. We urge the leaders, parties and Kosovo Assembly members to move lawfully and quickly toward formation of the new government, so that the important work of strengthening Kosovo’s multiethnic democracy can continue. We also welcome the formation of municipal assemblies and the Kosovo Ministry of Local Government Administration’s certification in May of municipal statutes for the four municipalities in the Serb-majority North.

Mr. President, the United States supports freedom of expression and universal human rights, and we denounce those who would turn to violence to sow discord and unrest within their communities. We condemn the violence that occurred during the South Mitrovica demonstration on June 22 regarding barriers on the Austerlitz Bridge. The security services, including the Kosovo police, EULEX, and KFOR, merit praise for their swift and appropriate response, which prevented further escalation. The violence and tensions over the Mitrovica bridge underscore the enduring sensitivity of these issues and the need for continued, constructive dialogue to resolve differences.

In a broader context, stability and security – both regionally and globally – benefit from rule of law and strong, democratic institutions in Kosovo. Mr. Zarif, you mentioned interconnectedness. We commend Kosovo authorities for their efforts to address the problems of violent extremism and the initiative of the Kosovo police and judiciary in apprehending suspected foreign fighters and their supporters in June and August. President Jahjaga has publicly reinforced that Kosovo will not become a terrorist haven, and that Kosovo institutions will not permit terrorists to endanger peace, stability, and constitutional order. We welcome the initiative of several countries in the region, including Kosovo and Serbia, to put in place legislation penalizing the recruitment and participation of its citizens in foreign armed conflicts. We call on all states in the region to cooperate more closely on countering the common threat of violent extremism.

Finally, Mr. President, we are pleased with the agreement between the European Union and Kosovo to extend the mandate of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo until June 2016. EULEX and KFOR continue to make essential contributions to the international community’s work in Kosovo.

Thank you.

U.S. CONGRATULATES PEOPLE OF VIETNAM ON THEIR NATIONAL DAY

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

Vietnam's National Day

Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

August 29, 2014

---

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to congratulate the people of Vietnam as you celebrate your National Day on September 2.
Our relationship has grown in ways many would never have predicted. We have moved past war and division. In the years since the embargo was lifted and we achieved normalization and trade, Vietnam has become a modern nation and an important partner for the United States. Vietnam is a country on the move and Vietnam’s moving.

My own journey with Vietnam came full circle when I visited Vietnam last December for my first time as Secretary of State. To know a country as a diplomat which I first knew as a combatant in a war is an experience that says so much about the progress we have made. On my trip, I met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh to discuss the work ahead as we deepen the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership on everything from trade and investment to our growing people-to-people ties. I’m proud to have led the efforts as a Senator to create a Fulbright Economics Teaching Program in Ho Chi Minh City, and I am equally proud that we are now working with the Vietnamese Government to establish a Fulbright University in the near future.

Over these last 19 years, Vietnam has taken a long journey. And as Vietnam has grown, so has our partnership. It has been moving and rewarding to be a partner to the Vietnamese people in that effort, and I look forward to celebrating the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

SECRETARY KERRY CONGRATULATES NEW PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN UNION DONALD TUSK

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

Statement on New European Council President and High Representative

Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

August 31, 2014

---

I want to congratulate Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on his election as President of the European Council, and Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini on her appointment as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The Prime Minister was a warm host when I visited Warsaw last November, and when President Obama and I returned earlier this year. The Polish people are strong and rightly proud of their country, and I know the Prime Minister will carry his leadership to the Council.
I have met with Foreign Minister Mogherini several times, most recently in Paris last month, and I value the collegial rapport we have developed as we work on a range of challenging issues.
I look forward to working closely together with both leaders to overcome the stark challenges we face to security, democracy, and freedom in Europe’s east, the Middle East, and throughout the world – and to defend and achieve our common vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace.

I also want to salute President Van Rompuy and especially High Representative Ashton, my close colleague and partner on the full range of global security issues, for their dedicated and indispensable work helping to steer the European Union through the last years.
The United States and Europe share deep common commitments to freedom, security, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and open markets. We are joined by enduring links of culture and commerce, by our shared history and our common hopes for the future.

As the European Union names its new leaders and moves to confirm a new Commission, I look forward to continuing our work together to build an ever stronger transatlantic relationship, and a safer, more prosperous world for future generations.

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DOJ SETTLES KICKBACK ALLEGATIONS CASE WITH MEDICAL DEVICE COMPANY AND SURGEON FOR $2.6 MILLION

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Friday, August 29, 2014

Manufacturer of Spinal Devices and Surgeon to Pay United States $2.6 Million to Settle Alleged Kickback Scheme Omni Surgical L.P., doing business as Spine 360, a manufacturer of devices used in spinal surgery, and Dr. Jamie Gottlieb, an Indiana spinal surgeon, have agreed to pay $2.6 million to the United States to settle allegations that Spine 360 paid illegal kickbacks to Gottlieb to induce him to use the company’s products.  Spine 360 is based in Austin, Texas.

“The Department of Justice has longstanding concerns about improper financial relationships between health care providers and their referral sources, because such relationships can alter a physician’s judgment about the patient's true health care needs and drive up health care costs for everybody,” said Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery for the Justice Department’s Civil Division.   “In addition to yielding a recovery for taxpayers, this settlement should deter similar conduct in the future and help make health care more affordable.”

The Anti-Kickback Statute restricts the financial relationships that medical device manufacturers may have with doctors who use or prescribe their products.  It is intended to ensure that a physician’s medical judgment is not compromised by improper financial incentives and is instead based upon the best interests of the patient.

The settlement announced today involved payments that Spine 360 made between 2007 and 2009 to an entity controlled by Gottlieb.  Although the payments were purportedly made pursuant to a series of intellectual property agreements, the United States contended that those agreements were shams, and that the payments were intended to compensate Gottlieb for using Spine 360 products in his surgeries.

This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.  The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation.  One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act.  Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $22.4 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $14.2 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.

The case was handled by the Commercial Litigation Branch of the department’s Civil Division , the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General.  The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

NASA VIDEO: ETA CARINAE: OUR NEIGHBORING SUPERSTARS

LABOR DEPARTMENT SECRETARY'S STATEMENT ON LABOR DAY 2014

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Statement on Labor Day by US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez

WASHINGTON — Each year, Labor Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions that working men and women make to our nation, our economy and our collective prosperity. It gives us a chance to show gratitude for workers' grit, dedication, ingenuity and strength, which define our nation's character. At the Labor Department, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on how we can best serve and honor workers in return.

This year, we're honoring workers by investing more than a $1 billion in job-driven training programs to give Americans the skills employers need. We're honoring workers by promoting quality apprenticeships that will enable more people to "earn and learn." We're honoring workers, at President Obama's direction, by developing new rules to give more workers access to overtime pay and increase the minimum wage for private-sector workers hired under federal contracts. We're honoring workers by implementing a new life-saving rule to limit miners' exposure to coal dust and move us closer to eliminating black lung disease and by taking the next steps toward protecting workers from inhaling high levels of crystalline silica.

But as a nation, we can do more to lift workers up, and to ensure that all hardworking people are able to climb ladders of opportunity and reach for the American dream. It's time to raise the national minimum wage, so that no one working a full-time job has to live in poverty. It's time to update our workplace policies to reflect the realities of the 21st century labor force and to support modern working families. It's time to continue our nation's long commitment to supporting unemployed workers by extending emergency unemployment compensation.

Our nation is in the midst of a strong economic recovery. Job growth has topped 200,000 for six consecutive months — the first such stretch since 1997. Businesses have added nearly 10 million jobs since February 2010, with 53 consecutive months of growth. I'm optimistic about where we're headed — and I know we wouldn't be where we are without the resilience, commitment and strength of American workers.

This Labor Day, let's remember that hardworking men and women are the backbone of our country, and let's redouble our efforts to uphold our nation's great promise to them: that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can make it in America.

U.S. MILITARY EXPANDS SPACE-TRACKING WEBSITE TO LOOK FOR DEBRIS OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT  Officials Expand Space-tracking Website By Amaani Lyle DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2014 – Defense Department officials announced additions to its space situational awareness program’s Space-Track.org website. In a recent telephone interview with DoD News, Air Force Maj. Gen. David D. Thompson, U.S. Strategic Command’s director of plans and policy at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, said the release of new high-quality positional information on space debris of an unknown origin will help owner-operators better protect their satellites from these objects and ultimately create less space debris. “We run a predictive program that shows where the objects are, where they will be in the future, and the potential for these objects to run into each other,” Thompson said. Thompson explained that most of the debris that is considered “objects of unknown origin” resulted from launches or space collisions, but has not been definitively identified by source. Thousands of space objects The Joint Functional Component Command for Space at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California currently tracks more than 17,000 objects in space on a continuous basis, Thompson said. Among those objects, he said, about 1,100 are active satellites currently conducting operations. The average person has a lot more invested in space than he or she may realize, Thompson said. “We have more than 30 GPS satellites on orbit today providing global navigation and positioning for the world,” the general said. With modern smart phones offering so many diverse functions, the loss of connectivity and functionality could cripple a fair amount of consumers in the United States and abroad. “Networks that run those and the timing required to keep them all in sync is enabled through the global positioning system that every U.S. citizen and just about every advanced global citizen depends on,” Thompson said. Yet it is the other approximately 16,000 objects -- the ones not active and/or of unknown origin in space -- that JFCC Space and Stratcom are most concerned with. Objects present collision threat Many objects, ranging from at least the size of the human fist to as large as the international space station, which is slightly larger than a full-sized soccer field, continue to pose a collision threat in space, Thompson said. “There is also a high volume of debris smaller than the average fist that [JFCC Space] cannot track that are also on orbit today,” he said. With old satellites and debris orbiting at thousands of miles per hour, the probability of a collision poses a threat to the continuing mission of operational satellites. Exchange of space information While some active satellites are not maneuverable, JFCC Space officials said they try to inform the owners of all satellites that they may want to take action to reduce the likelihood of collision. “Exchanging information allows spacefaring organizations to take action to reduce the risk of a collision that could generate hundreds of thousands of pieces of additional space debris,” said Lt. Gen. John W. Raymond, JFCC Space commander. “JFCC Space shares information globally because it is in everyone’s best interest to ensure the safety of the space domain.” An example of space cluttering occurred in 2007, Thompson said, when the Chinese conducted an anti-satellite weapons test and almost immediately created 1,500 new objects that pose a risk to satellites in orbit. Stratcom tracks space objects And after the collision of an inoperable spacecraft with a commercial communications satellite in 2009, Stratcom took on the role for the world in keeping track of such objects and providing that warning to others to prevent the situation from worsening, Thompson said. “We have the assigned responsibility for planning and conducting space operations,” said Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, Stratcom’s commander. “By sharing previously unavailable information on space objects, we’re helping nations that operate in space to do so safely and effectively,” Haney added. “It is one way we fulfill our assigned space mission for the U.S. and its allies, while also protecting capabilities important to citizens around the world.” Yet it is a mission that extends beyond the average civilian. Warfighters depend on satellites Joint warfighters depend on advanced warning such as missile launch or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance from satellite systems, Thompson said. “It’s understanding what’s there [in space], what [the object] is doing, and how it poses a threat to our military mission, to our ability to support joint forces and contribute to the global good,” the general said. “While space is a very big place, there are a lot of things up there.” As such, for several years, JFCC Space has been responsible for monitoring, coordinating and synchronizing space operations for the Department of Defense. “We are the single point of contact for U.S. military space operational matters,” Raymond said. “We are not, however, the only ones who operate in that environment.” Many organizations in space Many public, private, commercial and other governmental organizations conduct space operations. “Space is not owned by anyone, it is used by all and we strongly support responsible and safe use of space and transparency of operations that go on in space,” Thompson said. Reversing congestion and pollution in space, he said, is a complex task. “We are talking decades or centuries before the environment will clean itself naturally so we have to share and act responsibly with this precious resource because it’s important to all of us,” Thompson said.

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RUSSIA CONTINUES BUILDUP

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

Pentagon: Russia Intensifies Efforts Inside Ukraine

By Jim Garamone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2014 – Russia continues to build up along its border with Ukraine and has moved sophisticated weapons systems into the country, the Pentagon press secretary said here today.

Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters that Russian military forces are part of those movements. Russian forces are, “facilitating the movement and then helping the separatists use the systems, if not using it themselves in support of separatists,” he said.

NATO has released surveillance photos showing these assets inside Ukraine. Kirby tied the Russian movements to the success that Ukraine has had against Russian-backed separatists in the country. “We believe that that has helped foster Moscow’s intention to intensify these efforts,” he said.

Kirby called Russian actions an “intensification” of the behaviors the Kremlin has exhibited for months.

“Our position hasn't changed,” he said. “We continue to look for ways to support the Ukrainian armed forces and the border guards. We continue to look for ways to reassure our NATO allies and partners, and we continue to call for Russia to pull its forces back and to stop escalating the tension there.”

President Barack Obama addressed the issue yesterday during a White House news conference. Russia has deliberately and repeatedly violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the president said. He called on nations of the world to impose new sanctions against Russia.

“As a result of the actions Russia has already taken and the major sanctions we’ve imposed with our European and international partners, Russia is already more isolated than at any time since the end of the Cold War,” the president said.

Obama said he would reaffirm U.S. commitment to the defense of NATO allies and said he would speak with fellow NATO leaders at the summit in the United Kingdom next week.

“We’ll focus on the additional steps we can take to ensure the alliance remains prepared for any challenge,” he said.

Ukraine is not a NATO member, but the United States does “stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them,” the president said.

POLITICAL CONSULTANT PLEADS GUILTY FOR ATTEMPT TO CONCEAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE-RELATED FRAUD SCHEMES

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Philadelphia Political Consultant Pleads Guilty for His Role in Attempting to Conceal Campaign Finance-Related Fraud

Political consultant Gregory Naylor, 66, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty today to making false statements to federal agents and misprision of a felony in connection with his role in attempting to conceal two campaign finance-related fraud schemes.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Special Agent in Charge Edward Hanko of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Akeia Conner of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement. The plea was entered by U.S. District Court Judge Harvey Bartle III of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

According to court documents, the charges stem from Naylor’s participation in two campaign finance-related schemes initiated by a long-time friend and former employer, identified in the information as Elected Official A. In the first scheme, Naylor helped conceal the theft of federal grant funds and private charitable funds that were used to repay an illegal campaign debt incurred by Elected Official A during a 2007 campaign for elected office.

Specifically, Naylor was aware that large amounts of money from an unexplained source were being spent on Elected Official A’s campaign, and Naylor helped to conceal the source of those funds by preparing a false invoice for services rendered by his consulting firm. Naylor subsequently learned that Elected Official A and others orchestrated the theft of federal grant funds to repay the outstanding balance of the campaign debt, and he agreed to the falsification of campaign finance reports to further conceal Elected Official A’s activities.

Also according to court documents, in the second scheme, Naylor conspired with Elected Official A to pay down portions of the college debt of Elected Official A’s son using federal and local campaign funds. Some of the payments originated directly from the local campaign fund, and some were illegally sourced from Elected Official A’s federal campaign election committee and passed through the local campaign fund account to Naylor. Naylor made approximately $22,000 in improper payments between August 2007 and April 2011 at Elected Official A’s request. Naylor also falsely claimed on IRS forms that the payments made towards the college debt were earned income to Elected Official A’s son for services rendered as an independent contractor to Naylor’s consulting firm. When confronted by federal agents in investigative interviews about the payments, Naylor lied on two occasions and repeated his cover story that the son of Elected Official A was an independent contractor working for his political consulting firm.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2014.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the IRS-CI with assistance provided by the NASA Office of the Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul L. Gray of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorney Eric L. Gibson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.

ISS VIEW OF EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN AT NIGHT

FROM:  NASA 

Eastern Mediterranean Coastline at Night

This night photograph taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) shows the location and size of cities at the east end of the Mediterranean Sea. The largest, brightest cluster is the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, a port set against the blackness of the Mediterranean Sea. Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city, and Amman, Jordan’s capital, are the next largest (with Amman’s lights having a whiter tone), followed by Beersheba.

Bright but narrow lines that snake between the cities are highways. The darker areas with smaller patches of lights are mostly agricultural and pastoral areas of Israel, Sinai, the West Bank, and Jordan. A wide, almost black zone between Jerusalem and Amman trends north-south across the right half of the image; it is the long valley that includes the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.

Click here to view an astronaut image of the same area in daylight. And read more here about a new NASA crowd-sourcing project to identify cities and towns in night images from the space station.

Astronaut photograph ISS040-E-74022 was acquired on July 22, 2014, with a Nikon D3S digital camera using an 85 millimeter lens, and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by the Expedition 40 crew. It has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory as part of the ISS National Lab to help astronauts take pictures of Earth that will be of the greatest value to scientists and the public, and to make those images freely available on the Internet. Additional images taken by astronauts and cosmonauts can be viewed at the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Caption by M. Justin Wilkinson, Jacobs at NASA-JSC.

FTC WARNS CONSUMERS ABOUT SCAMS USING FAKE GOVERNMENT AFFILIATION AS MEANS TO ILLICIT MONEY

FROM:  U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

FTC Warns Against Government Imposter Scams

Can you spot a government imposter?

Even if your phone’s caller ID says “FTC” or “IRS,” or shows Washington, DC’s “202” area code, it could still be a scam. Scammers know how to show fake information on caller ID.

The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about scammers who pretend they’re with the government to scare you into sending money. They say you owe taxes or some other debt, and tell you to put money on a prepaid debit card and tell them the number — something no government agency would ask you to do.

Others say you’ve won big money in a sweepstakes the FTC or some other agency is supervising, and that the money will be yours when you pay for shipping, taxes, or some other expense. But it’s just phony baloney. Federal government agencies will never ask you to send money for prizes.

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