Tuesday, July 6, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated July 6, 2010

Defense News: DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated July 6, 2010
Source: U.S. DoD issued July 6, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - July 6, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued July 6, 2010 are undermentioned;<>
CONTRACTS
NAVY

~Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an advance acquisition contract with an estimated value of $522,200,000 to provide for long-lead efforts and materials associated with the production and delivery of 42 low-rate initial production Lot V F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. This contract provides for 22 conventional take off and landing aircraft for the Air Force; 13 short take off and vertical landing aircraft for the Marine Corps; and seven carrier variant aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (35 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (20 percent); Orlando, Fla. (10 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (5 percent). Work is expected to be completed in May 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($329,100,000; 63 percent) and Air Force ($193,100,000; 37 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0002).
~General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is being awarded a $105,353,508 modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-2303) for long-lead time construction for DDG 1001; long-lead time material for DDG 1002; and engineering and production support services. Work is expected to be performed in Bath, Maine (52 percent); Parsippany, N.J. (21 percent); Iron Mountain, Mich. (8 percent); York, Pa. (7 percent); Mississauga, Canada (6 percent); Vernon, Conn. (3 percent); and South Portland, Maine (3 percent). Work is expected to be completed by February 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
~General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $12,670,466 task order #0048 under previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (M67854-02-A-9014) to provide general engineering and scientific support to the Marine Corps Systems Command, Operational Forces Systems, Product Group 09 (PG09), Program Manager, Ground Combat Systems (PM-GCS), for item unique identification (IUID) marking of legacy ground non-mission essential principal end items (PEIs) and applicable assemblies/subassemblies, e.g., secondary repairables (SECREPS). The level of effort shall include: Marine Corps IUID legacy Phase MCI-LP 2; MCI-LP 3, to be determined; and other items per the office of the Secretary Of Defense IUID criteria and/or U.S. Marine Corps/PM-GCS directed. This Statement of Work supports IUID efforts to identify PEIs and SECREPS for marking; engineering analysis for UII/two-dimensional data matrix location; and technical documentation development and support. Other activities include IUID programmatic support, planning and management support, as well as capture, management and storage of Marine Corps data field requirements Phase I and/or future data requirements as established by PG09. Major emphasis will be on data collection, engineering/scientific analysis, and ability to collect and report technical data and associated metrics for the U.S. Marine Corps temporary data storage. Work will be performed in Quantico, Va. (25 percent); Camp Lejeune, N.C. (20 percent); Camp Pendleton, Calif. (20 percent); Marine Corps Reserve locations in the contiguous U.S. (15 percent); and Okinawa, Japan (20 percent). Work is expected to be completed in September 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $12,670,466 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
ARMY
~General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Inc., Burlington, Vt.,
was awarded on June 30 a $136,609,009 firm-fixed-price contract for fiscal 2010 production for the HYDRA-70, 2.75-inch rocket system. Work is to be performed in Burlington, Vt. (71 percent), and Camden, Ark. (29 percent), with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2015. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation & Missile Command Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-10-C-0190).
~BAE Systems, U.S. Combat Systems, York, Pa., was awarded on June 3 a $69,994,441 firm-fixed-price contract. This procurement is for the production of 30 Army configured M88A2 heavy equipment recovery combat utility lift and evacuation system recovery vehicles; four sets of authorized stock list spares; and three spare engines. Work is to be performed in York, Pa. (98.5 percent), and Aiken, S.C. (1.5 percent), with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2013. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army TACOM Contracting Center Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-C-0408).
~ John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Md., was awarded a $35,911,097 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The contractor will advance; build, and field demonstrate an optical modem that will allow multi-gigabit per second, hybrid laser-RF communications at long range, and under extreme atmospheric turbulence and cloudy conditions. Work is to be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah. (34 percent); Laurel, Md. (30 percent); Campbell, Calif. (32 percent); Las Vegas, Nev. (3 percent); and Fallon, Nev. (1 percent), with an estimated completion date of July 29, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-10-C-0127).
~General Electric Co., GE Aviation Division, Cincinnati, Ohio, was awarded on June 28 a $31,722,530 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract is for the Defense Advanced Research Agency (DARPA) tactical technology office seeks to further develop constant volume combustion (CVC) technology under Phase II of the Vulcan program. DARPA is interested in ultimately conducting a full demonstration of a Vulcan engine - CVC module and power turbine engine - that addresses near-term Department of Defense (DoD) transition needs with the potential to support future DoD and commercial applications. Work is to be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio (64.1 percent), and Niskayuna, N.Y. (35.9 percent), with an estimated completion date of Aug. 25, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. DARPA, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-10-C-0115)
~Keiland Construction, LLC, Lake Charles, La., was awarded on June 28 a $16,859,584 firm-fixed-price contract for “Storm Proofing Measures for Carrollton Water Plant Power Complex, Old River intake stations, and New River intake stations, Orleans Parish, La.” Work is to be performed in Orleans Parish, La., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 4, 2011. Bids were Web-solicited with five bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hurricane Protection Office, New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-10-C-0094).
~Lockheed Martin, MS2 Integrated Defense Technologies, Bothell, Wash., was awarded on June 28 a $14,699,206 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract is for the robust electric laser initiative program to advance the state-of-the-art for high-power, high efficiency, compact, lightweight, electrically-driven laser technologies suitable for future military applications. Work is to be performed in Bothell, Wash., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2016. Bids were Web-solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Space Missile Defense Command/ARSTRAT, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9113M-10-C-0034).
~BAE Systems, Nashua, N.H., was awarded on June 28 a $13,700,000 firm-fixed-price contract for 80 advanced threat infrared countermeasure quick reaction capability A-kits and 24 B-kit line replaceable units. Work is to be performed in Nashua, N.H., with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15PT-10-C-S207)
~CACI-WGI, Inc., Vienna, Va., was awarded on June 30 a $10,314,714 cost-plus-fixed fee contract for professional support services in support of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. Work is to be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Research, Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-D-0057).
~BAE System Information Solutions, Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded on June 30 a $9,774,816 firm-fixed-fee contract to integrate, test and deploy the information technology capabilities for the multi-domain dissemination system and cross-domain intelligence release Phase II. Work is to be performed in Washington, D.C., with an estimated completion date of June 29, 1022. One bid solicited with one bid received. Virginia Contracting Activity, Missile and Space Intelligence Center, Redstone Arsenal., Ala., is the contracting activity (HHM402-04-A-0011).
~Innovative Emergency Management, Inc., Baton Rouge, La., was awarded on July 1 a $9,678,701 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to implement a public outreach program that is conducted as an integrated government contractor team focused on interaction and public involvement. Work is to be performed in Baton Rouge, La., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2014. Ten bids were solicited with one bid received. Research Development & Engineering Command Contracting Officer, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W911DR-10-D-0014).
~General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Marion, Ill., was awarded on June 28 a $9,336,321 firm-fixed-price contract for 258,843 25MM projectile gun unit cartridges. Work is to be performed in Marion, Ill., with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2011. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-07-C-0040).
~ImmixTechnology, Inc., was awarded on June 28 a $9,090,671 firm-fixed-price contract for 45,555 Citrix licenses with three years of maintenance. Work is to be performed in Tobyhanna, Pa., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2013. Twenty-two bids were solicited with four bids received. Tobyhanna Army Depot, Tobyhanna, Pa., is the contracting activity (W25G1V-10-F-0454).
~Huikala, JV, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded on June 30 a $9,075,000 firm-fixed-fee-contract. The objective of this single award task order contract is to procure the services of a Native Hawaiian Organization firm to perform Military Munitions Response Program services involving conventional munitions; environmental; compliance and remediation services; and other munitions-related services as necessary to permit lands and waters to be safely and efficiently used for the intended purpose. Work is to be performed in Honolulu, Hawaii, with an estimated completion date of June 29, 2015. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Engineering & Support Center, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W912DY-10-D-0053).
~General Dynamics Robotics Systems, Westminster, Md., was awarded on June 29 a $9,400,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The contractor shall develop, integrate and demonstrate robust robotic technologies. These efforts will advance the state-of-the-art in perception and control technologies to permit unmanned systems to autonomously conduct mission in populated urban environments while adapting to changing conditions. Work is to be performed in Westminster, Md., with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2013. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. TACOM Contraction Center, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-10-C-0003).
~Raytheon Co., Space and Airborne System, El Segundo, Calif., was awarded on June 24 a $9,057,931 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Robust Electric Laser Initiative (RELI). The purpose of RELI is to take advantage of technology advances for high energy laser (HEL) systems over the past five years; perform technology risk reduction and scaling assessment experiments at powers up to 25 kilowatts (kW); and develop scaled concepts for ruggedized laser subsystems at powers up to 100 kW. This contract, if all options are exercised, will perform risk reduction experiments on Raytheon’s Planer Waveguide (PWG) HEL technology; develop, demonstrate and characterize a ruggedized 25 kW PWG high-energy laser; develop a conceptual design for the 25 kW device scaled to 100 kW; perform a limited system environmental qualification for the 25 kW PWG laser; and demonstrate integrated operation using existing HEL supporting subsystems at the HEL system test facility at White Sands Missile Range New Mexico. Work is to be performed in El Segundo, Calif., with an estimated completion date of June 1, 2017. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9113M-10-C-0019).
~Yellowstone Electric Co., Billings, Mont., was awarded on June 29 an $8,609,151 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for recovery project #6400, “230kV Transformer Replacement, Garrison Dam, Missouri River, and Riverdale, North Dakota.” This contract includes removal and disposal of nine existing single phase 230 kilovolts (kV) generator step-up (GSU) transformers; installation of three new three-phase 230 kV GSU transformers; removal and replacement of oil-filled cables; isolated phase bus work; redesign of transformer desk and deluge system; and other miscellaneous electrical component upgrade. Work is to be performed in Riverdale, N.D., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-10-C-0030).
~Camber Corp., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded on June 29 an $8,398,998 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract is for systems engineering and technical support, and program management support to the Joint Project Management Guardian, under the Joint Program Executive Office, Chemical Biological Detection, in Falls Church, Va. Work is to be performed in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. (25 percent); Falls Church, Va. (25 percent); Fort Belvoir, Va. (25 percent); and Dahlgren, Va. (25 percent), with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army, Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W911SR-10-C-0043).
~NextiraOne Federal, LLC, Herndon, Va., was awarded on July 1an $8,396,627 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity firm-fixed-price contract to furnish, install, secure, test, document and cutover a turnkey solution to upgrade the existing infrastructure and facilities at Camp Zama, Japan. Work is to be performed in Fort Bragg, N.C., with an estimated completion date of March 12, 2012. Ten bids were solicited with six bids received. Army Contracting Command, ICC, ITEC4, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-06-D-0027).
~Clark Construction Group, LLC, Tampa, Fla., was awarded on July 1 a $7,225,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is to exercise award of bid options four and eight under contract for a new four-story, 257,000 square foot building. The building will have sensitive compartmented information facility areas throughout. The facility will utilize pile and reinforced concrete foundations; steel frame with insulated pre-cast concrete panels; metal decking; standing seam metal roof; raised access flooring throughout; laminated force protection glass; elevators; underground utilities; parking; landscaping; exterior walkways; paving; large entrance plaza; security fencing; backup generator power; infrastructure; and audio visual infrastructure. Work is to be performed at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., with an estimated completion date of June 24, 2013. Bids were solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities Web site with 16 bids received. Corps of Engineers-Mobile Regional Contracting Center, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-09-C-0031).
~Rockwell Collins, Inc., Government Systems, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was awarded on June 25 a $6,999,664 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The purpose of this delivery order is to perform support in the area of updates to the tactical situational awareness engineering services in 41,839 hours. Work is to be performed in Huntsville, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 1, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, CCAM-CH-A, Redstone Arsenal., Ala., is the contracting acidity (DAAH23-03-D-0015).
~Bristol Design Build Services, LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded on June 24 a $6,696,823 firm-fixed-price contract to provide secure cabling infrastructure; site security lighting design; sauna and pull-up bars in accordance with design drawings and specifications; emergency power; and hazardous material building. Work is to be performed in New Orleans, La., with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District/Contracting Division, Charleston, S.C., is the contracting activity (W912HN-10-C-0035).
~Serco, Inc., Reston, Va., was awarded on June 30 a $6,530,791 firm-fixed-price contract for information assurance/computer network operations. Work is to be performed in Fort Hood, Texas, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2015. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with four bids received. U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Contracting Center, Adelphi, Md., is the contracting activity (W911QX-10-F-0069).
~Science Application International Corp., San Diego, Calif., was awarded on June 30 a $6,348,387 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for 222 joint service mask leakage testers. Work is to be performed in Abingdon, Md., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Research Development & Engineering, Command Contracting Office, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W911SR-07-D-0006).
~NEK Advanced Securities Group, LLC, Colorado Springs, Colo., was awarded on June 29 a $6,341,378 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The contractor shall provide operational support services and training to a classified and unclassified mission for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) contingency operations mission. Work is to be performed in Fort Belvoir, Va., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 21, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. DTRA, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (HDTRA1-06-C-0050).
~Trace Systems, Inc., McLean, Va., was awarded on June 28 a $6,187,752 firm-fixed-price contract to perform information technology support services for U.S. forces located at Bagram Airfields, Afghanistan. Work is to be performed in Afghanistan with an estimated completion date of July 14, 2014. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with eight bids received. Bagram Regional Contracting Center, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, is the contracting activity (W91B4N-10-C-5014).
~Rehabilitation Services, Oklahoma Department, Oklahoma City, Okla., was awarded on June 30 a $5,777,766 firm-fixed-price contract for full food service for Fort Sill, Okla. Work is to be performed in Fort Sill, Okla., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2013. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Mission and Installation Contracting Command Center, Fort Sill, Okla., is the contracting activity (W9124J-09-D-0003).
~TigerSwan, Inc., Apex, N.C., was awarded on June 24 a $5,678,082 firm-fixed-price contract. The objective of this effort is to provide all resources, personnel, equipment and management necessary for the technical management and oversight transportation of task force members, and security support of the task force for business stability operations economic revitalization activities, predominantly in Iraq’s southern provinces and the Baghdad region, with bases Basra and Baghdad; but on request, services will be provided throughout Iraq as required. Work is to be performed in Baghdad, Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2011. Five bids were solicited with five bids received. CENTCOM Contracting Command, Regional Contracting Center-Central, Camp Liberty, Iraq, is the contracting activity (W91GDW-10-C-6005).
~Airborne Systems North America, Santa Ana, Calif., was awarded in June 29 a $5,317,500 firm-fixed-price contract for 1,500 MC-6 parachute systems. Work is to be performed in Santa Ana, Calif., with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2011. Four bids were solicited with three bids received. U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W58P05-06-D-0009).
AIR FORCE
~Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas,
was awarded a contract modification not-to-exceed $22,961,893 which will provide additional funds to allow continued funding of F-22 sustainment services and over-and-above activities. At this time, $17,378,336 has been obligated. 478 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8611-08-C-2897; modification P00050).
~Northrop Grumman Intelligence Systems Electromagnetic Systems Laboratory, San Jose, Calif., was awarded a $14,508,021 contract which will extend the Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP) baseline contract to support the ASIP sensor flight testing on the Global Hawk platform. At this time, $8,366,173 has been obligated. 659th AESS/SYKA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (F33657-03-C-4318).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
~DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems, Cypress, Calif.,
is being awarded a maximum $18,078,519 firm-fixed-price, definite-quantity contract for sensors and targeting systems. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Marine Corps. The original proposal was solicited on the Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System Web site with one response. The date of performance completion is April 10, 2012. The Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., is the contracting activity (SPM4A6-10-D-0295).
~Volvo Aero Connecticut, LLC*, Newington, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $6,404,400 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for turbine aircraft engine nozzle. Other location of performance is Norway. Using service is Air Force. The original proposal was solicited on the Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System Web site with two responses. This contract has a one-year base with four one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is July 5, 2011. The Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., is the contracting activity (SPM4A7-10-D-0266).
~Barnes Aerospace, Windsor, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $6,056,694 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for turbine aircraft engine nozzle. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. The original proposal was solicited on the Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System Web site with two responses. This contract has a one-year base with four one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is July 5, 2011. The Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., is the contracting activity (SPM4A7-10-D-0265).
~Avfuel Corp.*, Ann Arbor, Mich., is being awarded a maximum $5,212,150 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other location of performance is Seattle, Wash. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2014. The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-0026).
*Small business

DTN News: Netherlands Into World Cup Final, 3-2 Over Uruguay

Defense News: DTN News: Netherlands Into World Cup Final, 3-2 Over Uruguay
* A Dutch treat: The Netherlands is in the World Cup final
Source: DTN News - compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including AP
(NSI News Source Info) CAPE TOWN, South Africa - July 6, 2010: Long wasteful with its soccer talent, the Netherlands sure has found the right touch in this tournament.
Dutch stars Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben scored three minutes apart in the second half as the Netherlands beat Uruguay 3-2 Tuesday night to advance to its first championship match since losing in 1978 to Argentina.
“We are so close,” Sneijder said. “There is nothing bigger than the World Cup.”
Winners of all six games in South Africa, the Oranje will face either Germany or Spain in Sunday’s title game at Soccer City in Johannesburg. The Netherlands lost its other appearance in the final, to West Germany in 1974.
Both of those title-game defeats came during the golden period of Dutch soccer, and in the opposition’s homeland. No such worries this time, and no country outside of Africa has had as much fan support as the Netherlands.
Inside Green Point Stadium it looked like a Florida orange grove. Outside, a Netherlands fan in a blue and white bodysuit stood on stilts and played a vuvuzela—badly. It was about the only thing that didn’t measure up for the Dutch.
And a tournament that looked like a South American fiesta early on will end in a European showdown for the second straight World Cup. Sneijder and Robben made sure of that.
“This is unforgettable,” said Sneijder, now tied with Spain’s David Villa for top scorer at the tournament (five goals). “It was a tough fight and toward the end we complicated matters.
“Sunday we play in the World Cup final. I have to get used to that.”
Sneijder’s goal came somewhat unexpectedly because Uruguay had shut down the Dutch offense for much of the second half. His left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area barely ticked the leg of defender Maximiliano Pereira and, with Robin van Persie almost deflecting it again, it skidded past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Then Robben sent a cross from Dirk Kuyt past a flat-footed Muslera with a brilliant header as Robben was leaping away from the net. His teammates piled on in an Oranje Crush celebration, and Robben came up from it with mud on his forehead, a smile on his face—and the knowledge that Netherlands was ahead 3-1 and likely headed to the championship match.
For good measure, Robben blew kisses to the fans.
Uruguay was without dangerous striker Luis Suarez, whose handball on the goal line in the final seconds of extra time against Ghana saved his team in the quarterfinals. He drew a red card for that, and spent his suspension on the bench watching his undermanned teammates come up just short.
Pereira made the Netherlands sweat with a goal in injury time, and Stekelenburg’s late save preserved the biggest Dutch win in decades. The Dutch have now won 10 straight and are unbeaten in their last 25 games.
Robben was replaced late in the match, and at the final whistle he fell flat to the turf as he ran back onto the pitch. Mark van Bommel hustled over to where the ball came to rest, picked it up and hugged it. His teammates then began a joyous stroll around the field, some of them barechested, as the vuvuzelas blared and Dutch flags waved in the stands.
About a half hour after the game ended, 1,000 fans were still there— singing Dutch songs, waving flags, and bowing in unison—and the team came back in their orange shorts to join the party, even lead the cheers.
“This is very special,” Van Marwijk said. “After 32 years we play the final again. Such a small country! We can be very proud of this.”
The Jabulani ball Van Bommel grabbed has been a source of criticism for its unpredictability, particularly the way it can soar. When Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, a true defensive halfback, puts one in from 30 yards off the far goalpost, well, let the debate begin again.
The Dutch captain gave his team the lead in the 18th minute, and the Oranje pressed for more, but when they let up slightly on defense, the superb Diego Forlan pounced. He was given far too much open space in the middle of the field and, from just under 30 yards, his left-footed drive went off goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg’s hand and into the net.
Stekelenburg was screened just enough by defender John Heitinga and didn’t get a good view of the ball until it was too late.
While several Dutch players threw up their hands in frustration, Forlan celebrated his fourth goal of the tournament with a suave wave of his arm. Suarez leaped off the bench in jubilation.
Forlan left in the 85th minute and coach Oscar Tabarez revealed after the match that his star played hurt.
“From minute one he had a problem,” Tabarez said. “I’m not dumb enough to take him out at 3-1 when the match wasn’t lost. He was injured and could not continue.”
Van Bronckhorst was in his accustomed role early in the second half when he headed a long shot by Alvaro Pereira away from the net after Stekelenburg was caught out chasing a stray back pass. And the Dutch defense was under siege in the final minutes as Uruguay sought to tie it.
The Celeste will head to Saturday’s third-place game, not bad for the last team to qualify.
But not nearly what they wanted. The Dutch have that.

DTN News: Russian Combat Aircraft Makers Fear Competition With China

Defense News: DTN News: Russian Combat Aircraft Makers Fear Competition With China
Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - July 6, 2010: Russian aircraft makers MiG and Sukhoi have spoken against the sale of RD-93 jet engines to China citing the threat of strong competition from cheaper Chinese models of fighter aircraft.
Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport planned to sign a contract with China on the delivery of 100 RD-93 engines for FC-1 fighters, which are direct competitors of the famed MiG-29 Fulcrum aircraft.
Mikhail Pogosyan, the head of the MiG and Sukhoi corporations, said the re-export of technologies must be approved by the original manufacturers to avoid unfair competition.
The FC-1 Xiaolong (Fierce Dragon) is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft developed jointly by China and Pakistan. It is designated as JF-17 Thunder by Pakistan.
A Russian aircraft industry source said the FC-1 is inferior to MiG-29 in performance, but sells for about $10 million, while the price of a MiG-29 is about $35 mln.
MiG-29s are currently competing with FC-1s in an Egyptian tender on the delivery of 32 fighters. In addition, Egypt has launched negotiations with Pakistan on the licensed production of FC-1 aircraft.
Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) approved the re-export of RD-93 engines to Egypt as part of the FC-1 fighter package in November 2007.
Rosoboronexport has said a decision to allow the re-export of technology could be made only by the government, and the manufacturers have never been consulted on the issue.
Russian weapons manufacturers are also facing increasing competition from China on other arms markets.
Russian S-300 and Chinese HQ-9 air defense systems have been competing in a Turkish tender since 2007.
Russian and Chinese armored personnel carriers competed in an Indonesian tender in 2007.
In 2009, Myanmar chose Russian Mig-29s over Chinese J-10s and FC-1s.
Russia has also accused China of producing its own copycat versions of some Russian-made weaponry, including the Su-27SK fighter jet, in violation of intellectual property agreements.

DTN News: Russia's Purchase Of French Mistral-Class Warship

Defense News: DTN News: Russia's Purchase Of French Mistral-Class Warship
Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - July 6, 2010: Russia will buy French Mistral class helicopter carriers with the complete set of navigational equipment and technical documentation, but equip the ships with its own weaponry and helicopters, a defense industry source said Monday.Russia is negotiating the purchase of at least one French-built Mistral class amphibious assault ship and plans to build two or three more vessels of the same class in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS.
"I would like to stress the point that we are buying the Mistral with all proper navigational and technological equipment, including the fire control systems," a source close to the negotiations said.
"We will use our own helicopters on the Mistral, but we will have to raise the deck for that purpose," he said.
According to other defense industry sources, the Russian Air Force plans to buy up to 100 Ka-class helicopters, including some 70 Ka-27Ms, to equip the Mistral ships.
The Mistral class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 armored vehicles including 13 battle tanks, and 450 personnel.
"We are also planning to use this helicopter carrier in northern latitudes, in ice floe. For that we will need to reinforce the hull of the ship, but it will not seriously change its structure or technical equipment," the source said.
The Russian military has said it plans to use Mistral ships in its Northern and Pacific fleets.
Many Russian military and industry experts have questioned the financial and military sense of the purchase, and some believe that Russia simply wants to gain access to advanced naval technology that could be used in the future in potential conflicts with NATO and its allies.
In April, the head of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, Mikhail Dmitriev, said the Mistral deal would be concluded by the end of the year.