quote:Originally posted by Repoman75: Great story on NPR this morning about IED route clearance...Buffalo mentioned
The Buffalo is the star of the story and got mentioned numerous times. Talked about the safety, the mechanical arm, the camera, etc. Didn't mention Force Protection....but great exposure for the product........
I heard that this morning and it was good. Hey, Me and Repo agreed on something... Anyway, the story made me curious to look up the Buffalo and see what it is. Had no idea it was related to Force. Hmmm, and I do have some free cash in my account.
IP: Logged |
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--The U.S. Marines are poised to pick contractors for a new generation of armored combat vehicles, kicking off billions of dollars in coming Pentagon purchases.
Contract announcements for the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles could come as soon as Friday. The Marines are working with the Army and the Navy on the program, which aims to get about 4,100 new vehicles to troops by the end of this year.
"I expect to be on contract with a large number before the end of this month," said Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Michael Brogan, head of Marine Corps Systems Command, in Jan. 16 congressional testimony.
About $1 billion in 2007 funding is laid in for vehicles and related equipment. Over time, the program could lead to more big contracts and also give participants an edge in the Defense Department's upcoming search for a Humvee replacement.
Contractors are lining up for the project, which is almost certain to include multiple vendors.
General Dynamics Corp. (GD) has two entries, one by itself and one in partnership with Force Protection Inc. (FRPT). BAE Systems PLC (BAESY) is another contender. Other companies working on armored combat vehicles include Oshkosh Truck Corp. (OSK) and Textron Inc.'s (TXT) Textron Systems unit.
By picking multiple contractors, the Marines hope to avoid capacity problems that have plagued the Pentagon during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. For example, Armor Holdings Inc. (AH) and its partner AM General LLC had trouble keeping up with demand for up-armored Humvees.
Likewise, Force Protection drew criticism for its difficulty filling orders for its armored vehicles, which include the Buffalo minesweeper and the Cougar troop transport. Brogan said Force Protection has done a good job of overcoming its growing pains, but the Marines need more options.
"Our strategy will be to procure two vehicles from each vendor," Brogan said. Each vehicle will be tested for its ability to resist blasts and handle combat maneuvers. Production contracts could follow by fall.
Lawmakers have supported Pentagon requests for earmarks and budget reprogramming to pay for these vehicles. Interest remains high, as shown in two House Armed Services Committee subcommittee hearings last week.
Initial plans call for the Marines to buy about 1,022 of the new vehicles. The Army seeks an initial buy of 2,500, and the Navy also has signed on. The Army is eyeing additional vehicles as part of a "phase two" procurement.
"We will have to go onto maybe two, three, maybe four vendors depending on the types of systems," said Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Sorenson, in a Jan. 18 congressional hearing. "Ramping that production line up will probably be the next challenge."
Analysts estimate the wheeled vehicle market could be worth $10 billion in coming years. The Army-led Humvee replacement program, known as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program, will take shape over the next 12 months.
That program will be a separate purchase, although it probably will incorporate technology from the mine-resistant vehicle program, said Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Jeff Landis.
Many of the same companies are likely to compete, along with other contenders like Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT), Armor Holdings Inc. and AM General, which has formed a joint venture with General Dynamics to compete for that project.
-By Rebecca Christie, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9243; rebecca.christie*dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
01-26-07 1422ET
Copyright (c) 2007 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
-------------------- "Great Day for Up!"....Dr. Seuss
IP: Logged |
posted
I bought some more too Pcola, but now I'm hoping people don't react negatively to this latest news because it implies that we wont' get the entire contract. I pretty much expected that would be the case, but maybe others did not.
Jo
-------------------- "Great Day for Up!"....Dr. Seuss
IP: Logged |
The U.S. Marines are poised to pick contractors for a new generation of armored combat vehicles, kicking off billions of dollars in coming Pentagon purchases.
Contract announcements for the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles could come as soon as Friday. The Marines are working with the Army and the Navy on the program, which aims to get about 4,100 new vehicles to troops by the end of this year.
"I expect to be on contract with a large number before the end of this month," said Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Michael Brogan, head of Marine Corps Systems Command, in Jan. 16 congressional testimony.
About $1 billion in 2007 funding is laid in for vehicles and related equipment.
2nd part: (worth $10 billion) Over time, the program could lead to more big contracts and also give participants an edge in the Defense Department's upcoming search for a Humvee replacement. Contractors are lining up for the project, which is almost certain to include multiple vendors.
General Dynamics Corp. (GD) has two entries, one by itself and one in partnership with Force Protection Inc. (FRPT). BAE Systems PLC (BAESY) is another contender. Other companies working on armored combat vehicles include Oshkosh Truck Corp. (OSK) and Textron Inc.'s (TXT) Textron Systems unit. (continued)
-------------------- Stick with Repo's plan in '07 - FRPT/DKAM!
IP: Logged |
posted
Perhaps, but if I'm reading it wrong. How many others are as well?
Also, this part makes me nervous.
"Our strategy will be to procure two vehicles from each vendor," Brogan said. Each vehicle will be tested for its ability to resist blasts and handle combat maneuvers. Production contracts could follow by fall"
That seems like a pretty long timetable.
I know there is that waiver of testing though.
Jo
-------------------- "Great Day for Up!"....Dr. Seuss
IP: Logged |
posted
That's what I was curious about too. If the contract announcement is coming ina few days, what did they mean by getting 2 vehicles from each for testing. Poorly worded article at best.
quote:Originally posted by Jo4321: Perhaps, but if I'm reading it wrong. How many others are as well?
Also, this part makes me nervous.
"Our strategy will be to procure two vehicles from each vendor," Brogan said. Each vehicle will be tested for its ability to resist blasts and handle combat maneuvers. Production contracts could follow by fall"
posted
By the way Repo, I don't thikn either jo or myself are WORRIED per se about getting te contract, just about the potential of others to misread it.
However, I thikn it will all take care of itself next week either way.
IP: Logged |
posted
No, I did not pull the trigger... I know what brokerage houses can do in terms of changing marginability and I don't want to get caught with pants around my ankles.
I could care less how anyone reads it.. it's not even on the newswires, just DJ. Don't buy, don't cover... I'm not worried about other people making money. Let them chase when the PR comes out on Monday.
-------------------- Stick with Repo's plan in '07 - FRPT/DKAM!
IP: Logged |
posted
Trade04 - if we don't see massive movement when the contract is rewarded, I'm sellling my whole position because then I will know that the NAS is rigged.
-------------------- Stick with Repo's plan in '07 - FRPT/DKAM!
IP: Logged |
Warrenville, Ill., are being awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The Government can order up to 4,100 MRAP vehicles composed of 1,500 Category I and 2,600 Category II. Each awardee will receive an initial delivery order for two test vehicles per Category to include associated vehicle support. The total value of the initial delivery orders for 36 test vehicles is $34,574,582. The Government may place additional delivery orders for production vehicles. Vehicles procured under these contracts will be deployed to and supported in Iraq and Afghanistan. Initial test vehicles will be delivered no later than 60 days after contract award. Logistics support will continue up to two years after fielding for test and any production vehicles. Work will be performed respectively in York, Pa.; Oshkosh, Wis.; North Charleston, S.C.; York, Pa.; Ladson, S.C.; Sealy, Texas; New Orleans, La.; New Haven, Mich.; Westpoint, Miss., and work is expected to be completed January 2008 (2012 with options). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were awarded based on full and open competition from solicitation M67854-07-R-5000. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity. (Contract Numbers: BAE Systems- M67854-07-D-5025; Oshkosh Truck Corporation- M67854-07-D-5026; Protected Vehicles, Inc.- M67854-07-D-5027; General Dynamics Land Systems- M67854-07-D-5028; Force Protection Industries- M67854-07-D-5031; Armor Holdings- M67854-07-D-5030; Textron Marine & Land- M67854-07-D-5033; General Purpose Vehicles LLC- M67854-07-D-5029; International Military and Government LLC- M67854-07-D-5032).
IP: Logged |
posted
Crap, wish you would have posted earlier, I would have loved to have bought more in the $18 range.
Maybe I'll still be able to, come Monday.
Apparently form4s were also put out today, showing an insider sold 1million shares. But apparently it was a planned sale, so that shouldn't cause a drop.
I can't understand what the drop can be attributed to.
Hopefully someone else can enlighten me.
I get the feeling Repo won't be a happy man next time he logs on....
IP: Logged |
posted
Why does that contract start out with Warrendale, IL, but not company name. Kind of confusing.
So am I seeing this right $18.15 in afterhours? Well, the other day it was $22.49 in after hours and that meant nothing for the open, cause it opened in the low 20's, so I hope the same thing is happenning here.
The insider sales, though planned, seem to always have that effect. Also, I think a lot of people were thinking that FRPT was getting the entire contract and that it would be immediate, not subject to testing (and this may still be the case, they may still waive that testing requirement).
BTW, where is "Force Dynamics" in this announcement? This could also be a problem.
Gosh, who knows. It's going to be a long weekend just trying to absorb all this.
Jo
-------------------- "Great Day for Up!"....Dr. Seuss
IP: Logged |
posted
CONTRACTS from the United States Department of Defense
No. 095-07 FOR RELEASE AT January 26, 2007 Media Contact: (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public/Industry(703) 428-0711
CONTRACTS
MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY
Sparta, Inc., of Lake Forest, Calif., is being awarded a $154,659,489 cost-plus-fixed-fee (level of effort) contract for scientific, engineering and technical assistance support as part of the National Team in the areas of ballistic missile defense and related technology. Work will be performed at Chantilly, Va., and Missile Defense facilities and is expected to be complete by January 2012. Contract funds of $27,655 will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This is a sole source contract award. The Missile Defense Agency, Washington, DC is the contracting activity (HQ0006-07-C-0001).
NAVY
Warrenville, Ill., are being awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The Government can order up to 4,100 MRAP vehicles composed of 1,500 Category I and 2,600 Category II. Each awardee will receive an initial delivery order for two test vehicles per Category to include associated vehicle support. The total value of the initial delivery orders for 36 test vehicles is $34,574,582. The Government may place additional delivery orders for production vehicles. Vehicles procured under these contracts will be deployed to and supported in Iraq and Afghanistan. Initial test vehicles will be delivered no later than 60 days after contract award. Logistics support will continue up to two years after fielding for test and any production vehicles. Work will be performed respectively in York, Pa.; Oshkosh, Wis.; North Charleston, S.C.; York, Pa.; Ladson, S.C.; Sealy, Texas; New Orleans, La.; New Haven, Mich.; Westpoint, Miss., and work is expected to be completed January 2008 (2012 with options). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were awarded based on full and open competition from solicitation M67854-07-R-5000. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity. (Contract Numbers: BAE Systems- M67854-07-D-5025; Oshkosh Truck Corporation- M67854-07-D-5026; Protected Vehicles, Inc.- M67854-07-D-5027; General Dynamics Land Systems- M67854-07-D-5028; Force Protection Industries- M67854-07-D-5031; Armor Holdings- M67854-07-D-5030; Textron Marine & Land- M67854-07-D-5033; General Purpose Vehicles LLC- M67854-07-D-5029; International Military and Government LLC- M67854-07-D-5032).
GSC Construction, Inc.*, Augusta, Ga., is being awarded a $6,068,666 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of the munitions facilities at Shaw Air Force Base. The work to be performed provides for the construction of the munitions administration/mobility storage building, four-bay maintenance facility, and storage igloo. The work for each new building includes communication and fire protection systems, all supporting utilities, and site work consisting of parking aprons, access drives, and landscaping. The contract contains one option at $689,279, which may be exercised within 90 calendar days, bringing the total contract amount to $6,757,945. Work will be performed in Sumter, S.C., and is expected to be completed by June 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with three offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-07-C-1776).
posted
CONTRACTS from the United States Department of Defense
No. 095-07 FOR RELEASE AT January 26, 2007 Media Contact: (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public/Industry(703) 428-0711
CONTRACTS
MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY
Sparta, Inc., of Lake Forest, Calif., is being awarded a $154,659,489 cost-plus-fixed-fee (level of effort) contract for scientific, engineering and technical assistance support as part of the National Team in the areas of ballistic missile defense and related technology. Work will be performed at Chantilly, Va., and Missile Defense facilities and is expected to be complete by January 2012. Contract funds of $27,655 will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This is a sole source contract award. The Missile Defense Agency, Washington, DC is the contracting activity (HQ0006-07-C-0001).
NAVY
BAE Systems, Ground Systems Division, Santa Clara, Calif.; Oshkosh Truck Corporation, Oshkosh, Wis.; Protected Vehicles, Inc., North Charleston, S.C.; General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada Corporation, Ontario, Canada; Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, S.C.; Armor Holdings, Inc., Sealy, Texas; Textron Marine & Land Systems, New Orleans, La.; General Purpose Vehicles, LLC., New Haven, Mich.; International Military and Government LLC, Warrenville, Ill., are being awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The Government can order up to 4,100 MRAP vehicles composed of 1,500 Category I and 2,600 Category II. Each awardee will receive an initial delivery order for two test vehicles per Category to include associated vehicle support. The total value of the initial delivery orders for 36 test vehicles is $34,574,582. The Government may place additional delivery orders for production vehicles. Vehicles procured under these contracts will be deployed to and supported in Iraq and Afghanistan. Initial test vehicles will be delivered no later than 60 days after contract award. Logistics support will continue up to two years after fielding for test and any production vehicles. Work will be performed respectively in York, Pa.; Oshkosh, Wis.; North Charleston, S.C.; York, Pa.; Ladson, S.C.; Sealy, Texas; New Orleans, La.; New Haven, Mich.; Westpoint, Miss., and work is expected to be completed January 2008 (2012 with options). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were awarded based on full and open competition from solicitation M67854-07-R-5000. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity. (Contract Numbers: BAE Systems- M67854-07-D-5025; Oshkosh Truck Corporation- M67854-07-D-5026; Protected Vehicles, Inc.- M67854-07-D-5027; General Dynamics Land Systems- M67854-07-D-5028; Force Protection Industries- M67854-07-D-5031; Armor Holdings- M67854-07-D-5030; Textron Marine & Land- M67854-07-D-5033; General Purpose Vehicles LLC- M67854-07-D-5029; International Military and Government LLC- M67854-07-D-5032)
GSC Construction, Inc.*, Augusta, Ga., is being awarded a $6,068,666 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of the munitions facilities at Shaw Air Force Base. The work to be performed provides for the construction of the munitions administration/mobility storage building, four-bay maintenance facility, and storage igloo. The work for each new building includes communication and fire protection systems, all supporting utilities, and site work consisting of parking aprons, access drives, and landscaping. The contract contains one option at $689,279, which may be exercised within 90 calendar days, bringing the total contract amount to $6,757,945. Work will be performed in Sumter, S.C., and is expected to be completed by June 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with three offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-07-C-1776).
Military services in the market for 4,000 blast-proof vehicles
By Sandra I. Erwin
Expectations that U.S. troops will not leave Iraq for the foreseeable future have prompted the military services to request an additional 4,000 mine-resistant armored vehicles.
Unlike armored humvees, mine-protected vehicles have V-shaped hulls and raised chasses, and are specifically designed to deflect bomb blasts. Side armor and bulletproof glass protect against small arms fire.
The Army and the Marine Corps have purchased several hundred of these vehicles in recent years, but the escalating violence in Iraq led to a decision last fall to boost the inventory.
In late December, vendors submitted bids for the so-called “mine-resistant ambush-protected” vehicles, or MRAP.
The MRAP program will cover a family of three categories of trucks. The Marine Corps currently is managing the program on behalf of the other services. The decision to acquire 4,000 more vehicles was driven by the assumption that these trucks can withstand roadside bombs and sniper attacks better than conventionally armored trucks, explained Capt. Jeff Landis, a spokesman for the Marine Corps Systems Command.
The command issued a request for industry bids in November for 4,060 vehicles — 2,500 for the Army, 538 for the Navy and 1,022 for the Marine Corps.
The Corps got $966 million in last year’s war emergency appropriation to buy 805 vehicles, but is counting on an additional $2 billion this year to acquire all 1,022. The other services also are expected to receive emergency war funds to pay for the vehicles. The price of each truck ranges from $400,000 to $750,000.
Three types of vehicles will be acquired under the MRAP program.
One is a mine-resistant six-passenger utility vehicle. It would be slightly larger than an armored humvee, with a V-shaped hull, ballistic glass, gun turret, undercarriage armor and a raised chassis. The Army plans to buy 463, the Navy 415 and the Marine Corps 538.
The second category is the 38,000-pound Cougar troop transport. The Cougar is a multipurpose, 12-ton mine-protected armored patrol vehicle that comes in 10-passenger and 16-passenger variants. Anticipated orders for this vehicle include 2,037 for the Army, 113 for the Navy and 420 for the Marine Corps.
The third category is the 45,000-pound Buffalo mine-clearing vehicle currently used by explosive ordnance disposal units. The Navy and the Marine Corps each will order 10 and 64 Buffaloes, respectively.
The MRAP program is billed as a competitive award, but two of the three categories of vehicles — the Cougar and the Buffalo — currently are made by one company, Force Protection Inc. At least 300 Cougars and Buffaloes have been deployed to Iraq so far.
-------------------- show me the green
IP: Logged |
posted
the only competition involved in this contract is in the first category(small vehicle) in which Force Protection will get part of with the Cheetah model.
two of the three categories (or Category II as worded in the DOD contract listed a few posts above)will be awarded totally to Force Protection (as worded in the above article)which adds up to the majority of the MRAP contract.
the only question is how and when they will be awarded. it appears they are breaking the contracts up in lots so we will have to wait to see how this works out.
-------------------- show me the green
IP: Logged |
posted
I keep trying to figure out why any company execs would be selling out when the company has so much ahead of it. I guess the way I see it is they have to plan ahead for the sale, and seeing that the CFO(if I remember right) is only getting $180K a year salary, you can bet your a$$ I'd be selling a few shares at $20 if I bought a boatload at $1.XX. Nothing to worry about here, just someone who wants Christmas twice a year IMO. I think when everyone has done their DD, they'll see this award is a real good thing.
-------------------- Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, experience usually comes from bad judgment.
IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
Anyway, the story made me curious to look up the Buffalo and see what it is. Had no idea it was related to Force. Hmmm, and I do have some free cash in my account. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
