What’s keeping up the stock market? Voodoo monetary policy that we cannot see or perhaps comprehend.

The Federal Reserve practices behind-the-scenes conjuring that keeps alive the malevolent zombie-dead who take fed money artificially keeping them alive and then instead of lending it to small businesses and living people, they invest it and make $millions as they maniacally laugh their way to the banks.

From TechTicker:

Stocks Rally Again But ‘Zombie Market’ Faces ‘Major Risks,’ Bleier Says

by Aaron Task in Investing

Stocks were higher midday Wednesday, putting the Dow on track for a seventh-straight gain while the S&P 500 moved to its highest level in 17 months.

In what’s become a familiar pattern, the rally is occurring on low volume and without any of the drama investors have become accustomed to in the past two years. That’s good news but it’s also a sign of what Scott Bleier, president of CreateCapital.com, calls a ‘zombie market,’ where the vast majority of trading volume is computer driven and occurs at the open and during the last 10 minutes of the session.

Bleier’s theory — which definitely has some ‘conspiracy’ elements — is that policymakers at the highest levels of government have come to the realization that ‘it’s the capital market tail that wags the economy’s dog.’

While there’s no way to prove the ‘plunge protection team’ is in the market buying futures to make sure major averages stay above ‘critical’ levels, what is true is the Federal Reserve has taken extraordinary measures to aid the financial markets.

By keeping rates at zero for an ‘extended period,’ the Fed has allowed the banks to repair their balance sheets by earning the spread between the fed funds rate (effectively zero) and the ‘risk-free’ rate of return on 10-year Treasuries, which is hovering around 3%. This ‘free money’ trade is a big reason why banks have been sitting on TARP funds, rather than lending them out.

But the Fed’s comments about buying mortgage-backed securities are at least as important as the comments about rates, Bleier says. The Fed has pledged to purchase $1.25 trillion of agency mortgage-backed securities. In effect, the Fed is allowing banks and brokers to park their ‘toxic’ assets on the Fed’s balance sheet and given the investment community cash equivalents in exchange. ‘They then turn that into investable dollars. They leverage it up and buy stocks, bonds and commodities,’ Bleier says.

While one of many factors, the Fed’s MBS purchase program is the single-most important reason why the financial markets have risen so dramatically in the past year, Bleier suggests.

That being the case, the critical question is what happens if, as currently planned, the Fed winds down the program at the end of the month?

Along with raised earnings expectations, this ‘hand-off between a government-supported market and a market that can stand on its own two feet’ is the ‘major risk’ facing the bulls, Bleier says. ‘We have not see any technical signs to bail from this current rally [but] we have got our finger on the trigger.’

Rest assured he is not alone in that pose, another reason the recent move higher is lacking volume and conviction.

If you really were INDEPENDENTS, and seriously concerned about balancing federal budget deficits and ending government fiscal irresponsibility then how about showing just how independent you are from both the Democratic and Republican parties, bring you tea bags (or coffee if you prefer) and join Code Pink in their EQUAL SHARE OF THE AMERICAN PIE movement.

Simply put, your independent spirit would be taken serious if you targeted BOTH health care reform AND defense (really offense) spending and the military-industrial complex. Then, just maybe then, most other serious independents would find common ground with you.

That said, if you feel that being Pro-Peace is a sign of being Democrat Party, you don’t know enough about Blue Dog Democrats who really should be Republicans when it comes to WAR profiteering!!!

Robert L. Hanafin, Major, U.S. Air Force-Retired, Veterans Today News

PROUD SUPPORTER OF AN EQUAL SHARE OF THE AMERICAN PIE!

American Apple Pie

Nothing could be more Americana than the American Apple Pie, Old Shep, and Chevrolet. However when it comes to an equal taxpayer share of the American pie, there is none. In fact, the largest slice of the American apple pie goes to the Pentagon.

That’s right, we know all too well that our government values war above the health of our communities. We are not just talking health care here, for most Veterans and certainly Military Families, we got ours. However, it’s up to us to take these rotten apples and make apple pie by looking within, acting locally, and finding ways to feed our own communities with ripe opportunities for education, jobs and healthcare while we continue to urge our government to nourish our people.

Speaking of rotten apples

The Washington, DC City Council is poised to fork over a hefty $25m bite to the war profiteers at Northrop Grumman (who, according to their own  promotional video, receives $0.65 from every $1 spent on defense!) This is corporate welfare at its most bitter! As Gloria Steinem said over a decade ago, “We can tell our values by looking at our checkbook stubs.” This is true on a personal, governmental, and a cultural level.

You can think globally/act locally and push back on DC City Council Members by sending them a special version of the postcard above! Do it today, in an act of remembrance and rage for the upcoming 7th anniversary of the war in Iraq.

After sending your no-more-war-pie-telegram, you can join Peace activists by protesting the war on the 7th anniversary, either in Washington, D.C. from March 18-20 (including an evening with Eve Ensler and Amy Goodman!) or in your own community.

Bring Money Back from War to our Neighborhoods

Unless of course you neighborhood profits (is a war profiteer) from wars and the military-industrial complexion, together, we can walk our talk and bring money for war back to our neighborhoods! What’s happening in DC is just the beginning!

To join a CODEPINK march near you, click here, or to search for a coalition peace event click here!

Eve Ensler, who will join Code Pink in DC to honor women creating peace writes

How come America has money to KILL but no money to FEED or HEAL?

“The Iraq war cost nearly $3 trillion/I can’t even count that high/but I know/that money could have/would have/ended poverty in general/which would have canceled terrorism/How come we have money to kill/but no money to feed or heal?”

Serving up heaping portions of luscious peace,
Dana, Emily, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janna, Jodie, Medea, Nancy, Prerna, Rae and Whitney

IT Giant Seeks US Veterans for Their Workforce

By Randy Miller

Strategic Business Systems, Inc. (SBS) is an Information Technology (IT) Services Company headquartered in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. SBS provides IT infrastructure design, integration, and operation services to corporate, non-profit, and government entities. Their expertise encompasses the full spectrum of infrastructure technologies including the latest network, server, storage, disaster recovery, security and Internet technologies.

Employee Commitment - Their employees are what make this company truly a unique organization. SBS is totally committed to their employee’s technical, professional, and financial growth. This total commitment results in a higher quality of service to their customers and provides a great atmosphere for their employees. All of their consultants are part of a larger team that relies on each member to provide the customer with the best level of service possible. It is this total commitment to their people that sets us apart from the competition.

SBS realizes that our US Veterans have the skills in which they are seeking. And want to say thank you to each and every person that has served in our armed forces. They have joined our team here at HireVeterans.com and are reaching out to employ our talented US Veteran men and women now! I encourage you to apply today and join a winning team.

Apply today by clicking here HireVeterans.com/SBSCareers

View the SBS Website by clicking here Strategic Business Systems

American factories operating near record low utilization

By Andrea Orr

The U.S. manufacturing sector has been hit hard in the latest economic downturn, but has also suffered a steady decline for the past decade. The Figure [below] tracks capacity utilization, or the share of manufacturing capacity in use, since 1973. Capacity utilization measures the difference between how much the country’s manufacturing sector is producing and how much it could be producing. In December 2007 at the start of the recession, capacity utilization stood at 80.6%. By June of 2009 it had fallen to 68.2% and today it is at 72.6%.

It is important to note that optimal capacity is not 100%, since that would require all factories to be running flat-out, day and night, with no time to conduct maintenance and no room to increase production to meet a surge in orders. However, today’s utilization levels are near all-time lows.  Although it has rebounded slightly from the record low of 68.2% in June of 2009, utilization today remains only slightly above the previous record low of 70.9% reached in 1982. Because manufacturing jobs usually pay higher wages than jobs in the service sector, factory workers who lose their jobs are often unable to find comparably-paying work elsewhere.

For more historical data on the U.S. manufacturing sector, visit EPI’s Economy Track.

Do I Need an Advanced Degree? Why?

The Military Member and Advanced Education

by Lt. Col. Capicik

Everyone has heard stories that say “maybe I can get by without an advanced degree.” But the overwhelming odds are that none of those stories will apply to you.

As a service member, there is increasing evidence that advanced education will help you:

• Earn lower-level military promotions (and is a requirement to get upper-level promotions).
• Land a job and keep it in the civilian environment when you transition, because  employers know that degrees:
  • Provide foundational knowledge in a chosen field
  • Provide a general background for working with people
  • Provide the ability to understand and analyze situations, find needed information, and collaborate with fellow workers in a team environment.
• Enhance your standard of living both in and out of the military.
• Likely make you a better citizen in serving your community and the nation. 

There are ample statistics that show the main reason most people join the military is to take advantage of the training that will prepare you for a life-long career. Equally important is the access to significant monetary benefits available to help pay for advanced education.

Advanced degrees set you apart from the rest

If you haven’t started or completed a degree program yet – start NOW! And once you have started, keep plugging away until you have ideally finished a Master’s degree, if possible.

Yes, I know that Bill Gates quit college to start Microsoft® and is now one of the richest people in the world. But again, statistics overwhelmingly support completion of an advanced degree. The economy, a tight job market, and global competition are just a few reasons why a college degree is required where once a high school diploma was enough; and a Master’s degree is required where a Bachelor’s degree was enough.

The average military person will take five to ten years to complete an advanced degree. Deterrents include low motivation when your friends aren’t hitting the books; high ops tempo in your military life, including relocations, readiness training, and deployments; and family needs, especially when children come along. So the sooner you start the more flexibility you have to manage deterrents and still reach your goal in a reasonable period of time.

Three types of advanced degrees

The most common advanced degrees for a military person to pursue include an Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

• Associate degree. With little or no college credit, starting with an Associate degree can propel you to a degree plateau with 60 semester hours and show your supervisors that you are a motivated individual who is serious about your career. This generally let you advance into a Bachelor’s program with no loss of time or semester hours. 
• Bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s degree should be your minimum goal and generally requires 60 additional hours beyond an Associate degree. If you have completed several college courses, advanced military training, or maybe completed some CLEP courses, you can usually launch into the 120-semester-hour Bachelor’s degree program. These degrees prepare you for entry- and mid-level careers in most companies.
• Master’s degree. A Master’s degree will generally require approximately 36 additional semester hours of course work. It provides you the intensive, extra education that prepares you for the higher-level positions in a particular career field, or as a manager over a broader range of workers in a department or section. A Master’s is generally required for top management level positions.

What degree program should I take?

Thinking about your mid- and long-term goals should influence what degree program you pursue. While there is often the temptation to take the path that will get you a degree the fastest, it is not always the best choice. Consider:

• Where you are in your career, especially as it relates to the date of your transition to the civilian world. Your current experience will be a big factor in your decision.
• At the top of your list should be your personal interests. This single factor will greatly affect your motivation in degree completion and eventual career satisfaction.
• Review articles and associations online to determine the career potential of your area of study.

Ideas to get you going

• Did you know that the average active-duty member uses only $1,600 of the $4,500 annual tuition assistance (TA) money available to them? And you can’t recover the unused amount. So if you haven’t started your education, do so now and continue for the foreseeable future. Take advantage of this incredible benefit.
• Find a friend to take as many of the courses you are taking as possible – you will be amazed how that will help your motivation and how much you can help each other in understanding the course material.
• Consider American Sentinel University. We offer accredited, online degree programs with the flexibility you need in the military environment. And we have three tiers of support (faculty, student academic advisors, and a military advisor) to help you succeed in your educational journey. 

Follow-on articles will include the Military Member and Certifications, and also How to Choose the Right School. Any comments or questions? Please contact me directly via email at paul.capicik@americansentinel.edu or call toll free 1-800-470-3743.

The Military Member & Advanced Education Webinar hosted by Lt. Col. Capicik.

The presentation will cover a broad range of topics important to Servicemembers at every point in the process of pursuing an advanced education, including:

–Do I Need an Advanced Degree?
–When Should I Start?
–Degree Types
–What Degree Should I Pursue?

The webinar will take place on Tuesday, March 30th from 1pm-2pm CDT.
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/750522001

RELATED RESOURCES

• Find Job at HireVeterans.com, a Job Board for U.S. Veterans

Cardinal Health, Inc., Dublin, Ohio, is being awarded a maximum $206,434,187 requirements-type, prime vendor contract for distribution of pharmaceutical items. Other locations of performance are North Carolina and California. Using service is the Department of Defense. The original proposal was solicited on the Federal Business Opportunities Web site with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is a 20-month base with two 20-month option periods. The date of performance completion is Feb. 28, 2012. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM2DX-10-D-0027).

Cardinal Health, Inc., Dublin, Ohio, is being awarded a maximum $150,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity, prime vendor contract for pharmaceutical items for the U.S. Naval fleet, USNS Mercy, and USNS Comfort. Other locations of performance are Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Washington, New Jersey and California. Using service is the Department of Defense. The original proposal was solicited on the Federal Business Opportunities Web site with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Feb. 28, 2012. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM2DX-10-D-0001).

Coastal Pacific Food Distributors*, Stockton, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $18,000,000 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, sole-source contract for full-line food distribution. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Sept. 13, 2010. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DESP), Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM300-09-D-3280).

World Fuel Services, Inc., dba World Fuel Services of FL, Miami, Fla., is being awarded a maximum $9,606,443 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Hawaii. Using services are Army, Navy and Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2014. The Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-0040).

Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $7,157,519 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for transfer transmission. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 12, 2015. The Defense Logistics Agency -Warren (DSCC-ZG), Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (SPRDL1-10-D-0020).
DMS Pharmaceutical Group, Inc.*, Park Ridge, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $2,245,907 requirements-type, prime vendor contract for distribution of pharmaceutical items. Using service is Department of Defense. The original proposal was solicited on the Federal Business Opportunities Web site with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is a 20-month base with two 20-month option periods. The date of performance completion is Feb. 28, 2012. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM2DX-10-D-0130).

NAVY

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc., Newport News, Va., is being awarded an $80,886,408 cost-plus-fixed-fee, level-of-effort contract for fiscal 2010 advance planning to prepare and make ready for the refueling complex overhaul of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and its reactor plants. This effort will provide for all advanced planning, ship checks, design, documentation, engineering, procurement, fabrication, and preliminary shipyard or support facility work. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $678,568,820. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be complete by February 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-2110).

BAE Systems Land & Armaments, LP, Santa Clara, Calif., is being awarded $74,090,258 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0006 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5026) for the purchase of Marine Corps transparent armor gun system kits, battery powered motorized traversing unit – manual traversing unit kits, and turret assemblies. Work will be performed in Santa Clara, Calif., and is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $4,740,748 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems and Sensors, Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $26,604,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207) to exercise a cost-plus-incentive fee/award-fee option for engineering and technical services for the acoustic system improvement and integration in support of the commercial-off-the-shelf Acoustic Rapid Insertion System (A-RCI) program. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., and is expected to be completed by June 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $1,759,160 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

DCS Corp.*, Alexandria, Va., is being awarded an $11,499,976 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N68936-05-D-0002) to provide weapons and systems integration support services to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s integrated product teams and weapons support facilities, and their associated weapons. The estimated level of effort for this modification is 176,017 man-hours. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif. (90 percent), and Pt. Mugu, Calif. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Oasys Technology, LLC*, Manchester, N.H., is being awarded a $10,726,660 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hand-held thermal binoculars. The thermal binoculars are used for detection, targeting, and surveillance in low visibility environments. Multiple lenses are available for use to modify the field of view for broader or more focused detection as required. The thermal binocular systems will allow the operators to fulfill their mission more quickly, efficiently, and safely. The thermal binoculars are thermal imaging devices that can be used as either a hand-held detector or a mounted detector. Work will be performed in Manchester, N.H., and is expected to be completed by March 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities Web site, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-10-D-JQ65).

ARMY

Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., was awarded on March 12, 2010, a $45,576,936 firm-fixed-price contract for the delivery order to purchase Generation III extreme cold weather clothing system kits. Work is to be performed in Newark, N.J. (24 percent); Mayagüez, Puerto Rico (24 percent); Lansing, Mich. (18 percent); Fall River, Mass. (10 percent); Tullahoma, Tenn. (10 percent); Virginia Beach, Va. (5 percent); Post Falls, Idaho (5 percent); North Conway, N.H. (2 percent); and Mukilteo, Wash. (2 percent), with an estimated completion date of Dec. 20, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-07-D-0003).

General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on March 12, 2010, a $37,380,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the modification P00142, exercising an option for systems technical support for the ABRAMS tank program. Work is to be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 19, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. TACOM-Warren, AMSCC-TAC-AHLC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-07-C-0046).

AC First, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded on March 12, 2010, a $25,688,609 firm-fixed-price contract for the Installation Information Infrastructure Modernization Program telecommunications systems program management, information technology planning, logistics, and field support service, in support of Project Manager Network Service Center, Project Director Defense Communication Systems-Southwest Asia. This requirement was competed amongst the unrestricted suite of contractors covered under Task Area 12, within the Field & Installation Readiness Support Team multiple-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity. Work is to be performed throughout various locations worldwide with focus on Southwest Asia – primarily Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Iraq – with an estimated completion date of March 14, 2011. Fifteen bids were solicited with one bid received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W911SE-07-D-0004).

Elite CNC Machining, Largo, Fla., was awarded on March 12, 2010, a $20,038,550 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 1,628,827 M918 projectile assemblies in support of the M918 target practice cartridge. Work is to be performed in Largo, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. Army Contracting Command, CCRC-AL, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-09-C-0044).

Laser Devices, Inc., Monterey, Calif., was awarded on Mar. 10, 2010 a $6,940,000 firm-fixed-price contract for a sustainment order 10,000 PEQ-15A multi-functional aiming lights for the U.S. project manager soldier sensors and lasers. Delivery of all units will be completed by January 2011. Work is to be performed in Monterey, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2011. Bids were solicited by limited sources justification with one bid received. U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-05-D-0029).

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems of Woburn, Mass., is being awarded a sole-source modification for $17,421,524 under contract HQ0006-03-C-0047. The modification includes both fixed-price and cost-plus-award-fee line items. Under this contract modification, Raytheon will continue concurrent test, training, and operations support unit integration (Phase II) for AN/TYP-2 X-Band radar. The work will be performed in Woburn, Mass. The performance period is through November 2010. Fiscal year 2010 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be utilized for this effort. The Missile Defense Agency is the contracting activity (HQ0006).

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., of Canoga Park, Calif., is being awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee change order modification for $14,222,473 under its contract, HQ0006-08-C-0044. Under this contract modification, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne will complete risk reduction efforts to demonstrate the technology and improve the technology and manufacturing readiness of the components needed in a high performance interceptor liquid fuel upper stage system. The work will be performed in Canoga Park, Calif. This performance period ends in March 2011. The amount obligated on this action is $12,300,000 using fiscal year 2009 research, development, test and evaluation funds. The Missile Defense Agency is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

United Launch Services, Littleton, Colo., was awarded a $15,065,010 contract which will provide for the acquisition of launch vehicle propellants and gaseous commodities for Air Force space missions. At this time, $15,065,101 has been obligated. SMC/LRSW, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8816-06-C-0002, P00194).

Aleut Facilities Support Services, LLC, Aurora, Colo., was awarded a $6,876,579 contract which will exercise the fourth option year, to provide non-personal services for customer support; infrastructure and facility maintenance; physical plant operation; and environmental and property management for Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 21 CONS/LGCAB, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (FA25174-06-C-5005, P00027).

*Small Business

Towards the end of 2009, the State of Florida decided to tax its citizens with various fees to the tune of about $2.3 billion. The fees included vehicle registration, car title, license plates, late payments, diver’s license, specialty plates, new residents tax, driver tax, reflectorization, divorce, death tax, foreclosure filings, probate cases, state parks, fishing, business billboards, and garbage tax. Most individuals will agree that paying taxes is not a painful process once employment and incomes are available. However, with Florida ranking among the top foreclosure States in the country with an unemployment rate to match, it is rather unconscionable for the legislature to increase fees to the extent to which they did while individuals are already struggling to buy food and pay other bills.

Many Floridians continue to struggle economically and occupationally. Yet, the State continues to make their struggles even more challenging by taxing them when many of its citizens have no money, no jobs, and are in fact destitute. Being a veteran or disabled veteran does not relieve the stresses of the fines being levied by the State either. Therefore, any veterans or disabled veterans expecting to receive any type of benefits from the State of Florida upon the completion of military service should look elsewhere. Florida is no longer the Sunshine State for everyone, but a Sunshine State for the rich and, or richly retired.

While all these changes are happening, Governor Charile Christ seems to be paying little attention to his already suffering citizens, and the same can be said about his budget-balancing skills. How do you punish your citizens because your accountants are unable to do their jobs of managing the State’s budget? It is not the responsibility of the citizens to bail out the State of Florida whenever one of the government’s hired help falls asleep at the wheel. Bailing out a State during job stability and economic progress is one thing, but bailing out a State when all the citizens pockets are empty is a total different ball game.

Some of the price changes in some of the fees that Florida residents will now have to pay are as follows:

Renewing driver’s license:
Before: $20
After: $48

Delinquent fee
Before: $1
After: $15

Replace license
Before: $10
After: $25

Registration Renewal for Vehicles under 2,500 lbs For example: Honda Civic, Toyota Yaris, Mazda Miata and Hyundai Accent
Before: $28.10
After: $46.65

Vehicles 2,500 to 3,499 lbs For example: Nissan Altima, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Ford Taurus, Chevy Malibu and Honda Accord
Before: $36.10
After: $57.65

Vehicles over 3,500 lbs For example: Chevy Silverado, Chevy Impala, Ford Explorer, Dodge Charger, Nissan Maxima, Toyota 4Runner
Before: $46.10
After: $71.15

Transfer title with original registration (used car purchase) example: used Toyota Camry with the Sea Turtle plate
Total title and registration, including initial registration fee Before: $209.85
After: $396.40

Original title (new car purchase) For example, Toyota 4Runner
Total title and registration, including initial registration fee Before: $191.85
After: $403.90

Original title (transfer from out of state) For example: Honda Civic
Total title and registration, including initial registration fee
Before: $161.85
After: $351.40

As far as has been reported, the fees are permanent. However, do not expect services at any of licensing agencies to get better, as there are currently over 335 vacant positions due to hiring freezes and closed offices. Though the State of Florida is taxing citizens based on a claim of budget shortfall, this is not the first time Florida has had issues with its budget, or its ability to provide employment and other needed services to its citizens. Maybe it’s time for Florida to seek assistance from other States that are able to, and have continued successfully to provide for its citizens, instead of bleeding them dry. While Florida is seeking such assistance from experts inside or outside of the State, perhaps Florida will also retire the moniker, “Sunshine State” and replace it with something less attractively deceiving.

USAA named preferred provider for banking and financial products

SAN ANTONIO – More than 121,000 Air Force Association members now can take advantage of a comprehensive suite of financial services from one of the nation’s highest rated* financial services providers, thanks to an agreement just signed with USAA. 

USAA, a leading financial services provider for the military community, now is the preferred provider for checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and investment products – all delivered with USAA’s award-winning customer service. 

“We are extremely pleased to welcome USAA as a benefit partner,” said AFA President and CEO Mike Dunn. “This relationship will enhance our banking and investment products in the years ahead with a company that has been a safe harbor for millions of military members and their families during a tough economic time. One thing’s certain – USAA has an 88-year-record of financial strength and support for those in uniform and we’re glad to be on the same team.”  

For USAA, the agreement is a natural evolution of its ongoing efforts to help facilitate the financial security of members of the U.S. military and their families. 

“The Air Force Association and USAA share a common goal – taking care of those who serve this great nation and their families,” said retired Chief Master Sgt. Eric Benken, USAA Air Force programs manager and the 12^th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. “Both organizations understand the complexities of military service and recognize the courage and sacrifice of those who wear the uniform.”  

Benken, a life member of AFA, believes that together, AFA and USAA “will continue to provide members a legacy of tremendous value and customer service.”  

The agreement with USAA fills the gap left when AFA’s former provider, Waterfield Bank of Germantown, Md., was closed March 5 by the Office of Thrift Supervision. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has been appointed as receiver and AFA is recommending its members utilize USAA for deposit accounts effective immediately. 

Those who want to learn more about USAA can call (800) 531-8722 or visit usaa.com. To learn more about AFA membership, call (800) 727-3337or visit www.afa.org. 

About AFA

The Air Force Association (AFA) is an independent, nonprofit, civilian education organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA publishes Air Force Magazine, conducts national symposia and disseminates information through outreach programs. It sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs. AFA presents scholarships and grants to Air Force active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members and their dependents; and awards educator grants to promote science and math education at the elementary and secondary school level. Additionally, AFA publishes a wide range of materials on www.afa.org.

About USAA

USAA provides insurance, banking, investment and retirement products and services to 7.4 million members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving or have honorably served our nation in the U.S. military – and their families. For more information about USAA, or to learn more about membership, visit usaa.com.

* Ranked highest named bank on Forrester’s 2010 Customer Advocacy Ranking; Superior rating from IDC Financial Publishing; Office of Thrift Supervision Outstanding Community Reinvestment Act Rating; Highline Banking Data Services Top 25% of peer group. With $31.8 billion in deposits, as of June 30, 2009, USAA Federal Savings Bank is 23rd largest bank in the nation.

                 Navistar Defense, LLC, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded a $178,262,162 modification to delivery order #0013 under previously awarded firm-fixed priced contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of 1,222 independent suspension system kits and aluminum catcher plates for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.  Work will be performed in West Point, Miss., and the period of performance is expected to be completed by the end of March 2011.  Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year.  The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity. 

                 Northrop Grumman Corp., Integrated Systems, Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $94,629,000 not-to-exceed advance acquisition contract for long lead materials and support associated with the manufacture and delivery of four low rate initial production Lot 3 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.  Work will be performed in Syracuse, N.Y. (32.6 percent); various locations within the United States (23.7 percent); Bethpage, N.Y. (15.5 percent); Dallas, Texas (12.4 percent); Menlo Park, Calif. (9.8 percent); and Woodland Hills, Calif. (6 percent), and 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.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0044).

                 L-3 Communications Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah, is being awarded a $37,490,848 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive contract (N00019-09-C-0059) to exercise an option for the manufacture, test, and delivery of 11 AN/SRQ-4(Ku) radio terminal sets for ship small surface combatants and 51 AN/ARQ-59 RTSs for the MH-60R aircraft, including technical data.  These upgraded Ku-band systems will extend existing Hawklink connectivity from small surface combatants to the aircraft carrier and increase data rates between MH-60R to surface combatants.  Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is expected to be completed in March 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

                 Raytheon Technical Services Co., LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded an $18,853,530 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously issued basic order agreement (N00019-05-G-0008) to exercise an option for the procurement of 36 LAU-115D/A launchers and 82 LAU-116B/A launchers for the F/A-18 aircraft.  Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in September 2012.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

                Maersk Line, Ltd, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded an $8,630,000 firm-fixed-price contract for a nine-month time charter of tanker MT Samho Moonstone, currently a foreign-flag vessel, which will be re-named and U.S.-flagged upon delivery to the government.  The ship’s primary mission is to move petroleum for the Department of Defense between ports in the Far East.  This contract includes one 30-day option which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $9,500,000.  Work is expected to commence May 2010 and is expected to be completed within 270 calendar days or, if all options are exercised, within 300 calendar days.  The contract is expected to be funded in fiscal year 2010 and funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured, with 11 offers received.  Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting authority (N00033-10-C-5410).

                 Insitu, Inc., Bingen, Wash., is being awarded an $8,576,814 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of technical services in support of the ScanEagle unmanned aerial system to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services.  In addition, this contract provides for six critical spare kits and nine SkyHook recovery system modifications.  Work will be performed in Bingen, Wash., and is expected to be completed in December 2010.  Contract funds in the amount of $8,433,786 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-2.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0045).

                 Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, San Diego, is being awarded a $7,500,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-5122) for the exercise of FY 10 options for performing as the platform system engineering agent for the Ship Self Defense System (SSDS).  In the course of this effort, Raytheon will be responsible for the integration of complex war-fighting improvement – including components associated with the dual-band radar and Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 – into the modular SSDS.  SSDS is a combat system that intends to integrate and coordinate all of the existing sensors and weapons systems aboard a ship.  Raytheon will integrate, test, and provide certification support for the government-furnished equipment/information required for the CVN/amphibious ship combat system.  Work will be performed in San Diego (90 percent); Tewksbury, Mass. (2.5 percent); Portsmouth, R.I. (2.5 percent); St. Petersburg, Fla. (2.5 percent); and Tucson, Ariz. (2.5 percent).  Work is expected to be completed by September 2010.  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.

AIR FORCE

                 Kaman Precision Products, Inc., Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $46,253,422.83 contract modification which will provide a quantity of 12,994 joint programmable fuze systems.  At this time, entire amount has been obligated.  679 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (F08626-98-C-0006, P00130).

                 Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a $19,505,458 contract which provides an Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air-Missile system improvement program.  At this time, the $2,770,000 has been obligated.  696 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-10-C-0105).

                 Booz Allen Hamilton, Herndon, Va., was awarded a $20,355,914 contract which will provide secure collaborative technologies and cyber security to Air Mobility Command.  At this time, $455,000 has been obligated.  55 Contracting Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-98-D-4002).

                 Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was awarded an $11,111,767 contract modification which will provide for systems development, integration, and verification phase of the P5 range instrumentation waveform.  This waveform is in support of the F-22 and F-35 aircraft.  At this time, $5,000,000 has been obligated.  689 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8678-05-C-0141).

 ARMY

                 Global Strategies Group North America, Inc., Frederick, Md., was awarded on March 10, 2010, an $18,745,406 firm-fixed-price contract for 103 containerized kitchens and authorize stockage list spares.  Work is to be performed in Fredrick, Md., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2012.  Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with six bids received.  U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-05-D-0004).

                 Bethel Services, Inc., Bethel, Ark., was awarded on March 10, 2010, an $18,119,555 firm-fixed-price contract for 19 cold weather kits.  Work is to be performed in Bethel, Ark., with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2011.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Divison, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-05-C-0047).

                 Scott Reliance, JV, Chicago, Ill., was awarded on March 10, 2010, a $13,668,906 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of an Army Reserve Center.  Work is to be performed in Joliet, Ill., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 3, 2012.  Bids were posted on the World Wide Web with eleven bids received.  U.S. Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-10-C-0013).

                 Honeywell, Minneapolis, Minn., was awarded on March 10, 2010, a $7,342,153 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, funding Honeywell to design, develop, and deliver a demonstration of a gyroscope with a goal capability of absolute reference navigation in a compact, four diameter optically integrated gyro-head.  Work is to be performed in Minneapolis, Minn. (47 percent); Somerset, N.J. (19 percent); Pasadena, Calif. (17 percent); Glendale, Ariz. (16 percent); and King of Prussia, Pa. (1 percent), with an estimated completion date of May 7, 2010.  Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0019).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

                 MOOG, Inc., East Aurora, N.Y., is being awarded a maximum $6,232,476 firm-fixed-price contract for V22 aircraft parts.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using service is Air Force.  There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The date of performance completion is March 2012.  The Defense Logistics Agency, Philadelphia (DSCR-ZC), Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM4A1-06-G-0002-THA7).

Here is what leaders of some of the organizations that are mobilizing have to say:

Robert L. Hanafin, Staff Writer, Veterans Today News

“Why WE are marching on 20 March”

The PEACE demonstrations on Saturday, 20 March to demand “U.S. Out of Afghanistan and Iraq Now” has been endorsed by over 1,500 organizations and individuals.

Whether it is President Bush or Obama, when it comes to war and occupation, there’s no difference. It’s the same soup, just a different bowl. The U.S. government is still engaged in a war of empire and occupation. It wages a war against Muslims abroad and at home. The government spends billions of dollars dropping smart bombs on dumb missions, while the American people go without jobs, homes, health care, and decent, accessible education.

Muslims must unite with those who resist oppression and love freedom and justice. Our strength is in our unity and our resistance. Therefore, we march. – Mahdi Bray Executive Director, Muslim American Society

The National Council of Arab Americans (NCA), a fundamental constituent of the anti-war movement, in alignment with other coalition partners, are drawing attention to the massive shift of resources from development and fighting poverty to fund useless wars and destruction. Irrespective of who’s in the White House, the policies have proven to be identical in maintaining a hegemonistic empire. Our community, in particular, is subjected to harsh profiling and alienation policies; but remains determined to fight the source of injustice. …We call on our Arab-American community, and their friends, to mobilize on March 20th denouncing wars and shifting dire resources, and to tear down the wall of fear and intimidation. – Mounzer Sleiman
Vice Chair, NCA

Click here to read the full statement.

Visible protest—marching to stop the crimes of our government—makes a difference because we show what we won’t accept, and we learn what we’re up against. These wars are not legitimate. People around the world must see that we don’t support them, and know that to us, American lives are not more important than their own. Join World Can’t Wait Saturday March 20 in protest! – Debra Sweet National Coordinator, World Can’t Wait

Click here to read the full statement.

Labor organizations and unions are joining with thousands of others who will be marching on Washington, D.C., on Saturday, March 20.

Among the over 1,500 endorsers of the National March on Washington are U.S. Labor Against the War, New York City Labor Against the War, North Carolina Labor Against the War and New Jersey Labor Against War.

The United Steelworkers (USW) are sponsoring a bus to D.C. leaving from their headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh. Dan Kovalik, the senior associate general counsel for USW, said:

“The USW will be sending a bus of protesters from its headquarters in Pittsburgh to the March 20 demonstration for peace. The time is long overdue that our nation’s resources be spent on real health care reform, a social safety net and job creation rather than on weapons of mass destruction and senseless wars. We march for that change in our government’s set of priorities.”

United University Professions (UUP)—the union representing more than 34,000 academic and professional faculty on 29 State University of New York campuses and several other New York State schools—passed a resolution at its 2010 Winter Delegate Assembly calling on UUP leaders, chapters and members to build UUP participation in the March 20 demonstration in D.C. as part of the labor contingent.

Click here to read the UUP resolution.

In San Francisco, the March 20 demonstration will unite with the UNITE HERE Local 2 hotel workers by marching to two of the hotels being boycotted by the union. Local 2 represents more than 9,000 hotel workers who are fighting for a new contract. The Executive Board of Local 2, which has been waging a spirited contract struggle, has endorsed the March 20 demonstration. The San Francisco and Alameda County Central Labor Councils and many individual unions are mobilizing for March 20 against the wars and occupations and in solidarity with the Local 2 workers.

More information about March 20 is available at www.AnswerCoalition.org.

Help build the March 20 March on Washington!

Find out about transportation from around the country

Organize Transportation

Download literature

Volunteer

Endorse March 20

See the list of endorsers

By Kimberly Hefling

WASHINGTON – The unemployment rate last year for young Iraq and Afghanistan veterans hit 21.1 percent, the Labor Department said Friday, reflecting a tough obstacle combat veterans face as they make the transition home from war.

The number was well above the 16.6 percent jobless rate for non-veterans of the same ages, 18 to 24.

As of last year, 1.9 million veterans had deployed for the wars since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Some have struggled with mental health problems, addictions, and homelessness as they return home. Difficulty finding work can make the adjustment that much harder.

The just-released rate for young veterans was significantly higher than the unemployment rate of young veterans in that age group of 14.1 percent in 2008.

Many of the unemployed are members of the Guard and Reserves who have deployed multiple times, said Joseph Sharpe, director of the economic division at the American Legion. Sharpe said some come home to find their jobs have been eliminated because the company has downsized. Other companies may not want to hire someone who could deploy again or will have medical appointments because of war-related health problems, he said.

“It’s a horrible environment because if you’re a reservist and you’re being deployed two or three times in a five-year period, you know you’re less competitive,” Sharpe said. “Many companies that are already hurting are reluctant to hire you and time kind of moves on once you’re deployed.”

‘A real hard time’
One veteran looking for work is Dario DiBattista, 26, of Abingdon, Md., a graduate student who did two tours in Iraq in the Marine Reserves with a civil affairs unit. He said he’s found that a lot of military skills don’t readily transfer into the workplace, and in many cases, there aren’t jobs to apply for even if companies want to hire veterans.

“If you don’t have a strong family support system … it’s hard to get over the hump to make the decision of where you’re going to live, what you do for work, where you’re going to go to school, if you can even qualify to get into school,” DiBattista said.

Justin Wilcox, a 30-year-old Iraq veteran who is participating in a work-study program at a vet center operated by the Veterans Affairs Department in Charleston, W.Va., said he hasn’t just had problems finding jobs, but keeping them. He’s done work as a coal miner, as a salesman selling drill bits and in other positions, but he said mental health problems stemming from the war with side effects such as anger and difficulty concentrating have made it difficult.

There’s a lack of understanding about the needs some veterans have, said Wilcox, who is studying to become a teacher.

“Basically, it’s been a real hard time for me. Because when I do get a job, it’s not a real high paying job,” Wilcox said. “I have a difficult time relating to people and … one job that I had that paid really good, I couldn’t comprehend what I was supposed to do and how I was supposed to do it.”

Less training, experience
For veterans of all ages from the recent wars, the unemployment rate in 2009 was 10.2 percent. Historically, younger veterans have had more difficulty than their older counterparts finding a job because they often have less training and job experience. Some joined the military right out of high school.

Lisa Rosser, an Army veteran and company owner who sits on the advisory board of the Call of Duty Endowment that funds projects focused on veterans employment issues, said she encourages veterans to emphasize to prospective employers what they learned about managing people in a stressful combat environment.

“If they talk about their general leadership skills and their ability to supervise and to manage people, especially at a very young age, that is a good sell … because the average 24-year-old and 27-year-old in the military has similar supervisory and managerial experience as someone in their 30s on the civilian side,” Rosser said.

One possible solution is to make it easier for veterans to transfer certifications they have for jobs they did in the military into the civilian workforce, Sharpe said.

The Labor and Veterans Affairs departments have a variety of programs addressing the problem, including one that educates employers about how to work with veterans with special needs. The hope is that another program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill rolled out last year, will be particularly effective. Under it, $78 billion is expected to be paid out in education benefits over the next decade for veterans of the recent wars to attend school.

The national unemployment rate last year was 9.3 percent, the highest since 1983.

———————————–
CONTRACTS: NAVY
 
                LPI Technical Services*, Chesapeake, Va., is being awarded a $84,140,685 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to furnish repair, maintenance, modernization, logistical, and technical support services for material handling equipment (yellow gear) and hull, mechanical, and electric machinery and systems in order to ensure continued ship operation and performance. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va. (25 percent); Chesapeake, Va. (15 percent); Mayport, Fla. (15 percent); Bremerton, Wash. (10 percent); San Diego (5 percent); Philadelphia (5 percent); Ingleside, Texas (5 percent); Naples, Italy (5 percent); Earle, N.J. (5 percent); Pascagoula, Miss. (5 percent); and Virginia Beach, Va. (5 percent). Work is expected to be completed by March 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities Web site, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Ship System Engineering Station, Philadelphia, is the contracting activity (N65540-10-D-0010).
 
                KOR Electronics*, Cypress, Calif., is being awarded a $44,444,241 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity time-and-material contract for the procurement of up to 200 production miniaturized I/J band digital radio frequency modulators (DRFM) for the Navy and Air Force. DRFMs are installed in systems that are used to evaluate U.S. weapons systems and train fleet operators. In addition, this contract provides for one lot of engineering, technical, and repair services in support of the Navy/Air Force Airborne Threat Simulation Organization. Work will be performed in Cypress, Calif., and is expected to be completed in March 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals as a 100 percent small business set-aside; two offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-10-D-0022).
 
                BAE Systems Land & Armaments, LP, Ground Systems Division, York, Pa., is being awarded a $44,116,706 modification to previously awarded delivery order #0011 under firm-fixed-priced contract (M67854-07-D-5025) for field service representatives and instructors to provide support, inside and outside the continental United States, for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. Work will be performed in York, Pa., and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $44,116,706 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
 
                DDL Omni Engineering, McLean, Va. (N66604-10-D-003A), and General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Va. (N66604-10-D-003B), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity cost-plus-fixed fee multiple-award contract for engineering services in support of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) program. The dollar value for both contracts combined is $16,139,998; DDL Omni Engineering is being awarded $8, 482,108 and General Dynamics is being awarded $7,657,890. Efforts will include planning; development of alteration plans and procedures; assembly; fabrication; installation; testing; refurbishment; and repair of ISR systems and equipment aboard Navy submarines.  Work will be performed in Newport, R.I. (50 percent), and Pawcatuck, Conn. (50 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2015. Contract funds in the amount of $35,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured via Navy Electronic Commerce Online Web site, with six offers received. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, R.I., is the contracting activity.
 
                Marvin Engineering Co., Inc.*, Inglewood, Calif., is being awarded an $11,717,049 modification to previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-08-D-0012) for the procurement of 377 LAU-7F/A missile launchers for the Navy. Work will be performed in Inglewood, Calif., and is expected to be completed in October 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
 
                KITCO/kSARIA, LLC*, Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $9,799,727 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for CVN-78’s automated fiber optic manufacturing initiative (AFOMI). The AFOMI is intended to mature fiber optic cable termination technologies, specifically focusing on automation and miniaturization. This contract promotes CVN-78 carrier program’s goal to establish a manufacturing line to produce products developed through this initiative. CVN-78’s goal is to drive lifetime fiber optic component manufacturing and repair costs down by miniaturizing and automating as many processes as possible. Work will be performed in Lawrence, Mass. (90 percent), and Virginia Beach, Va. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2015. Contract funds in the amount of $1,471,982 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Electronics Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities Web sites, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity (N00178-10-D-2003).
 
                Marotta Controls, Inc.*, Montville, N.J., is being awarded a $6,210,698 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-06-D-0021) for the production of 377 pure air generating systems for integration into the LAU-7F/A missile launcher, for cooling of the AIM missile. Work will be performed in Montville, N.J., and is expected to be completed in October 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
 
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
 
                Petro Star*, Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded a maximum $10,828,604 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other location of performance is in Anchorage, Alaska. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally four proposals solicited with four responses.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2014. The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-0028).
 
                Freeman Holdings of California, dba Million Air Victorville*, Topeka, Kan., is being awarded a maximum $9,548,338 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other location of performance is California. Using services are Army, Navy and Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2014. The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-0032).
 
*Small business

Caterpillar Inc. is considering relocating some heavy-equipment overseas production to a new U.S. plant, part of a growing movement among manufacturers to bring more operations back home—a shift that will likely spark fierce competition among states for new manufacturing jobs.

The trend, known as onshoring or reshoring, is gaining momentum as a weak U.S. dollar makes it costlier to import products from overseas. Manufacturers are also counting on White House jobs incentives, as well as their ability to negotiate lower prices from U.S. suppliers who were hurt by the downturn and willing to bargain.

After a decade of rapid globalization, …

EEC is working with HireVeterans.com to attract our Veteran community to these new green jobs

By Randy Miller

The age of green energy is all around us. EEC is living up to the challenge and this Veteran-Owned small business based in Colorado, is leading the way in creating GREEN JOBS in Colorado.

The president and founder Albert Wallace is an Associate Member of the Denver Chapter of the AIA, has served as a HERS rater and Director of E*Star Colorado, and is licensed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources for geothermal systems. He is certified for LEED for Homes rating compliance. Al is an instructor for the Timber Framers Guild and the Rocky Mountain Workshops where he delivers educational seminars on high performance home design and integrated renewable energy systems. Al holds a B. S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an MBA from Golden Gate University in California, and Master’s Degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture from the University of Colorado at Denver with Certificates in Design/Build and Historic Preservation. He consults worldwide on renewable infrastructure systems -volunteering time and resources to help indigent communities in South America develop sustainable infrastructure. 

Energy Environmental (EEC) is a Veteran-Owned small business Colorado Corporation specializing in the design and implementation of sustainable HVAC and renewable energy systems. EEC is unique in its efforts to reduce energy consumption and protect the environment while creating green jobs in Colorado.

They believe “green” education and training is paramount to solving the challenges created by the world economic crisis, green house gas emissions, and our dependence on fossil fuels. With 40% of energy consumption related to building construction and use, adopting renewable residential systems within the framework of an integrated architecture is the answer. Training existing contractors on renewable energy creates “shovel ready” jobs while reducing the dependence on foreign oil and green house gases immediately upon implementation. EEC is working with HireVeterans.com to attract our Veteran community to these new green jobs.

What impresses me the most, is this companys dedication to sharing their success with those less fortunate. In 2008, Energy Environmental Corporation allocated over 10% of gross profits to infrastructure projects in Peru which improved people’s quality of life within communities lacking clean water, reliable power, adequate communications, or medical facilities.

If you are Veteran, and you have a desire to help change the world, yes, change the world in the way we use energy, then I encourage you to contact Albert or Sue and apply today, get the education and training and make a difference in the world today. You are Military Veterans, and you know what it means to make a difference in the world. Join their work force today.

Click here to view the Energy Environmental Corporation website

Click here to view job postings on HireVeterans.com  HireVeterans/EECJOBS

Suddenly, It’s Like Last Summer: “Failed Financials” Jump on Huge Volume
by Peter Gorenstein

‘Beware of geeks bearing formulas.’
–Warren Buffett
 
In March of 2006, the world’s richest men sipped champagne in an opulent New York hotel.  They were preparing to compete in a poker tournament with million-dollar stakes, but those numbers meant nothing to them.  They were accustomed to risking billions.  
 
At the card table that night was Peter Muller, an eccentric, whip-smart whiz kid who’d studied theoretical mathematics at Princeton and now managed a fabulously successful hedge fund called PDT…when he wasn’t playing his keyboard for morning commuters on the New York subway.  With him was Ken Griffin, who as an undergraduate trading convertible bonds out of his Harvard dorm room had outsmarted the Wall Street pros and made money in one of the worst bear markets of all time.  Now he was the tough-as-nails head of Citadel Investment Group, one of the most powerful money machines on earth. There too were Cliff Asness, the sharp-tongued, mercurial founder of the hedge fund AQR, a man as famous for his computer-smashing rages as for his brilliance, and Boaz Weinstein, chess life-master and king of the credit default swap, who while juggling $30 billion worth of positions for Deutsche Bank found time for frequent visits to Las Vegas with the famed MIT card-counting team.  
 
On that night in 2006, these four men and their cohorts were the new kings of Wall Street.  Muller, Griffin, Asness, and Weinstein were among the best and brightest of a  new breed, the quants.  Over the prior twenty years, this species of math whiz –technocrats who make billions not with gut calls or fundamental analysis but with formulas and high-speed computers– had usurped the testosterone-fueled, kill-or-be-killed risk-takers who’d long been the alpha males the world’s largest casino.  The quants believed that a dizzying, indecipherable-to-mere-mortals cocktail of differential calculus, quantum physics, and advanced geometry held the key to reaping riches from the financial markets.  And they helped create a digitized money-trading machine that could shift billions around the globe with the click of a mouse.  
 
Few realized that night, though, that in creating this unprecedented machine, men like Muller, Griffin, Asness and Weinstein had sowed the seeds for history’s greatest financial disaster.  
 
Drawing on unprecedented access to these four number-crunching titans, The Quants tells the inside story of what they thought and felt in the days and weeks when they helplessly watched much of their net worth vaporize – and wondered just how their mind-bending formulas and genius-level IQ’s had led them so wrong, so fast.  Had their years of success been dumb luck, fool’s gold, a good run that could come to an end on any given day?  What if The Truth they sought — the secret of the markets — wasn’t knowable? Worse, what if there wasn’t any Truth?
 
In The Quants, Scott Patterson tells the story not just of these men, but of Jim Simons, the reclusive founder of the most successful hedge fund in history; Aaron Brown, the quant who used his math skills to humiliate Wall Street’s old guard at their trademark game of Liar’s Poker, and years later found himself with a front-row seat to the rapid emergence of mortgage-backed securities; and gadflies and dissenters such as Paul Wilmott, Nassim Taleb, and Benoit Mandelbrot.  
 
With the immediacy of today’s NASDAQ close and the timeless power of a Greek tragedy, The Quants is at once a masterpiece of explanatory journalism, a gripping tale of ambition and hubris…and an ominous warning about Wall Street’s future.