Feral Jundi

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Space: SpaceX’s Success May Lead To Military Contracts

Filed under: Industry Talk,Space — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Matt @ 1:42 AM

In this article, they mentioned ULA as the only certified company to launch military payloads. But if SpaceX can get certified, they will be the second.

The reason why I am excited about this stuff, is that for both ULA and SpaceX, they will need some heavy duty security to guard these military satellites as the rockets are being prepared, and protect the launches. So expect to see everything from basic security, all the way up to special response teams or SWAT type teams to protect this stuff. Because once you get into the realm of defense related space contracts, national security depends upon the successes of these launches and the integrity of the satellites.

I have not seen any job ads or news about this type of security, but I expect we will as time goes by.  Of course private protection forces for space launches are not a new concept, and I mentioned KSC SWAT guys protecting NASA launches a long time ago. So I will definitely keep my eyes open for space related security gigs…..and the future is now. –Matt

 

Members of the Kennedy SWAT team are ready and well equipped to keep the Space Center safe. Image credit: NASA/KSC

SpaceX’s Success May Lead To Military Contracts
By Richard Stalker
SpaceX made history 2 weeks ago becoming the very first private company to launch a capsule into space and have it dock with the International Space Station. Now that the Dragon has successfully returned to earth, SpaceX can start working on it’s contract through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The resupply contract for the International Space Station has it making 12 runs, and since it is reusable, they will have the ability to ferry items back and forth, not just trash but experiments.
This launch was the second one for the Falcon 9 and after a third successful one they will be allowed to bid for military contracts to launch satellites into space. “The new entrant criteria did say three launches are required (for Falcon 9) before certification can happen for national security payloads,” said SpaceX Communications Director Kirstin Brost Grantham.

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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Industry Talk: PSC That Handled The White House’s ‘Burn Bag’, Files For Bankruptcy

Filed under: Industry Talk,Washington DC — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 10:56 AM

This isn’t good. lol I mean a lot of attention is put on overseas security contracts, but what about stuff like this? I am not familiar with TW & Co. but it is odd to me that they would owe this much in taxes and no one, to include the Secret Service, did not know about this? Or they knew what was going on, and they just looked the other way. Who knows?

Which also begs the question, why is a company like this even allowed to ‘sell off’ it’s contracts, and especially after showing such irresponsibility? How about kicking them off the contract, and re-bid the thing using ‘best value’ as a tool to get the best deal for the White House?

The 617-worker company said it would use the bankruptcy case to shut down its operations and sell off its 22 contracts for the best price it can find.

And if the Secret Service is in charge of this stuff, that maybe they should keep a little closer tabs on the companies that operate this close to the Presidency? (although they have been busy with their own problems recently….)

In my view, every company that works there, should be the best and most squeaky clean companies out there.  Hopefully, whomever they sell these 22 contracts too will be responsible folks that actually pay their taxes. –Matt

 

Security Firm Handled White House’s ‘Burn Bag’
By Katy Stech
April 30, 2012
The government contractor that disposed of the White House’s secrets kept one of its own: It hasn’t paid its taxes in full since 2008.
That admission came spilling out into bankruptcy court less than a week after Maryland-based security-guard provider TW & Co. filed for Chapter 11 protection owing nearly $3 million on its federal tax bill. The 617-worker company said it would use the bankruptcy case to shut down its operations and sell off its 22 contracts for the best price it can find.
“The end game is an orderly liquidation,” bankruptcy attorney James Greenan told Bankruptcy Beat.
So far, a bankruptcy judge has allowed the company to transfer management of its biggest contracts to a subcontractor, ensuring that the federal institutions like the historic Winder Building, some Smithsonian buildings and several Air Force bases don’t go unwatched as the company searches for a buyer to take on the work permanently.

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Monday, December 5, 2011

Israel: Security Companies Hold 40 Percent Of The Guns In Israel

Filed under: Industry Talk,Israel,Quotes — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 11:43 PM

This is an interesting story. I had no idea that private security held 40 percent of the guns in Israel? But I also understand why so many folks have weapons. That country has been in a constant state of war or threat of war. They constantly face threats inside their borders and outside, so it is not uncommon to see soldiers carrying their weapons all over the place. Or even settlers armed with weapons to defend their families. But I had no idea that the ratio was that high for PSC gun ownership.

With that said, I do not think it is wise for guards to lock up their weapons there. 24 people being killed in the last decade by guns of off duty guards in the last decade is a sad loss, but there is not mention as to how many lives were saved by guards on their off duty who were armed?

Especially as things become even more dangerous and unstable around Israel because of the Arab Spring. So to me, it is very logical to have as many armed individuals both on duty and off duty, just to deal with any potential threats. –Matt

 

Israeli armed guard, Falamiya village, West Bank.

 

Knesset: Guards should leave weapons at work
By LAHAV HARKOV
06/12/2011
MK Gal-On says security companies current hold 130,000 weapons, about 40 percent of the guns in the country.
MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud), chairwoman of the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women, demanded on Monday that security guards be required to leave their weapons at work, following a report that 24 people were killed in the last decade by guns belonging to off-duty security guards.
The report was issued by Woman to Woman, the Jerusalem Shelter for Battered Women.
“Security companies seem to have received an exemption from the law that forbids guards to remove their weapons from their place of work,” Hotovely said.
The Likud MK said she would ask Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch to enforce the law and instruct security companies to allocate a secure place for guards to check their weapons.

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Monday, August 29, 2011

Industry Talk: FBO News–USSOCOM Looking For More Afghan Guards

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 12:41 PM

Thanks to Danger Room for the heads up on this FBO solicitation. This sounds like a continuation of what USSOCOM has already been doing in Afghanistan. (I posted in the past about other contract guard force solicitations that USSOCOM made)

Now one thing that kills me here is that I still haven’t a clue as to what the deal is with PSC licenses in Afghanistan? The solicitation says that it will only do business with companies that are licensed by the Ministry of Interior, and registered with the Ministry of Transportation. Well on the MOI website, there is nothing linked at all about what companies are licensed?

So my suggestion to whomever is helping the Afghans run their website, or assisting the MOI, is to get them to set up a section on PSC’s and post what companies are authorized. Then the public and media will know exactly what companies to watch, and what companies the government supports through a license. It’s called transparency.

It would also be cool to see a blog set up on this, and then the government can actually introduce new companies that are licensed, or discuss where the government is at with the licensing process. Because from what I have heard, this licensing deal has been a huge pain in the neck for companies out there–both foreign and domestic.

I would also set up a tip line run by a third party, so that folks who have information about licensed companies can communicate those concerns. That third party could be a US inspector general or similar federal official that is tasked with helping the MOI. Using a contractor for that could be a conflict of interest. Either way, making the list and process open would help out big time. –Matt

Private Security Contract
Solicitation Number: H92237-11-R-1324_PSC_Gizab
Agency: Other Defense Agencies
Office: U.S. Special Operations Command
Location: Headquarters Field Assistance Division
Notice Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Posted Date: August 29, 2011
Response Date: Sep 10, 2011 2:30 am Eastern
Archiving Policy: Automatic, 15 days after response date
Archive Date: September 25, 2011
Original Set Aside: N/A
Set Aside: N/A
Classification Code: R — Professional, administrative, and management support services
NAICS Code: 561 — Administrative and Support Services/561612 — Security Guards and Patrol Services
Synopsis:
Added: Aug 29, 2011 7:07 am
***ONLY CONTRACTORS THAT HOLD A CURRENT AFGHANISTAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR PERSONAL SECURITY LICENSE AND ARE LICENSED / REGISTERED WITH THE AFGHANISTAN MINISTRY OF TRADE WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR AWARD, OFFERORS WHO DO NOT POSSESS THESE QUALIFICATIONS ARE RESPECTFULLY ASKED TO NOT RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL***

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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Maritime Security: ICS And ECSA Compile Flag State Rules On Arms And Private Armed Guards

Filed under: Legal News,Maritime Security — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 1:17 PM

When this first came out, I thought it was a great idea and resource. The funny thing is, I couldn’t find the PDF for this thing at ICS or at the ECSA. Perhaps it was buried somewhere? Either way, I took the time to find it and get it on my Scribd for anyone to access and locate conveniently. Pretty cool. –Matt

ICS: Flag State Rules on Arms and Private Armed Guards
August 17, 2011
With the assistance of its members, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) in association with the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), has compiled a useful reference document collating the policy and rules of Flag States on the carriage of arms and private armed guards on board vessels.?The document, providing tabulated information on Flag States’ rules, has been added to the ICS website and is proving to be a popular reference tool for shipowners and other interested parties within the shipping community.

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