THE PEACOCK REPORT (TPR)

Blackwater, Other Defense Behemoths, Get $15 Billion Narco-Military Contract

Despite intensive scrutiny of embattled military contractor Blackwater for killing Iraqi civilians, the Moyock, N.C.-based company will still share a chunk of an unrelated $15 billion U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command contract awarded last month. Blackwater, Lockheed Martin, ARINC Engineering Services, Raytheon, and Northrup Grumman/TASC, Inc. were jointly awarded the multi-billion contract Aug. 24, The Peacock Report belatedly discovered through a routine search of the FedBizOpps database. According to a related solicitation document, the companies will, among other tasks, conduct research & development for the Dept. of Defense (DoD) Counter-Narcoterrorism Technology Program Office (CNTPO). Services provided under this contract, which will be awarded in estimated annual disbursements of $100 million-$300 million for the life of the contract, fall into the general categories of Technology Development and Application; Training, Operations, and Logistics Support; and Professional and Executive Support.

The Technology Development and Application Support category primarily involves intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaisance-related counter-drug and counter-narcoterrorism technology. Examples of Training, Operations and Logistics Support include "security force training for border police in Afghanistan; air crew training for Columbia [sic]; leasing armored vehicles for security forces training in Afghanistan; and building a firing range for training in Afghanistan," according to the document. Professional and Executive Support includes the provision of administrative support for DoD-wide Combatant Commands; "strategic public relations support to senior government officials in Afghanistan and Columbia [sic]; geographic information system support in Columbia[sic]; and the purchase of boots for counter narcoterrorist police in Afghanistan," it said.

Attention High School Journalists

The Peacock Report (TPR) is urging all aspiring young reporters and teacher-advisors to attend the upcoming Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Philadelphia. The Journalism Education Association (JEA) and the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) are offering more than 200 sessions that will tackle newspaper, yearbook, broadcast, advisement, press-law issues and more the week of Nov. 8-11.

Sticker Shock

The U.S. government is stockpiling mission-critical equipment in anticipation of meeting near-term humanitarian needs around the globe. Check out political-humor sister-site Exhortations to the Oblivious to find out precisely how your tax dollars will be allocated for and invested into such worthy worldwide endeavors.

USAID To Stockpile Equipment for Humanitarian Relief Efforts

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is embarking upon an ambitious program whose aim is to amass equipment that will more effectively prepare the agency for global crises. According to the following excerpt from a planning document dated Sept. 14 (today):

The capacity of the United States Government (USG) to quickly respond to international emergencies is dependent on having access to the requested commodities in a timely manner. To accomplish this, USAID/OFDA maintains stockpiles of required materials. As these commodities are drawn down to fulfill emergency requests, they need to be replenished in preparation for the next emergency situation.

The equipment in question? Would you believe 15,000 USAID decals and 60 USAID magnetic vehicle-insignias? O ye of little faith, the procurement notice, which Exhortations located via a routine search of the FedBizOpps database, shall prove ye wrong. Propaganda placards for peace!

Marines (Almost) Create Counterintelligence Link With State, Local Police

The U.S. Marine Corps last month launched a recruitment drive for a private-sector analyst who would serve as Corps liaison among DoD- and federal-wide counterintelligence agencies as well as with state and local law enforcement agencies. The position was created to help coordinate and disseminate "domestic threat information," according to a presolicitation notice dated Aug. 20. However, on Sept. 4, the Corps cancelled the Request for Proposals (#M20001-07-R-0001) in its entirety, solely noting that "If the government later determines a need exists for this requirement it will re-solicit for it at that time."

Happy Labor Day (I Think)

The Peacock Report offers its best wishes to all working men and women across the United States and around the globe this Labor Day weekend. Like many folks, I, too, am simultaneously working while celebrating this holiday.

Remember, the act of working  is honorable, even when our jobs seem less than dignifying. Be proud, yet stand up for your rights when necessary.