VSRA News

Click here to see SCA News

Metro Machine Pride in Local Schools

The following letter appeared in the Monday (9/14) edition of The Virginian-Pilot:
Metro Machine Corporation is a shipyard that has depended for 40 years on the residents of the Berkley/Campostella neighborhood. The youth of Berkley/  Campostella today will enter our work force 10 years from today.
  That is the reason Metro Machine has watched closely as Norfolk Public Schools has effectively addressed the neighborhood’s challenging social and economic conditions. Its youth education improvement program, at St. Helena’s and Campostella Elementary schools, is now 10 years old.
  Today, both schools have exceeded all accreditation standards, are competitive with elementary schools in other neighborhoods without their social and economic challenges and continue to make progress each year. Both schools provide a source of neighborhood pride.
  Starting just five years ago, the elementary school graduates entered Lake Taylor Middle School, where they now comprise almost half the enrollment. As their ranks expanded, the performance of Lake Taylor showed steady improvement.
  Those concerned that the education of these kids is “slipping” or “undeserving of accreditation” should see our kids and their teachers in action. They have overcome the advantages held by kids from more-affluent neighborhoods in just 10 years. While this is an extraordinary accomplishment, it remains a work in process.
  Metro Machine is committed to support these heroic efforts. The neighborhoods don’t deserve to have their accomplishments unfairly diminished by certain negative headlines that have appeared recently in The Pilot.
  Ken Newman
  Executive Vice President, Metro Machine
  Norfolk 

UPDATE Fall JINII Schedule Announced

The U.S. Navy will host the Joint Industry Navy Improvement Initiatives (JINII) forum at the Town and Country Resort & Conference Center on 1 OCT 2009 from 0800-1600. JINII is an opportunity for Navy and Industry to interact, discuss and exchange perspectives on all matters of shipboard maintenance and modernization execution.  Navy will provide four briefs concerning American Bureau of Ships (ABS) Hull Life surveys, Surface Ship Lifecycle Management Activity, Port (industrial) Loading Management, and Roll-out of Multi-ship, Multi-option Ship Repair Contracts. A panel discussion and open forum exchange is also planned. JINII is open to all members of Navy and industry involved in the maintenance and modernization of Navy ships.
The JINII Planning Session (JPS), will be held at the Town and Country Resort & Conference Center on 30 SEP 2009 from 1300-1700.   The JPS is attended by Navy and Industry representatives (by invitation only).
Registration for JINII and the JPS will be conducted separately from the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) Fleet Maintenance & Modernization Symposium (FMMS) being held in conjunction. Advanced registration is preferred. Registration forms and instructions can be found on the ASNE website.

For information on FMMS, access to blocked rooms at the resort, and JINII Registration Fom, go to www.navalengineers.org/FMMS09.html .   Save $100 in registration for FMMS by registering by September15th.  There is no registration fee for JINII.

The preliminary 2009 JINII Agenda has posted here.  It will also be posted soon on FEDBIZOPS.

Prepare Your Company for Pandemic Flu

Your company and co-workers may be interested in learning more about preparing businesses for Pandemic Flu with help from the Red Cross and OSHA.  The website is listed below and gives you information on the webcast and step by step instructions on how to participate. If you have any questions on this please contact Pam Wakefield, Red Cross, at 446-7740.  
 Distributed to:  American Red Cross Southeastern Virginia Partners
 Good Day American Red Cross Partners, 
Please see the important information below about how you and your business can be better prepared for a Pandemic Flu event. 
Join experts from the American Red Cross and OSHA for a free Webcast on flu preparedness, where you’ll hear about the latest developments and resources available to help you:
§                      Educate employees about how to prepare for and respond effectively to pandemic flu.
§                      Aid in business sustainability in the face of pandemic flu.
§                      Learn about OSHA’s new pandemic flu products and resources.
The external Webcast, “Prepare Your Employees and Your Business for Pandemic Flu with Help from the American Red Cross and OSHA ”, is scheduled for September 24 at 2:00 p.m. EDT through Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) magazine.   Copy and paste this URL address into your web browser for additional information and to register for the Webcast.

Senator Webb Visits Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Washington, DC — During a comprehensive tour of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard today, U.S. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) announced that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) had agreed to his request to investigate the material condition of the Navy’s four naval shipyards.
 
Senator Webb’s July 13 request, cosigned by Senator Mark Warner and six other Senate colleagues, followed confirmation by the Navy in May 2009 that its funding backlog at its four shipyards for sustainment, restoration, and modernization projects had grown to $1.3 billion. At that time, Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s backlog was $450.6 million.
 
“Norfolk Naval Shipyard takes justifiable pride in its long history of enabling Navy fleet readiness,” said Webb of the 230-year old shipyard. “But, Norfolk’s highly skilled workforce must be matched by the Navy making a more concerted effort to fix the yard’s aging facilities and its worn-out infrastructure.
 
“The GAO’s commitment to investigate the material condition of our nation’s four Naval shipyards is a necessary first step to ensure that we are allocating resources adequately and responsibly,” said Webb. “The Navy’s four public shipyards play an essential role in enabling the fleet’s operational availability and mission success.”
 
Senator Webb—a  member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and former Secretary of the Navy—has long emphasized the importance of sustaining the Navy’s shipbuilding and ship-repair industrial base in both its public and private sectors.
 
Earlier this year, he exercised rigorous oversight of the Navy’s fleet maintenance program when it was revealed that fiscal year 2009 funding shortfalls amounted to more than $400 million. He led bipartisan efforts to increase funding for the Navy’s ship depot maintenance work in the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Supplemental Appropriations Act, resulting in the addition of $190 million for repairs to three ships damaged earlier this year in a grounding accident and a separate collision.
 
Following Senator Webb’s nearly three-hour visit, he praised the ongoing efforts of the yard’s management-labor partnership to improve productivity and safety while lowering overhead and operating costs.
 
“I was impressed by the commitment of the yard’s workers to complete scheduled ship maintenance on or ahead of schedule and on or below budgeted costs,” said Webb. 
 
His visit included tours of the yard’s waterfront and industrial shops, as well as a visit to the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee (SSBN 734). He also presented certificates to the top two graduates of the shipyard’s 2009 Apprentice Program, a four-year student career development program aimed at attracting talented youth to serve in the public sector.  A total of 136 students participated in this year’s program, a reflection on the shipyard’s significant commitment to the professional development of its workforce.  
 
The text of Senator Webb’s joint letter to the GAO can be found at: http://www.webb.senate.gov/pdf/GAO_Shipyards.pdf.

VSRA Shipyards Snag Stimulus Money

Five shipyards snag more than $7.8M in federal aid
By Robert McCabe
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 19, 2009

NORFOLK

Five local shipyards will receive a total of more than $7.8 million in federal stimulus funding as part of a program to assist small shipyards, the U.S. Maritime Administration announced Tuesday.

The grants were among 70 nationwide, totaling $98 million.

Lyon Shipyard Inc. in Norfolk received the largest award in the nation - $4.5 million for a dry-dock modernization project.

"Frankly, I was a little surprised we got the amount we requested," said Tom Ackiss, vice president at Lyon.

When the shipyard applied to the program, Ackiss said, "we didn't really hold out a lot of hope."

"Nice surprises do happen," he added.

The other local shipyards awarded grants are:

- Associated Naval Architects Inc. in Portsmouth - $476,893.

- Colonna's Shipyard Inc. in Norfolk - $1.96 million.

- Davis Boat Works Inc. in Newport News - $612,097.

- Marine Hydraulics International Inc. in Norfolk - $259,650.

"We're pleased with the amount that we got," said Richard "Soby" Sobocinski, vice president/contracts, at Colonna's Shipyard.

Colonna's will use its grant for a wastewater treatment barge.

"It's an environmental issue, something that we need to protect that area of the Elizabeth River," Sobocinski said.

The money came from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by President Barack Obama on Feb. 17.

The bill included $100 million for the U.S. Maritime Administration's Assistance to Small Shipyards grant program, of which $2 million went to program administration.

The grant announcement Tuesday came with a little more suspense than usual.

On July 22, shortly after the first stimulus award announcement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood issued this statement:

"In reviewing the $98 million small shipyard grant program, I have determined that the process used to evaluate the applications was incomplete.

"We are instituting a process that complies with the statutory instruction to consider the economic conditions of the communities where these shipyards are located. This will include examining the unemployment rate and other available economic data. We will go back and review every application and give applicants the opportunity to provide additional information if necessary."

The original list of grant recipients was posted on the Maritime Administration's Web site "for less than a morning," spokeswoman Susan Clark said.

The only change in Tuesday's announcement was the addition of another Hampton Roads grant recipient - Associated Naval Architects.

The Maritime Administration received more than 500 applications for the small shipyard grants, requesting more than $1.25 billion.

The program is in its second year, Clark said.

Grants this year were awarded from two sources of funding - the $98 million available from the stimulus package, announced Tuesday, and another $17.1 million available via the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009.

The smaller allocation of $17.1 million in grants was announced on July 9 and included no Virginia shipyards.

Robert McCabe, (757) 446-2327, robert.mccabe@pilotonline.com

NOTE - The official MARAD announcement gives a full listing of shipyards receiving grants and can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/about_us_landing_page/marad_recovery_act/recovery.htm



Preliminary FY-11 Standard Items Posted for Comments

The preliminary FY-11 Standard Items (SIs), SSRAC-responsible Standard Work Templates, and Appendix 4-E to the Joint Fleet Maintenance Manual (JFMM) Volume VII, Chapter 4, resulting from the 2009 SSRAC Meeting, have been posted on the SSRAC website for review and comment in accordance with SSRAC milestones. Visit http://www.sermc.surfor.navy.mil/ssrac1/whatsnew.htm and follow the links to view the items. If you do not see the files, please "refresh" your browser and try again.

Please note that only those items reviewed and/or changed at the 2009 SSRAC Meeting have been posted. Changes or additions are identified by showing added or changed verbiage in bold Italics. Deletions are identified by a vertical line in the right-hand margin beside the deletion. New or completely revised SIs are identified by a vertical line in the right-hand margin beside the ITEM NO, DATE, and CATEGORY lines. Note: An item with a 24 JUL 2009 date but no visible changes indicates that the item was reviewed but no changes were made.

These results are PRELIMINARY and are not intended for immediate distribution or invocation.

Please review these products carefully and provide any comments you may have NLT 19 SEP 2009, using the 2009 Preliminary Revision Comment Form (also available on the website). Comments should relate only to proposals considered at the 2009 SSRAC Meeting and the resulting actions.

NOTE: Comments relating to subjects that were not reviewed by the subcommittees at the 2009 SSRAC Meeting will be deferred for consideration at the 2010 SSRAC Meeting.

Please attach and e-mail forms to linda.mayle@navy.mil or ssrac@supship.navy.mil .

Linda D. Mayle

NAVSEA SSRAC Program Asst Coordinator

SERMC Standards Program Manager

Ph: 904-270-5593/904-270-5126 Ext. 3239

linda.mayle@navy.mil

2009 SSRAC Standard Item Change Log Posted

The 2009 SSRAC Change Proposal Log with Actions Taken is posted for your information This is the result of the recent SSRAC meeting that was held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

The Preliminary FY-11 products (Standard Items and Appendix 4-E) will be made available for review by August 20, 2009, in accordance with the SSRAC milestones.

If you have any questions, please contact Linda Mayle, NAVSEA SSRAC Program Assistant Cooridinator, SERMC Standards Program Manager, at (904) 270-5593 or (904) 270-5126 Extention 3239, or by email linda.mayle@navy.mil.

 

New UPDATE - 23rd Annual Golf Tournament is Full - Sponsorships Available

As of Wednesday  (8/12), golfer slots are full, but Sponsorships are Still Available for the 23rd Annual VSRF Golf Tournament, which will be held Tuesday, August 18th at Bayville Golf Club.  A Waiting List is being maintained for any cancellations.  Join us at the beautiful and challenging Bayville in Virginia Beach, a short distance off Shore Dirve, where a spacious 268 acre, former dairy farm was transformed into a magnificent golf course - open to capricious winds and salt air of the Chesapeake Bay. 

Torunament proceeds benefit the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation (VSRF), an IRS 501(c)(3) Educational Foundation - donations are tax deductible.

Tournament Schedule

  • 10:00 - 12:30     Registration and Practice Range
  • 11:00                   Lunch
  • 12:30                   Shotgun Start
  • "After Golf" Social - Prizes and Awards Presentation
  • Beverage carts, photos, snacks, goody bags, raffle

Sponsorship Packages Available - Specifics can be found on the 2009 Golf Tournament Application Form below

  • Platinum (8 GOLFERS)                     $5000
  • Gold (4 GOLFERS)                             $2500
  • Silver (2 GOLFERS)                           $1500
  • Beverage Cart                                     $  750
  • Hole Sponsor                                       $  500
  • Longest Drive                                      $  400
  • Closest-to-the-Pin                               $  400
  • Individual Golfers                                $  250

   The Golfer slots are full as of today (8/12)!  We have plenty of sponsorships available, so don't miss ths marketing opportunity for your company.  Please download the 2009 Golf Tournament Application .We are maintaining a Waiting List to fill any cancellations on a "First Come, First Served" basis.

TO REGISTER a SPONSORSHIP or get on the Waiting List,  THE APPLICATION FORM MUST BE SENT TO LEIGH KENNEDY at lkennedy@earl-ind.com  or faxed to 215-2547.  Should you have any questions, please contact Leigh at 215-2550.

Amendment to Fix Navy Ship Repair Shortfall

Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced today that he offered an amendment to the annual defense appropriations bill to increase funding for ship repair. Forbes’ amendment would remove $200 million from the research and development of the Presidential (VH-71) helicopter program and instead direct the funding towards the Navy’s ship repair account. The Navy has identified ship repair funds as its number two priority on a list of requests that did not get fully funded in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget.  
 
“Without proper maintenance, our ships cannot last 30 years. And if our ships do not last 30 years, we will not reach the 313-ship Navy our country needs to adequately deal with growing threats and instability around the world. There is no reason why we should spend $200 million on this over-cost helicopter program when our Navy’s second most important priority has yet to be funded,” said Forbes.
 
The VH-71 Presidential Helicopter program is intended to provide 23 new presidential helicopters to replace the current fleet of 19. In its statement of policy on the annual defense bill, the Administration said, “If the final bill were to include funds that continue the existing VH-71 program, or would prejudge the plan to re-compete the Presidential helicopter program, the President’s senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.”
 
The bipartisan amendment was offered by Congressman Forbes, Congressman Solomon Ortiz (TX), Congressman Glenn Nye (VA), and Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA), and championed by Congressman Pete Sessions (TX). The amendment was rejected on Tuesday by the House Rules Committee. In order for amendments to be considered on the House Floor, they must be approved by the Rules Committee.

$200M Added to FY10 Defense Bill for Ship Repair

Annual Defense Policy Bill Clears Committee
Shipbuilding, Navy Transparency, and Veterans Benefits Key Issues for Readiness Ranking Member Forbes 
Washington, D.C. – The Hampton Roads region of Virginia stands poised to benefit from the work of Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) as the House Armed Services Committee completed its consideration of the annual defense policy bill last night.  During the proceedings, Forbes, who is the Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, successfully pushed for a measure to compel the Defense department to produce an annual shipbuilding report. Forbes’ position - the minority party’s equivalent of Chairman – also left him well-positioned to strengthen the national defense components critical to economic stability in Hampton Roads. 
“For our region, defense growth is economic growth.  Hampton Roads supports approximately one third of our naval fleet and one fourth of its sailors and aircraft and, as a result, the military pumps over $10 billion into the local economy annually,” Forbes said. “I’m pleased with the work done in Committee yesterday to strengthen our naval fleet.”  
Specifically, Congressman Forbes:
* Worked for a $200 million addition to ship repair funding to cover half of the Navy's 2010 Unfunded Requirements; 
* Introduced an amendment that passed to study cost impacts of stretching carrier construction from 4 years to 5 years;
* Supported amendment to prohibit Mayport dredging before carrier homebasing is decided in the Quadrennial Defense Review;
* Supported $18.1 million for Naval Station Norfolk as proposed in the President’s Budget;
* Worked for a $20 million funding increase for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative to assist the Department in purchasing conservancy easements to protect encroachment that could threaten the longevity of OLF Fentress or NAS Oceana; and
* Supported full funding for a Virginia Class Submarine in addition to seven other ships. 
Congressman Forbes also supported a provision which would provide funding for concurrent receipt, elimination of the SBP/DIC offset, and authorization of TRICARE coverage for Reserve Component retirees under the age of 60 upon receipt of retired pay, commonly referred to as the “gray area”.  
“The history of our government is marred with examples of broken promises. Retired pay is earned over the course of a career; disability pay is compensation for a loss as a result of service. One should not offset the other.  Yesterday we took another critical step in correcting this failure,” Forbes said. 
In addition, Forbes personally worked for a $65 million increase for Impact Aid, which provides funding for schools impacted by BRAC and he supported a 3.4% pay raise for active duty military families, which was 0.5% higher than the President requested. 
As part of the mark-up of the defense policy bill, Forbes introduced several key amendments widely credited with shaping the debate.  Those amendments focused on prohibiting the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the United States, combating an unprecedented level of secrecy at the Department of Defense, and ensuring that overall defense strategy is determined by security assessments rather than budgetary requirements.  The defense policy bill will now proceed for consideration before the full House of Representatives.