Month: January 2023

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Defense News: DESRON 28 Completes Turnover, Assumes Role as MHD DESRON

Source: United States Navy

The MHD DESRON is critical to protecting the United States and its Allies from maritime threats in the Atlantic, and provides continuity of command for naval units assigned to this mission. In the maritime domain, the DESRON provides the command element necessary to respond with lethal combat capability in the deterrence and defeat of military attacks on the homeland.

Task Group Greyhound is a readiness initiative designed to provide the fleet commanders with additional highly trained and fully certified warships. The TGG readiness model is nested within the Navy’s Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP), which is the standard fleet readiness construct guiding units through a 36-month repeating cycle of maintenance and modernization, unit-level and integrated training, and then deployment.

Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, presided over the ceremony and discussed examples of DESRON 22’s activities in the past year.  In March 2022, DESRON 22 embarked USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) to represent 2nd Fleet, commanding and controlling four U.S. destroyers deployed forward into the North Atlantic under Task Force Two.  

“You set up our headquarters for success as DESRON 22,” Dwyer said. “It is all about exercising, training and working with all assets in our domain using our available resources to succeed. During the 90 days embarked, you had my complete confidence in commanding the CTF,” Dwyer added. “On behalf of the entire U.S. 2nd Fleet, congratulations on a job well done, and we wish you the best!”

Task Group Greyhound consists of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers homeported in Mayport, Fla. and Norfolk, Va., assigned at one time to ensure at least two will be ready for any mission tasking at all times. This model allows the other two “off-duty” ships to conduct necessary repairs and conduct advanced tactical training to sustain proficiency.

“Adm. Dwyer let me do the things I needed to do and never second guessed me,” said Then. “As we move forward in the Atlantic theater, we must remember that this is a thinking warriors’ game”.

What makes TGG units unique from other DESRONs is that assigned units enter TGG post-deployment and remain fully certified for operations until their next deployment rather than execute extended depot-level maintenance at a shipyard. Ships assigned to TGG conduct more limited maintenance to correct material casualties and ensure safe equipment operation.  This allows them extended time to sustain tactical proficiency and keeps them ready to accomplish the full range of surface combatant missions, including countering adversary naval threats to the homeland.

“Task Group Greyhound provides us a way to increase continuity between training and operating against high-end competitors in a dynamic environment,” Rear Admiral Brendan McLane, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic said. “These destroyers are now designated under Task Group Greyhound in the western Atlantic on watch 24/7 ready to practice, integrate, and operate at a moment’s notice.” 

In September 2021, TGG began with the induction of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and USS Donald Cook (DDG 75). The TGG initiative paid immediate dividends as The Sullivans and Donald Cook were the first two ships ready to surge for an unplanned deployment to Europe in the Winter of 2022 to support the U.S. Navy response to Russian aggression in Ukraine.  Units currently assigned to TGG include USS The Sullivans, homeported in Mayport, Florida, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Porter (DDG 78) and USS Gravely (DDG 107), who are all homeported in Norfolk.

“Task Group Greyhound under the command of the MHD DESRON provides 2nd Fleet and the U.S. Navy with the flexibility to prepare for and rapidly respond to threats to the homeland and abroad while minimizing downstream impact to a destroyer’s readiness for future maintenance and deployments,” said Capt. Mathias Vorachek, Future Operations, U.S. 2nd Fleet.

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

For more U.S. 2nd Fleet news and photos, visit facebook.com/US2ndFleet, https://www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/, and Twitter – @US2ndFleet

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GSA Issues RFI to Seek Input from Industry on Carbon Free Electricity Offerings

Source: United States General Services Administration

January 10, 2023

New Procurement Approach to Increase Access to CFE for Federal Buildings Nationwide

WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has issued a request for information (RFI) to help prepare for the purchase of carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) in line with the requirements of Executive Order 14057. Responses to this RFI will inform GSA for upcoming solicitations across all U.S. retail choice electricity markets, starting with the region operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

The RFI marks a key step in refining the Biden Administration’s approach to procuring electricity in retail choice markets, which represent nearly a quarter of all federal government operational needs and are crucial to meeting President Biden’s goal of the federal government achieving 100% CFE on a net annual basis by 2030.

As a primary agency that procures electricity for the federal government, GSA is working to identify energy procurement options and develop strategies for reaching 100% CFE. Through this RFI, GSA will gather information regarding the availability of CFE in the retail choice electricity market and ways for the federal government to incentivize additional production and delivery. GSA will use this information, including feedback on contract structures and technical requirements, to develop procurement strategies that may be implemented as soon as this year.

“GSA is one of the largest buyers of energy, and we’re a steady customer prepared to make long-term investments. We want to use the government’s buying power to spur demand for clean, carbon free electricity and related distribution methods,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “GSA looks forward to partnering with industry to support CFE – when and where our customers need it – to create good jobs, save taxpayer dollars, and ensure a healthier planet for the next generation.”

This effort complements both a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Defense to solicit carbon pollution-free electricity in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas as well as GSA’s recent Memorandum of Understanding with Entergy Arkansas, LLC.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

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Former Pennsylvania Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Excessive Force

Source: United States Department of Justice News

A former Philadelphia Department of Prisons sergeant pleaded guilty in federal court in Philadelphia to a civil rights charge and falsification of records related to the use of excessive force on a detainee.

During the plea hearing, Ronald C. Granville, 42, admitted that on Oct. 6, 2020, he was ordered by a senior officer to supervise a strip-search of an individual whose initials were V.H., a pre-trial detainee housed at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility (CFCF) in Philadelphia. At approximately 9:00 p.m., Granville and four correctional officers escorted V.H. to his cell to conduct the strip-search. After V.H. complied with the correctional officers’ orders and was naked, Granville and other officers physically assaulted V.H. As a result of the assault, V.H. was hospitalized with injuries to his face, ribs and scrotum, and had to undergo emergency surgery. Following the assault, the defendant and other officers submitted and helped submit false reports about the incident. The investigation into the other correctional officers’ actions is ongoing.

“This defendant is being held accountable for using excessive force and violating the Constitutional rights of a detainee under his care, custody and control,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to investigative and prosecute law enforcement officers who violate federal criminal civil rights laws.”

“A uniform and a badge do not provide a license to brutalize,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners at the FBI and DOJ’s Civil Rights Division will devote the personnel and resources necessary to ensure that excessive force cases are investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. As law enforcement, we must maintain the highest standards of conduct to protect the integrity of our criminal justice system and the civil rights of all Americans, while recognizing with gratitude that the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers do just that every day.”

“While those behind bars may have lost their freedom, they retain their humanity — and their civil rights,” said Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office. “Battering a compliant detainee is indefensible, and the FBI is committed to seeking justice for the victims of such violence and other criminal misconduct.”

A sentencing date has been set for April 25. Granville faces up to 30 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $500,000.

The FBI Philadelphia Field Office and the Philadelphia Department of Prisons investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nancy E. Potts and Everett R. Witherell for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorney Daniel E. Grunert of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

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Former Old Forge Borough Council President Sentenced To One Year Of Imprisonment For Bribery

Source: United States Department of Justice News

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Robert Semenza, Jr., age 47, of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to 12 months of imprisonment for committing bribery.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Semenza, the former President of the Old Forge Borough Council, pleaded guilty to soliciting, demanding, and accepting cash payments in exchange for performing and promising to perform official acts, between January 2019 and February 2020.  The official acts were in connection with a civil litigation filed by Old Forge Borough against a local business owner in a dispute over Old Forge zoning ordinances.  Semenza agreed, in exchange for cash payments, to vote on the local business owner’s behalf in matters before the Old Forge Borough Council, to advocate on behalf of the local business owner with the Old Forge Borough Council, the Old Forge Borough Solicitor, and Old Forge zoning officials, and to propose a favorable resolution for the civil litigation to the Old Forge Borough Council and Solicitor, among other things.

Judge Mannion also imposed one year of supervised release on Semenza, following his term of imprisonment.  In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Mannion highlighted the negative effect that the public corruption offense had on the public’s trust in its elected officials.

Semenza’s conspirator, James J. Peperno, Jr., was convicted following a jury trial, of conspiracy, federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, Travel Act, false statement, and perjury offenses. Peperno is awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Scranton Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force, which consists of members of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and federal agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Jeffrey St John prosecuted the case.

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U.S. General Services Administration to Host Public Meeting for the New Land Port of Entry Facility at Highgate Springs, Vermont

Source: United States General Services Administration

January 10, 2023

BOSTON – In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will host a public meeting in support of an Environmental Assessment for the proposed construction of a new replacement Land Port of Entry (LPOE) at Highgate Springs, Vermont.

The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the public meeting on:

WHEN*: Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: St. Albans City Hall Auditorium, 100 North Main Street, St. Albans City, VT

*In the event of inclement weather, the alternate date will be Thursday, January 19, 2023

The meeting will be conducted in an open house format. GSA will present project information to the attendees. The public will have an opportunity to hear about the project and learn how they can provide input on the issues that are important to the community. This input is a valuable step in the process and will be used by GSA to determine the scope and content of the Environmental Assessment.

GSA is proposing to acquire additional land and to construct a larger facility that expands and modernizes this port. The new replacement facility will allow federal inspection agencies to operate efficiently and enable the port to handle the anticipated traffic increase at the border crossing, expediting crossing times for the traveling public and businesses that rely on binational commerce.

The Highgate Springs project will incorporate sustainability features that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate environmental impact, and simultaneously increase the mission readiness of the federal government by increasing resilience to climate change.

The new port will meet the U.S. Custom and Border Protection’s (CBP) mission requirements, while improving the safety of officers and the traveling public. It will provide for an efficient flow of people and commerce, accommodating the increased traffic volume, and the additional border security measures and technologies.

Written comments must be received by Thursday, February 9, 2023, using one of the following methods:

  • In-Person: Submit written comments at the public meeting via comment forms to be distributed at the meeting.
  • Email: Send an email to highgatesprings.lpoe@gsa.gov and reference “Highgate Springs LPOE EA” in the subject line.
  • Mail: Send written comments to the following address:
    • U.S General Services Administration
      Attention: John Maurer, Project Manager
      Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr., Federal Building
      10 Causeway Street, 11th Floor
      Boston, MA 02222-1077

Project information, including a video recording of this public meeting, will be available at: gsa.gov/highgatespringslpoe.

The Highgate Springs Land Port of Entry – one of the busiest land ports in New England – sits across the U.S.-Canada border from the Canadian port of entry at St. Armand, Quebec. The port is at the end of Interstate 89 (I-89) and Canada Route 133 which connects to Canada Autoroute-35 (A-35).

The new facility, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is critical due to the extension of Canada Autoroute A-35. This extension will connect to I-89 at Highgate Springs, and is expected to increase traffic through the port by approximately 30 percent.

About GSA:
GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet and overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services across government, in support of the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.