Newsletter: July/August 2008 Newsletter

The June general membership was called to order by President, Mal Branch, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Mike Gardner.  A total of 81 members and guests were in attendance. 

 

The guest speaker, Mr. Joe Rieger, Director of Watershed Restoration, represented the Elizabeth River Project (ERP) and informed guests of the exciting action plans and goals that ERP has developed. 

·       A Watershed is a region draining into a river, river system, or other body of water.  For Hampton Roads, our “watershed” is the areas of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach, all of which touch the Elizabeth River.  In the “watershed” regions of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, ERP has restored 649 acres.

·       1. The Goo Must Go! –Clean up the bottom of the Elizabeth River.  Bring back the mummichog fish by 2020. It is an indigenous fish in the river, and currently 70% of them have cancerous lesions.

·       2. Restore and conserve wetlands, shellfish beds and forested shores—by 2020 increase tree coverage to 20%. By 2014, educate and enlist the help of shoreline home owners.

·       3.  Restore marine life by increasing dissolved oxygen, and reducing excess nutrients/ toxins in the water—so fish and oysters can breed/ thrive in the river.  Excess algae is a nutrient, which is disrupting water quality and breeding.

·       4.  Make fishing and swimming safe for humans by reducing harmful bacteria to acceptable levels—by 2014, establish a No Discharge Zone, and by 2020, meet the standards of shellfish harvesting.

·       5. Environmental responsibility the standard for business development activities in ER watershed—The River Stars Program encourages business owners to “do right by the river” and in doing so, receive public recognition for their efforts. The River Star levels are: Commitment; Achievement; and Model.  The program currently has 5 VSRA members throughout the varying levels.  Companies are reviewed by their peers.

·       6. Safeguard the river through Integrated, Protective Public Policies and Regulation

·       7.  A River Revolution led by Citizens of All Ages—to understand, embrace, and promote restoration of the river.  ERP is working with the University of Virginia to create the Learning Barge and hopes to christen it by 2009.  The Paradise Creek Park project in Portsmouth continues to grow and expand since its inception in 2003.  Residents of the Craddock neighborhood remain active components along with other volunteers in the “watershed”.

 

Our guest speaker for the July meeting will be Mr. Dwight Farmer, Director, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC), who will provide a valuable update on the organization’s progress. Mr. Farmer joined the staff of the Southeastern Virginia Planning District Commission in 1978 as Chief Transportation Engineer. On July 1, 1990, the Southeastern Virginia and Peninsula Planning District Commissions merged to form the HRPDC. Mr. Farmer was appointed Director of Transportation of HRPDC and subsequently, on July 1, 1998, was appointed Deputy Executive Director, Transportation.

Mr. Farmer received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and an M.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Mr. Farmer is currently a member of the Virginia Rail Advisory Board and has served as a member and chairman of numerous Statewide Advisory Committees to the General Assembly, VDOT, and the office of the State Secretary of Transportation during the past two decades.

 

Mr. Farmer is a licensed Professional Engineer and has been an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of Old Dominion University since 1979.

 

There will NOT be a General Membership Meeting in August. We hope to see you at the gold tournament Tuesday, August 19!

By Joe Yurso

The American Society of Naval Engineers held their premier event 23-24 June 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia. The theme of this well attended and successful technical show was “The Road to CG(X) Future Cruiser and Sea-Based Missile Defense."

            President RADM Dale G. Gabel, USCG welcomed participants and introduced VADM Paul E. Sullivan, USN, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. VADM Sullivan complimented ASNE on their long support to the Navy and the important contributions made by ASNE and its members. He described the many challenges facing the Navy as they determine the requirements for CG (X). This is a complex issue that is faced with many different pressures. He welcomed the opportunity to learn from the many technical papers to be presented during the next two days. In addition, he entertained questions from the audience composed of representatives of the many companies that will support this new ship.

            Following the key note address by VADM Sullivan, the first panel session, Requirements and Acquisition Governance, was composed of Ms. Allison Stiller, DASN Ships; Mr. Michael Tangora, Deputy Assistant Commandant for Acquisition (CG-9); RADM Victor G. Guillory, USN, OPNAV N86 and Mr. Ronald O’Rourke, Congressional Research Service. This session was moderated by Captain Rick White, USN (Ret), Bec Tech.

            This panel addressed the many and varied issues facing the acquisition of Naval Ships. Ms. Stiller presented a new approach in an attempt to apply and insure improved discipline to the complex process of shipbuilding. There was lively discussion among the panel members. In addition, the questions from the audience focused on the many issues observed by Industry.

            Following the panel, many technical panels and technical papers were presented on Acquisition Requirements and Affordability, Combat Systems and Next Generation Radar. Over fifty exhibitors provided the opportunity to learn first hand the many innovations emanating from industry.

            The evening of the first day included the Awards Ceremony where several ASNE members were recognized for their contribution to the Society, the Navy and the country. Following the Awards, an elaborate reception featuring Ports of Call with food from Barcelona, Spain; Kiel, Germany and Calcutta, India was made available to all in attendance.

            The second day featured LTGEN Henry A Trey Obering III USAF, Director of Missile Defense Agency. He shared some of the most interesting aspects of the United States’ current missile technology and the defense of missiles. Some of the technical papers that followed his remarks included Design Tools and Modeling, Systems Integration and Next Generation Radar.

            Lunch on the second day included an opportunity to be a part of the presentation of the Solberg Award, which recognizes significant contributions to ship design during the past three years, as well as the Jimmy Hamilton Award, which recognizes the best technical paper in the ASNE Journal this past year.

The Annual Awards luncheon featured the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Donald C. Winter. His remarks were an overview of the Navy today and some of the associated challenges facing the Navy every day.

The panel session following the luncheon was full of intense interest and the many different views and opinions. These discussions revealed the varied broad thinking on how best to bring CG(X) to fruition within cost and schedule. The many different approaches aired revealed the complexity of the shipbuilding process for a new ship design with still to be defined capabilities.

The final event of ASNE Day was a presentation by Mr. James Cameron, Award Winning Director. His topic, the Underwater Exploration of the Battleship DKM Bismarck, generated a great deal of interest and many questions.

ASNE Day 2008 was officially closed by National Vice President, Ms. Kathleen Hinton.

The Contracts Committee is launching a new seminar to assist all contractors dealing, understanding, and complying with the requirements of cost contracts. 

COST: $50.00 VSRA members; $75.00 Non VSRA members

DATE: July 23, 8:00am - noon

LOCATION: Nauticus, 2^nd floor theater, One Waterside Dr.

 

This session will help you identify target areas for improvement and gain the capacity to maximize contract results. Session topics include:

Adequate Accounting Systems

Rates: Forward Pricing, Provisional Billing, and Allowable Costs

Payment Cycles: Incurred Cost Submissions, Contract Close-Out, and Final Rate Audits

 

Hot Topics:

Limitation of Cost Clause

Limitation of Funds Clause

Firm Fixed Price Subcontracts

Consent

DCMA Role and Certified Purchasing Systems

Award Fee processes

Advanced Authorization to Proceed

 

Please register on the VSRA website www.virginiashiprepair.org for above seminars. Phone registrations are not preferred, however, can be accommodated. For questions/help registering please call our office at 757-233-7034; we want to make this transition process easy for our members.

 

 

When: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at Bayville Golf Club 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specifics on sponsorship benefits are on the tournament application. Application and registration are availableat www.virginiashiprepair.org

 

 

 

 

 

We are pleased to welcome Miss Alicia Tillman as a summer intern in our office. Miss Tillman is a Norfolk native. You may be lucky to be greeted by her over the phone this summer.

From http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/trivia03.htm

Our nautical term of the month is Toe the line. The space between each pair of deck planks in a wooden ship was filled with a packing material called "oakum" and then sealed with a mixture of pitch and tar. The result, from afar, was a series of parallel lines a half-foot or so apart, running the length of the deck. Once a week, as a rule, usually on Sunday, a warship's crew was ordered to fall in at quarters -- that is, each group of men into which the crew was divided would line up in formation in a given area of the deck. To insure a neat alignment of each row, the Sailors were directed to stand with their toes just touching a particular seam. Another use for these seams was punitive. The youngsters in a ship, be they ship's boys or student officers, might be required to stand with their toes just touching a designated seam for a length of time as punishment for some minor infraction of discipline, such as talking or fidgeting at the wrong time. A tough captain might require the miscreant to stand there, not talking to anyone, in fair weather or foul, for hours at a time. Hopefully, he would learn it was easier and more pleasant to conduct himself in the required manner rather than suffer the punishment. From these two uses of deck seams comes our cautionary word to obstreperous youngsters to "toe the line."

The committee discussed the contents of the June/July newsletter.

 

The Cost Contracting Seminar is scheduled for July 23, and the Ethics Seminar is tentatively scheduled for October. The committee discussed the possibility that Congress will mandate the DDG modernization program be accomplished by the building shipyards. RADM Brooks is retiring, and RADM Campbell will be his relief. The Africa Partnership program has demonstrated the value of our amphibious ships and has resulted in the delay in decommissioning some amphibious ships. NOAA will reduce the number of at-sea days from 240 in FY08 to 175 in FY09 in order to reduce fuel costs. 

 

The committee reviewed the HR Seminar evaluation forms. Next year’s seminar is tentatively scheduled for May 20, 2009. The committee will conduct a round table discussion to expand on topics that were presented at the last seminar. Current hot topics will be included, and members of VSRF and the Maritime Task Force will be asked to participate.

 

The chairman distributed the updated Subcontractor QA Audit List. The subcommittee met with the website development company about the program. The SSRAC meeting will be held July 31-August 1 in Jacksonville, FL. Ten members of the QA committee will participate. VSRA was invited to send people to a RMC Global Lean Event to be held in San Diego June 24-26.

 

The committee discussed whether NNSY will implement CVS. The TWIC program does not currently apply to the government facilities. Northrop Grumman now requires two proofs of citizenship for access to their facility. Acceptable proof includes a birth certificate, driver’s license, or a passport. MARMC is using an electronic visit request. The system will not accept any alterations to the form. 

We are pleased to offer the following classes:

 

COST: $140.00 VSRA members; $175.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: September 9 & 10, and November 18 & 19, 2008, 8:00am-4:30pm both days

LOCATION: Metropolitan Laboratories, 330 County Street, Suite 200, Portsmouth, VA 23704

This course will review coating documents such as SSPC PA-2, NSTM Chapter 631 and NSTM Chapter 634 for non-skid and others. It will also provide a thorough review of SI 009-32 and applicable sections of 009-04. Recent changes to the NAVSEA NBPI Exam have resulted in lower pass rates. In order to better prepare your workers, VSRA is offering a 1-1/2-day pre-course specifically to address exam standards and increase inspector-level knowledge. Each attendee must bring a current copy of NAVSEA Standard Items 009-32 and 009-04 (FY08).

 

 

Sponsored by VSRA and course approved by NAVSEA

Location sponsored by MARMC

COST: $550.00 VSRA members; $675.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: September 22-26, and December 1-5, 2008, 7:00am - 5:00pm

LOCATION: MARMC Building LF-18, Norfolk Naval Base

Attendance is limited to 20 applicants. A score of 80% or higher is required to be eligible for the certification. Students passing the exam will receive a four-year certification and a laminated wallet card from SSPC. Test results will come directly from SSPC. 

 

Due to changes with the SSPC, all documents related to this course need to be submitted to the SSPC representative, Jeannine Bodack. Her email address is: bodack@sspc.org, phone: 877-281-7772 x 2204, fax: 412-281-9995. These documents must be submitted two weeks before the first day of class. Please go to the SSPC website http://www.sspc.org/training/nbpi_prereq.html to view the current required documents.

 

 

Location sponsored by Earl Industries, LLC

COST: $325.00 VSRA Members; $399.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE: November 4-7, 2008, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

LOCATION:  Earl Industries, 3128 Victory Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23702

This course is directed to rising welders and shipfitters, or workers who need a familiarity with blueprint terminology, symbols and design features specific to ships. The course provides 28 hours of instruction with take-home activities, 3 quizzes and a final exam.  Attendees will receive critical drawing analysis experience, as well as hands-on blueprint activities.  For a complete course outline please contact the VSRA office.

 

 

Please register on the VSRA website www.virginiashiprepair.org for above seminars. Phone registrations are not preferred, however, can be accommodated. For questions/help registering please call our office at 757-233-7034; we want to make this transition process easy for our members.

 

**Please note, you must be logged in to receive the discounted VSRA price for seminars.**

 

Refund & Cancellation Policy: VSRA offers seminars at a greatly reduced rate to our members. Cancellations must be made within 4 business days of the course date to receive full credit contingent on slots being filled. Late cancellations will be given a 50% credit towards future training or 100% if open slot is filled. No-shows WILL BE CHARGED the course fee, and no refunds will be made. Substitutions are welcome; however, please contact the VSRA office as soon as possible.