Newsletter: October/November 2010 Newsletter

Philip Shucet has been President/CEO of Hampton Roads Transit since February 1, 2010.  Mr. Shucet’s transportation career began almost 40 years ago when he went to work for the West Virginia Department of Highways and later with the Arizona Department of Transportation. His interests in working for the private sector led Mr. Shucet to the Michael Baker Corp., a Pittsburgh-headquartered international engineering firm. He was assigned to Baker’s Transportation Business Unit. He later became president of two business units, Baker Environmental and Baker Mellon Stuart.

In 2002, Mr. Shucet’s high profile public life began when he was appointed VDOT Commissioner. In his three-year tenure, he was able to help the organization redirect its energies in a climate of declining public investment while energizing political support with his on-time – on-budget performance demands. His “Project Dashboard,” an online accounting of the agency’s construction and financial performance, won industry awards.

His recognized leadership in management led the City of Norfolk to recently hire him to refine project oversight on The Tide. He also started his own company in Virginia Beach in December 2008.

This article is taken from www.wavy.com

"Everything is on the table." That's the message the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead, delivered in Virginia Beach on Tuesday. The overall message was that Hampton Roads may experience more cuts to its military community in the future.

Admiral Roughead was the keynote speaker at the American Society of Naval Engineers Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium. His appearance at the event, held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, not only demonstrated his commitment to building and maintaining the fleet, but also provided a forum for a show of unity on Washington's efforts to trim the defense budget.

"Overhead continues to consume us and that's why I was so interested in going after the inefficiencies that we've been working on this past summer," Roughead said.  According to the Admiral, budget cuts are the only way he can reach his goal of building a 313-ship Navy. Currently, the U.S. Navy fleet contains the smallest number of ships in almost a century.

One of the cost cutting initiatives could target the Command Structure of the 2nd Fleet, based in Norfolk. Although Admiral Roughead refused to specify any positions that might be eliminated, he said everything was on the table.  "We know that we will be experiencing some fiscal pressures, and so I'm looking at the structure, and I'll make my decisions based on how we can best operate the Navy," said Roughead.

Since a navy can't operate without ships, Roughead said changes in the navy's approach to cost/design projections should yield savings of about $55 billion, and enable the Navy to increase funding for ship construction.  "Our goal as we budget for the future is chart a path to a force that which can be sustained. And that path still goes through shipbuilding and repair. What we cannot afford at this point is to loosen up on our imperatives to control cost," Roughead added.

At the September meeting, the Board of Directors approved 3 new member companies.  This brings our total membership to 203 member companies.  The new companies are ADI Technologies (Supplier/Service/Other), CBG, LLC (Sole Proprietor), and DESMI, Inc (Supplier/Service/Other).

ADI Technologies, Incorporated (ADIT) based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area specializes in full service marketing and consulting within the government acquisition system. ADI Technologies acts as manufacturers' representative to a many domestic and overseas companies with new technologies in defense, communications, governance/compliance and survivability. Similarly, ADI Technologies provides advice and assistance to US based companies wishing to expand their marketing activities overseas.

DESMI INC is a division of DESMI A/S, headquartered in Denmark. DESMI was founded in 1834, and has become a leading manufacturer of centrifugal pumps, primarily for the marine industry. ROTAN became part of DESMI in 1994, thereby complementing the product range with a range of superior positive displacement pumps for both marine and industrial applications.

THEME:  Process for Success

DATE:  Thursday, October 21, 8:00 am – 11:00 am

LOCATION:  Nauticus, The National Maritime Center

 FAR 3.1002  provides:

(a) Government contractors must conduct themselves with the highest degree of integrity and honesty.

(b) Contractors should have a written code of business ethics and conduct. To promote compliance with such code of business ethics and conduct, contractors should have an employee business ethics and compliance training program and an internal control system

This seminar on October 21st, sponsored by the VSRA Contracts Committee, satisfies the FAR 3.1002 requirement. 

This seminar includes a distinguished panel of experts who will answer questions after their presentation. This training provided is appropriate for all contractor employees, especially senior management, buyers, negotiators, foremen, program managers, and project managers. 

PRESENTERS:

• Kevin Cosgrove, Esq.—Hunton & Williams’ Norfolk Office—specializes in business and government contracts advice and litigation

• Mike Gardner, Partner—Troutman Sanders LLP, specializes in government contract advice and litigation; Chairman, Virginia Ship Repair Association Contracts Committee

• Dan Weckstein, Partner—Vandeventer Black LLP, specializes in government contract advice and litigation; General Counsel, Virginia Ship Repair Association

Fee:

VSRA Members—$50.00

Non-VSRA Member—$125.00

Please register on the VSRA website www.virginiashiprepair.org for the above seminar.

Registrations via phone can be accommodated, however, not preferred.

For questions/help registering please call our office at 757-233-7034.

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) participated in the Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium (FMMS) 2010 in Virginia Beach, Va., Sept. 14.

Organized by the Tidewater Section of the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE), FMMS featured technical presentations and panel discussions on Navy ship maintenance advances and challenges, along with exhibits by military and industry representatives showcasing their initiatives and products.

"Life cycle support, including technical rigor imbedded in well-defined class maintenance plans, and effectively executed maintenance processes are key focal points across NAVSEA. These are the key enablers to ensuring our ships remain effective war fighting platforms and achieve their full design service lives. This is Job No. 1 for all of us at NAVSEA - we are the team that must deliver material readiness for the fleet," said Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, NAVSEA commander. "We are responsible, and we are accountable. We want to be not only responsive, but more importantly proactive, as we work to ensure every ship is ready to respond to the Navy's missions."

Scheduled speakers for the event included Assistant Secretary of the Navy Sean J. Stackley; Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead; Adm. John C. Harvey Jr., commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and Rear Adm. John Clarke Orzalli, NAVSEA vice commander.

NAVSEA exhibits at the event included the Fleet Readiness Engineering Office (FREO); a collaborative Naval Surface Warfare Center booth representing Divisions Carderock, Dahlgren, Corona and Dam Neck; and NAVSEA 21, the dedicated life-cycle management organization for the Navy's in-service surface ships.

"The Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium is a good venue for us to showcase some of the maintenance- and fuel-saving technologies we bring to the fleet," said FREO Director Doyle Kitchin. "There's usually a good mix of Navy maintenance professionals, Sailors and vendors who stop by our booth."

The annual symposium, which drew more than 1,100 participants and exhibitors, alternates venues between the East and West coasts. FMMS 2011 is scheduled to be held in San Diego.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.  

A JINNI meeting was held Thursday, September 16 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in conjunction with the ASNE Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium.  The topics discussed at the meeting included Graduated QA Update; RAPIDGate Update; Contract Governance Council and Depot Work Integration; Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Centers (CRMC) Organization – Surface Ship Maintenance; Multi-Ship, Multi-Option (MSMO) Status, and MSMO Contract Issues.

The following information is taken from the NSTCenter website, http://nstcenter.com/jinii.aspx.

In order for the Department of the Navy, and more specifically, the Fleet Forces Command (FFC) and the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), to better address and resolve areas of concern that impact the timeliness and cost effectiveness of building and repairing Navy vessels, the Joint Industry-Navy Improvements Initiative (JINII) is chartered to foster communication and factual interchange between contractors and the Government regarding business and technical processes used in the construction and repair of Navy ships. JINII will support the following principal elements as set forth by FFC and NAVSEA, as they relate to work performed in the private sector:

The performance Initiatives of JINII include:

Performance Initiative #1:

Improve availabilities -- Get ships back to the fleet on time, within budget, and in the best possible condition.

Performance Initiative #2:

Improve maintenance at all levels -- Eliminate non-value added requirements, clarify technical authority as it pertains to ships and systems, and expand adoption of condition-based maintenance.

Performance Initiative #3:

Improve Fleet modernization process -- Reduce cycle time in the modernization process from identification of the requirements to installation on the ships.

Performance Initiative #4:

Streamline acquisition and business processes -- Increase productivity, reduce cycle time, reduce cost, and improve product quality.

Participation in JINII is open to any interested party, but it is expected to primarily involve shipyards that hold Master Ship Repair Agreements (MSRAs) and/or Agreements for Boat Repair (ABRs) or who perform subcontract work for the Navy, as well as the American Shipbuilding Association (ASA), American Bureau of Ships (ABS), the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), American Maritime Modernization Association (AMMA) and various other regional ship repair organizations, and Navy personnel from Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP) offices and Regional Maintenance Centers (RMCs).

By:  Robert D. Cass

There was a time not so long ago when you could pull up to a gas station and have an attendant pump your gas, clean your windows and check your oil. There was no extra cost for this; it was just a part of doing business. The word that we have all but forgotten about is called “service.” Slowly over the course of the last few decades, service has become a victim of cost cutting in almost every industry.

Our industry is no different. With budget cuts and the economy being what it is, there seems to be no room to provide service at an extra expense. Products in every industry at every level have become a commodity. Very few companies realize that the only product that any of us really sell is customer SERVICE. Since we all have access to the same products at basically the same price, the only thing that we can use to distinguish ourselves from the competition is service.

Hosemasters North America seems to understand that simple premise. They understand that their product has as much to do with customer service as it does with hoses and fittings. With a focus on well trained people, they are setting a standard that every industry should take note of. As it turns out, customer service doesn’t cost, but it does pay in dividends.

The corporate mindset has changed slowly over the years, and our standards have suffered as a result. Regardless of our industry or the product we sell, there are ways in which we can build value into our bottom line by figuring out what we can do to go the extra mile to give customer service. When you can figure out what service it is that fits naturally into your product, you will find a nugget of profitability that will set you apart or at least above the competition.

10/20/10 – TASC Lunch Meeting held at the Norfolk Airport Hilton at 11:30 a.m.  The guest speaker will be John F. Reinhart, President and CEO, Maersk Line, Ltd.  To register for this event, go to www.tasc-tgic.org.

10/20/10 – ASNE Tidewater Section Dinner Meeting held at the Springhill Suites, Newtown Rd., 1800-1900 Social Hour, 1900-2030 Dinner and Program.  Guest Speaker is Capt. Patrick J. Keenan, NAVSEA 00C, U.S. Navy Director of Ocean Engineering, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. 

Please make your reservations for the dinner meeting no later than noon
the day before it's scheduled at www.asne-tw.org.

10/28/10 – Joint SNAME/ASNE Dinner Meeting held at the Town Point Club, 101 West Main St., Suite 300, Norfolk, VA..  1800-1830 Social Half Hour, 1830 Dinner and 1900 Program.  Guest Speaker is Mr. Mal Branch, President, Virginia Ship Repair Association. 

Please make your reservations for the dinner meeting no later than noon
the day before it's scheduled at www.asne-tw.org.

11/8/10-11/10/10 - The 2010 Office of Naval Research Naval Science and Technology Partnership Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA.  By investing in next-generation technology, ONR pursues the delivery of technological advantages, such as critical equipment, tools and training, to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. ONR collaborates with the brightest minds from around the world to support our current and future force, laying the foundation for many of those partnerships at the ONR Naval Science and Technology (S&T) Partnership Conference.

The purpose of this conference is to:

•           Introduce and advance awareness of ONR's S&T strategy and program initiatives

•           Present science and technology program challenges and discuss possible technology solutions

•           Broaden our science and technology partnership base and explore new ideas with participants

 For registration or exhibits information, go to www.navalengineers.org.

11/17/10 - ASNE Tidewater Section Dinner Meeting held at the Springhill Suites, Newtown Rd., 1800-1900 Social Hour, 1900-2030 Dinner and Program.  Guest Speaker is RADM John N. Christenson, INSURV, President, Board of Inspection and Survey.  His topic will be, Breathing Life Back Into Your Ship. 

Please make your reservations for the dinner meeting no later than noon
the day before it's scheduled at www.asne-tw.org.

11/15/10 through 11/18/10 - CDCA–TASC Symposium, Charleston, SC
TASC is Co–Sponsor of the 2010 CDCA – TASC Symposium
The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) and TASC announce the Fourth Annual Government and Industry Conference; "Collaboration in Emerging C5ISR Technologies".   To register for this event, go to www.tasc-tgic.org.

12/15/10 - ASNE Tidewater Section Dinner Meeting held at the Springhill Suites, Newtown Rd., 1800-1900 Social Hour, 1900-2030 Dinner and Program.  Guest Speaker is Mr. Glen H. Sturtevant, Director for Science & Technology, PEO Ships.
His topic will be, Navy Ship Energy Efficiency.  To register for this event, go to www.tasc-tgic.org.

Please make your reservations for the dinner meeting no later than noon
the day before it's scheduled at www.asne-tw.org.

Communications Committee

The committee together the October/November newsletter.  The committee meets the second Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. at QED Systems, Inc. at 4646 N. Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Contracts Committee

The minutes of the September and October meetings have not been posted.  The committee meets the first Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Troutman Sanders conference room, 150 Main Street, 16th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510.

Environmental Committee

The committee met in September.  However the minutes have not been posted.  The committee meets on odd-numbered months on the second Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707.

Human Resources Committee

The committee did not post the minutes from the September and October meetings.  The committee meets the first Wednesday of the month at 11:00 a.m. in the Troutman Sanders Conference Room, 150 Main Street, 16th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510.

Quality Assurance Committee

At the August meeting, the committee discussed the status of the audits in the database.    Ken Edwards discussed key items of interest from the QMB meeting and SSRAC Confernce..  The committee meets the second Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at Q.E.D. Systems, Inc., 4646 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Safety Committee

At the August meeting, the committee discussed the Safety Seminar, which was held September 30.  The guest speaker was Ms. Janet Lawrence of 3M.  The committee meets the second Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707.                                                                                              

Security Committee

At the September meeting, the committee discussed the implementation of RAPIDGate.  The new director of Defense Security Service is Mr. Barry E. Sterling.  Effective August 2, CNRMA Norfolk Regional Security will be performing background checks on all personnel requesting access to Norfolk Naval Shipyard.  The committee meets the second Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in the United Coatings Corp. Conference Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707.

We are pleased to offer the following courses:

First Aid/CPR/AED/Emergency First Responder ½-Day Refresher Training

Location sponsored by United Coatings Corp.

COST: $90.00 VSRA members; $125.00 Non VSRA members

DATES:  October 27, November 17, December 16, 2010, 7:30 am – 11:30 am

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707

First Aid/CPR/AED/Emergency First Responder Certification

Location sponsored by United Coatings Corp.

COST: $115.00 VSRA members; $150.00 Non VSRA members

DATES:  October 26, November 16, December 15, 2010, 7:30am - 4:30pm

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707

Emergency First Responders ~ OSHA Approved/Internationally Accepted

*This certification is OSHA-approved/internationally accepted and is a step beyond the Red Cross certification and is more oriented to industrial environments.*  This course provides comprehensive instruction in CPR and First Aid, as well as Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use, emergency oxygen administration and conscious choking management skills.  Upon successful completion of this course, attendees receive a Certification Card.

Senior Supervisor’s Leadership Course

COST: $325.00 VSRA members; $465.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: December 2-3, 2010, 7:30am - 3:30pm

LOCATION: Tecnico Corporation, 831 Industrial Ave, Chesapeake, VA 23324

This course is designed for supervisors with more than five years of experience.  Course learning centers on leadership demands, behavioral management, tracking professional goals, and developing stronger workers through career development and goal setting.  The course delivers 16+ hours of lecture, video, hand-on activities, the Kouzes & Posner Leadership Challenge System and text-based assignments over a two-day period.  Students spend four hours developing leadership communication patterns using job safety analysis, inspection and investigation scenarios to apply what they learned to real world examples.

Junior Supervisor’s Leadership and Safety Course

Location sponsored by Old Dominion University

COST: $485.00 VSRA members; $575.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: October 29, November 5, November 12, November 19, 2010, 8:00am - 4:00pm

LOCATION: Tecnico Corporation, 831 Industrial Ave, Chesapeake, VA 23324

This course weaves Leadership and Management applications throughout the National Safety Council course.  Supervisors will learn about the labor market, their own leadership and management strengths and how to effect change on the waterfront.  Passing students receive the National Safety Council Supervisors Certification. This course will be for 4 weeks, only on Friday.  The course dates are Jan 23, Jan 30, Feb 6, and Feb 13 2009.  This course is for supervisors with 5 years or less experience.

NAVSEA Standard Items FY10/11 Training

COST: $250.00 VSRA members; $325.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: October 21-22, 2010, 8:00am - 4:00pm

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707

Standard Items Update uses on-line capabilities along with text copy to overview Standard Items and hone-in on pertinent changes for 2000-2010. After a general overview, the instructor covers the material MOST relevant to the students in class. Little time is wasted in covering areas that students don't need. So, every class is different, but they meet all needs of the students and companies who send them! There are only 15 slots for this course, so please don't delay in signing up those employees who need this training!

NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector Prep Course

Location sponsored by Earl Industries

COST: $225.00 VSRA members; $275.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: November 30-December 2, 2010, 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 will receive a current copy of NAVSEA Standard Items 009-32 and 009-04.

NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector Training (NBPI)

Sponsored by VSRA and course approved by NAVSEA

COST: $675.00 VSRA members; $850.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: October 25-29, December 6-10, 2010, 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 to view the current required documents.

NAVSEA Cableway Training and Certification Training

This training is certified by NAVSEA

COST: $725.00 VSRA Members; $845.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE:  November 1-5, 2010, 8:00am – 4:00pm

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

Attendance is limited to 20 applicants.  This course delivers 35+ hours of lecture, video, hands-on lab work and text-based assignments over a five day period.  A score of 70% or higher on the comprehensive exam is required for successful completion.  The course covers all NAVSEA requirements and skill sets in depth.  Upon successful completion of this course, the attendee will receive a NAVSEA Cableway Certification Card.

Please register on the VSRA website www.virginiashiprepair.org for above seminars.  Online registrations are preferred; however, phone reservations can be accommodated.  For questions/help registering please call our office at 757-233-7034.

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

Refund & Cancellation Policy: VSRA offers courses 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.  If VSRA has to reschedule or cancel a course, we will work with your company to place employees in a future training course.