DoD Issues Potential $300 Million In Contracts for Global PSYOPS

Defense Industry Daily:

PSYOPS Contracts Issued
Posted 08-Jun-2005 04:28

A number of indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts have been issued by the U.S. Department of Defense for "media approach planning, prototype product development, commercial quality product development, product distribution and dissemination, and media effects analysis for the Joint Psychological Operations Support element and other government agencies." All contracts were awarded on a competitive basis pursuant to FAR 6.102.

Work will include activities both within and outside the continental United States (CONUS), and task orders may be issued over the next five years from June 7, 2005 - June 6, 2010. Each contract has a potential maximum value of $100 million. The recipients include Lincoln Group of Washington, DC (H92222-05-D-1010), SAIC of Washington, DC (H92222-05-D-1011), and SYColeman Inc. of Washington, DC (H92222-05-D-1012).

Sourcewatch continues:

Outsourcing Psyops' Concerns

"The use of contractors in psyops is a new wrinkle. But psychological warfare expert Herb Friedman said he is not surprised. ... With only one active-duty and two reserve psyops units remaining, Friedman said, 'The bottom line is, they don't have the manpower.'

"Federal law prohibits sending propaganda to Americans, and some experts worry that psychological warfare messages, especially disinformation efforts, might blow back to American audiences via the Internet and satellite news channels.

[I would consider this a certainty, if not even a goal. -Z]