SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, OWENS ANNOUNCE OGDENSBURG FACILITY WINS $20 MILLION ARMY CONTRACT FOR BOMB DISPOSAL SUITS
Ogdensburg's Med-Eng facility will produce the Advanced Bomb Suit Ensemble that will protect soldiers as they dispose of improvised explosive devices, other explosive threats.
Last week, Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand and Representative Bill Owens announced the Army has awarded an Ogdensburg facility with a $20 Million contract to produce the Advanced Bomb Suit Ensemble and spare parts. The suits are made by Med-Eng, a company formerly owned by Allen-Vanguard and sold this week to the Safariland Group. The Advanced Bomb Suit Ensemble is worn by U.S. soldiers around the world when they dispose of explosives, including improvised explosive devices (IED's). The Army estimates the contract will last through September of 2018. The contract will sustain 20 jobs in Ogdensburg, NY.
"This contract will put Odensburg and Med-Eng on the front lines in keeping our troops safe from harm, through the production of bomb suits used to disarm and dispose of explosives," said Senator Schumer. "What's more, it will ensure that good-paying manufacturing jobs will stay in Odensburg for years to come. The North Country is home to a qualified and dedicated work force and I have no doubt they will produce top-notch equipment for our armed services; so this contract is a one-two punch for the Army and for North Country jobs."
"The North Country's manufacturing know-how and work ethic continues to attract new business that can support local jobs," Senator Gillibrand said. "This contract for Ogdensburg's Med-Eng will produce more equipment to help keep our troops safe on the frontlines, and keep more North Country workers on the job."
"This contract is great news for Ogdensburg and will sustain quality manufacturing jobs in the region," Representative Bill Owens said. "Additionally, we know IED's and similar weapons seriously threaten the safety of our soldiers, so I am pleased to see Northern New York will be able to help equip them with the tools they need to stay as safe as possible while undertaking one of the most dangerous tasks on the battlefield."
Med-Eng Vice President of Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Rob Reynolds commented, “We are very proud to continue protecting frontline US Army soldiers from explosive threats, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), by providing them with our world-leading Med-Eng EOD suits and helmets.” He continued, “This contract will directly support the jobs of up to 20 people in specialized manufacturing roles at our production facility in Ogdensburg, NY.”
In March, General Lloyd Austin, Commander of U.S. Army’s Central Command (USCENTCOM), testified before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee that IED’s are “the most persistent and lethal weapon confronting our forces, those of our partner nations, and local populaces…” He noted that, on average, there were 172 IED incidences per month over the last two years in USCENTCOM’s Area of Responsibility, which includes the Middle East. The majority of IED incidences occur in Afghanistan, he said.