Maryville, Tennessee -- Relyant llc, which provides strategic support services globally, is to get a $7-million expansion of its current $32-million spray foam insulation contract with the Bagram Regional Contracting Center in Afghanistan.
Relyant said it has provided environmentally friendly, US Army-approved insulation to soft-sided surfaces such as tents to aid in the heating and cooling of soldiers' living quarters since September 2008.
In June, Relyant also announced that it has a $49 million contract with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan Engineering South District, to remove unexploded ordnance and clear mines in southern and western Afghanistan.
In addition to increased comfort, Relyant says foam insulation provides a 70 to 95 percent decrease in the use of diesel fuel for heating and cooling, according to GAO (Government Accountability Office) Report 09-300 of the US Defense Energy Management. As well as cutting the number of fuel transport convoys, which saves money, this places fewer lives in jeopardy, Relyant points out.
According to Relyant, a study by AMSAA (an analysis organisation of the US Army) demonstrated that foam insulation has the potential to take 11 000 truckloads of fuel off the road and save taxpayers $800 million.
In June 2008, 44 trucks and 220 000 gallons of fuel were lost to attacks or other events during efforts to deliver fuel to Bagram Airfield, according to GAO (as reported in the New York Times, 1/8/10).
"Relyant solutions provide a tangible benefit to American soldiers in the field. This particular contract increases our warriors' comfort and reduces costs to taxpayers, which is a win for everyone," said Eric Barton, Relyant president and ceo, in the company statement.
The spray foam insulation project is a key contract for Relyant. Currently multiple teams are operating in Afghanistan on a daily basis, with the capacity to spray up to 40 000 sq.ft (3700 sq.m) of foam daily. This contract expansion is an indication of the Government's continued confidence in Relyant and in the solution, said a 13 July Relyant statement.
Relyant's efforts "have been recognised throughout Joint Contracting Command - Afghanistan and have made a noticeable difference in the preparedness of our Forward Operating Bases, both for facility climate control and the Department of Defense mission to reduce fuel consumption," said SFC Troy Winters, Contracting Officer Representative.
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