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**** Breaking News *****

The Office of Logistics and Infrastructure, OP-04, for MONGO has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) regarding the construction of a new naval base at an undisclosed location. According to the terms of the RFP construction will begin as soon as the bidding process is complete. The RFP stipulates that the new facility must accommodate two Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) or alternatively one CSG and one Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).

One industry insider's opinion of this project suggests that this might take a decade or more to complete. In fact, given the size and complexity of the stated requirements he questions whether it will ever be completed at all. "The main weakness of MONGO, he opined, is that it is a coalition of the willing and not an actual government as such. The budget is whatever the member nations contribute and, with members able to withdraw at any time, is very unstable. Additionally the naval forces envisioned to use this forward base represent the best ships in service with NATO, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese navies. Powerful ships? Yes, of course but there are major issues associated with commonality of sensors, weapons, ammunition, and parts. Even basic services like refueling take on a whole new complexity when dealing with these different ship designs."

The cost-plus contract is expected to run in the tens of billions of dollars although no exact figures were made available.

***** Dateline Tokyo *****

The Tokyo Stock Exchange fell sharply following news that the multi-national coalition MONGO had selected the UK based construction company Dewey, Cheetum & Howe Ltd.(DCH) as their prime contractor for the construction of a new naval base and associated facilities. The market rallied in early trading on news that an RFP for services worth tens of billions in U.S. dollars was on the street. Several hours later these gains and more evaporated with the announcement of the selection of DCH as the sole source provider.

The selection stunned the industry not least because DCH is perhaps best known for their failed 2012 bid to Purchase Plum Island from the U.S. government. The elaborate plans for an amusement park and casino was quickly dubbed the 'Isle of Blight' by UK media outlets. DCH stocks closed the day up 1200% at $14.35 a share.

Shinzo Watanabe, a day-trader from Tokyo's Minato district, was incredulous. "How can this be? How does anyone release an RFP worth BILLIONS and two hours later announce a winner?" Mr. Watanabe spoke to us on condition that he remain anonymous after losing his entire retirement savings in the course of 90 minutes. We could not independently verify that the father of five was in fact penniless and subsequent attempts to contact him were forwarded to the District 19 Police Headquarters.

***** Dateline Rome *****

Officials at OP-04 offices here on Via Toscana could not be reached for comment regarding the recent announcement of the contract award to Dewey, Cheetum & Howe Ltd. of the United Kingdom. For many, questions regarding this deal arise faster than answers. Insiders still puzzle over a recent tweet from Silvio Castagne, a hi-level civilian in the OP-04 organization.

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