Army is on a path toward enterprise integration

• By Dawn S. Onley
• May 05, 2003

The Army has released a request for proposals for its IT Enterprise Solutions program, a twofold procurement for hardware and software and for mission-support services.

The Army Small Computer Program, which is running the ITES procurement, issued the RFP Friday; bids are due June 9. The Army plans to award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts to at least five vendors this summer.

Through the hardware and software portion of ITES, organizations across the Army will be able to buy client and notebook PCs, servers, storage systems, networking equipment, operating systems, commercial software and peripherals, as well as biometric devices and software, and wearable computers.

Users will procure services 'by issuing individual task orders that will identify specific, detailed requirements,' the RFP said. Many types of services will be available, including program management, IT planning, integration and consolidation, security, and test and evaluation.

'The purpose of the ITES acquisition is to support the Army enterprise infrastructure and infostructure goals with a full range of innovative, state-of-the-market information technology solutions at a reasonable price,' according to the ITES statement of objectives.

The Army identified eight objectives of ITES:

Create support for the Army's e-commerce system, IT Marketplace Direct

Support the Army's data requirements and emerging asset management initiatives by creating a single electronic interface to IT

Provide users worldwide with access to compatible IT that meets all Army requirements

Seek ways to continuously achieve customer satisfaction

Assure access to affordable, best-value products and services

Establish a partner-focused working relationship with Army users servicewide and to organizations within the Defense Department

Make effective use of subcontractors and teaming partners, including small and disadvantaged businesses

Identify and implement best commercial practices, including the service's migration to enterprise resource planning and implementation of enterprise directory services.

The Army is running the ITES procurement, which is part of a larger Army initiative to consolidate and merge disparate systems under an integrated enterprise architecture, Army officials said.

Through the Army Enterprise Infostructure Transformation program, the service will replace dozens of legacy systems and forge 'a single Army network, one portal,' said Kevin Carroll, the Army's program executive officer for enterprise information systems.

The ITES solicitation is online.