Treasury asks industry for next-generation network

• By Mary Mosquera
• May 17, 2004

The Treasury Department has released a request for proposals for the Treasury Communications Enterprise, its next-generation enterprise network to enhance communications services from Northrop Grumman Corp., whose contract is set to expire in September 2005. The 10-year contract could be worth $3 billion if all options are exercised.

The contractor will provide a single, departmentwide area network including technology, support and management for Treasury's 850 locations.

The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract will have a three-year base period until September 2007 plus seven one-year options. Proposals must be submitted by June 18. The department wants to award the contract by October.

The contractor must also develop disaster recovery and continuity of operations plans, a centrally managed method to authenticate traffic and control access, secure Internet access, perimeter firewall protection, and intrusion and virus protection services.