Defense IT
DISA preps $17 billion JIE contract proposal
After a lengthy solicitation process marred by several setbacks, the Defense Information SystemAgency (DISA) has finally finished the request for proposal (RFP) phase for its five-year, $17.5billion ENCORE III indefinite-quantity, indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract.
The programaims to replace aging systems across the Department of Defense (DoD) and enhance global ITcapabilities for military services and other federal agencies.The RFP outlines 19 separate performance areas of interest, including cyber securityassessment and authorization, information communications technology, and computer-telephony integration.
Contract winners are responsible for the development, installation,fielding, training, operation and life-cycle management of these components and systems in theoperational environments.DISA handles much of the back-end information technology that powers the Department ofDefense and is a key player in developing the Joint Information Environment (JIE), a network-centric environment gunning for information superiority. The agency plans to award 40 totalcontracts — 20 for large businesses and 20 for small businesses. ENCORE III’s predecessor,
ENCORE II, topped out at $12.3 billion.According to GovWin, recent DISA budget shortfalls hint at a future reduction in ENCOREcontracts. This news has potential companies clamoring to secure one of the prized contractsand ensure prime access to future deals.Controversy erupted earlier this year after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) upheldprotests filed by two prospective bidders against DISA.
The complaints pushed back against theagency’s selection process, specifically its use of low-price technically acceptable (LPTA)funding.
Last month’s release of the RFP follows the GAO's ruling that asked DISA to revise thesolicitation but kept in place the agency’s use of a LPTA. Final proposals were due Sept. 30 and
a DoD contract announcement will likely arrive soon.
About the Author
Tim Broderick is a freelance writer for Defense Systems.
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