Army is set to kick off $1b networks upgrade
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"DSSMP will replace older electronic switches that were put in in the last 10 to 15 years that aren't ISDN-capable. It will provide a vehicle to put in metropolitan area networks, ATM and LAN emulation technology at installations worldwide," said center director Thomas Michelli. "It includes the most mundane telecommunications up through the latest ATM Synchronous Optical Network capability," Michelli said.
"DSSMP will replace older electronic switches that were put in in the last 10 to
15 years that aren't ISDN-capable. It will provide a vehicle to put in metropolitan area
networks, ATM and LAN emulation technology at installations worldwide," said center
director Thomas Michelli.
"It includes the most mundane telecommunications up through the latest ATM
Synchronous Optical Network capability," Michelli said.
DSSMP is a follow-on to the Major Command Telephone Modernization Program.
The 10-year contracts are open to the Army and to all government agencies.
In addition to the
11 prime contracts, the Systems Management Center awarded eight indefinite-delivery,
indefinite-quantity contracts to small businesses to remove equipment and systems from
Army facilities.
In total, the Army received 19 bids for the DSSMP project and awarded 19 contracts.
For the buy, the Army used a flexible statement of work that did not require vendors to
specify distinct contract line items.
Instead, DSSMP contractors provided the service with lists that included a range of
switching, networking, telecommunication systems, services and support.
"One of the challenges we had with DSSMP was that all the requirements aren't
known," said Eric Swenson, the center's DSSMP program manager.
"What we have done is structure the statement of work so that it can handle a
requirement once it's identified over the 10-year life of the contract," Swenson said
"The specifics will be identified at that point in time when the requirement is
firmed up," he said
DSSMP's first task order came from Camp Humphreys and Zoeckler Station in Pyongtaek,
South Korea.
A post-award meeting for all the DSSMP contractors is scheduled for July 24 and 25.
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