Believing that competition drives innovation, PM MC will continue to incorporate small businesses in support of the program’s acquisition strategy.
‘GATR’ TIME Creating an environment that allows the quick adaptation of commercial hard- ware and software to Army purposes will continue to open up new markets to small businesses. For example, a small busi- ness effort through PEO C3T’s Project Manager for the Warfighter Informa- tion Network – Tactical (PM WIN-T) deployed inflatable ground satellite antennas that enable U.S. and coalition forces
to achieve high-bandwidth net- work connectivity anywhere in the world.
Te lightweight Ground Antenna Trans- mit & Receive (GATR) is an inflatable antenna that looks like a large beach ball. It reduces size, weight and power requirements compared with the cur- rent capability, enabling smaller units to deploy quickly to austere environments and achieve high-bandwidth connectivity.
Te antenna can connect Soldiers in remote locations to the Army’s tactical communication WIN-T network back- bone, as well as support other services and first responders. GATR is compat- ible with the same modems, baseband and encryption equipment as traditional terminals, so it can use the existing net- work and services.
GATR was developed and purchased under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Now PEO C3T is working on other SBIR efforts that enable advanced tactical radios and mission command capabilities. SBIR projects fund viable solutions to develop a capability in stages, often resulting in a targeted effort to meet a niche need that can be filled by small business. (See
The radical shift from simple communications hardware to an advanced hybrid mix of technologies has fueled participation by small business, which now provides a substantial array of products and services that include field support, technology, technical expertise and training.
“Strength in (Small) Numbers” on Page 24.)
In other efforts to leverage the innova- tion and efficiencies that small business can provide, the Army uses the Global Tactical Advanced Communication Sys- tems (GTACS) and Services contract, also managed by PM WIN-T. GTACS is a $10 billion, five-year indefinite-deliv- ery, indefinite-quantity contract with an extensive scope, covering the hardware, software, equipment and data necessary to support PEO C3T and other DOD organizations.
Under the GTACS contract, a group of 20 prequalified defense contractors, both large and small, compete for awards, enabling the Army to achieve the best value and enabling industry to fill needed mission requirements quickly with inno- vative solutions. Total small business awards under GTACS reached more than $445.5 million in FY15, including all options.
CONCLUSION In FY15, PEO C3T met its small business achievement goals by diversifying small business partnerships and opportunities. Small businesses will continue to play an integral role in providing PEO C3T with technical support, engineering, readiness support, technology equipment, software and research.
Likewise, the Army will rely significantly on commercial partners to deliver a wide array of products that are integrated into its network and systems. As the service moves to open standards and system-of- systems technology, and speeds the way it
ties will continue to increase for small business. In return, small business can provide the Army with reduced costs and timelines, delivering innovative and effective solutions to support continued network modernization. It’s a win for both parties.
For more information, go to the PEO C3T website at
http://peoc3t.army.mil/c3t/, or contact the Public Affairs Office at 443- 395-6489 or
usarmy.APG.peo-c3t.mbx.
pao-peoc3t@mail.mil.
MR. PAUL D. MEHNEY is the director of public communications for PEO C3T, managing external communications and industry affairs. Previous public commu- nications assignments include the System of Systems Engineering & Integration Direc- torate in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology; the Program Executive Office for Integration; and Future Combat Sys- tems. He holds a B.A. in history from Michigan State University.
adapts new capabilities, opportuni-
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ACQUISITION
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