competition. This also could result in more innovative solu- tions at a fair market value being bid on its requirements. GTACS II also will allow more small businesses to partici- pate in competitions—10 instead of the current six.
The GTACS I contract expires in October 2017. Under the current timeline, the Army expects to issue the final request for proposal in November 2016, with contracts awarded in October 2017.
While the GTACS contract supports new requirements development and full systems integration, including hard- ware, software and services for tactical network systems such as ground satellite terminals, the CHS contract en- ables a one-stop, rapid acquisition capability for modified commercial information technology (IT) hardware.
CUTTING-EDGE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CHS provides state-of-the-art computing and networking equipment that improves connectivity, interoperability, logistics and maintenance support to Soldiers, and is avail- able for use by all DOD and federal agencies. Designed as a rapid execution vehicle to meet tactical requirements, the CHS contract supports Army and DOD programs that require increased ruggedness, configuration management, end-of-life configuration changes, and hardware to meet an operational need; or that do not have well-defined requirements.
Valued at more than $3 billion, the CHS-5 contract will enable the rapid procurement of total life cycle system management solutions in support of tactical programs. The contract’s consolidated acquisition approach can design, develop, modify, ruggedize, environmentally test, pro- cure, support and provide configuration management for commercial IT hardware systems, all made available via a single contract action and a single part number.
The program structure for CHS-5 includes a single-step, full and open competition, leading to a best value award of an IDIQ contract for a five-year period of performance (a three-year base with two one-year options). Much of the CHS-5 contract is focused on enabling supported pro- grams to develop life cycle sustainment plans for commer- cial IT during the hardware procurement phase.
As the commercial industrial base adapts to fit a leaner Army, the organic industrial base will be called upon to provide more holistic life cycle sustainment support. The CHS-5 contract will require vendors to establish a public-
private partnership with Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pennsyl- vania, to facilitate product support for programs procuring hardware via CHS-5 and having core logistics capability requirements. This partnership leverages the innovation, resources and leadership skills of both Tobyhanna and CHS to provide the best value to the warfighter.
Since its launch in 1987, the CHS program has provided a consolidated acquisition approach for tactical technology solutions, offering economies of scale and complete life cycle management and warranty for hardware of all sizes and varying levels of ruggedness. Combining a prime contractor with options for small business procurement and Army organic support, CHS, as part of PEO C3T, serves as a broker uniting Army programs with the technologies that meet their requirements.
The rapid execution of the contract is what makes CHS valuable to the Army. CHS coordinates with multiple pro- grams to facilitate efficient procurement and sustainment of hardware items across the Common Operating Environ- ment, while leveraging industry innovation to supply the latest technologies to Soldiers. This holistic approach to Army tactical hardware resulted in a cost avoidance total- ing $205 million in FY15.
The current CHS contract, CHS-4, ends in August, and on the current timeline the Army expects to issue the final request for proposal in September, with contracts awarded in December 2017.
CONCLUSION As the Army continues to modernize its tactical com- munications network, GTACS II and CHS-5 will provide competitive contracting mechanisms to facilitate the acquisition of innovative technology and service solutions, thus helping the Army retain its military dominance on the battlefield.
For more information, email
usarmy.APG.peo-c3t.
mbx.pao-peoc3t@
mail.mil; for more information about GTACS, email
usarmy.apg.peo-c3t.mbx.pm-
win-t-gtacs@mail.mil.
—MR. JAMES SAWALL, assistant product manager, Commercial Satellite Terminal Program, and MR. BRECK TARR, product lead, CHS
ASC.ARMY.MIL
19
ACQUISITION
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184
