Cecom awards Rapid Response contracts

Cecom Rapid Response project office

The Army's Communications and Electronics Command recently announced eight indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts for information technology services through the Cecom Rapid Response Project Office.

The eight companies will compete for task orders to support the Command and Control Directorate of Cecom's Research, Development and Engineering Center at Fort Monmouth, N.J.

The contract also enables the companies to compete for task orders with other federal agencies.

The eight companies and the potential values of the contracts, awarded Jan. 31, were:

* ARINC Engineering Services LLC—contract ceiling $2.8 billion.

* Computer Sciences Corp.—contract ceiling $3 billion.

* Northrop Grumman Information Technology—contract ceiling $2.8 billion.

* Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems Inc.—contract ceiling $2.9 billion.

* Lear Siegler Services Inc.—contract ceiling $3 billion.

* Galaxy Scientific Corp.—contract ceiling $2.7 billion.

* VSE Corp.—contract ceiling $2.9 billion.

* Technical and Management Services Corp.—contract ceiling $2.9 billion.

According to Tim Rider, a spokesman for Cecom, the contracts enable the command to choose vendors for specific problems and projects as they arise.

"This gives us the flexibility to do the work without having to go through a specific contractor every time," Rider said. Cecom's mission is to develop, acquire, field and sustain IT and integrated systems for the Army.

The estimated value of each contracts runs from $650 million to $725 million, but could go substantially higher. Each contract contains a two-year base and three two-year options that could increase the contracts' values to their ceilings and extend them through 2011.

The contract is available for use by all government agencies, making it possible for them to rapidly acquire services.

CSC, one of the contract recipients, said that none of the tasks have been awarded yet, but the contract gives the company the opportunity to provide IT services to several agencies.

"CSC has developed a legacy of support with Cecom, covering a broad range of services and initiatives," said Terry Glasgow, vice president and general manager of CSC's Army Programs business unit.

According to the Cecom Rapid Response Web site, the contracts will enable the command to provide various products and services, including research and development; systems integration and engineering; installation; hardware and software fabrication; test and evaluation; certification; logistics support; training; and acquisition support.