EU to build secure network
The Secured Trans-European Services for Telematics between Administrations network will serve as an intranet backbone for the EU central government and governments of its members.
European Commission officials called on industry this month to help create a secure network for the entire European Union that could cost as much as 100 million euros ($120.5 million).
The new Secured Trans-European Services for Telematics between Administrations (s-TESTA) network will replace the TESTA network that EU governments have been gradually building since 1996. s-TESTA will be an intranet backbone for the EU central government and the governments of its members.
The contract will be split into two segments, both with a period of four years with a one-year extension, according to the solicitation. During the first segment, worth at least 90 million euros, developers will design and build the secure network. During the second segment, worth at least 10 million euros, officials will provide support services for various government administrations and the central project team within the EC's Interchange of Data between Administrations (IDA) group.
This solicitation is for a description of a vendor's capabilities based on the basic s-TESTA requirements. The information will allow IDA officials to select vendors to develop proposals based on the full statement of requirements.
This work falls under the European Community Programme for Interoperable Delivery of pan-European eGovernment Services to Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2005. The contract for the current network expires at the end of this year. Officials want to have the new s-TESTA contract in place by then to allow migration during the first half of 2005, according to the solicitation.
Responses to this initial solicitation are to be postmarked by Sept. 13, 2004.
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