Terms for $5B satcom contract finalized by GSA
Agreement will trim acquisition costs, establish common marketplace
The General Services Administration released on July 6 a final request for proposals that will enable civilian and defense agencies to purchase much-needed commercial satellite communications, reports Emily Long at NextGov.
The RFP is for the Custom Satcom Solutions (CS2) indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract and covers services for all phases of satellite support. CS2 is part of the Future Comsatcom Services Acquisitions program, an agreement between GSA and the Defense Information Systems Agency empowering GSA to manage the purchase of satellite services for all civilian and defense agencies.
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The rationale behind combining the satellite services purchases of GSA and DISA is to eliminate redundant acquisition costs and establish a common marketplace through which vendors can offer services, said Kevin Gallo, GSA’s project manager for Future Comsatcom Services Acquisitions. GSA estimates the program will generate, and possibly exceed, $5 billion in sales over a 10-year period
Combining previously separate commercial satellite acquisitions into a single uniform acquisition has distinct advantages, analysts said. Most important, it reduces the number of contracts that GSA and the DOD have to manage on behalf of their customers.
Future Comsatcom Services Acquisitions will replace DISA’s Inmarsat Airtime and Equipment contract, Defense Information System Network Satellite Transmission Service-Global pact, and GSA’s Satcom II program. DSTS-G has a bridge contract that extends to 2013, and the others expire in 2012. Agencies are expected to begin issuing FCSA task orders later this year.
About the Author
William Welsh is the managing editor of Defense Systems. Follow him on Twitter: @WilliamWelsh12.