HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Department of the Air Force recently posted the official request for proposals for Base Infrastructure Modernization on SAM.gov. The posting formally allows companies to begin bidding to fulfill the BIM contract and is a major milestone in the program’s development.
BIM, an Enterprise IT as a Service program formerly known as Wave 2, seeks to overhaul and modernize the existing DAF base area network infrastructure. The $12.5 billion project will bring DAF networks up to industry standards, delivering a modernized wired and wireless architecture, providing increased availability, resiliency, and creating reliable performance for all users. BIM’s targeted goals include providing seamless interoperability with joint networks and mission systems; consistent and reliable data connections across installations, including flight lines; and increased uptime for mission-critical work utilizing an as-a-service model.
“This is an exciting milestone not only for the BIM program, but for our Guardians and Airmen who will benefit from more reliable, available and secure networks with its implementation,” said Col. Justin Collins, senior materiel leader, Enterprise IT and Cyber Infrastructure Division. “We’re committed to investing in our network infrastructure, and we know BIM will bring the right capabilities to meet our evolving mission needs.”
BIM will provide centralized vulnerability management and the capability for future tech support upgrades, future proofing the DAF’s network infrastructure. Improved automation functions will allow Guardians and Airmen a more mission-critical task focus.
The 10-year project breaks down into a five-year base and five one-year options. The contract will include reserves for five categories of small businesses.
BIM is the second phase of EITaaS, a DAF initiative intended to accelerate adoption of new IT capabilities and enable fielding IT services and resources in a more cost-effective manner, ultimately allowing Airmen and Guardians to focus more on their core mission-sets and responsibilities. EITaaS Wave 1 is a separate program focused on end user services including a new DAF-wide Enterprise Service Desk available 24/7/365, hands-on Field Services that can be tailored by location and more.
EITaaS’ Risk Reduction Effort, a limited trial of the initiative, rolled out to nine installations across the DAF, with positive results: users saw a 59 percent reduction in data transfer time on EITaaS-owned networks, 84 percent faster startup time for user devices, and a 92 percent reduction in security event workload. Users also experienced network speeds three times faster than the traditional AFNET.
BIM proposals are due April 22, 2024, after which the DAF will begin the process of reviewing proposals according to requirements stated in the RFP. Any updates will be posted to SAM.gov.