Hanscom consolidates IT support under new contract

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gilmartin
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  For the first time in a decade, a single contractor will now be providing centrally managed desktop and network support as well as a number of other information technology services at Hanscom under the base's new Integrated Communication and Information Services contract.

Northrop Grumman Corporation will begin providing the consolidated Services March 5 after being awarded a one-year contract, which includes an option for a second year, with a total potential value of $43.8 million. The company began its transition period Feb. 18.

Northrop Grumman was the incumbent for the network services contract, while the Centech Group held the field services contract and other companies handled desktop support. Among the services consolidated in the contract along with network and desktop support are cabling, personal wireless communications, information assurance, and web page development. It also includes an additional optional task of video teleconferencing support.

"Consolidating the services will save money up front, thanks to certain economies of scale, and allow us to better serve our customers across the base," said Joe Boeggeman, Plans and Programs flight chief in the Communications and Information Services Directorate. "The transition to the new contract should be seamless, but the way people acquire technical support will change."

In the past, client support administrators were decentralized, but now they will be centrally managed and disbursed throughout the base. This service will transition over the next six months.

"If you have a problem with your computer and require service, call the HELP desk at (781) 377-4357," he said. "Technicians will try to resolve the problem remotely, if possible. If the problem requires intervention on scene, someone will be dispatched."

Many units on base have their own client service administrators under separate contracts. Over the next two years, those will be phased out and services will be rolled into the Northrop Grumman contract. If the second option year is exercised by the base, this contract will serve as a bridge to a new contract competition in September 2009 that will totally consolidate these services.

"Additionally, we are now moving from an older, formal requirements process to one of deliberate strategic planning in partnership with each of Electronic Systems Center wings," Mr. Boeggeman said. "Whatever each wing needs, whether it be networks, phones, cell phones, radios or Blackberrys, we in SC support it. We want to do it better. We'll look to each organization to define its requirements, and together we'll assess what's common and what's unique, and be able to better manage our resources and save taxpayer dollars."

The new contract was awarded under NETCENTS, a streamlined Air Force indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract that stands for Network Centric Solutions.