A $378 million Task Order to manage the computer network which supports the Department of Defense's (DoD) Network Infrastructure Services Agency-Pentagon (NISA-P), has been awarded by the GSA/Federal Technology Service (FTS)/Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM) to Lockheed Martin , the nation's largest information technology provider to the federal government, using the FTS Millennia contract.

The Pentagon, the world's largest office building, has housed the headquarters and nerve center of the National Military Establishment for more than 50 years. Upgrade of the building's network infrastructure represents a critical part of a major multi-year, multi-billion dollar renovation now underway. Under this task order, Lockheed Martin will manage the Pentagon's backbone communications infrastructure throughout this modernization period.

The network supports 25,000 computer users from the Defense Department's top policy-makers and senior military leadership to individual action officers within each branch of service. The network supports administrative desktop systems and interconnects dedicated mission systems for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and each of the military departments.

The award, a 10-year task order authorized under the Federal Technology Service's Millennia contracting vehicle, includes program and network management; transition; quality assurance planning; security operations; help desk support; and other process, technical architecture and engineering management services.

Mr. Fred Budd, Director of NISA-P, said, "We are very excited about beginning this partnership with both Lockheed Martin and FEDSIM to provide data network support services to the Pentagon user community. This critical mission plays a significant role in the Department of Defense being able to support our war fighters around the world."

Mr. Timothy McCurdy, FEDSIM Director, said, "This project will affect every network user in the Pentagon. We do not take that responsibility lightly. We look forward to working with our client, NISA-P, and our industry partner, Lockheed Martin, to focus on delivering excellent customer service."

Linda Gooden Renfro, president of Lockheed Martin's Information Support Services in Seabrook, Md., said, "The national significance of this task order to operate the network that serves as the backbone of our nation's defense cannot be underestimated. We are proud that GSA/FTS/FEDSIM and NISA-P have chosen Lockheed Martin in this premier information technology role so vital to DoD's war-fighting mission."

According to Rick Johnson, Information Support Services' integrated product team manager for DoD programs, "The complexity of maintaining and operating a network this complex under the highest levels of security demands the very best program, technical and integration skills our country's information technology industry can provide. We pledge our complete support to affordably provide top performance that will enable the DoD to meet its critical requirements."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services. Information Support Services is a business unit of Lockheed Martin providing information technology business systems, managed services and infrastructure solutions to major government agencies.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin