Lockheed Martin will lead a team of information technology experts from the defense and commercial industries to compete for the Army Knowledge Online (AKO) Enterprise Services program. SAIC, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) and a host of key technology providers will contribute critical expertise in current and future Army systems as well as innovative new web technologies.

With more than 1.7 million users worldwide, AKO is the premier web gateway to the Army enterprise. The sophisticated web portal gives soldiers fast, easy access to dozens of logistics and combat support applications, secure e-mail and messaging, and volumes of valuable information about the Army itself. The AKO Enterprise Services program calls for a single contractor team to take over the management and administration of AKO, developing and implementing a strategic plan for cutting costs, streamlining operations and improving service to warfighters.

"This competition represents a major turning point for AKO. The program has been a remarkable success so far, but with the tremendous growth it's seen in just the past year, the Army faces a number of new challenges managing the scope, cost and complexity of the system," said Dave Westley, Lockheed Martin's AKO program manager. "Our team will help the Army transform AKO into much more than a portal. We'll apply our integration and commercial IT expertise to integrate systems from the back office to the front lines, creating a reliable, secure, innovative infrastructure for this mission- critical system."

Lockheed Martin brings world-class enterprise integration and tactical communications expertise to the AKO program, and will be responsible for program management, IT strategy and application integration. SAIC, a primary member of the Future Combat Systems (FCS) team, brings critical expertise in the Army systems and operations. SAIC will be responsible for integrating AKO's legacy applications and for its future knowledge management architecture. A leading provider of networking, server and data center solutions, CSC will lead infrastructure operations, maintenance and enhancements.

Also joining the team are Roundarch, specializing in the design and implementation of portal, content management and integration solutions for many of the world's largest public and private organizations. Internosis, a premier provider of enterprise messaging and directory services, will bring both commercial and government best practices to the team.

"This team is uniquely positioned to help the Army achieve its vision for AKO," said Westley. "We'll work with the Army to streamline their hardware infrastructure, reduce administration costs, integrate hundreds of legacy applications, and implement a disciplined management strategy that will govern the system's future development. AKO is an outstanding example of the potential that web technology holds for warfighters. Our team will help the Army fully realize that potential for millions of users around the world."

The AKO Request for Proposals was issued on January 25. The contract award is expected in the summer of this year.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin