Verizon gets GSA go ahead on MTIPS

Verizon Communications Inc. has joined AT&T Inc., Qwest Communications Inc. and Sprint Solutions Inc. as a Managed Trusted Internet Protocol Service provider under the General Services Administration’s Networx telecommunications contract.

An announcement of Verizon’s award for MTIPS, a service under the umbrella of the Office of Management and Budget’s Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) directive, has been expected for more than a month.

The award means Verizon can go forward with implementing TIC services for the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, among others. The board in September had tapped Verizon for domestic and international long distance, calling-card services, T1 lines, audio teleconferencing bridge, IP video transport service and --  contingent on the carrier’s receipt of the contract modification -- TIC services.

Although it was assumed the carrier would get the nod from GSA, said Karl Krumbholz, deputy assistant commissioner of network services in GSA’s Office of Service Development, “if for some reason, Verizon didn’t come through, then they would have to choose someone else for that services.”

Implementing MTIPS helps agencies meet Office of Management and Budget requirements to cut the number of their Internet gateways and improve cybersecurity. Under the Networx telecommunications contract, MTIPS includes an Einstein Enclave computer network intrusion detection system as well as other components.

Verizon, of New York, ranks No. 16 on Washington Technology's 2009 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.