Qwest gets OK to provide TIC services

Qwest Communications International Inc. is now the second Networx vendor to win a Trusted Internet Connections contract from the General Services Administration.

Qwest follows AT&T Inc., which won the first contract modification to provide TIC services under Networx Universal in December, said agency spokesman Robert Lesino.

Now agencies can choose between the two carriers for Managed Trusted IP Services (MTIPS).

“The feedback we’ve been getting from agencies is that they’ve been looking for a second MTIPS provider so they can compare services and prices,” Qwest spokesman Tom McMahon said.

Earlier this year, Diana Gowen, senior vice president and general manager of Qwest Government Services, said she had been somewhat surprised when AT&T was the only company to be awarded a TIC contract. “What I’m hoping we’ll see now is MTIPS [certification] for the rest of us, and then it’ll be up to the agencies,” she added.

Awards for the remaining three Networx vendors will likely come later this year, Lesino said.

MTIPS helps agencies meet Office of Management and Budget requirements to reduce the number of Internet gateways and improve cybersecurity. Under the Networx telecommunications contract, MTIPS includes an Einstein Enclave intrusion-detection system and the following components:

• A security operations center for agency protection.
• Transport from the agency’s wide-area network to the TIC portal.
• Redundant Internet access service.
• Tools to meet requirements for supply chain risk management.
• Other optional features to accommodate unique agency requirements.