Streampipe Gets OK for Services to Federal Government

Streampipe.com of Alexandria, Va., has become the first streaming media provider approved to furnish services to the government under the General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedule, the company announced.


Streaming media allows organizations to broadcast via the Internet press conferences, meetings, speeches, distance-learning programs, computer-based training and other gatherings. Video, audio and graphics can be made available live or archived.


There's enormous potential for streaming media in the federal government, said Sherman Hamilton, vice president of marketing. "The sky could be the limit here," Hamilton said.


The 2-year-old company's federal client list includes the Navy, Commerce Department, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Social Security Administration and House of Representative's Committee on Science and Technology. Bob Green, director of federal sales, said each federal contract thus far has been worth less than $1 million.


"These agencies are developing large bodies of information. It's very high on their agendas to make sure they are communicating out to the public and other agencies," Green said.


Streampipe, for example, produced a keynote speech in seven languages for the Commerce Department and accepted questions for the speaker via e-mail.


For Streampipe, Green added, being on the Federal Supply Schedule means greater subcontracting opportunities, particularly on distance learning contracts.


"It gives us a stronger position to bring to the table in partnering relationships," Green said. "We just bring a lot more strength to the table now for the primes [contractors] to look at."