Army releases $4 billion infrastructure contract

The Army late last week released a request for proposals for its multiyear, $4 billion Infrastructure Modernization program.

IMOD will update the fiber-optic cable and wireless communications lines at major Army bases and installations. The RFP fell behind schedule earlier this year due to priority changes, officials said previously.

Through IMOD, the Army will award up to eight contracts, including several for small businesses. The acquisition will replace the Digital Switched Systems Modernization Program contracts, which expire in June 2007.

DSSMP supplies telecommunications supplies and support to government and military agencies around the world, including switching and networking technologies, installation, and support services and logistics.

The program manager, Defense Communications and Army Switched Systems (PM DCASS), part of the Army's Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems, released the RFP for IMOD.

The Army expects to award the IMOD contracts next spring.

By year's end, the Army also expects to release a request for proposals for another multibillion-dollar acquisition?its Worldwide Satellite Systems program. WWSS will bring turn-key satellite systems and associated support services for satellite terminals such as the Combat Support System Very Small Aperture Terminals.

In 2004, the Army began using CSS VSAT terminals in Iraq. The units include Global Positioning System receivers, motorized satellite antennas and notebook computers running special logistics applications.