Lockheed to merge DOD supply networks

Lockheed Martin Corp. will help merge and unify two key military supply networks to boost performance under a new $89 million contract. The U.S. Transportation Command and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) awarded the convergence contract.

Lockheed Martin will lead a team that will merge DLA's Integrated Data Environment (IDE) distribution system with the Transportation Command's Global Transportation Network (GTN) to create a unified system called IDE/GTN Convergence. Lockheed Martin built and maintains GTN and will synchronize the systems with other information systems.

The converged network will provide a common information platform that enables the military to improve tracking of supplies, responsiveness, decision-making, service and logistics processes.

The platform includes a single repository and universal access to logistics data so any user or developer can easily find, access or manage supply chain information.

The Lockheed Martin proposal incorporates a service-oriented architecture framework, which allows the IDE/GTN Convergence platform to enrich and expand its support capabilities through integration with other software systems.

The solution also allows the development of user communities on the platform to collaborate on best practices that can continuously reinforce improvements. These self-service capabilities enable program managers, developers, data partners and warfighters to improve transportation information.

Lockheed Martin's team includes Science Applications International Corp., Data Networks Corp., PRTM, BearingPoint Inc., Rainbow Data Systems Inc., Innolog Inc., Business Objects S.A., Teradata and Oakland Consulting.

Lockheed Martin, of Bethesda, Md., ranks No. 1 on Washington Technology's 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.