Integrator Insider

Air Force Base Ponders Outsourcing: Eilson Air Force Base in Alaska is conducting an A-76 analysis to determine if it should outsource much of its communications operations. A-76 is the Office of Management and Budget document that requires government agencies to determine if a non-mission function is best carried out internally or outsourced to the private sector.

By Nick Wakeman

Eilson Air Force Base in Alaska is conducting an A-76 analysis to determine if it should outsource much of its communications operations. A-76 is the Office of Management and Budget document that requires government agencies to determine if a non-mission function is best carried out internally or outsourced to the private sector.

At Eilson, the Air Force is studying whether to outsource communication antenna systems, communication cable systems, telephone systems, satellite and wide band communications equipment, ground radio communications and information management.


If the Air Force moves ahead with a contract, it will post the request for proposals and other documents on the Electronic Posting System home page at www.eps.gov. Interested contractors can sign up at that Web site to be notified as the procurement moves forward. The Air Force is anticipating a five-year contract if it decides to outsource the communications functions.By Nick Wakeman

Proposals are due June 30 for a contract to replace the data collection systems for the Geostationary Environmental Operational Satellite System.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wants a new data processing system because the old one is out of date and inflexible. The new system should be compatible with existing interfaces but bring new capabilities such as Internet access. The agency also is eyeing commercial technology and products.

The agency is planning a single award based on best value with technical, price and other factors being considered. Documents are available at www.osd.noaa.gov/daps.By Nick Wakeman

The National Reconnaissance Office is conducting market research to learn about current commercial practices and products pertaining to 3-D modeling and simulation. The agency has issued a request for information asking IT companies to help plan an acquisition strategy for a 3-D visualization and modeling system.

The plans are for an initial deployment of 15 systems in five metropolitan areas dispersed across the United States. Eventually, a system will be deployed at each one of NRO's satellite, booster and support facilities of the agency's mission partners.