DOD developing contract to help manage JEDI cloud

The Defense Department’s massive JEDI cloud computing contract is still facing legal challenges, but DOD is moving ahead with identifying resources it needs to help manage the contract once it is awarded.

DOD has kicked off market research activities that should lead to a new contract for support services for its Cloud Computing Program Office, which falls under the office of the chief information officer. The Cloud Computing Program Office will be the central program office for delivering the JEDI cloud. 

DOD has eliminated IBM and Oracle from the competitive range, leaving Amazon Web Services and Microsoft  to battle it out.

Of course, Oracle’s lawsuit before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims is ongoing despite DOD recent conclusion that there was no adverse impact from the company’s allegations of a conflict of interest in the development of the solicitation. Oracle also is challenging DOD’s single-award strategy. 

So while the court moves forward with its process, DOD is moving forward with the pieces it needs to manage the $10 billion cloud contract.

After JEDI is awarded, the Cloud Computing Program Office will provide oversight of how the contract is rolled out. To do this, DOD says the office will need contractor support.

The scope described in a request for information includes:

• Business operations and leadership support
• Engineering support
• Security and risk management framework support
• Office automation, desktop and Tier 3 support
• Public affairs and communications support
• User engagement
• Program management

Other contractor responsibilities will include monitoring contract deliverables for timeliness and quality. The contract will also oversee corrective action plans, proposal submissions, identification of issues and customer satisfaction.

Comments on the RFI are due April 23.