Jennifer Parks
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Small businesses will bring their capabilities to the recently awarded Base Infrastructure Modernization contract, bolstering efforts to upgrade existing Department of the Air Force base area networks to an as-a-service model.
The U.S. Air Force recently awarded a Services Category 1 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for Enterprise Information Technology as a Service Base Infrastructure Modernization to 25 companies with a $12.5 billion ceiling.
“We worked closely with the BIM acquisition team during acquisition planning to identify opportunities for small businesses to participate,” Andrea Panagoulias, director of small business programs at Hanscom Air Force Base, said. 'Working in collaboration, the acquisition team developed a contract strategy that incorporated small business participation while supporting the mission need."
BIM IDIQ holders are required to commit to utilizing small businesses for at least 30% of the contract value, an approximately $3.75 billion commitment to small businesses over 10 years. The contract also includes commitments for small, disadvantaged businesses, woman owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran owned small businesses, and historically underutilized business zone small businesses.
Involvement in BIM provides an avenue for small businesses to engage in the modernization process, whether it be prime or subcontractors.
“The contract small business requirements encouraged a variety of businesses to respond, including small business primes, small business teaming arrangements, and Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé joint ventures,” Panagoulias, noted.
“Small businesses in the defense sector, representing all socioeconomic groups, are demonstrating their impressive capabilities to contribute to this acquisition,” Amy MacDonough, deputy director of small business programs at Hanscom AFB, added.
Industry capabilities, technologies, and best practices will but utilized to meet the Air Force’s need for modernized network capability.
Hanscom has obligated more than $1 billion annually to small businesses in recent fiscal years. BIM is another example of how the Enterprise IT & Cyber Infrastructure Division, Cyber & Networks Directorate support small business. The use of a diverse number of businesses enhances mission flexibility and supports the Department of Defense’s National Defense Industrial Strategy for a resilient supply chain.
The Hanscom Small Business Office is responsible for implementing Department of Defense and Department of the Air Force small business policies, programs, and procedures for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and associated units at the installation. The office performs overall contractor relations to Hanscom Air Force Base and serves as the liaison with the Small Business Administration at local and national levels.
The office’s staff works to enhance acquisition opportunities for small business in support of the Air Force mission. They are the initial point of contact for businesses seeking contract opportunities with the Cyber & Networks Directorate, Electronic Systems Directorate, and Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications Directorate.
To contact the Hanscom Small Business Programs office, email Panagoulias at [email protected] or MacDonough at [email protected].
EITaaS is an Air and Space Force initiative leveraging industry best practices to provide a standardized, innovative and agile information technology service across the Department of the Air Force. (Courtesy Photo)