US Department of Defense bids are being offered from multiple companies to upgrade its technology capabilities with the benefit of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and other highlights of modern cloud platforms.
The Pentagon’s new Joint Cloud Combat Capability (JWCC) program is the replacement for the previous $10 billion Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) program, given to Microsoft, to the wrath of Amazon.
That leads to disputes, lawsuits, Presidential corruption allegations, and finally a total cancellation.
Andy Jassy, Amazon’s new CEO, was frank on this matter was the leader of Amazon’s cloud business at the time.
By leaving a contract with a previous supplier, the Pentagon is this time expanding its cloud around. Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Oracle have been invited to submit bids for this work, which will be assigned to multiple companies. In addition, the government does not put overall value on the contracts.
DoD says in a statement of requirements. “As a result, the Secretary of Defense has initiated a series of corporate initiatives designed to bring greater urgency, focus, and unity of effort within the Department to address China as the challenge.” number one knowledge of our growth rate. These initiatives will give our Warriors the operational edge to win the peace and win the conflict.”
Here is an excerpt from the announcement.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has a requirement to purchase support services and provide commercial cloud services. See attached “Required Capabilities” description for more details. The anticipated outcome will be the awarding of multiple Indefinite, Indefinite-Quantity Delivery (IDIQ) contracts under FAR Part 16. However, the Department is also seeking information from potential additional sources to provide better information for its acquisition strategy.
The government is expected to award two IDIQ contracts – one to Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) and one to Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft) – but intends to award all Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) who have demonstrated their ability to meet DoD requirements. Each IDIQ contract, on which mission orders will be placed, aims to execute a 36-month base period with two 12-month optional periods. The department is still evaluating a contract cap for this procurement, but predicts that a multi-billion dollar ceiling will be required. Contractual order ceilings will be included in any direct solicitations made to suppliers.
We’ve reached out to both Amazon and Microsoft for comment on the new bidding process.
As reported by CNBC, Google Cloud intends to auction part of the work despite employee objections about their work to government and military contracts.
Read the full statement of required capabilities below.
