Lockheed Wins $750M, 10-Yr Contract to Sustain the Defense Message System

Lockheed Martin Corp., in Manassas, VA received a $750 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price, labor-hour, cost-plus-fixed fee, and cost-reimbursable contract. This Defense Message System (DMS) Sustainment acquisition is for the sustainment of the current DMS, made up of versions of Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, and other email and directory services with additional security features and integration. Some observers have questioned the use of technologies not built for security from the outset as potentially problematic, especially given the steady stream of security vulnerabilities associated with Exchange et. al. The resultant contract will provide for: uninterrupted integration and engineering services supporting DMS technology enhancements; focus on sustainment of fielded system; provide maintenance releases to keep pace with technology; hardware components for purchase, system software for purchase, integration, and maintenance, technical support desk, system maintenance and support services. Solicitations began September 2005, negotiations were complete March 2006, and work will be complete April 2007. Nine one-year options will follow. The Headquarters Operations and Sustainment Systems Group at Maxwell Air Force Base, GA issued the contract (FA8771-06-D-0001).