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Mr. Brendan Burke, PD CHESS, Speaks Before AFCEA Luncheon Attendees
By Michael Dorsey, PD CHESS Public Affairs
Mr. Brendan Burke, Project Director Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions, addresses industry attendees at the AFCEA Belvoir June luncheon. Mr. Burke was the guest speaker for the monthly event, held at the Fort Belvoir Officer's Club on June 13. CHESS is the Army's designated primary source for commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) IT, providing a no-fee flexible procurement strategy for purchasing COTS IT hardware, software and services using an e-commerce-based process. The purchasing period for the CHESS Consolidated Buy 17 is open now through Sept. 30. For more information about CHESS, please visit https://chess.army.mil.
Posted June 27, 2013
Come Together: PEO EIS Hosts Network Modernization Information Exchange
By Jamie Lien, PEO EIS Public Affairs
The U.S. Army Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS) kicked off a series of information exchanges with industry on May 22 with a program focused on network modernization. This new format -- pared down due to budget constraints -- allows PEO EIS and industry to gather and collaborate in specific areas of interest. Mr. Doug Wiltsie, Program Executive Officer, explained, "the purpose of this information exchange is to build stronger relationships between our programs and industry, and to provide a forum for collaboration that will help drive our future planning in network modernization." Over 300 attendees from 183 companies gathered at Wood Theater at Fort Belvoir, Va., to listen to briefings from EIS leaders and ask questions during panel discussions.
Focused primarily on the future of one of the Army’s top priorities – network modernization, the focus of the information exchange was to help industry understand the Army’s road map as well as begin to develop the technology that will be needed in the mid-term timeframe. Wiltsie welcomed participants who were treated to updates from Col. Debra Theall, Project Manager Installation Information Infrastructure – Communications and Capabilities (PM I3C2); Col. Clyde Richards, Project Manager Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems (PM DCATS); and Mr. Jeremy Hiers, Project Director Enterprise Services (PD ES). Overseeing all the IT infrastructure installation, Col. Theall provided insight into the acquisition side of network security, inside and outside plant installation, and bandwidth challenges and solutions. Col. Theall emphasized, “The Army's Network Modernization Initiative in CONUS is a partnership between the Defense Systems Information Agency (DISA) and the Army to build capacity and improve overall security of our networks. We are horizontally implementing across our most populated bases, posts, camps and stations to provide a uniform and substantial increase in capacity in a much shorter timeframe setting the conditions for cloud technologies and enterprise services.”
COL Richards focused on DCATS satellite communications and updated attendees on developing digital IFs and the migration to IP services. He also spoke about updating technology control facilities to continue to provide secure satellite communication to its stakeholders. Discussing the important changes occurring within the satellite communications environment, COL Richards stated, “"There is a movement to digitize the inter facility link on the backside of the ground station terminals with digital intermediate frequency technologies. This can be a game changer that can provide more efficient traffic management and control at a significantly reduced cost, and would be a step closer to an Everything Over IP (EOIP) architecture."
The issue of cloud computing and data center consolidation was of particular interest to participants, with emphasis on the challenges presented by synchronization efforts. Hiers provided a glimpse at the future by sharing the timeline for updates and transitions to next generation enterprise services and content management. Hiers said, “I thought the information exchange was effective at helping to re-establish some of the collaboration with industry that has been lost with recent restrictions on conferences. Throughout the day I met with representatives from over 30 companies and almost all of them mentioned some form of appreciation for having the opportunity to directly connect with the acquisition community.”
Next in the series, a DoD Biometrics information exchange will be hosted by EIS in July. Please check the EIS website for more information.
Links to the slides presented during the Information Exchange can be found here:
- PEO EIS Information Exchange Welcome
- Build Capacity Cloud and Army Data Center Consolidation
- Enterprise Services to the Edge
- Network Operations (NetOps)
- Network Modernization Initiative (NMI)
- Network Modernization - SATCOM
Posted June 19, 2013
Ms. Shyu Recognizes Our Own: Honoring Mr. Wiltsie and Ms. Watson
By Jamie Lien, PEO EIS Public Affairs
The Honorable Heidi Shyu, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistic and Technology) and the Army Acquisition Executive, visited Fort Belvoir June 18, 2013, for a Town Hall with Program Executive Offices Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS) and Soldier (PEO Soldier), and the United States Army Acquisition Support Center. Before her presentation, Ms. Shyu awarded the EIS Program Executive Officer (PEO), Mr. Doug Wiltsie, and Deputy PEO, Ms. Terry Watson, with the Meritorious Civilian Service medal, the second highest Department of the Army honorary award.
Mr. Wiltsie was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his performance of duty while serving as the PEO EIS since his assumption of command in October 2011. His efforts to encourage continued development while keeping cost savings a priority has resulted in improved communication, creative use of commercial solutions and the achievement of critical steps necessary to achieve audit readiness by 2017. Ms. Shyu praised his unparalleled judgment and intensive focus that has elevated PEO EIS to the forefront of IT acquisition in this environment focused on information technology modernization.
Ms. Watson was recognized for her demonstrated program management and technical expertise and the ability to lead with a high level of efficiency while serving as the Acting PEO from December 2010 to October 2011, and then subsequently as the DPEO. Her actions rendered her a renowned expert for IT Acquisition at both the Army and Department of Defense (DoD) levels, and most importantly, allowed PEO EIS organizations to execute program in support of Soldiers around the world. During a time when the DoD is focusing on which programs to cut, she has been able to successfully identify inefficiencies and enhance the way that DoD implements and manages programs while retaining a high level of effectiveness and quality control.
The medal was established by directive of the Secretary of the Army on January 26, 1959.
Posted June 18, 2013