Category: Telecommunications

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Terrestrial connectivity problem? Meet GSA’s satellite solutions.

Problem: Meeting the need for reliable and flexible connectivity

The digital landscape and the federal IT market are extremely fast-paced and ever-evolving; federal agencies require robust, flexible, and reliable connectivity solutions to maintain their operations seamlessly, regardless of location. Even more critical are remote or emergency situations where traditional broadband solutions may fall short. Many agencies face such challenges, needing reliable connectivity for maritime and remote operations. This is one way GSA’s goals of simplifying federal procurement processes helps ensure agencies get what they need and deliver for the American people.

Solution: Leveraging Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites through EIS

LEO satellites’ recent innovations have made them more affordable and accessible. Closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, LEO satellites offer faster response times and more reliable data exchange, both essential to maritime and remote operations.

One great example hits close to home. GSA is also our customer, and the agency uses our solutions. My team collaborated with GSA’s Chief Information Officer to integrate LEO satellite services as part of their Software Defined – Wide Area Network solution to provide high speed connectivity for remote locations, as well as alternate connectivity in a potential emergency situation. Working through the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract vehicle, we helped the organization get the necessary equipment and services. This partnership shows how GSA’s EIS can transform modern IT solutions.

“We’re focused on providing a secure, forward-leaning work environment where we can accomplish our mission regardless of location or emergency situation,” said Erika Dinnie, associate CIO at GSA’s Office of Digital Infrastructure Technologies.

“We streamlined our network, eliminated bottlenecks, incorporated software-defined networking to simplify network management, and implemented a zero trust security posture.”

Enhanced operational efficiency and real-time data exchange

By deploying a SD-WAN that includes LEO satellite services, agencies can revolutionize their operations, allowing for cost-effective, real-time data exchange from remote, airborne and maritime locations. This enhances GSA’s ability to efficiently monitor and respond to environmental changes and emergencies. Agencies can get game-changing real-time data exchange. 

Successfully implementing through EIS highlights the contract vehicle’s flexibility and shows the practical benefits of adopting cutting-edge technology to meet mission-critical needs.

Why agencies should consider LEO services

LEO satellites offer many advantages for federal, state, local and tribal agencies, especially those operating in remote areas or requiring reliable backup solutions. Key benefits include:

  • Faster response time: Due to their lower altitude, LEO satellites transmit data quicker and suffer lower latency than other satellite services.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Innovations and increased competition have made LEO solutions more affordable than ever.
  • Reliable connectivity: LEO is ideal for remote or underserved areas where traditional broadband services are unavailable or unreliable.
  • Scalability and flexibility: Agencies can easily scale services based on their needs, ensuring uninterrupted operations.

Acquiring LEO and SD-WAN services through EIS or MAS IT

Agencies looking to use LEO satellite solutions or enhance their network infrastructure with SD-WAN can use GSA’s EIS and Multiple Award Schedule IT contracts.

EIS Contract Vehicle

  • Offers a comprehensive suite of services, including LEO satellite integration and SD-WAN architecture.
  • Simplifies the procurement process with pre-vetted vendors and streamlined acquisition procedures.
  • Provides cost savings through aggregated federal buying and increased competition among suppliers​​​​.

MAS-IT

  • Agencies can purchase satellite communication services through the COMSATCOM Special Item Number 517410.
  • Provides a wide array of IT products and services, including managed network services and cloud-based solutions​​​​.

Expert support and resources

GSA’s Solutions Brokers can help agencies navigate the acquisition process and select the best solutions to meet their specific needs. They provide technical consultation, scope reviews and solicitation templates to ensure a smooth and efficient procurement process​​​​.

Interested in learning more? Please watch our recent webinar about GSA’s LEO satellite solutions, as part of our Executive Education Series. The event featured GSA’s satellite and mobility subject matter experts and a special guest calling in live from Utqiagvik, Alaska! Slides from the presentation are available below for download.

Slides for November 6, 2024 Low Earth Orbit with Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions CLP Class 508 ReviewedDownload

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Announcing the Next Generation Network Infrastructure Strategy and Industry Day on May 30

This is a guest post by Jake Marcellus, Executive Director, Office of Enterprise Technology Solutions.

Next-Gen Network: Riding the wave into the future

Greetings, tech enthusiasts and future-forward thinkers! Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of Next Generation Network Infrastructure (NGNI)? This isn’t just another IT telecommunications program; it’s the transformational blueprint for tomorrow’s federal IT network and telecommunications landscape.

Why NGNI? Staying ahead of the game

Government agencies rely on enterprise telecommunications and infrastructure every day to accomplish their missions, and the technologies and marketspace are constantly evolving. Enter NGNI – our vision to ensure the government isn’t just keeping pace but setting the pace in the IT network and telecommunications landscape.

Learning from the past, building for the future

NGNI is drawing inspiration from the past while eyeing the possibilities of tomorrow. It’s about simplifying the complex, embracing innovation, and ensuring the government has the tools it needs to serve the American people efficiently and securely.

Mark your calendars: Industry Day is coming!

Circle May 30 on your calendars for our upcoming Industry Day. Whether you’re looking to learn more about GSA’s current Enterprise Technology Solutions contracts or for information on where you can contribute ideas or to just soak in the vision, this is where you’ll want to be.

Visit our GSA Enterprise Technology Solutions Industry Day webinar registration to sign up for the event. Industry Day participants can contribute ideas through this NGNI Feedback form until June 14, 2024.

Visit our website to learn more about EIS or use our IT Solutions Navigator to find the vehicle that’s right for you.

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Post-Quantum Cryptography — What is it and where to start?

We all know cybersecurity is a dynamic field that is constantly evolving to protect people from the malicious use of technology. As we’ll explore in this post, cybersecurity professionals may soon be called to defend against technologies that blur the limits of classical physics.

What we know

Think back to high school physics, old episodes of the TV show “Nova,” or even the latest superhero movies, and you’ll recall the term “quantum” or “quantum mechanics.” Quantum, simply speaking, refers to what goes on at the subatomic level.

For decades, our friends at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) marshaled the resources of the federal government in applying the principles of quantum mechanics to information processing. They helped shape the field of quantum information science and birth an entirely new class of devices: quantum computers.

Right now, when a computer tries to solve a complex problem it has to check every possible solution one by one. That takes an enormous amount of time and computational power. Here’s where quantum computers shine. Because they operate at the subatomic level, they can actually explore and check multiple solutions simultaneously, drastically reducing the time needed to find the right answer. This means that tasks that would take classical computers years or even centuries to complete could be done by quantum computers in a matter of minutes or hours. It’s mind-boggling!

The problem

Here’s the catch: quantum computers could also break many of the encryption algorithms we currently rely on to protect sensitive data. We rely on encryption to keep information and data transfers safe both in our government work and everyday life – everything from logging into networks and websites to paying with credit cards. Quantum computers put all of that encryption at risk.

In 2022, the National Security Council issued a warning that certain quantum computers could “jeopardize civilian and military communications, undermine supervisory and control systems for critical infrastructure, and defeat security protocols for most Internet-based financial transactions.”

The Office of Management Budget then issued M-23-02 advising agencies how to take the threat seriously. Importantly, OMB said agencies should prepare to protect their data from quantum computers trying to break their encryption. Such stronger data protections became known as Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

So what technologies and services will agencies need to transition to PQC?

Where to start

The first step, per M-23-02, is for agencies to inventory their active cryptographic systems and re-inventory them annually through 2035. That includes looking at all deployed cryptographic systems used for creating and exchanging encryption keys, providing encrypted connections, or creating and validating digital signatures. GSA has multiple acquisition vehicles ready to help you find the right resources to do that.

  • The Highly Adaptive Cybersecurity Services (HACS) Special Item Number (SIN) also offers quick access to vendors who have been technically evaluated to do such inventories.
  • If an agency has Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) Managed Services awarded, it can tap into those suppliers to conduct these assessments.

The way forward

The experts at NIST are leading the effort to develop algorithms designed to withstand quantum computer attacks. NIST has begun the process of standardizing these algorithms — named CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, SPHINCS+, and FALCON. This is the final step before making these mathematical tools available so that organizations can integrate them into their encryption infrastructure. NIST also notes that there will be more post-quantum encryption standards to follow.

Some agencies may wish to start testing the PQC algorithms before they are standardized by NIST. Hardware, web browsers, content delivery networks, cloud service providers, devices and endpoints, and enterprise devices that initiate or terminate encrypted traffic all rely on encryption and might be areas to test pre-standardized PQC algorithms.

If your agency is ready to test or explore quantum computing further, GSA has contracts for that too:

Together, we’re on it

Quantum computers are advancing quickly, increasing the need for reliable PQC solutions. GSA works in close collaboration with NIST and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to keep our contracts aligned with the latest technical and security requirements including emerging PQC standards.

Agencies will need to protect their information systems and data from growing threats. The right suppliers can complement an agencies’ IT and information security staff and resources with relevant products, services and solutions to assess cryptographic risks, test safeguards and identify needed investments.

We look forward to working with more agencies to help them prepare for this imminent post-quantum future. We’re planning to host an in-person Quantum Summit at GSA headquarters on April 16, 2024 from 9-12 EST where you can learn more about quantum resilience from Federal practitioners, so save the date! And while we probably won’t be able to help you traverse time and multiverses like a movie superhero, we are ready to help you get your systems prepared for what comes next. Contact us with your needs and we will help guide you to a solution.

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Fed tech for emergency preparedness: The GSA schedule and public safety

Preparing your agency to respond to an emergency is not limited to hurricane or wildfire season. From ensuring continuity of operations to how citizens and employees receive critical communications; emergency preparedness is a continuous effort and an integral part of being agile, disaster-ready, and capable of carrying out essential duties in various emergency situations.

What’s in your emergency preparedness toolkit?

Wireless technology is an important part of the federal government’s emergency preparedness strategy. Knowing what technology is available, how and when to integrate it into your telecommunications plan, and how to best leverage the capabilities of the vendor community is a key responsibility of every telecommunications program manager. GSA can help.

GSA’s Best-in-Class Wireless Mobility Solutions Program gives agencies an integral piece for their emergency preparedness toolkits.

Federal, state, local and tribal agencies can access wireless mobility solutions like cell phone services, Wireless Priority Service, special capabilities for first responders, enterprise mobility and satellite communications (SATCOM), and deployable cell towers and infrastructure.

Buying through GSA helps you connect with the best provider for your agency, and incorporate the capabilities to best serve your agency and citizens.

Along with Best-in-Class solutions and competitive vendor offerings, outstanding technical support is available from GSA through sdintake@gsa.gov.

Don’t fly the COOP; GSA has a Wireless Mobility Solution

Continuity of Operations planning (COOP) is another aspect of emergency preparedness and a fundamental responsibility of public and private entities. COOP is a federal initiative to ensure agencies are able to continue the performance of essential functions under a broad range of circumstances. Today’s changing threat environment increases the need for continuity capabilities and plans at all levels of government.

GSA’s Wireless Mobility Solutions team is focused on readiness for communications and information systems, and they can help agencies shape and improve their COOP strategy with cost-effective and secure offerings.

Whether you’re looking for new solutions or updating your existing emergency preparedness plans, GSA’s Wireless Mobility Solutions team is ready to assist.

Ready to learn more?

Attend GSA’s Wireless Mobility Solutions webinar “Wireless Solutions for Emergency Preparedness,” Nov. 6, 2-3 p.m. ET.

This webinar is for government staff who manage IT, agency mobility programs, purchase or manage mobility, or have a role in emergency preparedness or public safety. Learn more about trustworthy wireless solutions that support emergency preparedness and public safety, and can help your agency build mission resilience.

Topics will include:

  • Solutions to help ensure your agency is better prepared for an emergency;
  • How 5G will impact emergency preparedness and how you can plan for it; and,
  • Agency considerations for wireless technology for public safety and mission resilience.

Speakers from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon will discuss some of the important issues facing public safety today, what technologies can better enable emergency preparedness, and what agencies should be doing right now to be better prepared.

Sign up today!

Also, visit our website to learn more about Wireless Mobility Solutions for your agency, or use our IT Solutions Navigator to find the vehicle that’s right for you.

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2023 EIS Transition Update

Last December I blogged about GSA’s decision to pursue extensions of the Networx, Washington Interagency Telecommunications System (WITS) 3 and Local Service contracts on behalf of a few agencies who needed more time to complete their transition to Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS). Much has transpired since that last blog post, and I wanted to give an update.

As of April 2023, 123 of 222 agencies had successfully transitioned off of the legacy telecommunications contracts. Transitioned agencies have realized some truly great benefits such as:

  • Divested from legacy services no longer supported by contractors
  • Adopted Trusted Internet Connection 3.0 architectures
  • Achieved lower overall cost
  • Increased cyber resilience.

Agencies that require an extension beyond May 31, 2024 must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GSA, provide GSA with details supporting further contract extensions, and start comprehensive quarterly executive transition updates with GSA. As of June 26, 2023, eight agencies have requested extensions to May 31, 2026. Some need additional weeks and some need additional months to complete their transition.

New Executive Leadership for Enterprise Technology Solutions

On February 16, 2023, Jake Marcellus became the Executive Director for Enterprise Technology Solutions (ETS). Jake leads a subcategory that includes Enterprise Telecommunications, Mobility and Satellite Communications (SATCOM) services. Jake came to us from GSA IT and has extensive experience leading telecommunications efforts within the Department of Defense.

I have asked Jake, as lead executive for EIS, to place his initial focus on improving the customer agency EIS transition experience and outcomes. His team developed a system to use disconnect data to identify the most significant transition risks and make the appropriate executive engagements with agencies.

They’re engaging agencies, assisting with problem identification, consulting on technical solutions and facilitating requests for 2026 extensions. In addition to meeting with agency Chief Information Office (CIO) staff, Jake is also meeting with executives of our EIS contractors.

The Continuity of Service Period and beyond

GSA continues to manage the EIS transition by supporting agency requirements and the contractors’ performance toward meeting the key completion dates.

  • May 31st 2024 – Continuity of Service (CoS) ends for those agencies that signed MOUs with GSA for the June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024 CoS periods.
  • May 31st 2026 – The end of service for those agencies authorized to use extended CoS beyond May 31, 2024.

The terms and conditions of the legacy telecommunications contracts allow only those organizations specified in the Networks Authorized User List (NAUL) to obtain services under these contracts. GSA continues to update the NAUL to remove those agencies which are no longer authorized to use the contracts and will order contractors to disconnect services to such agencies. Unless an agency is working with GSA to use the extended CoS to May 31, 2026, the NAUL will be updated to remove the agency and its services will be disconnected on or before May 31, 2024. Agencies should continue to work aggressively with their contractors to transition prior to May 31, 2024. If an agency requires days, weeks or months beyond May 2024, it should contact their Solutions Broker on the GSA team to explore options.

Working together to achieve successful outcomes

Successful EIS transitions are a team effort. While GSA manages the transition as a governmentwide program, the agencies and their contractors–for both the legacy contracts and EIS–must work very closely to ensure the agencies’ requirements and those of their task orders are successfully met. This requires close oversight by the Ordering Contracting Officers for those task orders and the project managers, in collaboration with experts in networking, security, finance and operations that form the agencies’ transition teams. These teams monitor the contractors’ activities, identify risks and issues, and develop solutions with the contractors in compliance with the task orders and with an eye toward completing transition by the deadline.

Below are some of the lessons learned that enabled the successful completion of agency transitions.

  1. Know your existing inventory and requirements
    It is foundational that a transition is properly scoped in regards to physical locations and required telecom services. This step will ensure full accountability on what needs to be transitioned, what will not be transitioned and account for new requirements.
  2. Create a transition strategy
    A transition strategy includes what will be transitioned and the discrete considerations for unique mission needs and environment. Transitions in urban and rural areas have distinct challenges.
  3. Develop a plan and schedule
    Provide an overview of required actions and a detailed schedule of activities.
  4. Get stakeholder buy-in
    A successful transition requires acute coordination between engineering, program management, government contracting staff and the associated contractors.
  5. Monitor and Control
    This phase requires the agency work with both their EIS and legacy contractors to ensure that services are both transitioned and disconnected. Transition progress should be actively monitored to spot potential obstacles and implement corrective actions.
  6. Leverage the GSA team
    GSA has assigned solutions brokers for all agencies. Solutions brokers are a single point of contact for assistance with EIS, Networx, WITS3 and all transition activities. GSA’s ETS Executive Director is available for the agency executive engagement.

Visit our website to learn more about EIS or use our IT Solutions Navigator to find the vehicle that’s right for you.

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GSA supports National Strategy to Secure 5G with new acquisition guidance

GSA’s Acquisition Guidance for Procuring 5G Technology supports an ongoing, multi-agency effort to document and share best practices for optimal 5G deployments.

National Strategy

As discussed in past posts, the Federal Government views 5th generation (5G) wireless technology as a future driver of the global economy. It also views the security of 5G information and communications technology and services infrastructure, and the data transmitted and stored on it, as a key national security interest. In addition to protecting data on the network, a trusted, secure supply chain is also paramount. We cannot ensure the security of 5G networks if untrusted equipment or software is allowed to control any part of them.

The National Strategy to Secure 5G is our country’s game plan to manage the risks associated with next generation wireless technologies and the new use cases they open up. GSA’s role is to establish acquisition processes and facilitate federal agency adoption of 5G infrastructure with appropriate security safeguards and adherence to national policies. The desired outcome is a resource that helps agencies identify their standards, specify security controls, and catalog other relevant requirements to provide a secure 5G infrastructure.

GSA guidance

Screenshot of the front page of the "GSA Acquisition Guidance for Procuring 5G Technology" with a white and navy background. There is a colorful technology graphic at the bottom right of the screen.
Download the PDF at buy.gsa.gov or order physical copies at cmls.gsa.gov.

The subject matter experts behind our Wireless Mobility Solutions contracts applied this directive to the early 5G use cases they were observing at various agencies. We coordinated extensively with the interagency Federal Mobility Group, and we incorporated valuable input from experts in other agencies and industry. The result is our Acquisition Guidance for Procuring 5G Technology, a plain-language white paper that charts the progression of 5G in the public sector, outlines its core standards, explores government use cases, and delves into acquisition strategies that balance flexibility with security requirements. In particular, the Guidance features:

  • Tools and strategies for contracting 5G – A model acquisition process that details how technical staff should go about defining requirements and how contracting staff should use them to structure a solicitation.
  • 5G use cases in government – A living list of 5G use cases and pilot programs applicable to the public sector;
  • Standards for 5G – A detailed accounting of the international and U.S. standards that are used to determine requirements for 5G;
  • General background – A plain language narrative describing the evolution of cellular technology, the capabilities 5G offers, its relevance to the public sector, efforts underway to secure it, and its potential to shape future telecommunications products and services.

The wheel keeps turning

A six-sided "5G Wheel" in shades of purple depicting what the GSA Acquisition Guidance for Procuring 5G Technology features: Technology, Standard, Security, Policy, Acquisition, and Use Case.
The “5G Wheel” is one model of visualizing the components that enable resilient deployments.

We’ve previously described our “5G for Government” strategy as the understanding of six core concepts: Technology, Standards, Security, Policy, Acquisition, and Use Cases. Use cases are the real-world applications that agencies are pursuing, or want to achieve. Acquisition is the nuts and bolts of getting the solution in place in the most efficient and effective way. Once you understand the technology, know the standards, consider the security aspects, and are up-to-date on governmentwide policies, then it’s time to plan and execute. If you think of this strategy as a circle or wheel, the Use Case is the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Each rotation strengthens our collective understanding of what makes a 5G deployment secure and successful. The Acquisition Guidance for Procuring 5G Technology is GSA’s first effort to distill this collective knowledge into a usable format to help government technology managers, their contracting offices, and trusted industry partners buy, build, and use secure 5G systems. As a living document, the Guidance will be frequently reviewed to keep pace with changing technology, ensure governmentwide cybersecurity requirements are accurate, and incorporate feedback from stakeholders. Send feedback, questions, and suggestions to wireless@gsa.gov.

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GSA plans to grant DOJ, DHS extended period to complete EIS transition

Recently, we made a decision that will enable GSA to give the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) until May 31, 2026 to complete their transitions to EIS. DOJ and DHS asked for more time to complete their transition, citing multiple factors, including global supply chain disruptions and pandemic challenges. GSA agreed to create the requested extensions so that DOJ and DHS can carry out their transition plans without the risk of serious disruptions to critical services.

A significant decision

Executing these extensions will be a major undertaking for GSA and the contract holders. GSA anticipates there are more than sixty contracts that will need extensions after May 31, 2024. GSA will execute modifications to extend each contract. The justification for these modifications will detail the current status, the delays and obstacles agencies have faced in their transitions, and the timeline in which they expect to have their transitions completed.

GSA is proceeding according to FAR 6.3, which prescribes policies and procedures, and identifies the statutory authorities, for contracting without providing for full and open competition. The specific authority is under FAR 6.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

No guarantees

The approach we are taking is not without risks. For instance, contractors may not agree to an extension. They can refuse to sign on to extend further and GSA cannot force them to continue providing these services. Further prolonging transition generates risks for agencies, too. The EIS contracts offer benefits to agencies such as cost savings opportunities, avenues for technology modernization, and access to modern cybersecurity capabilities.

GSA supports your transition

GSA remains committed to the successful completion of the EIS Transition program. We conduct weekly updates to the transition inventory to ensure agencies and contractors have the most accurate data at their fingertips. In addition to frequent meetings with individual agencies, we hold monthly EIS Transition Office Hours and Interagency EIS Transition Meetings, both of which serve as forums for agencies to share their knowledge and ask transition-related questions. GSA also meets monthly with the contractors for an all-agency progress check and conducts comprehensive quarterly reviews.

GSA is and will continue to actively monitor agency progress toward stated EIS deadlines. If you need assistance, have additional data to share on the speed of your transition to EIS, or would like to meet with us, please contact your assigned GSA Solutions Broker.

For more information, visit gsa.gov/eistransition.

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20 years of E-Government

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the eGov Act, and I was recently asked in an interview what I felt had changed the most in the federal technology market and what had stayed the same. It was an interesting conversation, and so I’d like to share my thoughts with you.

Changing times, evolving technology

In 2002 your work revolved around your office building and your desk. Most everyone in government was tied to their office because of the technology at the time — desktop computers and desk phones.

Now think back to when you got your first Blackberry. I think it was 2004/5 for me. All of a sudden you could access your email on the go and connect to your headset wirelessly through Bluetooth.

Then of course the iPhone came in 2007 and has since changed everything. So, while I still have a desk at GSA’s central office, I haven’t had a desk phone in almost a decade or a desktop computer in two decades — today, I work from a laptop and a mobile phone.

In terms of the federal technology market, we are once again seeing two big technological trends that are radically transforming how we all operate: the shift to telework and cloud adoption.

Cloud adoption and telework

The pandemic hammered home the value of flexibility and collaboration. GSA invested in an efficient mobile workforce long before COVID hit, and that investment paid off. Our teams adapted quickly to full-time telework, enabling us to rapidly turn around and help other agencies do the same.

Part of the reason we were able to move so quickly was because we had embraced cloud computing early by investing in modern network architecture using GSA’s Networx contract.

That’s the second driver of modern government, the flexibilities afforded by the wide-scale adoption of commercial cloud services, which link the physical world to our virtual environments.

Think about the interview that inspired this blog post and how that content reaches its government audience. Twenty years ago, we’d record the interview, and the audio would play on a regional radio station. That’s the only way the audience would experience it.

Now, you can use a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone, (or a landline) not just to listen, but to participate. You can chat or post a question, and get a response in real-time. We have captioners (or AI/bots) who listen, transcribe, and produce a running transcript, and even video interpreters who can translate the conversation into American Sign Language.

The cloud-based software-as-a-service we use takes all these inputs and outputs raw data, which is stored and accessed securely within a FedRAMP-authorized environment. All that data is logged and analyzed in real-time while a host of systems operate in the background to defend against malicious actors.

Finally, it all gets encrypted and exits the platform, travels through the open Internet, and crosses the threshold back into a given federal network through Trusted Internet Connections. There are many types of “federal networks” ranging from a wired wide area network at an agency’s headquarters to someone’s home Wi-Fi, accessed through a Virtual Private Network and managed by a trusted vendor.

You may still catch that interview on the radio, but you can also experience it anytime from any device.

Every one of these services must be procured correctly, and that’s what GSA’s contracts ultimately provide.

Shared services — effective and efficient

When done right, a complex resource like what I described above isn’t limited to one department, rather it’s a service that becomes easily available to every employee of the agency — a shared service.

The benefits of such an acquisition are enjoyed across the entire enterprise, and that might be the most exciting change — that government agencies are starting to plan and buy IT more as a single enterprise than a loose collection of disparate parts.

This is federal category management in action. Internally, we’ve restructured our program units to better support enterprise offerings like managed services.

What once was called our office of Telecommunications Services is now Enterprise Technology Solutions because customers increasingly want secure, simple, and flexible capabilities that run on top of traditional networks.

Shared services have both stayed the same and evolved. I have two of the original e-Gov services in my portfolio with USAccess and the Federal Public Key Infrastructure program. Agencies still rely on these offerings every day, and they go a long way to reducing duplication of effort.

GSA, here to help

Of course that’s only the first part of the question. What hasn’t changed is the hard work and dedication of public servants and industry partners working hand in hand to ensure each agency fulfills its mission.

Visit our website to learn more or use our IT Solutions Navigator to find the vehicle that’s right for you.

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ICYMI: ITC Activating Continuity of Service for Telecom Contracts

In case you missed it, we are invoking the continuity of service (CoS) clause for these expiring enterprise network and telecommunications contracts: 

  • Networx
  • Local Service Contracts
  • Washington Interagency Telecommunications System (WITS) 3

This gives agencies the opportunity to sign on for an additional 12 months of service. During this time, agencies must either complete their transition to Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions or find another solution to prevent interruption of services. 

Invoking the CoS clause helps reduce the risks associated with not completing transition by the original May 31, 2023 deadline. It also provides more time for agencies to address challenges resulting from delayed task order awards, supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic, and other important priorities.

The transition to EIS has significant governmentwide cybersecurity, mission, operational, and financial implications. Agencies that don’t move their services before the CoS period ends could face: 

  • Interruption of critical public services.
  • Increased cyber vulnerabilities.
  • Failure to carry out their missions.

More time to complete transition

GSA awarded EIS in 2017 to replace these expiring contracts, beginning a period of transition. Many federal agencies aren’t on track to complete their transition to EIS before the May 2023 expiration.

As of February 28, 2022, only 89% of the planned task orders for transition have been awarded. Also, 45% of the nine million services governmentwide (like telephone lines and high bandwidth secure internet access) are still in use. 

What this means for agencies

Agencies that want to take advantage of the CoS period can do so only if:

  • The agency signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GSA by September 30, 2022
  • The MOU is signed by the agency head, or follows agency delegation of authority.
  • The designee is accountable for Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) functions. 

At the end of the 12-month CoS period (May 31, 2024), any services remaining active on the expiring contracts will be disconnected according to the terms and conditions of their respective contracts. They cannot be reinstated on those contracts. This will occur at the contract level, not on the agencies’ task orders.

If an agency doesn’t transition before the exercised option or CoS period ends, the agency must:

  • Identify the services that will be cut off when the CoS period ends.
  • Develop a contingency plan to maintain operation of those services on another contractual arrangement. 
  • Implement the contingency plan to ensure mission isn’t disrupted when the contracts expire and services are disconnected.

If an agency does not sign the MOU, GSA will remove the agency from the Networks Authorized User List (NAUL) for the expiring contracts in October 2022. Contractors will then begin the disconnect process as early as November 2022 and complete it no later than May 2023.

What this means for our industry partners

As agency transition rates increase, so will the demand on industry partners to implement task orders and execute disconnects quickly. 

We value our industry partners and will work closely together as we execute contractual actions over the next year. We’ll also look to our partners to continue supporting our agency customers as they

  • Expedite EIS orders.
  • Explore other options for maintaining service on another contractual arrangement.
  • Reconcile records for services that are being disconnected.

Next steps

If your agency is mid-transition, weigh the pros and cons of signing the MOU and make a risk-based decision appropriate for your agency. We’re here to help you assess your transition risk and understand your acquisition options.

Agencies with services on the expiring contracts should expect a message from GSA in May 2022 including the MOU. If you need more information or would like to meet, please contact your assigned GSA Solutions Broker.

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GSA’s Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions Instills Cybersecurity Confidence

On May 12, the White House issued the Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity. This EO underlines the fundamental problem of how cybersecurity weaknesses leave critical infrastructure open to debilitating attacks. It also outlines what government agencies must do to improve their collective defensive posture, reduce risk, improve visibility and secure their infrastructure.

GSA’s Information Technology Category (ITC) tracks cybersecurity trends and is involved in conversations with industry experts on this topic. We incorporate the EO’s technological goals in our contract solutions, like Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions Contract, or EIS.

When it comes to network security, Zero-Trust Architecture (ZTA) is the gold standard. We even published a Zero Trust Architecture Buyer’s Guide to help agencies build toward it. EIS is featured prominently in the guide, because it offers baked-in security “building blocks” to create customizable solutions.

Managed Security Services

The EIS Managed Security Service (MSS) is a comprehensive service that protects an agency’s information technology assets—hardware devices, network, software, and information—from malicious attacks. It includes capabilities such as authentication, anti-virus, anti-malware/spyware, intrusion detection, and security event management. MSS comprises the following sub-services: Trusted Internet Connections Service (TICS), Managed Prevention Service (MPS), Vulnerability Scanning Service (VSS), and Incident Response Service (INRS).

Managed Network Services

The EIS Managed Network Service (MNS) enables an agency to outsource a portion or all of its network planning, design, implementation, maintenance, operations and customer service as a strategic move to improve IT services and lower costs.

Software Defined – Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) Services

SD-WAN services provide significant benefits by giving agencies central security management and visibility, the ability to segment networks where security policies can be tailored per application and data type, and identity-based user access.

Managed Trusted Internet Protocol Services (MTIPS)

MTIPS version 2.2 provides security for all external connections to public Internet, Extranet, and Cloud Service Providers. As agencies look to implement the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) TIC 3.0 guidance, MTIPS may be complemented with additional EIS services to achieve the updated security capabilities of a TIC 3.0 Traditional TIC solution.

FedRAMP Authorized Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Tools

SaaS gives an agency access to applications hosted in the cloud. The provider manages the security, availability, and performance of the applications as part of their service. Using SaaS allows an agency to reduce the time, expense, and risk associated with the installation and maintenance of software on agency computers. EIS SaaS meets all federally required security standards for Cloud services.

EIS delivers solutions to agencies that will meet CISA’s latest Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) 3.0 guidance and ZTA requirements which include the Core Zero Trust Logical Components described in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-207. GSA continues to collaborate with CISA to provide guidance to agencies advancing legacy networks towards a zero trust architecture.

In the past decade, the typical federal agency network has evolved from being static with a known perimeter to mobile-friendly with nodes across the country. We are now regularly reminded that security solutions must correspondingly evolve to secure agency data and be able to ensure the safe transport of information to and from cloud applications, data centers, and remote users. If they don’t, the U.S. will continue to be vulnerable to malicious actors all over the world.

The Cybersecurity EO prioritizes “accelerated movement to secure cloud services; centralized and streamlined access to cybersecurity data to drive analytics for identifying and managing cybersecurity risks; and investment in both technology and personnel to match these modernization goals.” EIS already supports these by supplying SD-WAN services, 5th Generation (5G) telecommunications technology, Internet of Things (IoT) offerings, and Cloud-based security solutions.

Using EIS to buy IT infrastructure ensures a greater degree of consistency in the government’s telecommunications and network infrastructure services. It also consolidates the government’s purchasing power, driving lower prices on products and services that to satisfy complex security, flexibility, and visibility needs. EIS solutions offer the foundation needed to adapt to evolving threats and continue accomplishing your mission. The sooner agencies transition, the sooner they can take advantage of the secure solutions available on EIS. Accelerate your transition progress by Taking A.I.M. at EIS.