MAXWELL AFB, Ala., 17 April 2012. U.S. Air Force information technology (IT) experts are awarding military IT contracts worth a potential $6.9 billion to nine computer companies to provide computer networking and data-processing equipment for network-centric warfare operations worldwide. The deals with these nine companies are firm-fixed-price, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery, and indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts.

The contract to these nine companies, announced Monday, will provide for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computer and networking equipment to support the Internet Protocol Network, Air Force officials say.

The kinds of network-centric equipment and support the companies will provide include networking equipment; computer servers; data storage; computer peripherals; multimedia devices and software; licenses for software not included on other enterprise licenses; and identity management and biometric hardware and software.

The nine companies are:

-- Ace Technology Partners LLC in Arlington Heights, Ill.;

-- Blue Tech Inc. in San Diego;

-- FedStore Corp. in Rockville, Md.;

-- General Dynamics Information Technology in Needham, Mass.;

-- Global Technology Resources Inc. in Denver;

-- GTSI Corp. in Herndon, Va.;

-- Iron Bow Technologies LLC in Chantilly, Va.;

-- M2 Technology Inc. in San Antonio, Texas; and

-- Red River Computer Co. in Claremont, N.H.

Equipment, software, and services these companies will provide under terms of the contract will support the U.S. military Global Information Grid (GIG) architecture; Defense Information Infrastructure; Air Force, and Defense Communications Systems info-structure for computer networks; and telecommunications network mission areas.

The companies selected will do the work at Air Force facilities worldwide, and should be finished by mid-2022. Awarding the contract were officials of the 754th Electronic Systems Group at the Gunter Annex of Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala.

The military services use IDIQ contracts acquire supplies and services when the exact times and exact quantities of future deliveries are not known at the time of contract award. A multiple-award contract confirms that several different companies are qualified to a general type of work. This type of contract puts into effect the government’s preference for multiple awards for IDIQ-type contracts to make the most of competition and choice for supplies and services.

The contract numbers for this award are: Ace Technology Partners, FA8771-12-D-1020; Blue Tech, FA8771-12-D-1021; FedStore, FA8771-12-D-1022; General Dynamics Information Technology, FA8771-12-D-1023; Global Technology Resources, FA8771-12-D-1024; GTSI, FA8771-12-D-1025; Iron Bow Technologies, FA8771-12-D-1026; M2 Technology, FA8771-12-D-1207; and Red River Computer, FA8771-12-D-1028.