federaltimes.com - May 2, 2009
The General Services Administration tapped 24 communications companies to provide satellite services under its five-year, $750 million SATCOM II contract.
The winning companies, including nine small businesses, were announced May 2.
The new contract will offer the Defense Department and civilian agencies global communications services such as mobile communications, Internet access, broadcasting, distance learning and emergency response support, said John Johnson, assistant commissioner for GSA’s Integrated Technology Service.
“In remote areas, satellite often provides the only communications available,” said Johnson. The contract will allow suppliers to modify their offerings as new technologies emerge, Johnson said.
SATCOM-II replaces GSA’s existing satellite services contract, which had eight vendors and generated $400 million in sales since it was awarded in 2000, according to GSA.
Winning providers include: Americom Government Services, Arrowhead Global Solutions, ARTEL, AT&T, DRS Technical Services, EDS Corp., Global Communications Solutions, Hughes Network Systems, Intelsat General Corp., Mackay Communications, Segovia, Stratos Mobile Network, Telecommunications Systems, Telenor Satellite Services and ViaSat.
The small business providers are: CVG, DasNet Corp., E&E Enterprises Global, Knight Sky Consulting and Associates, New Orleans Teleport., PSI Systems, RiteNet Corp., Satellite Communication Systems and Skjei Telecom Inc.