| Posted on Oct 30, 2011 02:34:44 PM | Linda Cureton | 0 Comments | |
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ACES is the end-user Services component of NASA’s Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure Integration Program (I3P) Program. It provides a consolidated solution for delivering end-user services across NASA to achieve increased efficiencies and reduce costs though standardization and commonality. Efficiency is balanced with effectiveness in providing the means to build specialized solutions when mission needs require them. Services provided include computing and mobile bundled seats, Enterprise-wide email, directory and printing services, and peripherals.
Talk about things that scare a CIO, nothing scares a CIO more than transitioning from one service provider to another. And I suppose nothing is scarier than to blog about it just a few short days before the risky transition is about to take place. ACES, the $2.2 billion 10-year contract, was awarded to HP Enterprise Services (HPES) of Herndon, VA. We will transition from services provided through the ODIN contract and Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions (LMIS&GS).
Both members of the much-maligned “IT Cartel” are up to the task and more than capable of doing the heavy lifting needed for success. Thank goodness, because as the government seeks to streamline operations, we rely on our contracting community more and more. Developing and nurturing a professional camaraderie is critical to having an ecosystem conducive to meeting government IT challenges.
If all goes well, this will be one of the biggest non-events since Y2K. If it goes poorly, then the scores of technicians and program managers who have worked feverishly over the last few months will kick their contingency planes into gear. This is another example where failure here is simply not an option.
ACES moves us one step closer to addressing one of OMB’s top 25 issues by positioning NASA to enjoy economy of scale relative to commodity desktop IT. This will also put NASA in a position to securely leverage trends in virtualization and consumer experiences. More than that, it gives the mission a way to get technology when they need it so that they can focus on their specialized challenges.
Linda Cureton, NASA CIO
Tags : CIO Leadership, Innovation, Technology
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