Common Hardware Systems 5 “One Stop Shop” for Tactical IT Hardware
General Dynamics Missions Systems (GDMS) announced on 2 August it has been awarded a contract for the US Army’s Common Hardware Systems-5 (CHS-5) programme. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract consists of a three-year base contract with two one-year options, for a maximum potential contract ceiling of $3.9 billion.
CHS is a ‘one-stop shop’ for tactical IT hardware solutions supporting more than 120 US DoD programme offices for the rapid acquisition and delivery of commercial-off-the shelf IT hardware and services. Approx. 75-100,000 pieces of hardware are acquired through the contract from GDMS and its partners, which includes dozens of small and large businesses.
The contract contains a robust technology-insertion process ensuring the CHS-5 hardware baseline leverages the most current commercial technology and industry investments. Additionally, the contract provides for technical assistance support services and logistics support for a wide range of services, from the rapid repair and replacement of equipment at strategically located Regional Support Centers to the deployment of field service personnel to CHS-5 user locations worldwide.
“The CHS programme is a great example of how the army and industry can partner to ensure military services can rapidly acquire C4ISR solutions and other products that are not only cost-competitive with the commercial market, but logistically managed and supported for an extended period,” commented GDMS President, Chris Marzilli. “More importantly, the ability of the CHS programme to quickly adapt to the evolving challenges of today’s battlefield plays a critical role in supporting the army’s tactical network modernisation efforts.”
