Achieving procurement diversity using institutions of higher education: DISA actively cultivates a valuable, almost untapped resource to satisfy DoD it requirements - Innovative Contracting Approach - Defense Information Systems Agency, Department of Defense, United States

Program Manager, Nov-Dec, 2001 by Bervin D. Elliott, Sharon Sellers

* The MITSS contract constitutes a set-aside for MI as prime contractors.

* Contractors compete for task order awards with only the other MITSS competitors.

* The MITSS opportunities Web site is routinely checked for solicitations posted. Also, users may request they be notified by email that a solicitation has been posted.

* Because they have a pre-approved award, contractors have immediate access to compete for other DoD contracts, including those of the Army, Navy Air Force, and Marines. Basically, DoD interested customers need only identify their requirements, develop a SOW email/post the RFP, accept and review proposals, and ensure their contracting office awards the contract.

Obstacles to Minority Institutions

MI must compete with the entire population of large businesses and majority institutions that have an established history of past performance and a foothold on the DoD procurement business. Some of the barriers are:

* Limited DoD individual procurement opportunities for MI.

* Limited DoD set-aside opportunities.

* Potential contractors from MI must constantly identify procurement opportunities by searching DoD's many Web sites, reviewing the Commerce Business Daily, and various networks.

Win-Win for DoD and Minority Institutions Using the MITSS

DoD has unlimited access to the resources of THE for the purpose of:

* Obtaining IT support and services.

* Obtaining IT training tailored to the needs and requirements of the MPP protegees. Provide training at a desired location with a class size necessary for maximum learning and retention.

* Increasing DoD partnering opportunities with IHE/MI.

* Increasing opportunities for DoD to meet or exceed the goals of competitively awarding contract dollars to MI.

An Innovative Contracting Approach

The MITSS can be described as an innovative contracting approach that DISA has implemented to offer procurement opportunities for designated MI, and as a valuable, almost untapped resource to satisfy DoD IT requirements. Awarded to 11 HBCU/MI as prime contractors, these 11 THE have partnered with a diverse group of subcontractors that possess the capabilities and experience DoD seeks, and have successfully completed previous IT or related contracts for DoD.

The MITSS contractors are responding to Web site solicitations, competing for, and receiving task order awards. The MITSS is only one success story that, as already demonstrated, can markedly increase procurement opportunities to support America's warfighters, and enhance the economic well-being of the nation's MI as well as small, disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses. Hopefully other DoD and federal agencies will elect to emulate and repeat the successes DISA has enjoyed through the MITSS contract vehicle.

Editor's Note: The authors welcome questions or comments on this article.

Elliott is a Program Analyst with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Office of the Chief information Officer A DoD Level III Certified Acquisition Professional in Contracting, he serves as the Contracting Officer's Representative for the Minority Institutions Technology Support Services (MITSS) Contract, a multiple award contract awarded to 11 prime contractors - eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and three Minority Institutions.