The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) awarded Verizon [VZ] a contract extensions under the agency’s Networx program to provide federal agencies with the ability to continue procuring network and communications services from Verizon while the government transitions to a new system, the company said Wednesday.
The new, comprehensive-solution-based contract is called the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS). The EIS contract vehicle is intended to address all aspects of federal agency information technology, telecommunications, and infrastructure requirements once completed. EIS is considered a follow-on vehicle for the Networx, Washington Interagency Telecommunications System 3 (WITS 3) program, and the Local Telecommunications Services contracts and is planned to be available in FY ’17.
The Networx program comprises a portfolio of integrated communications and network solutions, including converged voice, video, and data services delivered over a single network; advanced IP; managed and professional services; customer-premises equipment; and managed cybersecurity services.
The new contract extensions feature a one-year base period with two one-year options and is split into two programs. Networx Universal is extended until March 2020. It was set to expire in March 2017 while it was awarded in March 2007. The second extension is for Networx Enterprise, extended to May 2020. Originally set to expire in May 2017, it was first awarded in May 2007.
GSA previously granted Verizon an extension on this network services contract under the WITS 3 program, which became effective in November 2015. That extension featured a three-year base period and two one-year options. If the government exercises its options the contract would run trough May 2020. The GSA contract is used by agencies in the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
“We are appreciative of the long-standing collaborative relationship we have forged with the GSA and our newly extended Networx program contracts will help ensure that we continue working together to enable federal agencies to deliver on their mission commitments in the U.S. and around the globe via reliable and secure network services for years to come,” Michael Maiorana, senior vice president of public sector markets at Verizon’s enterprise solutions business section, said in a statement.