It is going to a busy next few months for the Navy’s information dominance directorate, Fleet Cyber Command and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, with each organization facing critical milestones key to implementing the sea service’s new information technology strategy.
According to guidance issued by Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead, the implementation actions called for will “improve the Navy’s information technology capabilities, increase efficiencies, streamline processes and gain greater control over the Navy’s information [and] networked capabilities.”
Fleet Cyber Command was due to have a list of “key system attributes and key performance parameters” focused on the service-wide application of enterprise networks and cloud computing wrapped up by June 9, according to the memo. That list, the memo adds, will be the basis of an effort–led by FLEETCYBERCOM–to “ensure the security and operability of capabilities delivered” under the the Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN).
Contractors are expecting the Request For Proposals (RFP) for the nascent program, the Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN), later this summer. Hewlett Packard [HPQ], the prime contractor for NMCI, and another team led by Harris [HRS], General Dynamics [GD] and CSC [CSC] are likely to battle for the award.
It is unclear whether FLEETCYBERCOM has submitted that list to senior service leaders.
For its part, the Navy’s information dominance shop (N2/N6) has been tasked with developing a detailed roadmap to “permit execution of all procurement of command and control information network resources” via a single acquisition authority within the Navy, according to the guidance. In addition, N2/N6 officials will also have to devise a plan to consolidate all command and control, information and network programming responsibilities in the Navy down to “a single resource sponsor,” it adds.
Aside from consolidation work, members of the information dominance directorate will also present senior Navy brass a plan to “resource a thin client and cloud computing capability” that can be fielded this fiscal year, the memo states. This capability will enable the Navy to transition all “alternative network solutions” currently in the field to the cloud computing system “across the Navy enterprise.”
Those three plans are due to Roughead’s office by July 15, according to the CNO guidance.
By September, SPAWAR will have a process in place that will outline implementation and resourcing strategies for all “new and legacy Navy information systems and networks” and associated requirements for IT systems both at sea and ashore, the CNO guidance states.
Once complete, SPAWAR will issue guidance to the Navy’s acquisition shop, directing the unification of all SPAWAR technical authorities related to current and next-generation IT systems, as well as submit new certification standards for all new and future Navy IT programs and “assume duties as the technical and certifying authority for all Navy information technology systems and networks.”
Both roadmaps are due to the CNO by October.