The U.S. Army Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions Program Office (CHESS) is gearing up for its major IT procurement, the Information Technology Enterprise Solution – 4 Services (ITES-4S) contract.

ITES- 4S Background

Here’s what you need to know about ITES-4S:

  • Big Opportunity: ITES-4S boasts a $12.1 billion ceiling and a 10-year performance period, making it the Army’s go-to source for IT needs.
  • Draft RFP Coming Soon: A draft Request for Proposals (RFP) is expected this summer. Don’t miss out!
  • Start Early: Now’s the time to form teams and develop your capture strategy to position your company for success.

The opportunity is in the draft RFP phase with the latest update providing answers to Q&A as well as teaming partner opportunities. It’s expected to be a full and open competition with a small business set-aside. The planned period of performance will have a 5-year base period with up to five 1-year extensions. Task orders will most likely use all types of contracts and there will be multiple awards. The current contract had 135 awardees so expect a similar number for this one. Current contract spend has been just over $2.6 billion but the newer ceiling is anticipated to be over $12 billion. All work will be performed under NAICS 541519, Other Computer Related Services with a $34 million annual receipts small business size threshold.

Task Areas

This contract includes a vast array of services under these general headings:

  • Business Process Reengineering (BPR):
  • Information Systems Security:
  • Information Assurance:
  • Information Technology Services:
  • Enterprise Design, Integration, and Consolidation:
  • Education/Training:
  • Program/Project Management:
  • Systems Operation and Maintenance (O&M):
  • Network Support:

ITES-4S Industry Day Observations

The recent Industry Day provided some much-needed information for any vendor considering a proposal. These include:

  • Low Response Rates Hurt: Clients are frustrated by low contractor response rates to task orders (TOs) issued through RFIs/Sources Sought notices. This could lead them to use other contracting vehicles, even though ITES is the Army’s preferred choice. ITES-4S might have a minimum response quota for TOs, so factor that commitment into your bid strategy.
  • Stand Out From The Crowd: The CHESS office noted many ITES-3S proposals lacked originality. Avoid generic proposals – make sure your proposal showcases your company’s unique value proposition to the Army.
  • Scorecards: Following the current GSA trend, this solicitation will use scorecards for self-evaluation.

Response Effort: This will most likely be a 5-volume response exercise so expect the following:

  • Administrative, Technical, Management, Past Performance, and Pricing Volumes.
  • Pricing is “not the most important” and exactly what the labor categories will be is unclear. It does appear they will be split into “High-level and Low-level” suites based upon the task areas.

Streamline Your ITES-4S Proposal with Our Expertise

Creating a winning ITES-4S proposal can be demanding. We understand the challenges, as ITES-3S submissions were quite comprehensive.

Our proposal support services are designed to:

  • Reduce Your Workload: Leverage our proposal management and writing expertise to free up your team’s time.
  • Craft a Compelling Bid: Benefit from our skilled consultants with ITES experience who will craft a persuasive and compliant proposal that showcases your company’s strengths.
  • Stand Out from the Competition: Enhance your proposal with impactful graphics and professional desktop publishing.

We tailor our approach to your specific needs, ensuring your proposal is compliant, compelling, and positions you for success.  Whole proposal support or staff augmentation t talent missing from your team.

Consider having one of our experienced consultants assist you with our exclusive Proposal Readiness Review (PRR). This is a 40-hour task in which a qualified professional compares your capabilities to the RFP and identifies strengths and weaknesses.  Even a large business can benefit from such an unbiased, third-party review.  A PRR will help you determine your exact status and assist you in developing a plan to submit a successful proposal.

Reach us here or call at 703-689-9600 to arrange a call with one of our ITES-4S proposal professionals.