INS picks Northrop for IT support

The Immigration and Naturalization Service announced this week that it has awarded a blanket purchase agreement to Northrop Grumman Information Technology that will serve as the primary IT infrastructure and support services vehicle for the agency.

The INS Technology Enterprise Automation Management Support program has a potential value of $228 million over five years, and work will be performed at more than 100 domestic INS locations and at several international operating centers.

The BPA, which was awarded on behalf of the INS by the General Services Administration's Federal Technology Service, will call on Northrop Grumman IT to potentially support about 40,000 desktop computers and servers, and sustain local-area networks supporting more than 1,400 sites.

Northrop Grumman IT will deliver an integrated help desk and network operations solution from its Lafayette, Colo., facility. In addition, the company will provide:

* Hardware maintenance.

* Desktop/server management.

* Asset management.

* Infrastructure deployment.

* Design, planning, installation and certification of the infrastructure cable plant.

* Day-to-day IT security support to ensure compliance with federal, Justice Department, and INS computer and telecommunications security policies.

* IT training, including instruction in the use of commercial, off-the-shelf applications and specialized training stemming from changes in legislation, business policy or program requirements.

Northrop Grumman IT also will maintain ADP operations, including operating management systems at INS headquarters in Washington, D.C., and monitoring INS systems operations at the Justice Department's Data Center in Dallas.

Jim Perriello, president of government solutions at Northrop Grumman IT, said this is one of the largest government deals the company has ever won, and includes domestic and international support requirements that will "help the INS meet its homeland security mission."

Northrop Grumman IT originally was awarded the contract Sept. 24, but an announcement was delayed by a protest from the incumbent contractor. The protest was denied Oct. 30, according to a Northrop Grumman IT spokeswoman.

The primary Northrop Grumman IT business team includes Siemens Business Services Inc. and CEXEC Inc.