AT&T grabs third DISN award

The Defense Information Systems Agency last week completed the last in its initial series of acquisitions for the next-generation Defense Information Systems Network with the award of a $125 million video teleconferencing contract to AT&T Government Markets.

The Defense Video Services-Global (DVS-G) contract will provide Defense Department users worldwide with the means to hook everything from desktop VTC systems to full studios into a seamless and interoperable network.

The contract calls for installation of DOD video hubs in California Georgia and Maryland with dedicated and dial-up access. DVS-G also will provide interfaces to the Sprint Meeting Channel and the AT&T Global Business Video network. AT&T will provide compression systems and encryption gear.

The DVS-G award comes two years after the Joint Chiefs of Staff approved the DISN strategy. Warren Suss a telecommunications analyst based in Jenkintown Pa. called the award "a relatively quick process especially considering all the lobbying and political pressure DISA faced. [DISA director Lt.] Gen. [Al] Edmonds can now retire with a real sense of accomplishment."

The DVS-G award to AT&T caps what Suss called a "real roll" for the company in the DISN sweepstakes. In January AT&T won the DISN Transmission Services-Continental United States (DTS-C) contract. In February the company picked up the DISN Hawaii Information Transfer System contract.

Dick Lombardi president of AT&T Government Markets said the video contract award once again shows the company's commitment "to provide military forces with technologically superior services at competitive prices."

A spokesman for Harris Corp. an unsuccessful bidder on DVS-G declined comment on the award.