ITSP goes global

The Air Force has significantly broadened the potential customer base for its $750 million Information Technology Services Program (ITSP) by opening it up to military agencies in Europe, Canada and Japan, according to program documents released this week.

According to a statement of objectives released by the Electronic Systems Center's International Operations Office, ESC plans to award in March a four-year contract covering the extension of ITSP services to foreign militaries. The services will be offered through existing Defense Department foreign military sales initiatives and other international agreements.

The International Operations Office is responsible for managing foreign military sales of ESC systems, architectures and services, which are offered abroad through various international agreements.

ITSP established the General Services Administration schedule as the primary source of information technology services for ESC and four other Air Force sites nationwide. ESC spearheads the development of high-tech command and control applications for the Air Force. In April, ESC will begin providing network management support to the International Operations Office, including World Wide Web site development and integration of electronic commerce and electronic office capabilities. Video teleconferencing studies and support services, database development and various training initiatives also are scheduled to begin then.

By September, ESC will begin providing support to the:

Existing and planned Central Eastern European Regional Airspace Initiative, including command and control, and navigation studies.

Baltic Air Surveillance Network.

Japan Technical Assistance program.

Canada Technical Assistance program.