Air Force awards BPAs for rugged portables

The Air Force last week awarded three contracts for high-powered, rugged portable computers to Cytec Corp,. Government Technology Services Inc. and Inacom Government Systems.

The Air Force Standard Systems Group, Montgomery, Ala., awarded the blanket purchase agreement contracts, which have a combined value of $30 million, as the third round of BPAs to replace an earlier indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. In March, SSG awarded BPAs worth $417 million to Dell Marketing LP, Gateway Inc. and Micron Electronics Inc. for desktops, servers and notebook systems. The group also awarded BPAs reportedly worth $35 million to Comark Federal Systems, Government Technology Services Inc. and Westwood Computer Corp. for peripherals, including printers, scanners and plotters.Robert Frye, SSG executive director, said the BPAs have received "rave reviews from our customers."

"These BPAs will enhance customer choice with the best products for the best price while keeping pace with the emerging needs of the Air Force," Frye said. "I think we've proven that SSG is committed to acquisition reform which ensures that our customers get exactly what they are promised."