Networx becomes mandatory for some services

The General Services Administration's Networx program just got a boost from the Office of Management and Budget. In an August 28 memo, OMB officials said agencies must use Networx contracts for information technology services they now receive through FTS 2001.Awarded in 2007, Networx includes two 10-year, multiple-award network services contracts intended to replace the expiring FTS 2001 contracts. Agencies are in the process of moving from the old contract vehicle to the new one.The memo from Karen Evans, OMB's administrator for e-government and IT, requires agencies to use Networx for existing services and justify, with a cost/benefit analysis, any future decisions not to use Networx for new requirements.The directive was based on a cost/benefit analysis the CIO Council conducted, Evans wrote.