How Much Is the Air Force Support Contract With Microsoft Worth?
By
Bob Brewin
This is not a military secret.
A good question – and one I’m trying to get an answer to after the Air Force put out a notice last Thursday that it had awarded the contract but blacked out all the financial details.
This contract covers support for the entire range of Microsoft software, including Windows, Exchange, SQL and Sharepoint, which run on 550,000 Air Force computers. It’s probably worth a bundle.
In fact, even though the Air Force did not deign to provide its Microsoft support costs – or the length of time the contract will run – it did say the Navy estimates its costs for a similar support contract with Microsoft at $1.8 billion.
Software support contracts do not fall into the category of military secrets. The Air Force should have released the cost along with the contract notice.