Air Force taps Microsoft setup help

Air Force officials awarded a $14.5 million support services contract late last week to Microsoft Corp.

Air Force officials want Microsoft staff to help them establish standard software configurations for the service's desktop, notebook and server computers. They want Microsoft officials to complete the work by October 2005, according to an Oct. 29 Defense Department contracts' statement.

The contract also covers automating software distribution, managing software assets and providing security patch updates.

"The contractor will provide premier support services to include [around-the-clock] access to Microsoft professionals for rapid resolution of complex software problems, review development issues, assess development processes and help with implementing preferred practice based on Microsoft development framework, examine testing processes and plans and provide guidance for implementing effective testing practices, and provide onsite emergency support," according to the DOD contracts' statement.

Officials at the Air Force's Headquarters Standard Systems Group awarded the contract from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Maxwell officials also announced plans for a $12.8 million facility to house operational support for information technology used by the service's warfighters worldwide, according to an Oct. 22 Air Force statement.