Army portal specs due soon

Army contracting officials announced today that they plan to release a draft solicitation next week for the multimillion-dollar Army Knowledge Online (AKO) Enterprise Services procurement, previously called the AKO-Lead Systems Integrator contract.

"The purpose of the acquisition is to provide the most efficient management [and] construct and provide continuous system improvements in support of the AKO enterprise," said the presolicitation notice published today on the Federal Business Opportunities' Web site.

The Army's Web portal has become a management challenge — but in the best possible way. In four years, the number of subscribers to AKO increased from 61,000 to 1.7 million. During that time, the number of companies providing services to the portal also rose dramatically, from three to 43, according to service documents.

Army officials believe consolidating AKO's technical and management services will lead to operational efficiencies and cost savings. The notice states that the draft solicitation will be published around Sept. 1.

To view the document, go to: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/USA/DABL/DABL01/W91QUZ%2D04%2DR%2DDRFP/SynopsisP.html.