With SAIC protest denied, Lockheed Martin cleared to begin work on DISA GSM-O contract

The Government Accountability Office has denied SAIC’s protest on the Defense Information Systems Agency’s (DISA) massive Global Systems Management Operations (GSM-O) contract, clearing the way for the Lockheed Martin-led team to begin work on the $4.6 billion contract.

The Government Accountability Office has denied SAIC’s protest on the Defense Information Systems Agency’s (DISA) massive Global Systems Management Operations (GSM-O) contract, clearing the way for the Lockheed Martin-led team to begin work on the $4.6 billion contract.

GSM-O calls for the operations and maintenance of all systems across the worldwide Defense Information Systems Network (DISN), including performance-based services such as provisioning, net operations, net assurance and network maintenance on a global basis. The GSM-O contract replaces the 10-year DISN Global Solutions (DGS) contract awarded to SAIC and Apptis in 2001.

The GSM-O contract is the largest of three DISA Global Systems Management contracts, and was awarded to Lockheed Martin in June. It includes a three-year base contract period and two 2-year options to extend it to a total of seven years.

Lockheed Martin teammates include AT&T, ACS, Serco, BAE Systems, ManTech, and other specialized and small businesses.

“We are gratified that the U.S. Government has made its determination, and we are ready to begin work with DISA to improve the speed and efficiency of information exchange between our joint warfighters around the world as well as their commanders and allies,” Gerry Fasano, president of Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions-Defense, said in a statement on the company website. “Our team has maintained a high state of readiness to effect a smooth transition and an efficient, progressive path forward for DISA.”