NETCENTS-2 application services support contract officers, program managers

  • Published
  • By Neil Probst
  • 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. --  Air Force contracting officers and program managers now have a tool that simplifies the process of procuring application services.

The service is part of the NETCENTS-2 contract vehicle, which is designed to meet information technology challenges through purposeful and dedicated use of innovative business practices and tools that establish relationships between the government and industry.

Application services include IT services and capabilities, such as sustainment, migration and integration of software, training, helpdesk support, testing, information assurance and operational support.

For users, the process begins when contracting officers and program managers send a completed needs statement, or Performance Work Statement, to the Netcents-2 team at netcents@us.af.mil and request a scope read. A sample PWS is available on the NETCENTS-2 website to assist users in creating a new one (www.netcents.af.mil).

"This process ensures that requirements of customers match those that were evaluated for the Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract," said Gena Howard, application services program manager, Business and Enterprise Systems Directorate. "The program office has already accomplished the performance measurements on each awarded vendor. They have been determined capable of performing the services specified by the PWS."

Shortly after, contracting officers and program managers will receive an analysis. If it is a match, AFWay (www.afway.af.mil) can be used to input documents for establishing a request for proposal. Once submitted and approved, system requirements will go to each vendor in the application services small business pool. The vendor will then review requirements and, according to the contracting officers' and program managers' directions, create a proposal for evaluation. Contracting officers and program managers will then base their selection on prior established criteria and complete the process in AFWay.

Customers who have used the system say it is very helpful.

"The greatest compliment that we can receive is from the heart of the customer," said Howard.
"The team was elated when one customer described a positive experience with NETCENTS-2 and said he is very encouraged about utilizing the contract vehicle for other efforts."

More detailed instructions can be found at http://www.netcents.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-131030-103.pdf. Questions can be emailed to netcents@us.af.mil.