The American military has a long history working with contractors. Everything from the vehicles, barracks, to the MRE’s, are all sourced by private entities. Still, it’s not just tangible goods that contractors can provide for the U.S. armed forces. There are also plenty of opportunities for those who work in communication technology. After all, government agencies, like other massive organizations, need tech-savvy personnel to tackle today’s challenges.
DISA
If you are interested in this type of contracting for our nation’s military, then it’s best to get familiar with DISA (Defense Information Systems Agency). DISA has essentially been around since 1960. Back then, it was simply known as the Defense Communications Agency.
Today, the primary function of DISA to provide combat support through information technology. They also help maintain the many lines of communication throughout the Department of Defense (DoD). From the Commander-in-chief to any individual contributing to the defense of the U.S., DISA aims to provide, “Information superiority in defense of our Nation.”
In total, DISA has more than 8,000 employees consisting of both military and civilian personnel. Like many other government agencies, they also offer plenty of opportunities for contractors. This is where DITCO comes into play.
DITCO
The acronym stands for, “Defensive Information Technology Contracting Organization.” Originally, it was formed in 1963 as the Defense Commercial Communications Office. DITCO is essentially DISA’s branch that handles their contracting matters. From the creating procurement packages to closing contracts, they’re pretty much the bridge between DISA and the private sector.
Here are some of the fields in which DITCO awards contracts:
- Information Technology
- Telecommunications
- Satellite Bandwidth
- Combat Support Computing
- Cloud Services
- Mobility Services
- Satellite Phones
- Desktop Procurements
Consider Market Research
DITCO is a great place to start looking if you work in communication technology. However, it’s not your only option when searching for government contracts. That’s why you should always do an extensive amount of market research before bidding on opportunities. It’s not just about finding what you’re qualified to do, but there can also be various set-asides which can give you an edge over your competition.
An effective tool for conducting thorough research is the Advanced Procurement Portal (APP). With APP, you will have access to live feeds for opportunities, a built-in CRM to keep a record of who you’ve already contacted and contract records that go back to 2007. APP is exclusively available for clients of US Federal Contractor Registry (USFCR).
For more information on APP fill out the USFCR contact form below and check out this YouTube video .