ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (April 28, 2017) -- The Product Lead Common Hardware Systems (PdL CHS) program has served as the premier source of tactical hardware and technical support services for the U.S. Army and DOD over the past 30 years.
The program, under the Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T), has made significant advancements in providing state-of-the-art computing and networking equipment to Soldiers, according to Army officials.
In 2015, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASAALT) designated CHS as the primary organization to oversee tactical commercial hardware procurement. Now, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement (DASA(P)) has selected it as a strategic sourcing preferred source.
Under the Army Strategic Sourcing program, the preferred source process requires that Army requiring activities assess and leverage existing and emerging contracts, such as the current CHS-4 contract, before initiating a new one for covered supplies and/or services. Additionally, it has proven to decrease acquisition lead time, drive standardization and leverage pricing, while reducing costs, said Breck Tarr, Product Lead for CHS.
"As our Army and the greater DOD community align with the agile acquisition process, we remain committed to ensuring that CHS provides timely and relevant solutions to meet the diverse needs of our customers," Tarr said. "The more we know about what the Army needs, the better we can collectively help to realize these cost efficiencies and avoidances."
CHS is one of two preferred sources that provide commercial-off-the-shelf information technology hardware to materiel developers within the Army.
CHS is responsible for the Tactical or Operational Army. The Product Lead, Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (PdL CHESS), under Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS), focuses on solutions at the enterprise level. Each program has its niche, and CHS and CHESS have forged a mutually beneficial partnership in the interest of their customers.
"When a customer's needs will be better served through a CHESS contract, our CHS team will direct that customer there, and vice versa," Tarr said. "The partnership we've created with CHESS will pay dividends for the Army by ensuring organizations are directed to the appropriate contract to obtain the best pricing consistent with their requirements. The partnership also allows us to collaborate on topics like product recalls and enterprise software initiatives."
CHS was added as a Strategic Sourcing Preferred Source on March 13, 2017. It anticipates a number of Army programs with requirements for tactical COTS IT hardware to reach out as a result of screening the preferred sources for suitability, Tarr said.
-------
PdL CHS enables the Army's Operating Force through a holistic approach to acquiring modified commercial off-the-shelf information technology hardware across the battle space, using the most effective and efficient means to meet tactical program offices' fielding requirements. For more information, visit the CHS website at https://www.kc.army.mil/chs/about.aspx.
The U.S. Army Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical develops, acquires, fields and supports the Army's mission command network to ensure force readiness. This critical Army modernization priority delivers tactical communications so commanders and Soldiers can stay connected and informed at all times, even in the most austere and hostile environments. PEO C3T is delivering the network to regions around the globe, enabling high-speed, high-capacity voice, data and video communications to a user base that includes the Army's joint, coalition and other mission partners.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical
Social Sharing