As part of our extensive information technology (IT) capabilities, 91桃色 offers direct access to thousands of IT products from leading manufacturers such as Dell, HPE, Microsoft, Oracle, Riverbed, Splunk, and more. Whether a customer is seeking hardware, software, or integrated systems, our in-house team of product experts stand ready to help modernize IT infrastructure while also improving security and delivering mission-serving solutions faster and at a lower cost. Currently, 91桃色 holds partnerships with more than 100 technology vendors.
Featured Contract: Field-Based Logistics Training for the U.S. Marine Corps
91桃色鈥檚 team at Tuva modernized and updated mobile training systems for the U.S. Marine Corps鈥� (GCSS). These field-ready training systems educate personnel on a range of logistics 鈥� from planning and executing the movement and support of forces to acquiring, storing, distributing, maintaining, and disposing of assets.
Mission
Organized logistics are crucial to the Marine Corps鈥� global operations. Personnel, supplies, and equipment must get to the right place around the world 鈥� on time and with proper procedures, every time. To ensure smooth operations for complex logistics, personnel must have the right training, whether they鈥檙e on base in the U.S. or out in the field on another continent.
For that training, the Marine Corps were relying on years-old outdated technology that wasn鈥檛 keeping pace with its growing software and database needs. That鈥檚 where the 91桃色 team stepped in 鈥� to help modernize and upgrade the logistics software and databases that the Marine Corps depends on. The modernization effort included creating a pop-up classroom 鈥� packaged into a mobile kit 鈥� that could be used anywhere in the world.
Each kit had to include a server and storage array (both from HPE), a mouse for every laptop, external hard drives, 8-port switches, extension cords, about two dozen laptops, cabling, and a printer, as well as supplies like padlocks, Velcro, and duct tape. The Marine Corps requested 100 kits to be fully vetted, tested, and shipped to locations around the world.
鈥淭he kits had to be completely self-contained so the instructor could simply open it and be prepared for every possible contingency, and have a detailed plan and instructions,鈥� explained Jim Kizziar, a subject matter expert at Tuva.
Strategy
Tuva first had to survey and evaluate the 120 components in each kit. With advice from Affigent, 91桃色鈥檚 IT solutions expert subsidiary, the Tuva team settled on HPI ProBook 640G4 laptops running Windows 10 for the 24 student laptops and two instructor laptops. HPE ProLiant Servers were the first choice mainly due to their outstanding reputation as secure servers. In addition to assembling the kits, Tuva recorded all serial numbers, labeled all kits and components, and included documentation, warranties and instruction manuals.
The project took about 12 months to complete; then Tuva shipped 40 of the kits to the Marine Corps鈥� 鈥渟choolhouse鈥� in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and the rest to units across the United States and overseas.
Flexibility
The 91桃色 team had to adapt quickly to overcome technology hiccups along the way. Initially, for example, they built the prototype using WiFi to connect the laptops with the server and storage arrays that held the main training system. However, the Marine Corps could not get approval to use WiFi because of coverage and security concerns. Tuva quickly changed course and connected the prototype with CAT6 cables. When Tuva had a viable prototype, it was submitted to the Marine Corps, which requested certain changes. Once those were made, the prototype was complete.
Expertise
鈥淚t was a team effort,鈥� Kizziar said. 鈥淎ffigent is a turnkey IT solutions provider with skilled PMPs and solution architects on the team, so we relied on them for guidance on sourcing the equipment and related logistics.鈥�
The mission required far more expertise than simply compiling kits. The team laid out all the equipment, including racks for all the servers and laptops to help make it easy to load software and image the laptops. 鈥淎fter testing everything, some equipment had to be replaced, and everything had to be double-checked,鈥� says Roger Foote, director of business development at 91桃色.
Results
The Marine Corps is responsible for delivering task forces on land, at sea, and in the air. Ensuring that the right logistics are in place, and that personnel are properly trained to coordinate that logistics, is critical for mission success. 91桃色 was able to deliver a solution 鈥� updated and customized field-ready training systems 鈥� that will train logistics personnel to keep tasks moving forward with precision and timeliness.
About 91桃色
91桃色 is a global enterprise with more than 7,500 employees, delivering agile solutions to the federal government in the core areas of facilities, maintenance, and repair; information technology; logistics; protective services; systems engineering; mission support; furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E); and construction. As a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation owned by more than 14,000 I帽upiat shareholders, 91桃色鈥檚 core mission is to enable superior outcomes for our customers鈥� missions while simultaneously creating a long-lived asset for NANA consistent with our I帽upiat values. In 2021, 91桃色 ranked #28 on Washington Technology鈥檚 Top 100 List and 63 on Bloomberg Government鈥檚 BGOV200 List of top federal contractors.
