The Defense Information Systems Agency hopes to obtain wireless service and hardware support for approximately 15,000 mobile devices for the Army's 5th Signal Command, which oversees network connectivity for European Command, Central Command and African Command, according to a request for information posted to FedBizOpps on Nov. 8.

While the RFI does not specifically exclude BlackBerry, it doesn't mention it in the list of operating systems the Army says it's interested in, which include Apple iOS, Android and Windows. Army also wants the flexibility to "be able to add new technologies during the life of the new contract" as technologies emerge.

One emerging technology that has caught DISA's attention is MiFi, wireless routers connected to cellular networks that provide localized WiFi access for a handful of devices.  

The RFI says the Army will replace two mobile device contracts that are set to expire with one: a General Services Administration FTS2001 contract for commercial access to International Dial Service (IID) within Europe, and a Vodafone contract for wireless hardware, wireless voice and data services for mobile phones and BlackBerries.

The RFI says that Army will find greater efficiency in its contract by using one service provider for all IID and wireless/data services that will increase efficiency of service though one service provider, consolidating technologies and systems, and leveraging a business solution to provide better service at a lower cost.

Vendors responding to the RFI--which is due to DISA by Nov. 22--should assume that near-term connectivity will be based on the 5th Signal Command's existing local circuits which are Primary Rate Interface (PRI) based, notes the RFI.

As for the functionality of mobile devices, DISA says Army needs FIPS 140-2 and NIST 800-121 compliant encryption for bluetooth, a minimum 5-megapixel camera, a minimum 4 GB internal storage, GPS and a touchscreen. The RFI also says devices should have a remote wiping capability, and allow patching and system or application updates to be performed over the air.

For more:
- see the DISA RFI on FedBizOpps

Related Articles:
Army officials: Agile, in-field testing here to stay
Sienkiewicz: DISA focusing on customer service
Mobile interoperability is imperative for military