The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is undergoing a technological shift as part of its long-standing modernization initiative. In its recent information technology strategy, the Air Force is accelerating cloud adoption and improving portfolio management of its digital assets.
Supporting these advancements, the Air Force is outsourcing nearly all routine IT operations to contractors and external partners. This move allows the DAF to build dedicated cybersecurity mission teams for its more mission-critical digital concerns.
Learn more about Air Force IT outsourcing and its crucial role in supporting the DAF’s technology and operations.
What Is Air Force IT Outsourcing?
IT outsourcing means hiring external IT experts to manage the Air Force’s information technology services and operations. This strategy enables the DAF to maximize external expertise, resources and capabilities to meet its internal IT needs.
How Does Air Force IT Outsourcing Work?
The IT outsourcing process in the Air Force involves crucial steps:
- The Air Force assesses its IT requirements and identifies its outsourcing objectives.
- The Air Force outlines the scope of the outsourcing project and develops contract requirements based on its assessment.
- The DAF then issues requests for proposals, inviting potential vendors to submit proposals that meet its needs.
- Once it receives the proposals, the Air Force evaluates them based on the vendors’ capabilities, experience, proposed solutions and cost-effectiveness.
- After selecting the most suitable vendor, the Air Force awards the contract.
EITaaS: Advancing Air Force IT Capabilities
The Enterprise Information Technology as a Service (EITaaS) is one of the Department of the Air Force’s key initiatives to boost its IT capabilities. It is a program designed to utilize commercial services and best practices to deliver standardized, innovative and flexible IT services in the Air Force.
In August 2022, the Air Force awarded the Wave 1 EITaaS contract, valued at $5.7 billion, to an industry team led by CACI. The contract yielded great results, such as:
- Adoption of top-tier commercial technology
- Improved mission readiness
- Resilient IT and data operations
- Enhanced IT service quality
Moreover, Wave 1 focuses on three main areas:
- IT service management, operations management and asset management
- Enterprise service desk and local field services
- End-user devices and device management
In June 2024, the Air Force posted a new request for information for Base Infrastructure Modernization, the next phase of the EITaaS. It aims to modernize the wired and wireless Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router and Secure Internet Protocol Router Base Area Network at global Air Force bases.
Top Reasons Why the Air Force Outsources IT Services
Air Force Lieutenant General Robert Skinner is a strong advocate of outsourcing IT services to commercial vendors to lower expenditures.
“I’m a big proponent of commercial IT as a service,” Skinner stated at the Rocky Mountain Cyberspace Symposium. “We have to be careful as we kind of move forward with this. … I think we really need to get after this in a more holistic look and a faster pace,” he added.
In line with Skinner’s perspective, outsourcing IT services offers numerous benefits that enhance operational efficiency and mission readiness. Here are the top reasons why the Air Force opts for IT outsourcing:
Cost-Effectiveness
Outsourcing IT support can lead to substantial cost savings for the Air Force in the long run. Partnering with a managed service provider avoids costly technology upgrades and the need to hire additional IT staff.
With these savings, the Air Force can allocate its financial resources toward more vital areas.
Access to Expertise and Advanced Technologies
The Air Force turns to outsourcing to acquire highly specialized skills and knowledge sets, which may not be available internally. Outsourcing guarantees that the DAF remains at pace, if not ahead of the curve, in technological advancements.
Focus on Core Missions
By entrusting IT responsibilities to contractors, the Air Force can focus on its primary mission areas for defense, surveillance and national security. Consequently, the Air Force can allocate its internal resources toward more mission-critical operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are IT Professionals Crucial for Supporting Air Force Operations?
IT professionals are among the most in-demand within the federal government, and understandably so. They provide advanced capabilities, systems, solutions and technologies critical for modernizing military functions.
Below are the top reasons why IT professionals are crucial for Air Force operations:
- IT professionals provide the Air Force with secure communication networks to coordinate missions and share intelligence.
- IT experts protect the Air Force’s networks, platforms, systems and data from cyber threats.
- They oversee network operations, troubleshoot problems and integrate new technologies within the Air Force’s infrastructure.
- They regulate the next generation of AI, machine learning and advanced computing, allowing airmen to pinpoint threats autonomously.
What Are the Common IT Roles Within the Air Force?
Common IT roles within the Air Force include:
- Cyber warfare operations personnel
- Knowledge operations management personnel
- IT security specialist
- Systems software analyst
- Client systems specialist
- Cyber transport systems specialist
- Cyber warfare operations officer
