DISA wants to refresh its network with next-gen transport tech

The Defense Information Systems Agency is seeking next-generation transport technologies for the Defense Department's information network, according to a procurement notice issued this month.

In a request for information posted Feb. 8 on the FedBizOpps website, the agency wants to evolve the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) into an IP/ethernet/optical services that are supported by next-generation technologies. The goal is to integrate functions as much as possible physically or at a minimum operationally.

The transport technologies currently used in DISN need to be technology refreshed due to the expected end of life, capacity exhaust, higher bandwidth service requirements,  total cost of ownership, and network resiliency and service agility, according to the notice.

Specifically, DISA plans to replace synchronous optical networking/synchronous digital hierarchy (SONET/SDH) networking protocol with packet-based multiprotocol label switching, MPLS-TP and optical transport networking (G.709) grooming and switching, the notice said.

DISN is a composite of Defense Department-owned and leased telecommunications networks and subsystems operated by DISA. The network serves as the DOD's global enterprise telecommunications infrastructure, providing  end-to-end services in support of military operations and national security.

As a critical component of the Global Information Grid (GIG), DISN contributes to the DISA enterprise infrastructure by connecting deployed warfighters to each other and to their bases, connecting U.S. forces to their coalition partners, and connecting the DOD intelligence and federal, state, and local agencies.

Responses are due March 7.