ITES-3S

ITES-3S (Information Technology Enterprise Solutions, 3 Services) is the U.S. Army's enterprise-wide multiple-award IDIQ contract for IT services, managed by the Army Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) program office, providing Army and DoD activities access to qualified IT service vendors.

What is ITES-3S?

ITES-3S is the third generation of the Army's IT Enterprise Solutions services vehicle, succeeding ITES-2S. It is a multiple-award IDIQ contract (similar in structure to a GWAC but Army-managed and primarily for Army use) covering the full spectrum of enterprise IT services the Army procures.

ITES-3S scope includes:

• Enterprise network infrastructure and operations
• Cybersecurity services and support
• Cloud computing, migration, and managed cloud services
• Software development, integration, and maintenance
• IT program management and advisory support
• Help desk and end-user computing services
• Systems administration and data center operations
• Enterprise architecture and IT strategic planning

ITES-3S awards span both large businesses and small businesses, with the Army maintaining specific pools for different business sizes. Task orders are competed among ITES-3S awardees through a fair opportunity process, with the contracting officer issuing task order solicitations and evaluating proposals.

The Army is one of the largest IT buyers in the federal government, managing global communications infrastructure, tactical networks, business systems, and cybersecurity operations across hundreds of installations worldwide. ITES-3S provides the Army's primary mechanism for accessing commercial IT service expertise for these requirements. Program managers in Army commands from HQDA to FORSCOM to INSCOM regularly place task orders through ITES-3S.

Why ITES-3S matters for government contractors

For IT services companies targeting Army programs, ITES-3S is the most direct path to enterprise Army IT work. Army contracting officers are familiar with it and default to it for IT services requirements. Companies without ITES-3S awards pursuing Army IT work frequently team under ITES-3S prime contractors as subcontractors, providing their specialized capabilities while the prime manages the contract vehicle relationship. An independent ITES-3S award eliminates this dependency. Companies with existing relationships in Army IT should prioritize ITES-3S alongside CHESS-managed product vehicles.

Example

A cybersecurity firm specializing in Army network operations holds an ITES-3S Small Business award. The firm competes for and wins a task order supporting Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) for network monitoring and incident response services at five Army installations ($7.2M, 5-year ordering period including options). The task order was competed among ITES-3S small business awardees with relevant cybersecurity credentials, a competitive set of approximately 25 firms rather than open competition with all federal IT vendors. The ITES-3S vehicle's presence in the Army acquisition ecosystem made it the default vehicle for ARCYBER's contracting officer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can non-Army DoD activities use ITES-3S?

Yes. While ITES-3S is Army-managed, other DoD components and some defense agencies can use it as an interagency ordering vehicle. However, most non-Army DoD activities default to their own service-specific vehicles (Navy uses SeaPort NxG; Air Force uses various AFMC vehicles) or DoD-wide vehicles like SETI or agency GWACs.

How does ITES-3S compare to Alliant 3 for Army IT services?

Alliant 3 is government-wide and managed by GSA. ITES-3S is Army-specific, managed by people who understand Army IT requirements, terminology, and acquisition culture. Army contracting officers who have used ITES-3S for years often prefer it over general-government vehicles for Army-specific IT work. Both vehicles can be used for most Army IT requirements, the choice often comes down to contracting officer familiarity and requirement specifics.

What replaced ITES-2S?

ITES-3S is the direct successor to ITES-2S. ITES-2S task orders continued under their terms while ITES-3S was implemented. New Army IT services task orders route through ITES-3S. Companies with ITES-2S awards were required to separately compete for ITES-3S, existing ITES-2S status did not automatically carry over.

Is there a small business set-aside component in ITES-3S?

Yes. ITES-3S includes small business contract pools, and Army contracting officers can restrict task order competitions to ITES-3S small business awardees. Given DoD's small business goals and the Army's specific set-aside objectives, small business task orders are a significant portion of ITES-3S task order volume.