ARServices, Limited (ARS) provides program management and operational support services as a subcontractor to AT&T under the Defense Information Systems Agency’s (DISA) Joint Hawaii Information Transfer System (JHITS) contract. JHITS is a component of DISA Next Generation and is a telecommunication services procurement contract. JHITS is part of the Global Information Grid (GIG), Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) and Defense Switched Network (DSN) and will fully support new and revised security and homeland defense requirements.  JHITS will provide enhanced information transfer capabilities to the Department of Defense (DOD) and certain other authorized users in the state of Hawaii, defined to be the eight primary islands.  JHITS will provide a full range of Global Information Grid (GIG) compliant, end-to-end Defense Switched Network (DSN) voice, video, data and Defense Information Services Network (DISN) transmission services for both the backbone as well as for the infrastructure of the base, post, camp and station in Hawaii.  The DISN is an integrated network, centrally managed and configured, to provide telecommunications services for all DOD activities.  This information transfer service is designed to provide dedicated point-to-point and switched voice, data, imagery, and video teleconference (VTC) services in support of national defense decision support requirements. JHITS is the replacement program for the Hawaii Information Transfer System (HITS), a 10-Year contract that ARS provided comparable support from its inception in 1997 and the JHITS Award in 2007.

ARS provides fully compliant, technical, quality assurance, safety, logistics, and other program management support services in accordance with AT&T requirements and task areas. Specifically, ARS is predominantly responsible for the following task areas within the JHITS Program: Integrated Logistics Support Plan, Reliability, Maintainability and Availability Program, Quality Assurance Program, Safety Program, Program Management Support, and Training Program. ARS also supports JHITS’ Preliminary and Final Design Reviews.

ARServices, Limited (ARS) has implemented numerous technology solutions for both government and commercial clients. Following is an example of one of those projects.

ARS provided significant advice and assistance to the National Defense University (NDU) with their information technology planning, implementation, integration, maintenance, and training. The effort extended to the Armed Forces Staff College, National War College, and other Senior Service Schools. ARServices began this initiative by introducing a centralized vehicle that facilitated the consolidation and interface of all administration, documentation and management requirements/efforts of related operations. ARServices, provided personnel that participated in the review, development, and recommendations to resolve information migration issues that had plagued NDU systems processes for an inordinate period of time. Following this task, ARServices provided solutions and strategies that enhance the efficiency and productivity of administrative and management staffs. ARServices also performed hardware and software enhancements, essential to implement proposed solutions.

ARServices managed and staffed the response center that provided support and assistance to NDU students, faculty, and staff for hardware, network, and software application problems. ARS personnel recorded and tracked calls, resolved or reassigned calls, tracked the status of calls and used the structured database to generate statistics to analyze the nature of calls. ARServices also analyzed, evaluated and recommended the hardware, network and software application products for system enhancements and upgrades to ensure that the NDU information technology infrastructure remained a state-of-the-art environment.

ARServices, Limited provided procurement, configuration management, training and installation/technical support for AT&T. ARS developed procedures and a customized data base program to assist in the programming and configuration of routers. The data base also included tracking information for AT&Ts business systems and technical data necessary for individual router configuration. ARServices developed configuration standards for Cisco Systems’ routers and performed operational tests of various configured options. In conjunction, ARServices implemented installation procedures and developed training materials for AT&T installers and delivered instructor-led training. The course consisted of project background, technical overview of the Cisco routers, installation instructions, and diagnostic tools.

After project completion, ARS continued to provide installation support services and conversion assistance, to include quality assurance, testing and problem resolution.

While working within AT&T, ARServices’ professionals worked with AT&T’s technical personnel to streamline operations and offered solutions that allowed AT&T field technicians to perform their tasks the most effective and efficient manner.

ARS was instrumental in the requirements determination, design, development, initial operational testing, fielding, training, and sustainment of the Department of the Army’s DEERS/RAPIDS Common Access Card/Public Key Infrastructure (CAC/PKI) Implementation Plan. Since the inception of the DOD CAC/PKI and Biometrics Program, ARS’ subject matter expert (SME) has actively supported the Army in the development and shaping of implementation plans and policy in support of the CAC/PKI and Biometrics programs throughout all of its components. From both an operational and functional perspective, ARS SME demonstrated a clear understanding of the complexities and dynamics involved in the management of these multi-faceted DOD-wide Smart Card (SC)/Common Access Card (CAC) programs. ARS has been fully engaged in all areas of the CAC/PKI programs beginning with initial planning and implementation of CAC Beta Testing through ongoing CAC/PKI implementation and program sustainment. In particular, ARS has demonstrated proven expertise in developing and coordinating integrated implementation plans, procedures, and policies for the issuance of the CAC to approximately 1.4 million eligible recipients throughout all components of the Army in CONUS and overseas. ARS also provided functional and technical expertise and support to a number of Joint Services functional committees, working groups, and panels to include the Joint Uniform Services Personnel Advisory Committee, Identity Protection and Management Senior Coordinating Group, Strategy and Guidance Workshop, and Configuration Control Working Group.

ARS’ business relationship and partnership with AT&T dates back to 1986, when ARS was a subcontractor to AT&T Federal Systems.  We provided technical support services related to the Defense Information System Agency’s (DISA) Video Network Management Center in Columbus, Ohio which is currently providing program management support services in support of AT&T Government Solutions-Hawaii/DISA Joint Information Transfer System (JHITS) contract. Because of the sustained effective and quality support that ARS provided to AT&T directly and as a subcontractor, AT&T took on ARS as a protégé under the DOD Mentor-Protégé (M-P) Program, beginning in October 1992 and culminating with ARS’ graduation from the program seven years later. The M-P Program proved to be beneficial for both organizations in that ARS was able to adopt proven business practices, obtain its ISO 9000/1994 Registration, and receive non-competitive business opportunities from AT&T; and, AT&T created and nurtured a go-to small business partner. The value of this partnership continues to provide proof of its benefit and success. Following is a chronological list of contract/subcontract engagements that ARS has partnered with AT&T on since 1986, culminating with its current long-term Hawaii Information Transfer System/Joint Hawaii Information Transfer System (HITS/JHITS) efforts.