https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN40494-PPM_CIO-002-000-WEB-1.pdf
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
107 ARMY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20310-0107
SAIS-PR (RN 25-1rrrr)
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Update to Mandatory Source for Commercial IT Services
1. References:
a. Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFARS) 5139.101-90
b. Deputy Under Secretary of the Army (DUSA) memorandum (Use of the Army
Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solutions Contract Vehicles to Purchase
Commercial Information Technology Services), 1 December 2020
c. CIO memorandum (Update to Army Cloud Computing Requirements), 10 July
2023
d. Army Regulation 25-1, (Army Information Technology)
2. Purpose. This memorandum provides updated guidance on the use of Computer
Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) for commercial Information
Technology (IT) Services.
3. Background.
a. Per reference 1b and the Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
(AFARS) 5139.101-90, the Army’s CHESS program is the mandatory source for
purchasing commercial IT services. Currently, there is only one IT service contract
available on CHESS, which is the Army’s Information Technology Enterprise Solutions-
3 Services (ITES-3S) vehicle.
b. Since the initial attempts to standardize IT acquisition, the Army’s needs have
continued to evolve, and the rate of technology change has continued to accelerate.
Critical enabling services such as cloud services, secure agile software development,
and continuous software development have emerged as essential components of the
Army’s modernization approach.
c. ITES-3S has scope and labor categories for many IT services, but the labor rates
are generally lower than other contracts and schedules, making it more difficult to hire
the needed expertise. Facilitating wide-ranging competition for highly sought after and
PR-RES-AC-002
15 September 2023
SAIS-PR
SUBJECT: Update to Mandatory Source for Commercial IT Services
2
specialized services and skill sets, such as cloud and software development, will enable
the Army to rapidly address changing needs more effectively. This update will allow
users to use a wide range of contracts outside of ITES-3S for their cloud, software
development, and continuous software evolution requirements.
4. Guidance.
a. Effective immediately, all cloud services, software development, and continuous
software evolution service-type contracts (e.g., labor) are no longer required to use
CHESS nor are they required to obtain a Statement of Non-Availability to use a contract
outside of CHESS. All cloud services, software development and continuous software
evolution service-type contracts/acquisitions shall follow the requirements specified in
reference 1c and report investments and spend appropriately.
b. ECMA will work with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Procurement to update
Army guidance and AFARS as needed.
5. Points of contact:
a. For policy questions: usarmy.pentagon.hqda-cio.mbx.policy-inbox@army.mil
b. CIO Policy Division: Mr. Keith Dean, (703) 545-1354, keith.t.dean1.civ@army.mil
c. ECMA: Mr. Scott Seybold, (703) 545-4618, patrick.s.seybold2.civ@army.mil
LEONEL T. GARCIGA
Chief Information Officer
DISTRIBUTION:
Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army
Commander
U.S. Army Forces Command
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
U.S. Army Materiel Command
U.S. Army Futures Command
U.S. Army Pacific
U.S. Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Central
U.S. Army North
U.S. Army South
(CONT)
SAIS-PR
SUBJECT: Update to Mandatory Source for Commercial IT Services
3
DISTRIBUTION: (CONT)
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command
U.S. Army Cyber Command
U.S. Army Medical Command
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Army Military District of Washington
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
U.S. Army Corrections Command
Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy
Commandant, U.S. Army War College
Director, U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency
Executive Director, Military Postal Service Agency
Director, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division
Director, Civilian Protection Center of Excellence
Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery
Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
CF:
Principal Cyber Advisor
Director of Enterprise Management
Commander, Eighth Army