The US Army wants new software to make its logistics platform ready for multidomain operations (2024)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army’s is adding a new requirement for its day-to-day business software as the service continues its march toward multidomain operations: the need to operate in a disconnected environment.

That’s according to a March 25 solicitation from the service on beta.sam.gov asking industry for commercially available software prototypes that would allow the Global Combat Support System – Army to perform “mission critical functions in a disconnected, intermittent, and limited bandwidth operational environment.” The Army is also interested in low code/no code software solutions.

“The U.S. Army must have the capability to perform its mission-critical functions in support of Multi-Domain Operations,” the statement of need read, referring to the service’s future war-fighting concept. “In the future operational environment of the Multi-Domain Operations, the U.S. Army will operate in smaller, more dispersed units far away from well-established military posts that offer critical infrastructure comforts and essentials like connectivity, fuel, water, ammunition, and energy.”

The Global Combat Support System – Army is a logistics systems led by the service’s Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems, providing soldiers with maintenance, unit supply, property management, warehouse management, and other human resources and finance information.

The system today can’t operate in a disconnected environment. According to the solicitation, that inability to do so forces GCSS-A users to turn to processes that rely on paper when outages occur. To solve that problem, the Army is turning to industry for a prototype capable of operating in a degraded or disconnected battlefield environment for up to seven continuous days, with the ability to synchronize the it data collected while offline.

The initiative is part of the Army’s effort to modernize its enterprise business systems portfolio, which the solicitation calls the “principal reason” of the GCSS-A effort. But the solicitation noted that the Army is also developing “next generation” business systems that will “optimize the end-to-end process and converge functional capabilities from national to tactical.” That effort is led by PEO EIS’ Enterprise Business Systems - Convergence product lead. GCSS prototype software must follow common industry standards to ensure that it fits into future business systems with “minimal rework” in the future.

The new software capability must also be able to record equipment dispatch provide dashboard data. Prototypes will be awarded to one or multiple vendors via other transaction authority.

“The GCSS-Army Disconnected Operations Solution (DISCOPS) must have the capability to perform Army designated MCF [mission critical functions] with sufficient supporting Data, Supply Chain, Asset Management, Inspection, Status Reporting, and Administration functions to support the end-to-end business process(es),” the solicitation read.

More In IT/Networks

US Air Force stages dogfights with AI-flown fighter jet

The Air Force hopes that teaching AI to dogfight -- perhaps the hardest flying style to master -- will make it easier to autonomously fly other missions.

Resolving the disconnect between industry and the DOD’s space strategy

The Commercial Space Integration Strategy seeks to ensure commercial solutions are available when and where needed, in peacetime and during conflicts.

From customer to sanctioned ‘proliferator,’ drones extend Iran’s reach

Iranian contractors and government officials have picked up on market demand, frequenting arms expos and other events in Russia, Iraq, Qatar and more.

Ukraine, allies scour the world for coveted air defense systems

The lack of air defenses could mark a turning point in Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion, Ukrainian officials have said.

US Army aims to complete multidomain task force structure by FY28

The service is planning to station its 5th Multidomain Task Force at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and will complete formation all five MDTF units by FY28.