Australian Defence Forces evolve their Command and Control system for Joint Operations

News Report

As illustrated in a recent official media release from Australian DoD, Australian Defence Forces (ADF) have undertaken a $60 million modernization program aiming at increasing the ability of the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) in Bungendore to plan and execute complex operations.

Whithin this program, two contracts have been awarded to Lockheed Martin Australia and Computer Sciences Corporation Australia as part of Joint Project 2030 Phase 8 (JP2030 Phase 8), Joint Command Support Environment (JCSE). Specifically, Computer Sciences Corporation has secured the JCSE System Integrator contract and Lockheed Martin Australia was awarded the JCSE Development Organisation contract.

The Context

The Joint Command Support Environment is evolving from the development and integration of several new and existing command support systems including the Joint Command Support System, Maritime Command Support System, Air Command Support System, Special Operations Command Support System and the Battlefield Command Support System (part of Project LAND 75). Previous Phases 1 to 6 (concluded) delivered a ‘core’ command support system to support the planning and conduct of joint operations. This system was delivered to strategic, operational and tactical level headquarters as well as selected ADF units. Phase 7 (in progress) is providing further roll-out and enhancement of the Joint and Air Command Support Systems.

JP2030 Phase 8 takes forward the cohesive and integrated Joint Command Support Environment (JCSE) at HQJOC, which coordinates major Defence operations on land, air and sea. The program is being implemented in three separate sub-phases called Evolutions that will incrementally deliver capability elements.

Evolution 1 was approved by Australian Government in June 2009 and provided for the accelerated acquisition of the Joint Planning Suite (JPS) and Joint Operations Portal (JOP) capability.

Evolution 2 was approved by Australian Government in September 2011 and will enhance the JPS and JOP capabilities implemented in Evolution 1 and add additional capability elements to the Joint Command Support Environment. These additional capabilities are in the areas of Situational Awareness-Common Operating Picture, Preparedness and a Special Operations Combat Net Radio Interface. Contracts for Evolution 2 have been signed on early March 2012.

Evolution 3 is being planned for Government Approval in late 2014.

Comments

Australian Minister for Defence Materiel, Senator Kim Carr, said acquiring this cutting-edge technology would significantly improve the ADF’s ability to plan and conduct joint operations. “This new technology will make planning operations more efficient and effective and increase the speed of decision making,” Senator Carr said. “I am pleased that these companies were judged best to further develop the command and control system. This demonstrates the capability of the Australian Defence industry,” Senator Carr said. “I am committed to working with industry to build and sustain these capabilities, which are so important for our national security.”

References: Australian Department of Defence (1,2)

Contract Award: CSC to provide Enterprise Data Services for U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

News Report

As reported in a recent press release, Maricom Systems, a CSC company, has been awarded a contract with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide enterprise data services to support the U.S. agency’s information systems. The Enterprise Data Services Contract (EDSC), which was awarded during CSC’s third quarter of fiscal year 2011, includes a base year plus five option years with a total estimated value of $105 million.
Under the contract, Maricom will provide CMS with innovative and cost-effective master data management, enterprise portal, business rules management governance, oversight and engineering services.

The Context

The health care sector is under constant pressure to deliver more care, more quality, more coordination, and improved timeliness. Both health professionals and patients have increasing expectations that data will be instantly available at the point of need.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides services to approximately 100 million beneficiaries and pays benefits totaling approximately $800 billion a year. As the largest single purchaser of health care services in the United States, CMS is in a unique position to support the transformation of the health care delivery system. CMS aims to break down existing program and information silos through convergent Medicare and Medicaid business operations and planning. The emphasis will be on creating enterprise-wide solutions and building capability for a flexible IT infrastructure that will accommodate future systems growth.

Specifically, CMS’ Health Care Data Improvement Initiative defines a comprehensive Enterprise Data Environment that will be central to the CMS IT modernization strategy. It will provide the flexibility needed to support the rapidly evolving role of CMS in the delivery, management, and payment of health care services. The vision is to transform the data environment from one focused on processing claims to one with state-of-the art capabilities for data analysis and information sharing. CMS knows that its data are not sufficiently integrated to provide consistent help in program management decision making. This initiative establishes the foundation for modernizing CMS’ data systems, and for supporting the transformation of business and information systems to meet CMS’s overall mission to ensure effective, up-to-date healthcare coverage, and to provide transparency into federal healthcare data.

Joining CSC's Maricom in this effort are partners IBM and NewWave Telecom & Technologies Inc. Collectively, the team has a prominent history of development and support of systems and data structures at CMS and the requisite experience to create and maintain the future environment of data management.

Comments

“For nearly 15 years, CSC’s Maricom has served as a trusted partner to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Through our experience, we have developed a deep knowledge and appreciation of the strategic mission of CMS, as well as an in-depth understanding of the technology environment,” said Chris Guckert, chief operating officer of CSC Maricom Systems. “Our understanding and support of CMS’ business and technology initiatives make the Maricom team uniquely qualified to work with the agency and other stakeholders to ensure its data management modernization objectives are met, providing a platform for successful implementation of healthcare reform initiatives.”

References: CSC (1), CMS (2)