DISA and DITCO strengthen working relationships

by Stacy Hollins
DISA Central Field Command
April 18, 2022

Leaders from U.S. Central Command, DISA Central and the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization pose for a photo during a meet with industry partners in Bahrain, March, 2021. DISA's Central Field Command, and DITCO - Southwest Asia hosted the 2022 Central Theater Telecommunications Critical Infrastructure Symposium from March 14-17. (U.S. DOD photo)

The Defense Information Systems Agency Central Field Command and the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization – Southwest Asia hosted the 2022 Central Theater Telecommunications Critical Infrastructure Symposium in Bahrain from March 14-17.

Attendees of the symposium, now in its sixth year, included 98 representatives from 26 international commercial telecommunications companies and 16 government organizations who shared information on DISA’s mission and processes, the changing telecommunications landscapes in Southwest Asia, and ways in which government and industry can work together to strengthen working relationships.

Navy Cmdr. Jim Nelson, DISA Central Field Office Bahrain officer in charge, challenges participates to use the time between briefs, breaks and social events to get to know each other’s requirements and how to work together to achieve the objectives. (U.S. DOD photo)

“During the symposium, DISA representatives presented new policy and regulatory information to vendors and mission partners to help foster the conversation on how to make changes to their networks, request for services and how their networks are configured,” said Navy Cmdr. Jim Nelson, DISA Central Field Office Bahrain officer in charge. “Although briefs help shape conversations, the real collaboration happens in the small groups, during the breaks and after-hours events.”

Gathering in forums like this one gives DISA leaders, commercial telecommunications service providers and mission partners an opportunity to meet in a setting where they can readily build on their relationships, exchange ideas to improve inter-organizational processes, better understand the challenges that the collective face, and work together to meet current and future IT requirements.

Army Reserve Col. Benjamin Bourgoyne, 335th Signal Command (Provisional) deputy commander, delivers the keynote address during the symposium held in Bahrain, March 2021. DISA's Central Field Command, and DITCO - Southwest Asia hosted the 2022 Central Theater Telecommunications Critical Infrastructure Symposium from March 14-17. (U.S. DOD photo)

"While we may all come from different backgrounds and have different purposes for being here, we are all working toward a unified goal – to create a shared understanding of the challenges we face and establish relationships that can be leveraged to overcome these challenges." said Army Reserve Col. Benjamin Bourgoyne, 335th Signal Command (Provisional) deputy commander, during his keynote address.

DISA’s mission relies on available and assured global, regional and theater telecommunications infrastructure, and making teamwork and collaboration imperative.

"The purpose of language is to communicate, to share ideas and knowledge. To do so, we must speak in clear, common terms and avoid the acronyms and unique terms used throughout our industries,” said Bourgoyne. “In order to break down barriers to communication, we have to put forth the effort to use language according to its intent."

Presentations given during the four-day event included information regarding the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, Global Network Services, Change and Release management-service interruptions, Network Operations, Lease testing and acceptance, Facilities access, DISA Resource Management and Joint Contingency Contracting System.

Anh Carlton answered questions, provided demonstrations and shared resources on gaining access to Joint Contingency Contracting System during the symposium held in Bahrain, March 2021. DISA's Central Field Command, and DITCO - Southwest Asia hosted the 2022 Central Theater Telecommunications Critical Infrastructure Symposium from March 14-17. (U.S. DOD photo)

“The [Joint Contingency Contracting System] provides information necessary to evaluate vendors for possible approval or acceptance to do business with and have access to U.S. military installations around the world,” said Anh Carlton, the Southwest Asia Procurement Branch chief. “Vendors interested in doing business with the U.S. government should register early.”

Breakout sessions with vendor representatives from each telecommunications company were led by subject matter experts from the hosting organizations.

Representatives from the Bahrain and Kuwait Telecommunications Regulator Agencies also presented information about the organization’s structure, policies and future plans.

Army Col. Brian Kadet, DISA Central commander, met separately with executives from Bahrain and Kuwait Regulatory Agencies to discuss infrastructure developments and innovations.

“These initiatives mean more competition and greater telecommunications capabilities in the region,” said Kadet.

Army Col. Brian Kadet, DISA Central commander, thanks the DISA and Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization team for the flawless planning and execution of the first Critical Infrastructure Symposium since 2019 during the symposium held in Bahrain, March 2021. DISA's Central Field Command, and DITCO - Southwest Asia hosted the 2022 Central Theater Telecommunications Critical Infrastructure Symposium from March 14-17. (U.S. DOD photo)

The team responsible for the planning and execution of the 2022 Critical Infrastructure Symposium pose for a photo during the symposium held in Bahrain, March 2021. DISA's Central Field Command, and DITCO - Southwest Asia hosted the 2022 Central Theater Telecommunications Critical Infrastructure Symposium from March 14-17. (U.S. DOD photo)

2022 Central Theater Telecommunications Critical Infrastructure Symposium panel

The panel of experts addresses questions to ensure everyone had the answers they needed to help guarantee success during the symposium held in Bahrain, March 2021. DISA's Central Field Command, and DITCO - Southwest Asia hosted the 2022 Central Theater Telecommunications Critical Infrastructure Symposium from March 14-17. (U.S. DOD photo)

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