Common Hardware Systems

Abstract

Common Hardware Systems (CHS) is an ACAT III program and mandated Army Strategic Source that acquires and sustains highly flexible, cost-effective, and simplified non-developmental solutions that integrate the latest and emerging commercial information technology onto the Converged Mission Command Network. This funding line supports all of the Army's Network Modernization Strategy Lines of Effort: (1) Unified Network Transport, (2) Common Operating Environment, (3) Interoperability, and (4) Command Post Mobility and Survivability. Efforts are aligned to support the Network Cross-Functional Team (CFT) capability set approach to achieve network modernization strategy goals. This funding line also supports network solution procurement and sustainment for U.S. Army Reserves, U.S. Army National Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other Federal agencies. Since FY19, CHS has seen a 47 percent increase in its customer base and continues to see an increase in unit procurements. CHS provides technical support, environmental and survivability testing, system design, and end-of-life and configuration management services to ensure interoperability and integration of hardware throughout the computing infrastructure. CHS continuously analyzes and tracks hardware from cradle to grave; from emerging technology until end of life. The program conducts hardware evaluations that facilitate and simplify the selection of common hardware solutions across numerous Army programs, agencies, Joint Services, and other Federal Agencies including: Mission Command; Tactical Network; Tactical Radios; Distributed Common Ground Station Army; Aviation Systems; Counter Rocket, Artillery, Mortar; Communication Electronics Command; Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), Army National Guard and Reserves, Navy, Airforce, Marines, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, among others. CHS rapidly procures common hardware configurations across the Integrated Tactical Network (ITN), Common Operating Environment (COE), the sustainment community, and tactical programs that enable the continuous modernization in support of all four Army Network Modernization Lines of Effort and Network CFT requirements. CHS logistical services include worldwide, 72-hour turn-around repair through strategically located support centers for tactical military units. These support centers provide tailorable supply chain and cybersecurity measures, customizable warranty management, maintenance and failure rate reporting, and technical support services to support specific Army program requirements. CHS is a model for modern acquisition strategy that strengthens the U.S. cybersecurity supply chain and manages risk by providing hardware solutions including servers, storage, clients, networking devices, tactical radios, ruggedized platforms, hand-held end devices, operational transit cases, installation kits, and peripheral devices procured from a mix of small and large businesses. CHS partners with the CECOM Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC) to develop a model for sustaining COTS IT using the Standard Army Supply System. CHS maintains a Public-Private Partnership (P3) with Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) in order to leverage the innovation, resources and leadership skills of both TYAD and CHS in order to provide the best value to the taxpayer while delivering the best capability to the Soldier. CHS supports Better Buying Power (BBP) initiatives by creating efficiencies on a micro and macro level through volume discounting, economies of scale, the elimination of duplication of effort, reduced barriers to entry, price breaks, streamlined processes, reduced cycle times, and centralized contracting. The program provides the Army with a highly efficient Return on Investment (ROI) of approximately 30:1.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2022
Source ID
323_0604818A_5_2040_PB_2022

Tags

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Microelectronics

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