Information Technology Enterprise Solutions – 3 Services (ITES-3S)
Information Technology Enterprise Solutions – 3 Services (ITES-3S) is a multiple-award IDIQ contract vehicle used by the U.S. Army to acquire a wide range of information technology services, including cybersecurity, systems integration, and enterprise IT support, from pre-approved vendors [citation:1][citation:7].
What Is ITES-3S?
Information Technology Enterprise Solutions – 3 Services, or ITES-3S, is a multiple-award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle used by the U.S. Army to acquire a wide range of information technology services in support of mission and enterprise needs [citation:1][citation:7]. It is managed by the Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) program at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in coordination with the Army Contracting Command-Rock Island (ACC-RI) [citation:1][citation:9].
ITES-3S is designed to meet the Army's enterprise infrastructure goals with a full range of innovative, world-class IT support services and solutions worldwide, including CONUS, OCONUS, and warzone areas [citation:7]. The scope includes Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Management (C4IM) requirements as defined in Army Regulation 25-1 [citation:1][citation:9].
Key Characteristics
Multiple-award IDIQ contract structure with a $12.1 billion ceiling [citation:5][citation:6][citation:8]
Army-managed enterprise IT services vehicle available to all DoD and Federal agencies with no usage fees [citation:1][citation:2][citation:3]
Covers diverse IT service areas including cybersecurity, systems integration, and enterprise architecture [citation:5][citation:6][citation:7]
Task orders competed among pre-approved contractors via decentralized ordering through CHESS IT e-mart [citation:2][citation:4]
Designed for flexibility with nine-year period of performance (2018-2027) and multiple contract types allowed (FFP, T&M, Cost Reimbursement) [citation:3][citation:5][citation:7]
Scope of Services
ITES-3S encompasses a comprehensive range of IT services organized into eight primary task areas [citation:5][citation:6][citation:7]:
Cybersecurity Services - including cyber operations, computer network defense, identity management, continuous monitoring, cyber forensics, and security architecture [citation:5]
Information Technology Services - covering application development, data management, software development, legacy systems modernization, and web applications [citation:5]
Enterprise Design, Integration, and Consolidation - including systems integration, requirements analysis, software engineering, and technology insertion [citation:5]
Network/Systems Operation and Maintenance - encompassing help desk support, desktop support, network management, and seat management [citation:5]
Telecommunications/Systems Operation and Maintenance - including VoIP support and telecommunications infrastructure [citation:5]
Business Process Reengineering (BPR) - covering workflow analysis, business case analysis, and quality assurance [citation:5]
IT Supply Chain Management - including logistics, purchasing, and vendor management [citation:5]
IT Education and Training - covering user training and instructional design [citation:5]
How It Works in Government Contracting
ITES-3S appears during the services acquisition phase of the procurement lifecycle when the Army requires IT support. It is used by Army contracting offices and authorized customers to issue task orders for specific IT service requirements [citation:1][citation:2].
The Process: Using organizations submit task order Requests for Information and Requests for Proposal via the CHESS IT eMart Web site. Eligible contractors compete at the task order level, and the government awards based on best value. Orders may be placed by any Ordering Contracting Officers within DoD and Federal agencies [citation:2][citation:3].
Why It Matters: The vehicle shortens procurement timelines by limiting competition to qualified contract holders, with no protests on orders under $25M for defense agencies and under $10M for civilian agencies [citation:10]. No agency pass-through or service fees are associated with this contract [citation:3][citation:8].
Regulatory Framework
ITES-3S operates under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Task orders must comply with FAR requirements related to competition, pricing, and contractor responsibility. Individual task orders allowed under this agreement are Fixed Price (FP), Time and Materials (T&M), and Cost Reimbursement (CR) [citation:3][citation:5][citation:7].
Why It Matters for Contractors
Business implications: ITES-3S provides access to Army IT service opportunities without competing in open-market procurements. The vehicle includes both unrestricted and small business tracks, enabling participation from companies of various sizes [citation:5][citation:8].
Compliance impact: Contractors must maintain compliance with FAR clauses and task order requirements. Performance at the task order level directly impacts future award eligibility and past performance ratings.
Strategic importance: Holding a position on ITES-3S can support long-term growth in defense IT contracting, with the nine-year period of performance providing stability and recurring opportunities through task orders [citation:7][citation:8].
Risk considerations: Failure to perform at the task order level can impact future award eligibility. Contractors must be prepared for performance-based contracts and maintain strong project management capabilities [citation:5].
Common Misconceptions
ITES-3S is only available to large businesses.
The contract includes a small business track, and many small businesses participate as prime contractors or team members. Companies like Savantage Solutions participate as Woman-Owned Small Business primes [citation:5][citation:8].
ITES-3S guarantees task order awards.
Contract holders must compete at the task order level for each requirement; award on the vehicle does not guarantee work [citation:2][citation:3].
All Army IT work must use ITES-3S.
While ITES-3S is the Army's preferred source for IT services, agencies may use other authorized contract vehicles depending on mission needs [citation:7].
ITES-3S is a product contract.
ITES-3S is strictly for IT services, not hardware or commodity products, though incidental equipment and software associated with services may be included [citation:7].
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of services are offered under ITES-3S?
ITES-3S supports IT services including cybersecurity, systems integration, software development, enterprise architecture, network operations, telecommunications, business process reengineering, IT supply chain management, and IT education and training [citation:5][citation:6][citation:7].
Who can use ITES-3S?
Authorized Army organizations, all Department of Defense agencies, and all other Federal agencies may use the vehicle to procure IT services worldwide [citation:1][citation:2][citation:3].
How do contractors compete for work under ITES-3S?
Contract holders compete at the task order level after requirements are released via the CHESS IT eMart Web site. Task orders may be fixed-price, time and materials, or cost reimbursement [citation:2][citation:4][citation:7].
Are there fees associated with using ITES-3S?
No. ITES-3S has 0% fees for use, making it a cost-effective procurement vehicle for government agencies [citation:1][citation:2][citation:3].
What is the period of performance for ITES-3S?
The contract has a five-year base period with four one-year options, running from September 2018 through September 2027, for a total of nine years [citation:1][citation:2][citation:3].
Related Government Contracting Topics
Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ): A flexible contract type that allows agencies to issue multiple task orders over a defined period.
Task Order Contracting: A method where specific work is awarded under a master contract through competitive procedures.
Army Contracting Command: The organization responsible for many Army procurements, including ITES-3S oversight [citation:3][citation:8].
CHESS (Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions): The Army program office that manages ITES-3S and related IT contracts [citation:1][citation:2].
Cybersecurity Services: IT services focused on protecting systems and data, a major task area under ITES-3S [citation:5].
Multiple-Award Contracts: Contracts awarded to several vendors to promote competition and provide agency choice.
Strategic Importance
Information Technology Enterprise Solutions – 3 Services represents the Army's premier contract vehicle for IT services, providing streamlined access to qualified vendors for a comprehensive range of technology needs. With its $12.1 billion ceiling, nine-year duration, and availability to all federal agencies, ITES-3S offers significant opportunities for contractors while enabling efficient procurement for government customers [citation:1][citation:6][citation:8].
For contractors, success under ITES-3S requires maintaining competitive pricing, strong past performance, and effective teaming arrangements. The vehicle's inclusion of both unrestricted and small business tracks ensures broad industry participation, while decentralized ordering through CHESS IT e-mart provides efficient access to opportunities. As the Army continues to modernize its enterprise IT infrastructure, ITES-3S will remain a critical contracting vehicle for delivering innovative technology solutions [citation:7][citation:9].