# Part 5139 - Acquisition of Information Technology

(Revised 17 March 2025)

Subpart 5139.1 - General

5139.101 Policy.

5139.101-90 Policy.

Subpart 5139.74 - Telecommunications Services

5139.7402 Policy.

Subpart 5139.76 - Cloud Computing

5139.7602 Policy and Responsibilities.

## Subpart 5139.1 - General

See AFARS PGI 5139.1-1 for guidance on Internal Use Software in contract documentation.

See AFARS PGI 5139.1-2 for information on reform of information technology desktop and notebook purchase and configuration.

See AFARS PGI 5139.1-3 for instruction on development, security, and operations (DevSecOps).

### 5139.101 Policy.

(1) The head of the contracting activity has the authority to make the determination under DFARS 239.101(1). See Appendix GG for further delegation.

(2) Information technology (IT) purchases must be submitted through the Information Technology Approval System (ITAS). The ITAS approval memo and supporting documentation shall be part of the requirements package submitted to the Contracting officer and shall also be part of the resulting solicitation and contract file documentation. The ITAS Approval website is located at https://cprobe.army.mil/enterprise-portal/web/itas/home.

(3) The United States Space Force (USSF) Commercial Satellite Communications Office (CSCO), on behalf of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ), is the sole authority for procurement of Commercial Satellite Communication services and capabilities for the DoD. All procurement for commercial satellite communication (COMSATCOM) services or products shall be procured through the USSF CSCO.

#### 5139.101-90 Policy.

(a) Commercial information technology hardware and software.

(1) The Army’s Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) program, under the Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems, is the mandatory source for commercial IT hardware and software purchases. CHESS contracts provide IT products and services that comply with U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, Army and DoD policy and standards. Purchasers of commercial hardware and software must satisfy their IT requirements by utilizing the Joint and Enterprise License Agreements (J/ELA), DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) agreements, and/or CHESS contracts first, regardless of dollar value or financial appropiation. Additionally, purchasers of IT requirements through a third party such as a system integrator must ensure solicitations and contract vehicles include the requirement to purchase through the CHESS and the DoD ESI agreements.

(2) Any IT hardware or software purchase made outside of the CHESS contracts requires an Army Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-6 approved ITAS Approval, unless the purchase meets one of the exceptions in paragraph (a)(3). The ITAS Approval along with supporting documentation shall be part of the procurement package submitted to the Contracting officer and shall also be part of the resulting solicitation and contract file(s). Supporting documentation must include documentation submitted with the ITAS Approval request such as a CHESS Statement of Non-Availability (SONA) for items that are not available from CHESS or other rationale for not using CHESS. The CHESS website located at http://chess.army.mil provides a complete list of CHESS contracts, the DoD ESI as well as information concerning ITAS Approvals and CHESS SONAs. The ITAS Approval website is located at https://cprobe.army.mil/enterprise-portal/web/itas/home .

(3) Exceptions

(i) IT embedded in weapons systems.

(ii) Purchases of peripheral electronic supplies for IT equipment (for example, keyboards, mice, webcams, compact disks, cables or cords, and so forth) up to $500 per purchase of supplies (not per item). GPC rules regarding split purchases still apply.

(iii) Contracting officers may purchase commercial IT hardware or software outside of the CHESS contracts, for procurements in support of Non-Program Executive Officer (PEO)/Project Manager (PM) managed National Intelligence Program (NIP) or Military Intelligence Program (MIP) systems (Non-PEO/PM managed NIP or MIP will be requested using the Army G-2 Army Request for Information Technology–Military Intelligence (ARFIT-MI)).

(iv) The Product Lead, Common Hardware Systems (PdL CHS) coordinates across the Army’s computing environments and tactical program offices to modify commercially available off-the-shelf IT to meet specific program requirements for transport or ruggedization, to ensure configuration and end of life management. Organizations that receive written authorization from PdL CHS to use a CHS contract are exempt from the requirement to obtain a CHESS SoNA. In such circumstances, requiring activities will provide PdL CHS’s written authorization to the Contracting officer as part of the procurement package. Contracting officers shall place the written authorization in the contract file.

(v) CHESS exemptions. The following are exempt from both the mandatory use of CHESS and the requirement to submit a statement of non-availability (SoNA) for obtaining ITAS approval to procure IT outside of CHESS—

(A) Commercially developed IT offered to the Army’s accredited institutions of higher education at a price discount more favorable for the Army than prices available through CHESS.

(B) Procurements of government off-the-shelf information technology (GOTS IT) as defined by the Committee on National Security Systems: software and hardware developed by the technical staff of a U.S. Government organization for use by the Government. GOTS IT sales and distribution are controlled by the Government. GOTS IT is both commercially unavailable to the public and unavailable via CHESS.

(b) Information technology services.

(1) The Army’s CHESS program is the mandatory source for the purchase of commercial IT services. Purchasers of commercial IT services must satisfy their requirements by utilizing the CHESS contracts first, regardless of dollar value or financial appropriation. When procuring IT services, contracting personnel must consider setting aside requirements for small businesses and other small business categories in accordance with FAR 13.003(b)(1) and FAR subpart 19.5. Contracting officers shall ensure that the procurement package contains sufficient supporting documentation to assist the Contracting officer in determining whether to set aside the requirement for small businesses and other small business categories in accordance with FAR 13.003(b)(1) and FAR subpart 19.5. Purchasers of commercial IT services that meet the requirement for small business set-asides shall use the small business/socioeconomic set-aside functions within the CHESS RFP tool. If no small business within the CHESS contracts can satisfy the requirement, a CHESS SONA should be requested.

(2) Any purchase of commercial IT services made outside of the CHESS contracts requires an Army DCS, G6 approved ITAS Approval. The ITAS Approval along with supporting documentation shall be part of the procurement package submitted to the Contracting officer and shall also be part of the resulting solicitation and contract file(s). Supporting documentation must include documentation submitted with the ITAS Approval request such as a CHESS SONA for items that are not available from CHESS, market research analysis, or other rationale for not using CHESS. The CHESS website located at http://chess.army.mil provides a complete list of CHESS contracts as well as information concerning ITAS Approval and CHESS SONAs. The ITAS Approval website is located at https://cprobe.army.mil/enterprise-portal/web/itas/home .

(3) If a services requirement includes any IT hardware and/or software, the Contracting officer must ensure solicitations and contract vehicles include the requirement to purchase through the J/ELA, DoD ESI agreements, and/or CHESS contracts. If a services requirement includes non-CHESS IT hardware or software, personnel must secure an Army DCS, G-6 approved ITAS Approval for the non-CHESS IT hardware and software per paragraph (a)(2) in this section. The procurement package and contract file documentation requirements of paragraph (a)(2) apply to hardware and software purchased as part of IT services requirements.

(4) Exceptions

(i) IT embedded in weapons systems.

(ii) Purchases of peripheral electronic supplies for IT equipment (for example, keyboards, mice, webcams, compact disks, cables or cords, and so forth) up to $500 per purchase of supplies (not per item). GPC rules regarding split purchases still apply.

(iii) Contracting officers may purchase commercial IT services outside of the CHESS contracts, for procurements in support of Non-Program Executive Officer (PEO)/Project Manager (PM) managed National Intelligence Program (NIP) or Military Intelligence Program (MIP) systems (Non-PEO/PM managed NIP or MIP will be requested using the Army G-2 Army Request for Information Technology–Military Intelligence (ARFIT-MI)).

(iv) The Product Lead, Common Hardware Systems (PdL CHS) coordinates across the Army’s computing environments and tactical program offices to modify commercially available off-the-shelf IT to meet specific program requirements for transport or ruggedization, to ensure configuration and end of life management. Organizations that receive written authorization from PdL CHS to use a CHS contract are exempt from the requirement to obtain a CHESS SoNA. In such circumstances, requiring activities will provide PdL CHS’s written authorization to the Contracting officer as part of the procurement package. Contracting officers shall place the written authorization in the contract file.

(v) CHESS exemptions. The following are exempt from both the mandatory use of CHESS and the requirement to submit a statement of non-availability (SoNA) for obtaining ITAS approval to procure IT outside of CHESS—

(A) Commercially developed IT offered to the Army’s accredited institutions of higher education at a price discount more favorable for the Army than prices available through CHESS.

(B) Procurements of government off-the-shelf information technology (GOTS IT) as defined by the Committee on National Security Systems: software and hardware developed by the technical staff of a U.S. Government organization for use by the Government. GOTS IT sales and distribution are controlled by the Government. GOTS IT is both commercially unavailable to the public and unavailable via CHESS.

(C) Procurement of all cloud services, software development, and continuous software evolution service-type contracts (e.g., labor).

(D) Pursuant to DFARS 208.7402(a) Departments and agencies shall fulfill requirements for commercial software and commercial software services, such as software maintenance, in accordance with the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) (see https://www.esi.mil/). In some cases, DOD ESI will direct the use of the appropriate CHESS contract.

(E) Printing Services, specifically, maintenance of installed Government-owned or DLA leased printing devices to include repairs; and printing, scanning, and document conversion, shall be procured through DLA Document Services using its Equipment Management Solutions Portal (https://www.public.dacs.dla.mil/ems/ext/). If the required service is not available through DLA, an Exception to Policy (ETP) must be issued and the second mandatory source is Army CHESS. If using CHESS, the ITAS submission must include the DLA ETP.

(1) U.S. Army National Guard (ARNG), U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), Army-wide departmental printing and Army Headquarters printing services provided by the U.S. Army Print and Media Distribution Center (APMDC), and Army intelligence printers and services acquired under the National Intelligence Program (NIP) or the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) are exempt from the mandatory use of DLA Document Services for printing services, however CHESS is still the mandatory source for printing services.

(2) Printing services exempt from this policy include products managed by the Army Print and Media Distribution Center (APMDC) such as Armywide publications (books, flyers, posters, and so forth).

(5) Performance Work Statement (PWS) Language for Army capabilities on the Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN).

Army Chief Information Officer memorandum: Army Information Technology Solutions and Services Mandatory Performance Work Statement Language, dated 6 February 2025, provides that requirements and contracts related to Army capabilities on the Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN) should implement the memorandum’s enclosed PWS language. The referenced PWS language is available at HQDA, Office of the Chief Information Officer - Army Technology Solutions PWS Language - 20250122.pdf - All Documents.

(c) Training. Senior contracting officials must ensure that contracting personnel receive appropriate CHESS training, and should ensure that contracting personnel document the training on their individual development plans. Personnel can request CHESS training and view the training slides at https://chess.army.mil/UserTrainingRequest .

(d) Cloud Computing. The Army Enterprise Cloud Management Office (ECMA) is the central point for all efforts and processes related to cloud adoption across the Army. The ECMO will establish a standardized cloud architecture which is intended for use by all Army mission areas.

ECMA will provide enterprise-level contracts for commercial CSP offerings, common services, and application migration support.

## Subpart 5139.74 - Telecommunications Services

### 5139.7402 Policy.

(b)(4) The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) may authorize actions as described in DFARS 239.7402(b)(4). See Appendix GG for further delegation.

(e) Commercial Satellite Communications. Pursuant to Public Law 116-283 Section 1605 and DoD policy, DoD organizations, Services, and Combatant Commands must procure all Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) services through the United States Space Force’s (USSF’s) Commercial SATCOM Communications Office (CSCO. Commercial managed services or internet through satellites are considered Commercial SATCOM and represent the SATCOM Segment of the DoD Information Network (DoDIN). See paragraph (d) of Enclosure (E) to Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (CJCSI) 6250.01Gand paragraph 1.2 of DoD Instruction (DoDI) 8420.02.

(1) Contracting officers are not authorized to procure any COMSATCOM services, unless a waiver is provided by program offices or requiring activities that authorizes procurement of COMSAT products or services that are not available through the USSF’s CSCO.

(2) Program offices or requiring activities shall contact one of the USS Force CSCO, local Regional SATCOM Support Centers (RSSCs) for a waiver and all procurement assistance.

West CMCL 719-554-4304 DSN 312-692-4304

East CMCL 813-828-6836 / 6841 DSN 312-968-6836 / 6841

Europe CMCL 49 (0)711 907120 5265 DSN 324-434-5230

Pacific CMCL 808-656-0683 DSN 315-456-656-0683

Email, rsscwest.commercial@us.af.mil

## Subpart 5139.76 - Cloud Computing

### 5139.7602 Policy and Responsibilities.

(a) Contracting officers shall ensure contract actions for cloud-related requirements reflect the Technology Business Management taxonomy at AFARS Appendix HH – Cloud Computing and follow the guidance provided at AFARS 5111.106 unless the requiring activity provides a waiver approved by ECMA (armycloud@army.mil). The waiver must be filed in the official contract file.

(b) Contracting officers should review cloud computing requirement packages to ensure they are compliant with the Army Chief Information Officer memorandum: Army Information Technology Solutions and Services Mandatory Performance Work Statement Language, dated 6 February 2025. The referenced PWS language is available at HQDA, Office of the Chief Information Officer - Army Technology Solutions PWS Language - 20250122.pdf - All Documents.