Defense Contract Management Agency

Executive Summary

Starting in 2001, the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) selected Kratos to help design and implement a Web-based enterprise architecture. Today, Kratos operates and hosts the DCMA Skunkworks – a rapid-application development facility that is responsible for full-lifecycle development and deployment of "eTools," J2EE-based Web-enabled software applications that support the agency’s mission.

Situational Overview

DCMA is an independent combat support agency within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). It works directly with DoD suppliers to help ensure that supplies and services are delivered on time, at projected costs, and meet all performance requirements. In 2001, DCMA first turned to Kratos to support its transition from client-server applications to a Web-based enterprise architecture.

DCMA manages 325,000 contracts valued at more than $852 billion with more than 25,000 domestic and foreign contractors. Migrating from legacy client-server applications to a more efficient Web-based enterprise architecture was essential. With the help of Kratos, the agency created eTools, a Web-based application development environment, to interface with internal and external users more effectively.

DCMA needed a firm with specialized skill sets to develop and maintain a high-availability eTools environment. The agency selected Kratos for its expertise in software application development, integrated database development, and the production of training videos and technical user manuals to support users. Internally, DCMA wanted to streamline its personnel provisioning process to get employees up and running more quickly. Externally, it needed a secure application to authenticate users of DCMA business tools.

In addition, the agency had to ensure that each user passed a security test each year. Kratos Solution DCMA first selected Kratos to redesign and architect its enterprise network solution. Building on that initial success, over the years the agency has asked Kratos to provide a broad range of services, including:

• eTools Application Development: Kratos’ software development team has produced a wide variety of customized DCMA eTools software products with special emphasis on integration and security products.
• Integrated Database Development: Kratos has been involved in database development, configuration, integration, and maintenance at DCMA. Kratos has designed a robust, high-availability, scalable database architecture for use in a Web-based environment. Kratos proposed, designed, implemented, and maintained the Oracle Standby Database for use in Oracle 8i and the upgraded product, Oracle Data Guard, in Oracle 9i and Oracle 10g.
• Training Videos: Kratos has produced 50 training videos for 18 applications since 2006. Kratos has an experienced videographer who understands the marketing and training needs of DCMA Information Technology Customer Service Organization (ITCSO). The training and marketing of new eTools applications is essential for communicating and enabling the accessibility and productivity of the ITCSO customer.
• User Manuals and Online Help Documentation: Kratos provides quality technical writing services to develop user manuals and online help documentation for all DCMA-unique applications. Kratos also provides context-sensitive online help materials for these applications.
• Application Deployment and Integration: Kratos has integrated, deployed, and troubleshot 50 Web-based applications to date. Its specialists have collaborated with DCMA on the design and implementation of three major integrated enterprise architectural rollouts.
• eTools Environment: Kratos designs and maintains a high-availability eTools environment. Its engineers have collaborated with the agency on new eTools architectural design, from three eTools hardware rollouts to the ongoing simplification of the eTools authentication and authorization environment. Kratos has not only participated in the design and proof of concept, but also implemented the final project. To ensure that integration milestones are met on time, Kratos has assisted in problem solving, risk management, and developing processes for smooth application integration implementations.

Empowering Benefits

Because of Kratos’ specialized skill sets and intimate understanding of the DCMA mission, its specialists have provided the agency with a host of benefits:

• Rapid Application Development: Kratos designed and built the single sign-on broker that abstracts the authentication and authorization from every Web-based application that DCMA produces, thereby reducing coding time during application development.
• Streamlined Provisioning: Kratos worked with DCMA to identify, design, and build the identity-management application Internal Web Access Management (IWAM). The realization of this project has helped DCMA streamline its personnel provisioning process.
• Improved Access: Kratos built upon the IWAM concept for external users who need access to DCMA business tools. This resulted in the development of the identity-management application External Web Access Management (EWAM).
• Enhanced Security: Kratos built the Computer Security Awareness (CSAT) application that must be taken by every user in the agency on an annual schedule. The application prevents or allows access to the user’s desktop and eTools by monitoring whether the end-user has taken his or her test.
• Effective Training: By producing videos on eTools applications, Kratos has helped the agency market to, communicate with and train users more effectively on its eTools applications. The videos have helped DCMA achieve its mission by enhancing accessibility and productivity for eTools users.