Personal Information Services
The HR 5658 National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2010 Public Law 111-84 section 651, limited the competition of DoD entities with the private sector in offering Personal Information Services (PIS). PIS is defined as “the provision of Internet, telephone, or television for fee services to consumers. This is also commonly known as “unofficial” telecommunication services.
In order to meet this requirement FMWRC and AAFES formed a partnership. The three fundamental operational concepts of this Personal Information Services Partnership are:
(1) Provide an integrated joint business strategy
(2) Application of best business practices to provide value to customers of AAFES and MWR.
(3) Central management and oversight of the sale and operation of PIS products and services
One of the initial tasks of this new partnership is the transfer of for-fee Internet services currently operated by the ARMP. This move conforms to guidance from the House Armed Services Committee, and will take place in phases throughout the year with completion by 31 December 2010. As existing contracts or agreements expire, they will be replaced under the terms of the new partnership.
PIS for CAT C, exchange services, unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH), other than Army Lodging, and some CAT B activities on Army installations will be provided “for fee” by the end user. As outlined in the IMCOM PIS policy, exceptions to the IMCOM policy may be requested if the free service is part of the business model. All exceptions must be approved by both AAFES and FMWRC Chief Operating Officers (COO).
Due to the Internet transfer, dividend distribution will also change. Distribution of pre-paid Internet dividends will transition from the ARMP model of 35% of Sales to the AAFES Internet support model of 90% (80% to Garrisons and 10% to the central MWR fund and 10% to AAFES) of income being distributed to the FMWR dividend fund. FY-10 dividends will match or exceed FY-2009 dividend payments from ARMP on a monthly basis by installation starting on the day of service is transitioned from ARMP to AAFES through September 30 2010. Any Garrison dividend shortfalls below the FY-2009 levels for the month starting the transition until the end of FY 2010 will be made whole by FMWRC and AAFES.
FMWRC/ARMP has chosen to re-purpose the Multi Player On-Line Gaming (MPOG) program in Govt. FY-10. There will be no dividend distributions generated from this program after FY 2010. MPOGs are a declining industry and a business decision was made to repurpose the equipment and discontinue offering MPOG. Please include termination of the ARMP MPOG program and modified dividend distribution for your Internet program support in your FY 2011 budget considerations.
To begin the request process please go to http://telecomrequest.fmwr.net/ Also, to the right you will find additional links to assist in the implementation.
For more information you may contact David LaPradd email: david.lapradd@us.army.mil or commercial: (210)424-8312.