The Installation Resilience Operations Center, or IROC, a game-changing concept to enhance base security and facility operations, is one step closer to reality at Tyndall Air Force Base.
The Tyndall Program Management Office, in collaboration with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center and Air Force Contracting at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, awarded the IROC prototype with a history-making Other Transactional Authority Sept. 14.
"This is the first ever OTA in the AFCEC enterprise and serves as a pathfinder for similar efforts across the civil engineer enterprise," said Brig. Gen. John Allen, AFCEC commander.
The maturity of the IROC prototype will provide unprecedented support to installations and their assigned missions in an increasingly digital world, Allen said.
"Awarding this $9 million OTA is a substantial leap forward for the Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Patrice Melançon, executive director of the Tyndall PMO. "It is truly a testament to the Air Force's commitment to developing innovative, cutting-edge solutions for not only the Installation of the Future, but for military installations around the world."
Using the OTA acquisition strategy under 10 USC 2371 (b) Prototype authority, the IROC prototype will be brought to life by awardee SimpleSense/Novetta, Melançon said.
SimpleSense/Novetta was one of four teams who presented a spectrum of solutions to the IROC prototype requirement at the PMO's virtual "Pitch Day" Sept. 14.
The PMO will work closely with the winning team over the course of the next 36 months to establish the IROC prototype at Tyndall AFB, said Lowell Usrey, PMO Integration Division chief.
The IROC will be developed to function as a "system of systems," enabling condition-based maintenance, predictive maintenance and enhanced situational awareness for first responders.
"This prototype will immensely improve installation capabilities, and could ultimately be leveraged across the Air Force enterprise," Usrey said.
