PEO EIS leader briefs industry on digital transformation priorities

PEO EIS is transitioning into an Agile organization, and EIS Program Executive Officer Ross Guckert is asking industry to bring its “A” game and “A” team to discussions about how to solve pressing Army challenges.

During his Nov. 8 keynote address at AFCEA Belvoir Industry Days, Guckert said the Army’s digital transformation means that EIS needs to adapt to the service’s evolving mission — which is shifting from network-centric to data-centric — and pivot to an Agile framework.

Referencing author Norman Vincent Peale’s famous quote, “Change your thoughts and you change your world,” Guckert said, “At least we can change the United States Army — that is our collective mission.”

Besides highlighting the key ways in which the Army’s enterprise IT acquisition organization will change its acquisition process to become agile, Guckert explained how EIS plans to reorganize internally to better integrate its cloud, data and network-oriented portfolios from a technical and programmatic perspective. Specifically, EIS will create a Chief Information Office within the next few months, he said.

As part of the organization’s ongoing transformation, EIS is evolving how it engages with industry. EIS’ project management offices are issuing multiple draft solicitations and holding industry days to generate questions and feedback before putting a final product on the street, said Guckert.

In exchange for putting clearer requirements in place for industry, EIS is asking prospective partners to be innovative and collaborative in developing cost models — adapting them to EIS’ needs.

“Please work with us on a fair and appropriate cost model as we transition to Agile,” said Guckert. “You guys have the best ideas, best practices and best of breed.”

Besides briefing industry attendees on EIS’ priorities, Guckert took advantage of his AFCEA Belvoir keynote opportunity to highlight PEO EIS’ new command video.