Bob Brewin

The Defense Information Systems Agency announced it would like a discount on its future purchases of mobile applications, as it kicked off the process to evaluate next-generation smartphones and tablet computers.

DISA’s Mobility Project Office asked vendors to provide it with information needed to evolve its mobile application strategy. On June 27, 2013, the agency awarded a $16 million contract to Digital Management to securely manage mobile devices and set up a mobile app store.

DISA said it needs industry help because of the way apps are developed and deployed in the commercially driven environment. The Mobility Project Office put price first in its request for information to industry, asking, “What are industry best practice for purchasing enterprise applications at reduced rates to support Android, Apple, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile Operating Systems?”