(S-90) (a) The Army’s Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software Solutions (CHESS) program, under PEO EIS, is the mandatory source for commercial IT purchases. CHESS contracts provide IT products and services that comply with NETCOM, Army and DoD policy and standards. Purchasers of commercial hardware and software must satisfy their IT requirements by utilizing CHESS contracts and DoD Enterprise Software Initiative agreements first, regardless of dollar value. Any purchase made outside of CHESS contracts requires a waiver. A complete list of CHESS contracts and the on-line waiver process can be found at https://chess.army.mil.
(b) When procuring IT services, consideration must be given to setting aside requirements for small businesses and other small business categories, in accordance with FAR Part 19. In order to assist, the U.S. Army in achieving the statutory goal of Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) in all prime and subcontract awards, use of non-DoD contract vehicles such as the General Services Administration’s SDVOSB Government-Wide Acquisition Contract should be considered. If no small business capability exists, CHESS contract vehicles are the preferred source for acquisition of IT services.
(c) Waivers from CHESS are not required when procuring IT services. However, if IT Hardware and Software are required as part of a non-CHESS IT services contract, a waiver for the hardware and software is required. [AFARS Revision #25, Item XIX, dated April 1, 2010]
