The contract outsources the technology, maintenance and help desk support of 360,000 desktop computers and 200 networks. Cipriano s remarks came during the Navy s first press conference on the status of the intranet project since the department awarded the contract in October. NMCI will provide service members and employees in the U.S. and abroad with access to voice, video and data communication through a sole service provider. Cipriano said the department has not issued any reductions in force and has no plans to do so. EDS has implemented a first hire policy for affected government employees, including a 15 percent increase in gross salary and a 3 percent signing bonus.
Employees are guaranteed employment for three years.
Cipriano said the purpose of NMCI is to enable naval personnel to make better and faster decisions. Through NMCI, Cipriano said the Navy wants to provide the average sailor and Marine access to the combined knowledge of the Navy. For example, employees will be able to view and change their personnel records online, instead of having to wait to receive that information by mail. All employees will have a smart card that identifies them in the computer system and ensures computer security. Congressional concern and criticism from the General Accounting Office over funding for the project slowed the department's momentum in getting the initiative off the ground, but many of the project s initial critics are now supporters.