Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Oracle to share $9 billion Pentagon cloud deal
More than a year after halting its previous attempt to modernize its IT infrastructure, the Department of Defense (DOD) has selected Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Oracle as new cloud service providers. The Pentagon has awarded the companies separate contracts for the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) project, and according to Reuters they will have a shared budget cap of $9 billion. This initiative succeeds DOD's canceled Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) program that was supposed to connect its various divisions using a single cloud service provider.
If you recall, the department awarded Microsoft the $10 billion JEDI contract in 2019. Shortly after, however, Amazon challenged Microsoft's victory in court, saying the process of evaluation had "obvious shortcomings, errors and biases". "Amazon argued at the time that the Pentagon's decision was based on "glaring errors" and "the result of inappropriate pressure from President Donald J. Trump." The company accused the former president of launching " repeated public and behind-the-scenes attacks" on her in an effort to prevent the Pentagon from giving the JEDI contract to Jeff Bezos, "her presumed political enemy".
While the Pentagon Inspector General's office found no evidence that Trump interfered with the selection process, it also noted that several White House officials did not cooperate with his investigation. In the end, the department chose to cancel the JEDI project because it “no longer meets its needs”. Now, under the JWCC, the Pentagon will work with multiple vendors for the capabilities and cloud services it needs instead of just one.
The companies' contracts will run through 2028 and will provide DOD with access to centralized management and distributed control, global accessibility, advanced data analytics, and enhanced security, among other features.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
More than a year after halting its previous attempt to modernize its IT infrastructure, the Department of Defense (DOD) has selected Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Oracle as new cloud service providers. The Pentagon has awarded the companies separate contracts for the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) project, and according to Reuters they will have a shared budget cap of $9 billion. This initiative succeeds DOD's canceled Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) program that was supposed to connect its various divisions using a single cloud service provider.
If you recall, the department awarded Microsoft the $10 billion JEDI contract in 2019. Shortly after, however, Amazon challenged Microsoft's victory in court, saying the process of evaluation had "obvious shortcomings, errors and biases". "Amazon argued at the time that the Pentagon's decision was based on "glaring errors" and "the result of inappropriate pressure from President Donald J. Trump." The company accused the former president of launching " repeated public and behind-the-scenes attacks" on her in an effort to prevent the Pentagon from giving the JEDI contract to Jeff Bezos, "her presumed political enemy".
While the Pentagon Inspector General's office found no evidence that Trump interfered with the selection process, it also noted that several White House officials did not cooperate with his investigation. In the end, the department chose to cancel the JEDI project because it “no longer meets its needs”. Now, under the JWCC, the Pentagon will work with multiple vendors for the capabilities and cloud services it needs instead of just one.
The companies' contracts will run through 2028 and will provide DOD with access to centralized management and distributed control, global accessibility, advanced data analytics, and enhanced security, among other features.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
What's Your Reaction?
