What is ODIN?

Outsourcing Desktop Initiative for NASA (ODIN) is a program to implement the outsourcing of NASA's desktop computing environment.  ODIN is intended to develop a long-term outsourcing arrangement with the commercial sector which transfers to it the responsibility and risk for providing and managing the vast majority of NASA's desktop, server, and intra-Center communication assets and services as the Agency downsides and refocuses IT personnel to Agency core missions.  ODIN will include hardware and software acquisition, as well as maintenance, helpdesk, and other ancillary support services for general purpose workstations for NASA civil servants and on-site contractors. The NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) leads the ODIN effort, working closely with representatives from the other Centers and NASA headquarters. The ODIN team also works closely with industry to ensure that requirements, enhancements, and revisions are defined in a way which results in an effective outsourcing contract.

How ODIN Benefits NASA

Today, government agencies face a number of challenges in managing their information technology (IT) and communications environments.  Change is a constant in the IT world; the need for corporate interoperability, the dependence on the network as a mission critical component, and a continuing requirement to dedicate resources just to stay abreast of technology are common problems faced by every federal agency.  Add flat or declining budgets, and the inability to attract and adequately compensate highly skilled IT workers, and innovation becomes a necessity.

NASA, through the use of the Outsourcing Desktop Initiative for NASA (ODIN), has accepted this challenge by implementing an innovative, long-term outsourcing arrangement with the commercial sector which transfers to it the responsibility and risk for providing and managing the vast majority of NASA's desktop, server and intra-center communications assets and services.

What does ODIN mean to you?

• No longer having to purchase desktop hardware and software.  The ODIN vendor does this, and you pay a monthly fee per seat for the "service",
• A "one-stop-shop" Help Desk for all your IT requirements (both ODIN and non-ODIN),
• Automatic hardware and software technology refreshments at the frequency you determine,
• "Lemon Law" provision and independent equipment benchmarking by Alterion to ensure you receive top-quality desktops,
• Standards and architecture management mechanisms - you still control your IT environment through government-managed change control procedures,
• Allowance for Government ownership of assets where it's determined (by you) to be in the government's best interest,
• Allowance for installation and use of non-outsourcer provided hardware and software,
• Complete customization of service levels and desktop characteristics at the individual seat level,
• A comprehensive catalogue of services and commercial components to ensure no service is left out of your organization's requirements,
• Unwinding provisions to allow transition of contractor-owned assets at termination (to the government or another ODIN or non-ODIN contractor), and,
• The ability to modify delivery order quantities and configurations on a monthly basis.In summary, with ODIN you can buy only what you need, for as long as you need it!