BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Achieving a major technical requirement, Verizon Business today announced its operations support systems have been tested and verified by the U.S. General Services Administration, signifying that Verizon Business is now ready to process orders under Networx Universal.
Verizon Business earlier this year was named a prime contractor under the federal government's Networx Universal and Networx Enterprise contracts, authorizing the company to compete for business from individual government agencies. The Networx program is among the largest federal communication contracts in history.
"All systems are a go. We have been given the green light to accept orders from the government," said Susan Zeleniak, vice president for Verizon Federal, an organization within Verizon Business dedicated to serving federal government customers. "With our deep experience as a communications provider to the federal government, we stand ready to help agencies transition to Networx. We are committed to working with our government customers through the transition process."
The Networx program requires GSA approval of verification testing of the company's operations support systems (OSS) before orders can be accepted. OSS are electronic interfaces and systems that handle new government services, including ordering, notification, inventory and invoicing systems. Verizon Business, working closely with the GSA, conducted verification testing of the OSS to support all Networx Universal services under the contract.
In addition, Verizon Business has received GSA security accreditation for its OSS. GSA's independent security certification confirms that the Verizon Business OSS protects government information in accordance with government security policies, practices and processes.
Testing for Verizon Business systems for Networx Enterprise is expected to be completed this fall.
In anticipation of Networx, Verizon Business invested millions of dollars to ready its federal systems to provide the Networx Universal services. Included in these systems and unique to Networx is the Verizon Business customer portal, known as the Networx Universal Customer Center. The center, which is now available, allows customers to securely obtain information on products, services and training programs. Registered users can order and manage products and services online, manage networks, and view invoices.
Under Networx Universal, Verizon Business will provide a comprehensive suite of services and capabilities to help the federal government usher in a new era of advanced communications services, including cutting-edge voice, data, wireless, security and Internet services to more than 135 government agencies around the globe. Networx replaces FTS2001 and several other telecommunications agreements.
As one of the two telecommunications service providers initially awarded the FTS2001 contracts by the GSA in January 1999 , Verizon Business currently serves virtually every federal agency under that contract. As agencies transition to Networx, Verizon Business will continue to provide existing telecommunications services under the FTS2001 Bridge Contract.
Verizon Business is one of the largest providers of advanced data, Internet and voice communications services globally. Verizon Business offers local-to-global-to-local network capabilities coupled with a broad range of telecommunications products and services, including managed network services and systems integration, to all levels of government. With this broad portfolio of services, Verizon Business can provide federal agencies with one-stop shopping for their communications or connectivity needs. The company has built the next-generation services that are helping to transform the way government customers -- and their constituents -- do business.
About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced communications, security and other professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit http://www.verizonbusiness.com.
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SOURCE Verizon Business
