LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Oct. 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windstream (Nasdaq:WIN), a leading provider of advanced network and cloud communications, announced today it has been awarded a four-year contract valued at $1.1 million by the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to deliver a Virtual LAN Service (VLS) network. As part of the General Services Administration (GSA) Mentor-Protégé Program, Windstream will subcontract the 14-site VLS network to local vendor and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Komplete Systems Integrators, Inc. (KOMPSYS).
The VLS network will connect Michigan's DMVA telehealth initiative, which features 13 local clinics and one medical health center, on a single bridged domain over Windstream's high-quality Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. This private and secure network will enhance connectivity to the Michigan DMVA, with the aim of improving veteran patient care and enabling its locations to transmit medical files, share digital imaging and offer teleconference consultations with ease.
"We're pleased to be involved in the GSA Mentor-Protégé program and look forward to partnering with KOMPSYS to ensure that the Michigan DMVA receives the network connectivity it needs to elevate patient care," said Mike Magliato, Windstream vice president of government solutions. "Being awarded this contract is much more than just new business for Windstream; it's our opportunity to support the local small business community and give back to our country's honored and distinguished veterans."
Windstream will work with KOMPSYS to implement and support the VLS network with optimized performance. This is the first time Windstream has participated in the GSA Mentor-Protégé Program, an initiative that introduces prime contractors to small businesses with the goal of mentoring and providing capability support. The program helps enhance the small business's chances of success in earning future government prime contract and subcontract awards.
"KOMPSYS is truly excited to be a protégé of Windstream; for a leading technology provider to spend the time and effort to support veteran-owned small business and veterans in general, shows a true spirit of leadership," said David Dabney, KOMPSYS chief operations officer.
Since 2005, Windstream and its subsidiaries have been serving governmental entities, including the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Information Systems Agency; the Federal Aviation Administration; U.S. Department of Treasury; the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy; U.S. Federal Courts and the Department of Homeland Security. The Michigan DMVA oversees all military components and veterans' services across the state of Michigan, including the Michigan National Guard and Michigan Volunteer Defense Force. Formed as the Department of Military Affairs under the Executive Organization Act of 1965, it changed to its current title in 1997.
About Windstream
Windstream (Nasdaq:WIN), a FORTUNE 500 and S&P 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. For more information, visit www.windstream.com.
About KOMPSYS
Komplete Systems Integrators, Inc. (KOMPSYS), a successfully graduated 8(a) company and service disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, with offices in Washington DC and Charleston, South Carolina, is a leading services provider specializing in the delivery of Advanced Technology Solutions. KOMPSYS provides "innovative turnkey" Telecommunications and IT Solutions and provides a single source for technology acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.kompsys.com.