NIH required on-demand access to cloud server resources – including AWS Elastic Compute (EC2) and cloud consulting services to support the high availability, scalability and secure environment NIH needs to host an application critical to supporting the medical research community they serve. NIH was seeking an experienced cloud hosting provider that could streamline the cloud procurement and hosting process so NIH personnel can focus their efforts on their mission critical work.

Govplace teamed up with AWS to fulfill the NIH’s requirements. AWS was a logical choice to provide the NIH’s cloud services and was in fact NIH’s first choice for its CSP. As the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform, AWS met all of NIH’s key requirements for scalability and flexibility—and Govplace could provide the required AWS services through an easily accessible Federal contract vehicle at a competitive price point. Govplace is the prime contractor and manages the project, providing billing and support services and providing the NIH with:

• Direct access to AWS Reserved Instances (RI) and On-Demand Dynamic Instances
• Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) Virtual Hosts
• Backup capability—Elastic Block Storage (EBS) Services and S3 Data Storage and Transfers
• 24x7x365 US Person Technical support
• Architecture reviews
• SME resources to augment NIH’s other cloud resources as needed
• AWS Billing and Account Management Support Services

As a result of Govplace’s involvement with this project, the NIH saw the following results during the first 12 months of the contract:

• CDC’s on-premises system moved to their AWS cloud environment
• Significant price discounts off MSRP for contracted AWS cloud hosting services
• Growth in AWS usage of approximately 100% from initial deployment —a clear indication of the ability to scale and keep pace as the NIH’s environment has grown

Another key benefit Govplace has provided is excellent customer service as the prime contract and main point of contact for the NIH Contracting Officer Representative for this project—as noted by the COR himself. Govplace strongly believes that good communication leads to better delivery outcomes—and we are pleased to work with NIH and AWS to facilitate that for all parties involved.

NIH recently recompeted the contract for AWS services—at a 100% increase in usage over the previous period—and Govplace won that five-year contract as well. We look forward to continuing to provide NIH with the same excellent customer service, competitive pricing, and scalable access to world-class AWS cloud services so that NIH personnel can continue their important work to support and protect public health as challenges arise.