5965 - BUPERS requires 450 replacement handsets for the SELDB voting program for service member promotions.

The Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) is similar to the human resources department of a corporation. The bureau provides administrative leadership and policy planning for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) and the U.S. Navy at large. BUPERS is led by the Chief of Naval Personnel. In the Electronic Military Personnel Record System (EMPRS) Selection Board (SELBD) there is a process that includes voting for service member’s promotions. With the current shortage of voting handsets in the SELBD and the development of the SELBD rewrite, the Government has the need to procure new voting handsets. The Governments’ current handsets manufactured by Meridia are at the end of their lifecycle. Meridia now manufactures a newer model that still adheres to the original design standards that were purchased under contract N00189-12-P-Z571. Procuring new voting handsets will guarantee at least five years without purchasing a new product for voting in the SELBD application. BUPERS requires 450 replacement handsets for the SELDB voting program for service member promotions. It is essential that the replacement components are identical in compatibility and functionality to the original voting system by Meridia. The EMPRS, which includes the Selection Board module is a highly proprietary and fully integrated information technology system costing over $40 million. Due to the high level of integration, changing any component or altering functionality of the system is an extremely time-consuming and expensive endeavor. Additionally, it places the overall system functionality at risk. Adherence to the original design standards is critical, which Meridia provides with their new product. Without replacement voting handsets, thousands of Officers and Enlisted personnel’s promotions will be delayed until a new voting module is developed.