The U.S. General Services Administration and Defense Information Systems Agency are going to join forces to procure future commercial satellite communications.

The joint strategy will tackle the impending expiration of contracts set to lapse between 2011 and 2012. On August 6, GSA and DISA will hold a teleconference to announce details of the joint project, which aims to foster cooperation among federal agencies. According to a press statement, the announcement will address the replacement of contracts, federal government needs, vehicles for acquisition, and a solicitation and the award timeline. The joint venture and accompanying plan mark a move forward for federal service acquisition; current practices have remained in place for a decade, according to the statement. “The [announcement] is essential for understanding how the federal government intends to purchase future commercial satellite services from industry,” the statement said.