As the deadline for installing the next IP approaches, the General Services Administration is asking industry about training federal workforce for the transition.

In a new request for information, GSA said it wants information on IPv6 training from companies that already have GSA contracts suitable for providing training. GSA is also asking companies about their current IPv6 training courses. It asked companies to compare their training to what the government needs for the transition, according to the RFI.

Agencies need training to plan their transitions to IPv6-capable networks and products. In 2005, the Office of Management and Budget said agencies must have network backbones that use IPv6 and other networks must interface with the infrastructure by June 30, 2008.

The RFI outlines proposals for courses that officials developed for training federal executives and leaders, contracting officers, and agencies’ technologists. For example, contracting officers would get a two-hour training course on integrating and managing IPv6 products and services in federal contracts, while test engineers and system administrators would get five days of training.

The RFI asks for thoughts on the training’s content. It also asks if respondents believe GSA’s content requirements are relevant and sufficiently complete for training the different types of officials.

Matthew Weigelt writes for Federal Computer Week, an 1105 Government Information Group publication.