VCE  

ASSIST2Industry (A2I) will now require a two factor authentication for each Prime Contractor and Subcontractor user. A2I users are required to have a username/password (first authentication) and may select one of the following three methods for implementing the second authentication to access the site:

1. use an authenticator application on your cell phone (e.g. Google or Microsoft Authenticator) to receive a QR Code;
2. receive a code via an SMS Text Message to your cell phone; or
3. receive a code via e-mail.

NOTE: New users to A2I will receive an e-mail with a temporary password and once entered in A2I will be required to change your password. Existing users with a username/password will be required to select one of the three methods as their second authentication.

1. New users of A2I must now create a passphrase that contains a minimum of 15 characters. A future update to A2I will implement this change for existing users.
2. If a Prime user incorrectly enters their password three times, they will get a LOGIN FAILED message, which states that their account is locked and they must contact the Contracting Officer and/or the Contract Specialist to enable their account. When the Contracting Officer or the Contract Specialist enables the Prime user’s account, the user must close their browser and begin a NEW SESSION when they open the browser.*
3. If a Subcontractor user incorrectly enters their password three times, they will get a LOGIN FAILED message, which states that their account is locked and they must contact the PRIME Contractor to enable their account. When the PRIME Contractor enables the Subcontractor user’s account, the user must close their browser and begin a NEW SESSION when they open the browser.*
4. If a Prime or Subcontractor user enters EITHER a wrong username and/or password after the sixth attempt, the application will lockout the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the user’s computer.** In order to unlock the IP address, users must contact the Army Enterprise Service Desk to create a helpdesk ticket. Once the helpdesk ticked is received by ASSIST/A2I points of contacts (POCs), they will have the users account unlocked.

*NOTE: After the accounts have been enabled, the user should RESET THEIR PASSWORD.

**NOTE: It is essential for Prime Contractor POCs to submit at least the names of two POCs during proposal submission as per ASSIST Instructions in case one Prime Contractor POC's IP address gets locked out of A2I when accessing the application to respond to Evaluation Notices (ENs). In addition, Prime Contractors should add at least two Subcontractor POCs if it is necessary for their Subcontractors to submit proposal volumes as a result of EN responses. ASSIST/A2I hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST. THERE IS NO WEEKEND SUPPORT; therefore, if a user gets their IP address locked out of the application after 5:00 PM EST on a Friday, that user will not have the IP address unlocked until Monday morning.