Lockheed lands $1.9B defense networking deal

Lockheed Martin Corp. has won the Defense Department’s coveted support services contract for its Global Information Grid. The seven-year, $1.9 billion contract was won by Lockheed’s Information Systems and Global Solutions division. The company will provide worldwide support services for daily operations of the network. The Global Information Grid is a series of interconnected networks and computer systems that serves as the backbone of DOD’s command and control systems. It is managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency. Lockheed’s team includes eight companies on the : AT&T Inc., CenturyLink, Deloitte, General Dynamics, Serco Inc., BAE Systems, ManTech International and Xerox. Other members of the team include Applied Communication Sciences and other specialized and small businesses, the company said. DISA only received bids from Lockheed and Science Applications International Corp. The contract is an opportunity for Lockheed’s team to bring commercial best practices to evolving the network into “one that supports new communications capabilities and technologies that directly affect warfighters’ ability to achieve mission success,” said Gerry Fasano, president of the defense business for Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions. Because of the amount and speed with which information is produced and consumed at speeds, warfighters need an "enterprise architecture that can be quickly adapted and enhanced for new technologies while effectively managing costs,” he said. The base of the contract runs from July 9 through July 8, 2015. There also are two two-year option periods.