FAA Awards IT Contract to Sentel

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded a $35 million, nine-year contract to Sentel Corp. for independent operational test and evaluation services of new acquisitions for the National Airspace System in the areas of communication, weather, navigational and surveillance systems.

The project was awarded under the General Services Administration's Millennia Lite contract vehicle.

Sentel, based in Alexandria, Va., will provide high-end information technology and engineering services for the Office of Independent Operational Test & Evaluation, an organization that reports to the FAA's associate administrator for air traffic services. The company gains 25 new employees transferring from the previous contract holder. Most of these employees will work at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, N.J. Seven will come to Sentel's corporate headquarters.

"This is exactly how we want to grow," said Jim Garrett, Sentel's president and chief executive officer. "Test and evaluation has been one of our core competencies since the beginning. Having the opportunity to provide this expertise to a new customer is an exciting accomplishment."