Lucent wins deal to rebuild, modernize Iraqi communications

Lucent Technologies Inc. won a contract to help rebuild, restore and modernize communications systems in Iraq.

The Defense Department contract is worth up to $75 million over two years, and could be extended an additional three years, according to officials of Murray Hill, N.J., Lucent.

Lucent will work under the direction of the Program Management Office of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. The Program Management Office manages the $18.4 billion appropriated by Congress to support the reconstruction of Iraqi infrastructure.

Work will begin immediately, according to Lucent officials. Lucent will provide a range of services, including design, construction, reconstruction, renovation, restoration, implementation and systems integration with existing systems and equipment, as well as operation and maintenance support.

Lucent recently completed installation of 13 switching, optical and network management systems in and around Baghdad under a separate subcontract to Bechtel, company officials said.

The company's team members include CH2M Hill Companies Ltd., Englewood, Colo.; DynCorp, a CSC company, Irving, Texas; Lockheed Martin Corp., Bethesda, Md.; Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Va.; and AT&T Corp., Bedminster, N.J. The team also will include small businesses in the United States and Iraqi subcontractors and suppliers, officials said.