KForce acquisition opens government market

KForce Inc.'s $60 million acquisition of Pinkerton Computer Consultants Inc. heralds the entrance of a new player into the government IT space.

Tampa, Fla.-based KForce is best known for providing staffing solutions in the commercial market. With the Pinkerton deal, KForce adds to those capabilities and picks up about $33 million in government IT revenue, company officials said.

Pinkerton Government Solutions Group, renamed KForce Government Solutions, is now part of an $860 million-a-year company that looks at the government market as a growth opportunity.

"They are bringing the capacity to invest in business development and make other acquisitions," said Bill Parker, president of the government unit. Previously, he ran the business under Pinkerton.

KForce is looking at government-related acquisitions in the $20 million to $100 million range that will bring new customers, he said.

"We're looking to diversity our client base and access more of the market," he said.

Pinkerton's strength in the government market has been to offer "data confidence" solutions, which combine technologies, processes and people to assure the quality and accessibility of data. It is critical for information-sharing efforts, Parker said.

"Data confidence has been a real differentiator for us," he said.

Among major customers is the Homeland Security Department, which tapped Pinkerton for a U.S. Visit enterprise data management project.

With KForce's backing, the government business can pursue larger contracts, Parker said, especially because of KForce's ability to quickly hire and place people.

"They have a best in class recruiting engine that no one else in the market has," he said. "It's like a Ferrari."