IBM gets TSA info sharing work

The Transportation Security Administration has picked IBM Corp. for an information technology and software services task order that will be worth at least $98.5 million.

The task order is big enough to have its own name -- Operational Application Support and Information Services -- and is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity vehicle spanning five years. The initial award is $98.5 million, a figure that could increase depending on what TSA orders through it. It was issued under the Homeland Security Department's Enterprise Acquisition Gateway for Leading Edge Solutions contract.

The award is part of the agency's effort to improve its ability to share information with federal, state and local law enforcement departments, foreign agencies and other organizations that DHS works alongside.

IBM and TSA's Information Technology Division will develop a service-oriented architecture environment that will take advantage of existing IT systems and applications. It will result in the department being able to share data to users over a variety of devices, and will give TSA access to expanded sets of information.

"The TSA's rapidly-evolving and flexible environment demands new and innovative ways of distributing information," said John Nyland, managing partner of IBM Global Business Services, Public Sector. "We are proud to support the TSA's complex mission to ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce in the U.S."

IBM Corp. of Armonk, N.Y., ranks No. 18 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.