M&A roundup

L-1 Identity Solutions Inc. of Stamford, Conn., willbuy Digimarc Corp.'s identification systems businessfor $250 million.The acquisition will let L-1 combine Beaverton,Ore.-based Digimarc's centralized credentials productionexpertise with its biometric and authenticationcapabilities. Digimarc will retain its digitalwatermarking business.L-3 Communications Corp. of New York, bought geospatial,marine and electronic systems maker HSASystems Pty Ltd. Financial terms were not disclosed.The North Sydney, Australia, company suppliesnautical charts, customized software and informationtechnology systems to maritime and defensecustomers, including the Royal Australian Navy andLand Information New Zealand.EDS Corp. bought Nexagent Ltd., a provider ofhardware and software for networks and advancedIP services based in Reading, England. Financialterms were not disclosed.EDS of Plano, Texas, will use Nexagent's technologyto cut connection expenses and installationtime for bringing clients into the EDS network.Excellere Partners Inc. of Denver, bought an ownershipstake in Acquisition Solutions Inc. ofArlington, Va. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.The infusion of cash will let Acquisition Solutionspursue what it is calling a multidimensional growthstrategy, which will include acquiring other companies.Science Applications International Corp. will buySM Consulting Inc., a linguistics services providerto government and commercial clients. Financialterms were not disclosed.The Linthicum, Md., company offers languagetraining, information technology, management consulting,business process outsourcing and logistics.