Companies enlisted to fight IEDs

Science Applications International Corp. and A-T Solutions have won contracts to help a joint services office combat inprovised explosive devices (IEDs).

SAIC is one of several companies that will compete for task orders under a five-year, $494 million contract to provide technical and operational support services to the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), company officials said Sept. 16.

JIEDDO manages and coordinates all Defense Department programs aimed at defeating IEDs, which remain a major threat to U.S. and coalition forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The specific tasks are expected to include strategic analyses, equipment training, and development of counter-IED measures. Other services include intelligence, interagency coordination, program management, and strategic and organizational planning.

SAIC ranks No. 7 on Washington Technology's 2009 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.

A-T Solutions' contract is worth $198.9 million over five years to support JIEDDO's Joint Asymmetric Threat Awareness and Counter IED Training Program.

The company will provide training focused on countering IEDs. A-T Solutions, of Fredericksburg, Va., will provide training both at military facilities in the United States and to troops already deployed in-theater, company officials said.

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