SYSTEMS INTEGRATION TIME LINE

P> 1986 Contractors' ability to communicate with agency buyers is severely limited following implementation of 1995 Competition in Contracting Act.

Pentagon mandates Ada programming language.

1988Ford Aerospace announces plans to purchase BDM.

Computer Sciences Corp. introduces Design Generator, the first computer-aided software engineering tool written in an object-oriented language.

1989Black &amp Decker buys Planning Research Corp. and Advanced Technology Inc.

1990Loral Corp. purchases Ford Aerospace; BDM splits off as a private company.

1991The Northern Virginia High Technology Council is formed.

Illustrating the outsourcing trend, Computer Sciences Corp. signs a 10-year deal with General Dynamics to provide up to $3 billion in information services.

1992Director of Defense Information Paul Strassmann outlines Corporate Information Management initiative

1994Northrop Corp. and Martin Marietta Corp. duel for Grumman Aerospace. Northrop wins.

1995The chain of industry consolidations continues with the mega-merger of Lockheed Corp. and Martin Marietta Corp.

BDM makes its first public offering.

Microsoft comes out with Windows 95.

MCI stakes its claim in the systems integration market by purchasing SHL Systemhouse.

1996Lockheed Martin announces plans to purchase parts of Loral Corp.

Litton Industries Inc. purchases PRC from Black &amp Decker Corp. Information Technology Reform Act passed to make federal integration market more like the commercial market.