Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Team

Lockheed Martin Corp. of Bethesda, Md., and Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., formed a strategic alliance to pursue new business opportunities in the federal information technology market.
The alliance between Lockheed Martin and the government division of Microsoft builds on working relationships between the two companies on several federal contracts, including a team competing for the Navy's next-generation land attack destroyer. The two companies also are collaborating on developing new products and services to link mail processing and information technology.

Microsoft spokesman Keith Hodson said previous relationships between the companies had been contract-specific, while this new arrangement is formal and open-ended. One major benefit of the agreement is that it will streamline communications between the two companies, he said.

The agreement in place also provides for the two companies to develop new business proposals. The agreement is not an exclusive one, Hodson said. Each company can enter into partnerships with other businesses.