Serco solution will forecast number of Army soldiers needed

 Under a new contract with a $9 million ceiling, Serco Inc. has been tapped to support technology to forecast how many soldiers the Army needs in seven-year increments.

Serco will provide technical support services for the Active Army Strength Forecaster (A2SF) system, which examines "the trends of soldiers as the political and military climate changes with respect to wartime requirements, budget constraints and military compensation entitlements," according to a March 8 company announcement.

From that information, the A2SF system calculates a seven-year strength forecast each month.

"These forecasts support the seven-year budget process, policy decisions by senior leadership, congressional inquiries, and personnel management decisions," the statement added.

Serco will use algorithms and forecasting models to provide the Army with the needed forecasting information. The company also will  provide operations and maintenance support, data conversion, information assurance and security and training.

The work falls under the GSA Alliant contract vehicle, which carries out the government's operational requirements for standardized technology.

The company has already assembled a technical team to support the contract, said Bill Fischer, vice president or Serco's Strategy, Learning & Human Capital unit, in the statement.

The five-year contract has a one-year base period and four one-year options.

Serco Group plc., of Vienna, Va., ranks No. 37 on Washington Technology’s 2011 Top 100 list of the largest federal government contractors.