ACS buys eligibility software business

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. has acquired Albion Inc., a provider of integrated eligibility software for health care and human services.

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. has acquired Albion Inc., a provider of integrated eligibility software for health care and human services, for about $30 million.

The acquisition of Atlanta-based Albion rounds out ACS' offerings related to eligibility determination for health and human services programs, such as temporary assistance for needy families, food stamps, Medicaid and child care. These programs are funded and overseen by the federal government, but are administered at the state level.

Albion's propriety eligibility software will not only address the needs of state and local customers, but also meet federal requirements for a commercial software solution, the company said.

"Health and Human Services agencies are calling for a COTS solution as a standard for federal financial support," said Tom Burlin, executive vice president and chief operating officer of ACS Government Solutions.

"Our acquisition of Albion's proprietary @Vantage solution, combined with our experience in eligibility determination, should provide ACS with another technology platform to support states' needs in the growing eligibility services market," Burlin said.

ACS has about 58,000 employees and had annual sales of $5.3 billion in 2006. The company ranks No. 48 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list of the largest federal IT contractors.