SAIC can claim a $630M Air Force prize thanks to Unisys Federal deal

Thanks to its acquisition of Unisys Federal, SAIC can out this win of a $630 million Air Force weather technology contract as a takeaway.

Proposals for the Air Force's $650 million Technology Application Development and Sustainment contract were due long before Science Applications International Corp. acquired Unisys Federal.

But the win helps show why SAIC wanted to buy Unisys and is an early dividend of that $1.2 billion transaction.

The customer, the Air Force 557th Weather Wing, provides weather products for combat commands across all of the Army and Air Force. It also is a new customer and will contribute to organic growth as the win is a takeaway from Northrop Grumman.

No comment from Northrop or SAIC about the win so far. There were six bidders in total, according to the Defense Department, so protests are still a possibility.

Work under the contract known as TADS includes hardware and software needed to provide accurate and timely weather reports and environmental intelligence. Work is based out of Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

SAIC completed its acquisition of Unisys Federal in March.

TADS was not specifically mentioned when the deal closed, but is an example of the type of high-end technical work SAIC wants to do more of. The customer also is in the defense/national security space.

Barring a protest, the contract will get off to a quick start with $2.2 million already obligated.