Federal market retains strong investment appeal

Although forecasting the federal market has become more complicated and more uncertain, the relative stability of both large and small contractors and their growth potential makes for sound investment.

SAIC wraps up purchase of public services consultancy

Science Applications International Corp. has completed its acquisition of R.W. Beck Group Inc., a provider of engineering, energy and infrastructure consulting services.

Business development rule No. 1: Gather intelligence

Sound business development requires purposeful interaction and dialogue with the customer.

IT services sector holds steady in soft economy

Even though the trends for federal information technology and professional services firms look solid during the next few years, government spending pressures and the trend toward insourcing are giving investors reason to worry.

Cash-rich SAIC hits the acquisition trail

Science Applications International Corp. recently bought two companies, adding new capabilities in cybersecurity, energy and disaster recovery.

NCI acquires intel IT consultant TRS

NCI Inc., a provider of information technology services to the federal government, has acquired TRS Consulting Inc., a provider of mission-critical software.

Sprint Nextel to buy Virgin Mobile USA

Networx Enterprise contract holder Sprint Nextel Corp. will acquire prepaid wireless phone provider Virgin Mobile USA Inc. for $483 million.

Lockheed locks in buy of Gyrocam Systems

Lockheed Martin has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Gyrocam Systems LLC, a developer and supplier of gyro-stabilized optical surveillance systems for the military. The financial terms were not disclosed.

With sale, SteelCloud drifts away from hardware business

SteelCloud Inc. has completed the sale of its computer integration business to NCS Technologies Inc. and will now concentrate on developing software for BlackBerry products.

SBA rules out of sync with mission

Small Business Administration rules in several key areas do not align with its core mission to help citizens to start, build and grow businesses from the ground up.

Raytheon taps Boeing exec for strategy position

Mitch Kugler moves from Boeing to Raytheon to take on corporate strategy position.

Report: Industrial base must be part of defense review

The Defense Department should begin incorporating in its budget and policy decisions factors that affect the U.S. industrial base to ensure that weapons-making capabilities are remain available, according to a new report from the Aerospace Industries Association.

SAIC grows with purchase of cybersecurity firm

Science Applications International Corp. has acquired Atlan Inc., a cybersecurity product-testing firm in McLean, Va.

CSC plans to buy BearingPoint operations in Brazil

CSC has entered into an agreement to acquire BearingPoint’s Brazilian operation, which specializes in consulting and systems integration services. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

ManTech International unveils cyber solutions subsidiary

ManTech International Corp. has established ManTech Cyber Solutions International Inc., which will build new tools and develop tactics that meet customer needs in the cyber field.

Trace Systems acquires SynExi

Trace Systems Inc. has completed its acquisition of SynExi LLC, a systems engineering company in Fairfax, Va.

SAIC snaps up R.W. Beck

Science Applications International Corp. will acquire R.W. Beck Group Inc., a provider of business and technical consulting services related to engineering, energy and infrastructure.

i2 acquires Knowledge Computing Corp.

I2 Inc. has acquired Knowledge Computing Corp., a provider of analysis software to law enforcement agencies.

Eye on M&A

Private equity deals in the government services market are coming fast and are good news for the foundering economy.

Federal contractors need the right stuff for success

Federal contractors must have strong attributes and depth to succeed amid slowing discretionary federal spending.