HP, EDS acquisition talks in progress

Companies confirming they are in advanced discussions regarding a possible business combination.

Trace builds IT base

Trace Systems LLC, a McLean, Va., systems integrator and technical services company, has acquired TCP Network Solutions Inc., of Eatontown, N.J.

Perot buys Original Solutions

Perot Systems Corp. has acquired Original Solutions Ltd., an IT services provider with government and corporate clients in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Compiled Logic buys DTS

Municipalities are increasingly outsourcing the management of police-initiated and private automobile towing and tracking. As one indication of the growing market, two providers of such services announced a merger this week.

Prices hold firm for government M&A deals

Since 2004, the price-to-performance multiples of publiclytraded government technology services companies havetrended downward, while the valuations of mergers andacquisitions have held their ground. Is this rational,sustainable and likely to continue through this year and the next?

SRA to buy Era

SRA International will acquire Era Corp., a provider of advanced surveillance technologies for air traffic management, airport operations, military and security markets.

Lockheed swoops down on Eagle Group

Lockheed Martin is acquiring Eagle Group International LLC, a provider of logistics, IT, training and health care services to the Defense Department.

EADS snaps us PlantCML

European defense contractor EADS is expanding its North American reach with the purchase this week of PlantCML for $350 million.

Knop takes on new role at BB&T

Rick Knop will take on a new role supporting the international investment banking business at BB&T Capital Markets.

SAIC closes Icon Systems buy

The acquisition is intended to boost SAIC's live-training capabilities and enable the company to provide a more comprehensive array of offerings in those areas..

Raytheon buys SI Government Solutions

Raytheon has acquired SI Government Solutions, a provider of proprietary software security solutions to the U.S. intelligence community.

Now comes Vangent

Name changes haven't stunted BPO provider's ability to win contracts.

NetStar-1 snaps up Aviel

Professional services business NetStar-1 Inc. has acquired Aviel Systems Inc., a provider of program management and IT service offerings to the federal government.

KBR nabs two in one week

KBR started at its doorstep and then went halfway around the world this week to buy a turnaround management consultancy and an e-learning provider.

Avineon divides into federal, commercial divisions

Avineon has restructured into two divisions, Federal Systems and Commercial Systems, to foster growth in both markets.

M&A roundup

None

An old hand charts a new course

Carleton Jones prepares for a return to federal contracting.

Consolidation helps grow a mature market

From a detailed review of the merger and acquisition and public capital market activity of government technology services companies for the past three years, onemust conclude that this industry has matured. It also is clear that consolidation and M&A activity will continue for the foreseeable future to be a major driver of growth and shareholder value.

L-1 to buy Digimarc's ID assets

L-1 Identity Solutions will purchase the identification systems business that belongs to Digimarc for $250 million in a cash and stock deal.

M&A roundup

Public Consulting Group Inc. bought state and local government IT and managementconsulting firm Eclipse Solutions Group Ltd. of Sacramento, Calif.