HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Feb. 3, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is helping a local Huntsville company - 3D Research Corporation - competitively bid for government and commercial contracts in a relationship under the U.S. Department of Defense mentor-protege program.
As part of the three-year agreement, Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector will mentor 3D Research Corporation by providing operational and business development assistance. 3D Research is currently a key supplier on the nation's newest missile-defense initiative, the Kinetic Energy Interceptors (KEI) program - a boost phase missile defense capability being developed and tested by prime contractor Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.
"3D Research is a valued member of our KEI team and we are glad to lend our expertise to help them build their competitive edge in the business of government contracting," said Craig Staresinich, vice president and general manager, Northrop Grumman Kinetic Energy Interceptors Program.
The mentor-protege program was created in an effort to help smaller firms compete more successfully for military contracts by pairing large defense contractors with small disadvantaged businesses. Northrop Grumman's heritage of participation in the Defense Department's mentor-protege program dates back to 1992, a year after the pilot program was approved by Congress. With the signing of this agreement with 3D Research Corporation, Northrop Grumman now has 15 active mentor-protege agreements.
"3D Research is pleased to have secured Northrop Grumman Mission Systems' expertise and guidance in achieving the milestones determined under our mentor-protege agreement," said Lisa Williams, president of 3D Research Corporation. "Northrop Grumman's history of assisting small businesses through this program will be of great benefit to our company. We look forward to this relationship as a way of strengthening 3D Research while also accelerating the teaming opportunities we have with Northrop Grumman."
3D Research Corporation, founded by Williams in 1997, is a Small Business Administration 8(a)-certified small, disadvantaged, woman-owned business. The company serves government agencies and aerospace industries by providing high tech engineering services and specializes in test and evaluation, program management support, modeling and simulation, information technology and weather and meteorological services. The company currently has over 150 employees in its 14 national and international locations. 3D Research Corporation was named to the 2004 Inc. 500 list of "Fastest Growing Private Companies." Williams was selected 2004's Small Business Person of the Year for the state of Alabama by the Small Business Administration.
With approximately 1,200 employees in Huntsville, Northrop Grumman is among the city's largest private employers. The company's major customers include the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; Army Aviation and Missile Command; Army Program Executive Offices for Tactical Missiles, Aviation, and Air, Space & Missile Defense; and elements of the Missile Defense Agency.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, based in Reston, Va., is a global integrator of complex, mission-enabling systems and services for defense, intelligence and civil government markets. The sector's technology leadership and expertise spans areas such as strategic systems including ICBM's; intelligence; missile defense; surveillance and reconnaissance; command and control; and technical services and training.