ALBUQUERQUE , N.M., Aug. 27, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Research Associates Inc. (ARA) announced that it was awarded one of the small business set-aside spots on the Air Force's $490 million Agile Acquisition program indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.
This major contract vehicle supports work associated with the armament enterprise based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Contractors will provide for pre-program activities, technology development activities, engineering and manufacturing activities, and production activities for development of new systems or modification of existing systems through August of 2020. Work to support the contract will be performed primarily in New Mexico and in Florida.
As one of nine small business set-aside winners, ARA will have the opportunity to compete prior to the full and open competition for all task orders.
According to ARA Associate Division Manager John Perry, "We have assembled a large, world-class team that will allow us to pursue a significant amount of work under this vehicle. This contract will allow ARA to showcase our expertise as a systems integrator in the weapons development world and move aggressively into product development."
This contract supports the Air Force strategic initiative to move toward "programs with simple, severable components, open architectures, and more distributed participation," according to the 30-year strategy document released in July 2014.
Eglin Air Force Base is home to the Air Force's test and evaluation center for air-delivered weapons, navigation and guidance systems, command and control systems, and the service's special operations systems.
The ARA team consists of Raytheon Missile Systems, Ellwood National Forge Company, American Ordnance, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Dynamic Systems & Research, Faxon Machining and several strategic small business partners including On-Point Defense Technologies LLC, Canvas and WINTEC, Inc.
"Our country and allies face significant threats that challenge peace and freedom everywhere," said ARA Senior Vice President Joseph Smith. "This contract will allow us to help secure our citizens and advance the cause of liberty."
This is the second significant contract vehicle win for the company in the past month. In July, ARA was awarded a spot on the $130.8 million Unmanned Maritime Support Systems contract to support the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center in San Diego.
Media Contact:
James L. Wertz, Principal Program Manager, Albuquerque Southwest Division office, 505.816.6323, jwertz@ara.com
Ellen Gallegos, ARA Marketing Director 505.881.8074
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About Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically excellent solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. Our mission is to provide in-depth and diversified research, engineering, and technical support services. We have a broad range of technical expertise in biomedical engineering, defense technologies, civil engineering, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, and environmental technologies. For additional information, please visit http://www.ara.com.
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