The 5.5-year contract has a value, subject to funding, of $160 million and will be performed by Engineering Support Inc. (ESI), a wholly-owned AAI subsidiary located in Hunt Valley, Md.
Contract services include the operation, maintenance, and total supply support for biological detection systems at more than 50 U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force locations in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
In addition, AAI will support biological detection systems located at various military and government facilities in the United States, including some that sustain homeland defense initiatives.
"Winning this major competitive contract is another superb accomplishment for AAI," stated Frederick M. Strader, president and chief executive officer of both United Industrial and AAI.
"Our ESI subsidiary has established itself as a premier organization for providing worldwide logistics support services, operations and maintenance, training, and other capabilities.
"World conditions have raised the need for expanded deployment of biological and chemical detection systems," Strader added, "and AAI's outstanding experience and capabilities have positioned it to provide full- service, cost-effective contractor logistic support. We anticipate continued growth in this crucial defense sector."
The biological detection systems support contract was awarded by the U.S. Army's Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) at Rock Island, Ill. Work will be managed under performance-based logistics metrics by the Joint Product Manager Office for Biological Detection Systems at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood Area, Maryland.
Teamed with AAI is Batelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, which will provide logistic and chemical support. The full contract runs through 2009.
Other major AAI field service contracts support U.S. Army Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle systems and U.S. Navy T-45 Goshawk flight simulators.