More big IT deals for feds

High-value federal information technology contracts totaled about $3.1 billion in March, according to market research firm Input. The firm classifies individual contracts worth more than $1 million as high value.

"Defense agencies dominated the top contract awards in March," said Ashlea Higgs, manager of vendor information products at Input. Officials from the Army, Navy and Air Force awarded all of the top 10 contracts.

There were 49 new high-value contracts in March, the firm reported. That is up from 29 in February and 35 in March 2003. Although the number of high-value contracts has increased, the total value is decreasing, Higgs said. The decrease is partly due to the lack of "any blockbuster billion-dollar program awards," but some blockbusters are expected to be awarded before June, he said.

SI International Inc. took the largest single contract, an Air Force command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, IT, surveillance, and reconnaissance engineering and technical support contract worth $800 million, according to Input officials. The second largest award went to Team Keyport Services, a joint venture of BAE Systems and Raytheon Co's Integrated Defense Systems. The $302 million contract will provide the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division with technical and engineering services.