SRA takes on new protg

SRA International has signed a Mentor-Protg agreement with Command Decisions Systems and Solutions (CDS2), in the Homeland Security Department's Mentor-Protg program.

The program, similar to other mentor/protg programs in the government, was created to encourage large, well-established prime contractors to help smaller firms develop their technical and management capabilities.

According to the three-year agreement, SRA will help CDS2 in marketing, business development, technical training, contract administration and other vital disciplines.

SRA considers taking part in such arrangements to be good for both sides, said Renato DiPentima, SRA's president and chief executive officer. The small company gets solid guidance and direction, while SRA can potentially have a new long-term partner company.

CDS2 is a woman-owned, small, disadvantaged and Section 8(a) business. It currently works with SRA on contracts for defense and homeland security clients. As part of the agreement, SRA will look for other subcontracting opportunities for the company.

“CDS2 is excited about the potential opportunities and enhancement of our practices that can result from this Mentor-protg relationship,” said CDS2 President Barbara Hennessy. “We expect that working with the proven processes and methodologies of a market leader like SRA will help us further develop our capabilities in engineering, technical and program management support services, IT insertion, deployment and management, and infrastructure security and protection.”