Big Contract For Small BusinessBig Contract For Small Business

In one of the largest small-business contracts it ever awarded, the Energy Department on Wednesday said it has awarded a five-year, $409 million IT support-task order to RS Information Systems Inc., a privately owned company that posted revenue of just $145.8 million in 2001, the latest year such figures are available. RS Information Systems will provide the department with IT and telecom support, cybersecurity, and enterprise architecture design services.

With 1,400 employees, including 65% minorities, women, and veterans, the 11-year-old African-American-owned company received the contract through a government program that sets aside a portion of its outsourced contracts for small businesses. "Small businesses are the heart of the American economy," Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said in a statement announcing the contract. "Making contracting opportunities available to the small business community is one of my priorities at DOE."