Alion selected for SNIM contract vehicle

MCLEAN, Va., June 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Defense Department has contracted Alion Science and Technology to provide technical assistance to improve data interoperability and security.

Virginia's Alion was selected to participate in the Defense Department's new Software, Networks, Information, Modeling and Simulation contract vehicle with eight other companies.

Alion will lead an industry team that includes General Dynamics Information Technology, IBM, Ciber and Accenture, which will be expected to provide the SNIM program with software analysis, information assurance along with modeling and simulation among other requirements to secure mission critical data and strengthen sharing capabilities.

"Under SNIM, Alion's expertise can be focused on helping the Defense Department achieve greater control over and insight to the data that is necessary to support national security objectives," Bahman Atefi, Alion chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

The SNIM contract vehicle, designed to consolidate previous Defense Department efforts, is worth up to $2 billion for all nine companies involved.

Alion says its modeling and simulation will also help develop next-generation data solutions including serious gaming applications.