OMAHA, Neb., May 27, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today announced the formation of a new relationship with Omaha-based Client/Server Software Solution.NET (CSSS.NET) to participate in the Department of Defense's mentor-protege program.
Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector will mentor CSSS.NET for a period of two years, under a signed agreement with the Department of Defense, to help them improve its performance as an important medium-size supplier and teaming partner on information technology programs with the Defense Department, NASA, and other government agencies.
Northrop Grumman's heritage of mentoring small companies and its participation in the Defense Department's mentor-protege program extends back several years. The mentor-protege program pairs large defense companies with small, disadvantaged businesses so the smaller firms can compete more successfully for military contracts. With the signing of the agreement with CSSS.NET, Northrop Grumman now has 13 active mentor-protege agreements. The company has participated since 1992, the year after the program was established by Congress.
Founded in 1997 by Lisa N. Wolford, CSSS.NET provides end-to-end information technology solutions and supplemental consulting services. CSSS.Net employs more than 25 people and is a Small Business Association-certified small disadvantaged, woman-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned business.
"Participating in the mentor-protege program gives Northrop Grumman a chance to impart its experience in the complicated world of government contracting to smaller firms and help groom them to successfully compete in the military and government markets," said Bob Hinson, vice president and deputy division general manager of the sector's Defense Missions Systems unit. "CSSS.NET has a great reputation for quality and will become a valued member of the Northrop Grumman supplier team."
"CSSS.NET is proud to be aligned with Northrop Grumman and all the experience a tier-one company can provide," said Wolford, president, CSSS.NET.
"We are teaming with Northrop Grumman on multiple opportunities and look forward to the chance to enhance their offerings as well as strengthen our organization and promote growth."
Northrop Grumman's presence in Omaha spans 30 years where it has provided support to the Strategic Air Command and U.S. Strategic Command. This original onsite Offutt Air Force Base enterprise began with a software development and sustainment program in support of land-based intercontinental ballistic missile and submarine-launched ballistic missile war planning. Today, Northrop Grumman employs more than 650 people in the Omaha region.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, based in Reston, Va., is a global integrator of complex, mission-enabling systems and services for defense, intelligence and civil government markets. The sector's technology leadership and expertise spans areas such as strategic systems, including ICBMs; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; command and control; and technical services and training.
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