Posted by Courtney E. Howard

FAIRFAX, Va., 10 Aug. 2011. General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), won a blanket purchase agreement to provide information technology support services to the U.S. Coast Guard Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM) over a five-year period. Under an agreement with a ceiling value of $11 million, General Dynamics will deliver information technology (IT) and simulator support services for non-standard workstations and systems that support command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems, navigational, telecommunications, and shipboard sensors.

General Dynamics plans to hire 17 additional employees to support this contract. Work will be performed in Petaluma, Calif.; Elizabeth City, N.C.; Yorktown, Va.; Charleston, S.C.; and Washington, D.C.

"General Dynamics will provide the Force Readiness Command with exceptional support in managing and sustaining its information technology systems and networks, which are vital to meeting readiness requirements for mission success of protecting the safety and security of U.S. citizens," says Marcus Collier, senior vice president of General Dynamics Information Technology's Civilian and Homeland Security division.

Ted Bull, senior director of Coast Guard Programs at General Dynamics Information Technology, adds: "Through years of delivering enterprise engineering, operations, and maintenance support services to the Coast Guard Telecommunications and Information Systems Command, we understand how greatly the Coast Guard depends on reliable, effective, and efficient IT operational support to meet its critical response obligations. Our continued support spans both the classified and unclassified computer environment for land-based and mobile telecommunications, electronics, and information systems."

FORCECOM is solely responsible for preparing forces to perform missions and execute them properly. FORCECOM is responsible for executing the Human Performance Cycle through Training; Tactics, Techniques, and Procedure Development; and Assessment.

FORCECOM is charged with the current and future readiness of the Coast Guard's Active Duty, Reserve, Auxiliary, Civilian, and Contractor workforce. FORCECOM is a geographically dispersed command which works for the Coast Guard's Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, with headquarters in Norfolk, Va.