Falls Church-based General Dynamics won a $7 million contract to move the White House to an Internet-based communications system.
“This is another phase in the upgrade of the infrastructure,” company spokesman Mark Meudt said.
Like many defense contractors, General Dynamics wants to look beyond tanks and ships for growth. The contract is another boost to the company’s efforts to focus on information technology and follows an earlier award to the firm to evaluate the White House’s communications.
“It’s kind of work that a lot of agencies are looking for,” Federal Computer Week senior editor John Monroe said. “This is really kind of vital stuff and the big players are lining up to do that work. They know they need to be there; they’re going to be.”
In June, General Dynamics bought Anteon International Corp., which will help General Dynamics compete for computer service contracts for government agencies.
Shares in General Dynamics had risen 30 percent this year before Monday. Shares took a slight dip in early Monday trading.
Bloomberg News Wires contributed to this report.
