Montana Firm Receives US Marine Corps Contract

Montana Senator Conrad Burns helps bring contract to Montana

Stafford, VA - October 24, 2006

WESCO, a Helena, Montana based computer software and business integration company, has partnered with Raytheon. to provide systems integration capabilities to the United States Marine Corps. WESCO has been contracted by Raytheon to utilize its systems integration experience to help build a systems integration laboratory for the United States Marine Corps.

Under the terms of the agreement, WESCO will provide program and project management services for the laboratory. The systems integration laboratory will be used by the Marine Corps to increase lethality, optimize operational efficiency, and reduce casualty rates for Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squads (MERS). The first phase of the project will be to implement the infrastructure required to support the laboratory capability and its integration with the Marine Corps. existing business processes. The result will be to help lighten the load MERS warfighters carry in the field.

This program is designed to give the Marine Corps the administrative capability to integrate, track, and measure all of the discrete programs that develop and/or purchase technology for the combat Marine in the field. The objective of the laboratory is to provide more functional, less complex, better integrated, and lower cost battlefield equipment to the United States Marines. This effort translates to a better equipped Marine with the ability to fulfill duties in an environment of increased safety and efficiency. Safety, efficiency, and increased lethality are the deliverable products to individual Marines protecting the United States of America.

The Montana Congressional delegation supported the efforts to bring this work to Montana. Senator Conrad Burns provided the leadership by putting forward the funding appropriation for this project. The two year budget for this project is almost $3.4 million with a significant portion being spent in Montana. After the initial two years, continued funding will be generated through the standard Marine Corps budgeting process, and project based income generated by the laboratory itself.

Mike Randall, President of WESCO, is very excited about the partnership: "For us, we have entered into a new market. We are leveraging our systems integration expertise which will assist the individual Marine in lightening their load. It's very promising from a business growth view and to know we will help facilitate the safety of our Marines in the field...well, that's huge."

In the past WESCO has partnered with other major corporations to build complex business systems. These partners have included MCI and IBM.

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