Contract to Upgrade Agency Communications Systems in Up To 3,000 Offices and Improve Oversight of Natural Resource Conservation Initiatives and Farm Assistance Programs

September 14, 2009 – Chantilly, VA – AMERICAN SYSTEMS today announced that it has been awarded a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) with a potential value of $20 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) International Technology Services (ITS) contracting team under the General Services Administration’s Connections Contract.

“With important responsibilities ranging from natural resource oversight to protection of our food supply, the USDA — and ultimately the citizens the agency serves — cannot do without modern communications systems,” said William C. Hoover, president and CEO, AMERICAN SYSTEMS. “Over the course of almost 30 years, AMERICAN SYSTEMS has proven we have the expertise and geographic reach to solve complicated, time-sensitive IT and communications challenges like that of the USDA.”   

Under the BPA, AMERICAN SYSTEMS will be responsible for the installation of and end-user training on communications systems that will feature VoIP, fax and interconnectivity capabilities, among others.

Telecommunications systems acquired through the BPA will allow USDA service center agencies (SCAs) nationwide to share common resources while improving administrative efficiency and the overall customer experience. SCAs act as the USDA’s frontline point-of-contact with the nation’s farmers, ranchers and landowners, overseeing federal farm assistance programs and ensuring compliance with federal land and water conservation regulations.

The USDA operates approximately 3,000 small- and medium-sized offices nationwide. The agency has tasked AMERICAN SYSTEMS with executing the communications systems modernization plan.  

The BPA is expected to operate through January 2012.