Parsons Continues US Air Force Research and Development Support Through $28 Million Task Order

Rhea-AI Summary

Parsons (PSN) secures a $28 million contract to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance software for the Air Force Research Laboratory's GARDEM program, enhancing national security capabilities.

Defense Contracting Analyst

The contract awarded to Parsons Corporation by the Air Force Research Laboratory is a significant development in the defense contracting space. The $28 million investment in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) command and control and space software baselines reflects a continued commitment to advancing the United States' defense capabilities, particularly in the realm of software and technology integration. This move indicates a strategic emphasis on enhancing the all-domain battlespace, which is increasingly relevant in modern warfare where cyber and space domains play critical roles. The integration of these systems is essential for maintaining a competitive edge and ensuring national security.

From an industry perspective, the focus on agile development and the provision of a continuous timeline for research, development and maintenance underlines the Department of Defense's (DOD) shift towards adaptive and responsive contracting methods. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure of the contract suggests a recognition of the potential uncertainties in the scope of work, which is common in complex software development projects. This type of contract also provides Parsons with a stable revenue stream and the potential for additional profit, contingent on efficient cost management and project execution.

Cybersecurity Expert

Parsons' role in developing and enhancing toolsets for the GARDEM program underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity in modern military operations. The contract's emphasis on leveraging cyber expertise to identify and rectify weaknesses in the software toolsets is a proactive approach to addressing the dynamic threat landscape. In the context of national defense, the ability to anticipate and mitigate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by adversaries is paramount.

Moreover, the mention of full-spectrum cyber capabilities indicates a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, encompassing not just defensive measures but also offensive and intelligence-gathering aspects. This holistic strategy is essential for the development of robust systems capable of withstanding and countering sophisticated cyber threats. The integration of these cyber capabilities with ISR and command and control systems can significantly enhance situational awareness and decision-making processes for the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies.

Financial Analyst

The financial implications of this contract for Parsons Corporation are multifaceted. Firstly, the contract contributes to the diversification of Parsons' revenue sources within the defense and intelligence sectors. The extension of their portfolio with the DOD and Intelligence Community bolsters their market position and could potentially lead to further contracts and task orders. This is particularly relevant given that GARDEM is a $427 million multiple-award contract vehicle and Parsons' success in securing multiple task orders since 2019 demonstrates their competitive edge and expertise in this domain.

Investors should note that such contracts can have a positive impact on the company's stock performance, as they reflect confidence in Parsons' capabilities and growth potential within the defense industry. However, it is also important to consider the long-term nature of these contracts and the associated risks, such as changes in government spending priorities or project-specific challenges, which could affect future revenue streams and profitability.

CHANTILLY, Va., March 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) announced today that the company was awarded a $28 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance command and control and space software baselines for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Global Application Research, Development, Engineering, and Maintenance (GARDEM) program. The contract includes one three-year performance period and extends Parsons’ portfolio of work supporting the Department of Defense (DOD) and Intelligence Community (IC), delivering exquisite software capabilities across the all-domain battlespace.

“Parsons delivers value for national security customers like the U.S. Air Force by integrating technologies, transforming data, and customizing site-specific capabilities to meet their varying mission demands,” said Mike Kushin, president of the Defense and Intelligence sector for Parsons. “In a rapidly evolving threat ecosystem, it’s imperative that our defense and intelligence apparatus maintains intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance dominance, requiring agile development of technologies and tools, which we are proud to continue delivering to the AFRL.”

The GARDEM contract vehicle provides research, development, prototyping, integration, testing, demonstration, deployment, and maintenance of innovative technologies and concepts on a continuous timeline through the contract life cycle. The programs leverage Parsons’ cyber expertise to identify toolset weaknesses and deliver needed enhancements to meet the needs of the Air Force, DOD, IC, and other federal agency end-users.

For decades, Parsons has provided all-domain support to the Department of the Air Force, including strategy and planning, network operations, space operations, edge computing, full-spectrum cyber, and next-generation command and control systems. GARDEM is a $427 million multiple-award contract vehicle with a mission to create and implement updated software baselines, allowing federal customers across all domains to assess critical information from multiple data sources. Parsons has won multiple task orders on the contract since it was first awarded in 2019.

To learn more about Parsons’ cyber and intelligence capabilities, visit Parsons.com/cyber/.

About Parsons:
Parsons (NYSE: PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider in the national security and global infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cyber and intelligence, space and missile defense, transportation, environmental remediation, urban development, and critical infrastructure protection. Please visit parsons.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we're making an impact.

Media Contact:
Angie Benfield
+1 803.334.5277
Angela.Benfield@parsons.com 

Investor Relations Contact:
Dave Spille
+ 1 703.775.6191
Dave.Spille@Parsons.com

What contract did Parsons (PSN) secure?

Parsons (PSN) secured a $28 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance command and control and space software baselines for the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Global Application Research, Development, Engineering, and Maintenance (GARDEM) program.

Who is the president of the Defense and Intelligence sector for Parsons (PSN)?

Mike Kushin is the president of the Defense and Intelligence sector for Parsons (PSN).

What is the total value of the GARDEM contract vehicle?

The GARDEM contract vehicle is valued at $427 million.

When was the GARDEM contract vehicle first awarded?

The GARDEM contract vehicle was first awarded in 2019.