U.S. Air Force Hires ISS With $593 Million Contract

As a software developing company, you know you’ve made it big when the U.S. Air Force wants you to work for them. That’s just what happened to Intelligent Software Solutions Inc. (ISS), as the U.S. Air Force offered them a 5-year contract for a pay of $593 million, which they gladly accepted. So, what exactly is the purpose of this recent contract? Here we’ll take a closer look at the deal and reveal why the U.S. Air Force chose ISS as their primary software developer.

The contract awarded to the ISS is the Air Space Precision Engagement Research and Engineering program, or what’s more commonly known as ASPERE. In short, it consists of data analysis, reporting and overall integration with their systems, all of which are crucial to the U.S. Air Force. When jets and other aircraft are up in the air, they rely on their computer systems to safely navigate and function. Failing systems could result in catastrophic consequences, and that simply can’t happen.

This isn’t actually the first time ISS has worked with the U.S. Air Force. In fact, the recent $593 ASPERE contract is considered an extension of a previous agreement between the two entities. Back in 2009, the Air Force Research Laboratory offered ISS another large contract that was valued around $300 million at the time. However, this contract quickly grew in terms of value to roughly $500 million. ISS strategic initiative vice president Carl Houghton made a statement to the press saying the recent ASPERE contract is an extension of the previous one made in 2009; therefore, they don’t see the need to hire a large number of new programmers and developers.

It’s unclear exactly how extensive and comprehensive the ASPERE contract will be, but it’s sure to take up plenty of time and resources from ISS. In fact, many people assumed the company would look for extra help and possibly even hire new workers, but this rumor was laid to rest when Houghton stated they would not be looking to pick up new people for the job. With that said, they were and currently still are looking to fill 20 positions that are not related to the ASPERE contract.

You might be surprised to learn that ISS is a company that specializes in government contracts. Not only do they offer software and services to the U.S. Air Force, but they have contracts with over governments from around the world as well.