SPA makes another acquisition to build simulation and wargaming capabilities

Systems Planning & Analysis has added more data science and defense analytics offerings through its acquisition of Group W, a provider of modeling and simulation and wargaming solutions to the Defense Department.

The two companies have worked together for several years, SPA said in its release Thursday.

SPA is owned by the private equity firm Arlington Capital Partners, which acquired the company in 2021. SPA has made several acquisitions since then.

“This acquisition builds on SPA’s history and reinforces their established expertise, evolving capabilities, and commitment to delivering impactful data-driven analysis to enhance national security strategies and operational effectiveness,” said David Wodlinger, a managing partner at Arlington Capital.

Vienna, Virginia-based Group W has been providing analysis, modeling and simulation, and wargaming capabilities to DOD and its components for more than 20 years.

“The combination of the two firms creates the most robust analytical defense modeling and simulation company serving the global allied national security ecosystem,” said SPA CEO Rich Sawchak.

“Combining our talents and complementary capabilities creates new opportunities for both our employees and clients and unlocks the next generation of analytical modeling and simulation as well as digital wargaming,” added Trase Travers, CEO of Group W.

The companies did not disclose financial terms of the transaction.

According to USASpending.gov, Group W will bring over $23 million prime contracts over the last year. Group W's major customers include the Navy, Air Force, DOD’s Washington Headquarters Services and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Sheppard Mullin and Morrison Foerster acted as legal counsel to SPA. Stout worked as financial adviser to Group W, whose legal counsel was Holland & Knight.