Political, regulatory winds batter M&A

Companies with outsourcing and program management capabilities continue to serve as attractive acquisition targets.

HP buys LeftHand Networks

Hewlett-Packard Co. will acquire LeftHand Networks Inc., a provider of storage and virtualization solutions, in an all-cash transaction.

3e to develop surveillance system for Navy, TSA

3e Technologies International will provide surveillance and physical detection technology to the Navy and the Transportation Security Administration.

SBA wants to give women-owned businesses more preferences

The Small Business Administration has drafted a new plan that would grant set-aside and sole-source contracts to women-owned small businesses in 31 industry sectors.

Boeing sews up Tapestry Solutions buy

Boeing Co. will acquire Tapestry Solutions Inc., a provider of services and software systems to the Defense Department and other government agencies.

FCC to review pair of wireless mergers

The Federal Communications Commission plans to closely examine two pending wireless mergers before the end of the year.

BAE Systems buys Detica

British defense giant BAE Systems plc has purchased Detica plc, an intelligence support consulting company.

McAfee buys Secure Computing

McAfee Inc. will purchase Secure Computing Corp. for about $465 million.

HP faces hurdles with EDS integration

Hewlett-Packard Co. integration plan has raised a number of questions in the minds of industry observers.

The rise of the hybrid government contractor

The slowing of federal budget growth increases the competitive challenge for government contractors, especially for the companies that no longer qualify as small businesses. In this tough environment, a company's distinguishing characteristics become even more important.

Veteran subcommittee nominations sought

The Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Subcommittee would help GSA to meet its 3 percent contracting goal for small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.

Letter to the editor | Small-business programs deserve protection

As a long time advocate for legitimate small businesses across the country, I have to disagree with Jerry Grossman's comments on federal small business contracting policy.

ITAA, AeA chiefs explain merger plans

Increased pressure from a weak U.S. economy and growing global competitiveness are driving the merger discussions between ITAA and AeA.

Letter to the editor | Yes to the 30 percent small biz goal

Readers Rafael Collado and Sascha Mornell comment on Jerry Grossman's recent Market Watch Column on small business.

Quest swoops up NetPro

Quest Software Inc. will acquire NetPro Computing Inc. in an all-cash transaction valued at $78.7 million.

Elbows start to fly between IBM and HP

IBM announced four fresh services contracts just ahead of an analyst meeting in which HP will announce its plans for structuring its recent acquisition of EDS.

Hope fades for UTC buy of Diebold

United Technologies Corp. chairman and ex-CEO George David told investor analysts that the company's takeover of Diebold Inc. might be unlikely.

Northrop maps out purchase of 3001 International

Northrop Grumman Corp. will acquire 3001 International Inc., a provider of geospatial data production and analysis services.

New firm targets federal information assurance opportunities

Industry veterans Jim Gerretson and Tom Loveland have partnered to establish Gerretson LLC, which will provide information assurance services to the federal government.

Trusted Computer Solutions buys CounterStorm

Trusted Computer Solutions Inc. has acquired CounterStorm, a provider of internal network security and threat-analysis technologies.