FORT HOOD, TEXAS: The United States Army Operational Test Command (USAOTC) announced that it has selected a team led by Research Analysis and Maintenance, Inc. (RAM), an El Paso, Texas-based information systems and technical support company to provide test support and evaluation services to its nine test directorates.

USAOTC is a subordinate command of the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. ATEC's other two subordinate commands are U.S. Army Developmental Test Command, located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and U.S. Army Evaluation Test Center, with offices at Aberdeen and Alexandria.

The contract, valued by USAOTC at nearly $180,000,000 over five years, was awarded to RAM, according to Connie Carey, Director, ATEC Mission Support Contracting Activity. Founded in 1982, RAM employs more than 300 employees and currently manages 11 government-wide agency contracts.

Other contract team members include CACI International, Inc; Westech International; Alion Science and Technology; and Digital Fusion, Inc. RAM will lead the team as prime contractor, according to David Titus, Program Manager.

"RAM has strong credentials in developmental and operational testing," Titus said. "Our workforce is largely comprised of retired and former active duty and reservist personnel who know how to tailor our services to what is needed in the test and evaluation arena." RAM has other offices located in Huntsville, Alabama and Manassas, Virginia.

The contract went into effect in September 2007 and will employ approximately 400-700 personnel at USAOTC's West Fort Hood and forward locations in Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and Fort Bliss, Texas, according to Ms. Carey.