Air Force awards Rome’s Assured Information Security $48M contract

ROME, N.Y. — The U.S. Air Force has awarded Assured Information Security Inc. (AIS) in Rome a $48 million contract to explore next-generation network operations and vulnerability-assessment technology.

The objective of this effort, known as “INNOVATE,” is to provide new cyber-assessment tools for “high-priority, emerging or existing” telecommunications technologies. AIS said in a news release issued Tuesday.

AIS will continue its work on the contract through January 2020, the firm added.

Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), also located in Rome and known locally at Rome Lab, is the contracting authority for the award.

“We are pleased to be the recipient of this contract award and it’s a testament to our employees and their commitment to delivering our customers with the very best,” Pat Kotary, VP of strategic accounts at AIS, said in its news release. “In regard to the economic impact of this award, we will be hiring additional staff at both our Rome and Rochester offices.”

AIS currently has 286 employees and eight locations across the U.S. About 175 of the firm’s 286 employees work in Rome, the firm said.

The company doesn’t have “specifics” on the new-hire numbers as of now because it just learned about the Air Force contract award, Erin Bushinger, marketing & communications manager at AIS, told BJNN in an email.

New York’s senior U.S. Senator also weighed in.

“This contract is not only a huge boost to the Mohawk Valley’s economy, but it will help the Air Force improve our nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure,” U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) said in a statement his office released Tuesday. “It is awards like these that show how important Rome Lab’s work is to the local economy.”

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Rome, AIS is an information-technology company that supports cyber operations for the federal government. The firm works with both the U.S. Department of Defense and the intelligence community.

The company’s headquarters is located at the Griffiss Business & Technology Park in Rome, according to Schumer’s office. The company’s website lists an address of 153 Brooks Road in Rome.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com