BearingPoint has scored two contracts recently that are both firsts for the company. One continues work that BearingPoint had been doing at the Defense Manpower Data Center, but now BearingPoint is the prime contractor. The other pact, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is worth up to $15 million and is the largest that the company has had with CDC.

Ray Bjorklund, senior vice president and chief knowledge officer at Federal Sources Inc., said that BearingPoint has been a respected subcontractor in the government market and one that prime contractors have sought out. But now, he said, the company is "looking toward becoming an increasingly viable prime contractor."

The CDC contract calls for the integrator to provide a range of management advisory services. It was awarded under the General Services Administration's Management, Organizational and Business Improvement Services schedule. The pact consists of a one-year base period, valued at $3.2 million, and four annual options.

BearingPoint will support CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response. Services will be provided to the leadership and management team, the program's Division of Business Services, and its Division of State and Local Readiness. The company has been supporting the office since October 2002.

Bob Sullivan, senior vice president for BearingPoint's health services team, said the company has been building its relationships with CDC for three years, culminating in the new award.

The company has worked at the Defense Manpower Data Center, on the Common Access Card (CAC) program, since 1999. But a new $36 million program management support contract makes the company a prime contractor there for the first time, according to company officials.

In addition to supporting the CAC program, BearingPoint will also help the Defense Department comply with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 and Federal Information Processing Standard 201.

HSPD 12 is a credentialing policy covering executive and independent agencies. FIPS 201 provides the biometric smart card standard under HSPD 12.

BearingPoint's contract also covers program management, systems analysis, information technology acquisition support and business operations management.

The CAC is the standard DOD identification card for active-duty members of the uniformed services, selected reserves, DOD civilian employees and some contractor personnel.

Art Crowley, managing director of BearingPoint's Public Services practice, said the center decided to consolidate various program management vehicles and conducted a competitive bid, which BearingPoint pursued as a prime contractor.