Labor awards Job Corps services

The Labor Department has awarded RS Information Systems Inc. a five-year,$30.8 million contract to operate its Job Corps Data Center in San Marcos,Texas.

RSIS will provide services, including system and software development, networkengineering and operations, telecommunications maintenance, Internet security,payroll processing and training. The contract has a one-year base periodand four option years.

The Job Corps Data Center is the sole provider of technical and data servicesfor Labor's Job Corps program. The program provides education and job trainingto disadvantaged, at-risk youth from 16 to 24 years old. The program servesmore than 70,000 youths at 120 regional centers.

The data center serves more than 11,000 network customers, 1,200 outreachand admission counselors, 100 placement agencies, 25 center contractorsand several support contractors, according to the company.

"I think this is a really good opportunity to support the Job Corps andits mission," said Chris Brandell, RSIS director of government services."You walk away knowing you're doing something good."

This is RSIS' first contract with Labor, Brandell said. RSIS has workedwith many other federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration,the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the Air Force, the National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration and NASA.

RSIS, McLean, Va., is a minority-owned 8(a)-certified small business with850 employees. Revenues doubled to $80 million in 2000, and this year thecompany is aiming for $120 million, Brandell said.