Lockheed Martin bags deal to operate immigration call center

$120 million contract from Department of Homeland Security

BY A CORRESPONDENT
May 11,2006

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a five-year contract estimated at $120 million to provide call center services for the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The contract is one of two awarded by USCIS to operate its National Customer Service Center, which annually serves nearly 10 million callers requesting information about immigration services and benefits. The award was made to Aspen Systems Corporation, which became part of Lockheed Martin Information Technology in January 2006.

To handle expected volumes, Lockheed Martin will staff major call centers in Albuquerque, N.M., and Indianapolis, Ind., with customer service representatives who will provide 10 hours of service daily across all U.S. time zones.

Linda Gooden, President of Lockheed Martin Information Technology, said, "Expanding our ability to provide Business Process Management services to Government customers was a major advantage of the Aspen Systems combination. We are delighted to be able as one team to help the DHS serve the American people by providing quick, accurate and cost-effective responses to the public."