Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®) News

SwRI wins CASU contract to support government clients

San Antonio -- April 7, 2003 -- Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®) has been awarded a five-year, $100 million task-order contract to provide federal agencies with reimbursable, Federal Acquisition Regulation compliant contract services and project support. The Cooperative Administrative Support Unit (CASU) contract went into effect February 28, 2003.

"This task order contract allows federal agencies to contract with the Institute, in about five working days," said Robert K. Goforth, principal technical specialist in the SwRI Program Development Office. "CASU provides an incentive to government agencies by cutting their time and costs. This is our fourth CASU contract."

CASU was established in 1985 to help major government agencies including the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy acquire support services more quickly and economically. The program reduces paperwork to help the contractor respond faster. With CASU, only a "Statement of Work" and a government-funding document are required to initiate a project. CASU also benefits taxpayers by providing reimbursable services at low cost.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is administering the SwRI contract through the South East Regional CASU. The various CASU agencies provide more than 90 support services in administrative, financial and procurement, human resources, light industrial, mail, printing/duplicating/copier, professional and technical, and training areas.

"Any federal agency will be able to use this contract," Goforth said. "SwRI will provide engineering services to fulfill the contract's terms. It is available for the next five years, through February 2008.

"Our experience helped us earn this contract, and we hope to continue to be able to provide the best time- and cost-efficient services to our clients."

For more information contact Goforth at (210) 522-5740 or robert.goforth@swri.org.

For more information, contact Tracey M.S. Whelan, Communications Department, (210) 522-2256, Fax (210) 522-3547, PO Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228-0510.