Lockheed Martin will hold local Vendor Industry Days to meet with potential suppliers for SBInet, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) comprehensive multi-year plan to secure America's borders and reduce illegal immigration.

To build a world-class team of industry partners, Lockheed Martin is actively seeking small business participation through a series of supplier information and outreach sessions being held across the United States.

Local Lockheed Martin Vendor Industry Days will be held on March 16 in Laredo, Texas; March 21 in El Paso, Texas and San Diego, Calif.; March 23 in Tucson, Ariz. and Seattle, Wash.; March 28 in Buffalo, N.Y.; and March 31 in Washington, DC. Businesses with relevant expertise and technologies are invited to attend.

"As a systems integrator, Lockheed Martin recognizes the value that diversity brings to the team, and is committed to including small, small disadvantaged, woman, HUBzone, Native American, service disabled veteran and veteran-owned businesses in our SBInet solution," said Jay Dragone, vice president, Homeland Security Programs. "Our objective is to identify qualified small businesses with technologies or expertise to bring to the frontline of the border; building a solution that will enable our government to gain better operational control of the border."

SBInet will create an integrated border security system to transform, integrate and expand technology and infrastructure systems throughout the border to reduce illegal entry to the United States. SBInet will integrate multiple state of the art systems and traditional security infrastructure into a single comprehensive border security suite.

Suppliers and universities with services, technologies, or product capabilities that might support SBInet can find more information and submit contact information at: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/secureborder

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin