Science Applications International Corporation, or SAIC (News - Alert), enhanced its energy and smart grid services portfolio with the acquisition of the transmission and distribution engineering capabilities of Chicago based Patrick Energy Services, or PES, a provider of performance-based transmission and distribution power system solutions.

SAIC is a scientific, engineering, and technology applications company serving national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health sector. 

As indicated in a press release from SAIC, the acquisition is believed to help SAIC better serve customers, including investor owned utilities, public power providers, and transmission operators. Eventually, nearly 200 employees of PES will join the SAIC Energy, Environment & Infrastructure, LLC, subsidiary which is led by J.T. Grumski.

"Efficiently integrating the hardware, software, and business processes to deliver the benefits and security of power systems requires unique capabilities," Grumski said in a press release.

 "This deal enhances SAIC's capabilities in transmission and distribution engineering and furthers our efforts to implement efficient energy delivery systems that will enable economic growth into the 21st century," Grumski added.

PES has been specializing in power solutions serving the utilities, municipalities, generation developers and large energy consumers. PES provides services for the planning, design, engineering and construction of transmission, substation, distribution, smart grid, SCADA, and protection and control systems. The company has been working in energy markets including power generation, transmission, substations, and distribution including renewable energy sources. Also, the company indicated that it is now working on smart grid projects for transmission infrastructure owners.

"We have a lot of momentum right now," Christopher Dietzler, president of Patrick Energy Services said in a press release.

"PES is solving some of the most challenging problems on the electric grid and has record levels of backlog. Being part of SAIC will provide the financial resources and employee benefits to help us continue to grow and attract the best talent in the industry. Together we can offer fully integrated solutions to our clients and strengthen our position as a leading engineering and infrastructure services provider in the electric utility industry," Dietzler added.

Recently, TMC (News - Alert) reported that Integrated Computer Solutions, Inc. was awarded a subcontract by SAIC to help support the Defense Information Systems Agency (News - Alert). Earlier, SAIC was awarded a prime contract by DISA to provide information technology support for the Agency's Systems Management Center at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base. ICS and other SAIC subcontractors will begin serving SMC-MGM on April 9, 2011.