IT firm hopes Latvian contract brings an army of new business

A former Soviet Republic has hired a local company to help beef up its military before it joins NATO. Alexandria-based IT consulting firm Dimensions International won the contract with Latvia's Ministry of Defense. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The job with Latvia marks the first time Dimensions International has won a job with a foreign government. The firm has worked for several defense and civilian agencies in the United States, but executives hope to tap into the growing market of nations looking to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Latvia was invited to join NATO last year. Before any nation can join the alliance, however, a number of criteria must be met. Among them is the establishment of a strong and updated computer system and communications network. And that's what Dimensions International will help Latvia do over the next few years, executives say. Dimensions International (www.dimensionsinternational.com) earlier this year received the required approval from the State Department to sell defense-related products and services to foreign governments. Government officials in Latvia's U.S. embassy say the work Dimensions International is doing is critical.