Major contract awards in the U.S. government and European banking sector topped the bill at the start of the second calendar quarter, according to Datamonitor’s IT services contracts database.

In the biggest deal tracked during April, the Department of Justice (DoJ), Homeland Security, and Treasury awarded a contract to General Dynamics to implement Integrated Wireless Network (IWN) between them. It was a three stage process, where in the first one, four vendors were chosen to submit proposals. The second stage saw General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin receive indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity deals in 2006 to design systems for a certain region. Finally, in the third stage, General Dynamics has edged out to become the sole integrator for IWN.

IWN will support interoperable wireless communications for federal law enforcement by connecting authorities with state and local agencies. The program includes federal agencies such as the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Internal Revenue Service. It is expected to replace these agencies’ legacy communications with a system of radio, cellular and other mobile devices.

Over in Europe, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise and IBM inked a five-year outsourcing contract. Meanwhile, Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) has extended an outsourcing contract with Xansa. Under the deal, Xansa will continue to handle CFS’ insurance business and core banking operations.     .