Yesterday's announcement that technology vendor Bart & Associates has acquired Digital Solutions likely has more to it than the combination of two small businesses to build scale and diversify customer bases.

Bart has been the subject of acquisition rumors since the introduction of DHS's EAGLE contract vehicle. Bart was not a winner, despite the fact that 95% of their business comes from DHS. Also, BART is a key vendor supporting the O&M of CBP's TECS land border entry system. Given that TECS Modernization will likely be a major technology effort coming out soon, Bart needed access to EAGLE, and buyers were interested in BART's expertise and stable of cleared staff. Now that Bart has access to EAGLE through the Digital Solutions acquisition, the stakes just went up.