Northrop Grumman has a three-year mentor-protégé agreement with the Missile Defense Agency to help enhance QTEC Inc. engineering and technology capabilities.

QTEC Inc. is located in Huntsville, Ala. It is a woman-owned small business specializing in engineering, analytical, technical, and program/project management support to assist in assuring U.S. preeminence in missile defense, aviation and space.

Under the mentor-protégé agreement signed with MDA in Huntsville, Northrop Grumman will also assist QTEC with business infrastructure and business development in focus areas such as information assurance and Department of Defense certifications, cyber-security operations, emerging security technologies and systems engineering.

In addition, Northrop will work with Oakwood University in Huntsville to provide information security training to QTEC personnel.

"We look forward to a successful mentor-protégé relationship and will work together to improve and broaden QTEC's viability and competitiveness," said Dan Verwiel, vice president and general manager, integrated air and missile defense division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems. "We recognize the value of this small business and are committed to help QTEC become an even more valuable part of our supplier base."

"QTEC is proud to be a partner with Northrop Grumman in the DOD mentor-protégé program through the Missile Defense Agency," said Kathryn Broad, chief executive officer of QTEC. "This agreement aligns with QTEC's long-term strategic goals of expanding the depth and breadth of our technical and management capabilities."

The Department of Defense mentor-protégé program is to encourage prime contractors to help small businesses increase their participation in federal sub-contracts.