IT firms Criterion Systems, Protas Solutions join forces

Criterion Systems has expanded its footprint in the robust intelligence sector by acquiring fellow US information technology (IT) services business Protas Solutions, Criterion announced on 21 September.

Protas provides data science, software engineering, and management consulting to the US Intelligence Community (IC). Founded in 2015, the firm has about 30 employees, and is based in Reston, Virginia.

“This transaction highlights the continued demand for strongly positioned and established companies within the IC,” said Mitch Martin, managing director of financial services firm The McLean Group, which advised Protas on its sale.

Criterion purchased Protas from founders William Monas and Anthony Monas, both of whom are joining Criterion as vice-presidents. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The announcement came less than seven months after Criterion acquired Realm Consulting, which also provides IT services to the IC. Employees at Protas and Realm are now part of Criterion's new Intelligence Solutions business unit.

Based in Vienna, Virginia, Criterion is led by co-founders Promod Sharma and Steve Mast, and is majority employee-owned. Following its recent acquisitions, it has about 470 employees.