UH Loses Maui Supercomputer Contract, Files Protest

Maui High Performance Computing Center. Photo courtesy of MHPCC.

By Sonia Isotov

After recently losing a multi-million dollar contract to run the Kihei-based Maui High Performance Computer Center, the University of Hawaii has filed a bid protest with the Department of Defense, according to a news report posted by Hawaii News Now today.

The University of Hawaii had operated and managed the supercomputer since 2001 until August 1, 2012 when the Air Force awarded the $27.5 million contract to Virginia-based Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC).

Hawaii News Now also reported that the University of Hawaii bid included partnership with defense contractor Lockheed Martin,  and Hawaii-based defense contractors Pacific Defense Solutions and Referentia Systems, Inc.

The University of Hawaii was one of four bidders on the contract. The Maui supercomputer is one of six in the country.