Lockheed Martin, the Bethesda aerospace giant, signed a strategic enterprise agreement with Arrow Electronics of Colorado for more than 22,000 electronic components used in advanced technology systems. This represents Lockheed's largest agreement with any single supplier for the commodities that include systems such as missiles, satellites, radar systems and unmanned surveillance systems.

The agreement, which includes a one-year term with a one-year option, also concentrates procurement of parts covered under the agreement with one leading national franchised distributor compared to 240 suppliers in 2011. This marks the first of multiple strategic agreements between Lockheed and key suppliers intended to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

"We are adapting our supply chain strategy to further improve program execution, drive affordability and assure quality performance," Dan Pleshko, vice president of global supply chain Operations, said in a statement.

GenVec receives conditional license for foot-and-mouth disease vaccine

GenVec, a Gaithersburg biopharmaceutical company, has received a conditional license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for the company's foot-and-mouth disease vaccine for use in cattle.

The department issued the conditional license to Antelope Valley Bios, which manufactured the vaccine under a contract from GenVec. Under the conditonal license, the product may be distributed as authorized by federal emergency management officials within the agriculture department, should the need for the product arise.

"This conditional approval is a significant event as it represents GenVec's first approved product," Bryan T. Butman, GenVec's senior vice president of vector operations and the head of GenVec's FMD program, said in a statement.

This is the first foot-and-mouth disease vaccine licensed by the agriculture department's Center for Veterinary Biologics.

Geostellar lands new funding

Bethesda-based Geostellar, a maker of geomatic technology to determine the value of solar energy generation for property owners, has raised $14 million in new venture capital funding. Backers include NRG Energy, GeoEye, Flash Forward Ventures, and the state of Maryland.

The funding will speed up the delivery of Geostellar’s solar intelligence to homeowners and corporate facility managers which will allow them to evaluate the rate of return for on-site solar energy investments.

“In the past, the solar equation was too complicated,” said David Levine, CEO of Geostellar. “We’ve simplified the operations that go into evaluating opportunities for solar energy, calculating the precise metrics that enable property owners to make informed decisions without the hassle.”

“Geostellar represents an opportunity for residential and commercial property owners to take control of their energy management, including generation, efficiency and storage,” said Denise Wilson, executive vice president of NRG Energy and president, Alternative Energy Services. “Educating and informing the public on the solar value of their properties is an important first step in creating a thriving market for clean, green and renewable energy solutions.”

Waldorf hosts business luncheon

Southern Maryland business leaders gathered for a networking luncheon with job seekers hosted by U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Dist. 5) of Mechanicsville, the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulations, the Southern Maryland Workforce Investment Board and Job Match Re-employment Program.

“While our economy has seen 27 consecutive months of private sector job growth, far too many Marylanders remain out of work,” Hoyer said. “I’m proud to partner with these organizations to bring together Maryland businesses with potential hires, and provide our business community with networking opportunities and professional development workshops that will help grow their businesses.”

The event brought together employers and more than 800 job seekers throughout the region.

Marriott launches new gay friendly campaign

Just in time for Pride Month in June, Marriott International, the global hotel chain headquartered in Bethesda, has announced a new marketing campaign aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender travels, friends and families.

The "Be You, With Us" campaign, which began Thursday, features travel packages, hotel experiences and a sweepstakes where one grand prize winner and guest receive a trip valued at $5,000 to New York, San Francisco or Berlin Gay Pride Festivals.

"We are proud of this campaign and of our long-standing reputation for our commitment to diversity and inclusion," Joanna Todd, vice president of segment strategy, said in a statement. "Our core strength lies in our ability to embrace differences and make everyone feel respected and valued when they visit and stay in our hotels. Later this year, we will also launch new campaigns to reach African American and Latino audiences."