The U.S. Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment office announced that it has awarded BRIDG its first major defense contract with the help of members of the Florida congressional delegation.

BRIDG, a public-private partnership based in Osceola County “operates an advanced microelectronics fabrication facility enabling state-of-the-art manufacturing for industry and government” and the contract with the Defense Department is “estimated to yield more than $20 million to provide a new technology for next-generation microelectronic multi-chip systems that will strengthen national security and cyber resiliency for the United States defense industrial base.”

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., applauded the announcement.

“In order to retain the leading edge for our warfighters, we must take the necessary steps to increase domestic development and manufacturing capacity for critical emerging technologies. BRIDG is very well positioned to provide the Defense Department with this critical, next-generation technology that will strengthen national security and cyber resiliency for the United States defense industrial base,” Rubio said on Monday. “I am proud to have worked with Congressman Soto to help ensure Florida companies receive full and fair consideration for federal contracts.”

“I’m proud to have worked in a bipartisan manner with Senator Rubio to support BRIDG and their efforts to achieve federal recognition for their advanced microelectronics work,” Soto said. “This contract will strengthen our national security and continue to bring high tech jobs home to Central Florida.”