{"id":49462,"date":"2022-10-13T19:30:01","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T19:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2022\/10\/13\/booz-allen-can-proceed-with-everwatch-acquisition-federal-judge-rules\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:31:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:31:25","slug":"booz-allen-can-proceed-with-everwatch-acquisition-federal-judge-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/industry\/2022\/10\/13\/booz-allen-can-proceed-with-everwatch-acquisition-federal-judge-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Booz Allen can proceed with EverWatch acquisition, federal judge rules"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 A federal judge in Maryland denied a U.S. Department of Justice request to block Booz Allen Hamilton\u2019s purchase of fellow defense firm EverWatch, which the government is challenging on antitrust grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake\u2019s Oct. 11 decision means the proposed merger<\/a> can proceed while the case against it is argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Justice Department in June sued to prevent Booz Allen from acquiring EverWatch, a transaction it valued at $440 million. In its complaint, the government alleged the merger would imperil market competition and hamstring services provided to the National Security Agency under a signals intelligence and simulation contract known as Optimal Decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe United States of America\u2019s motion for a preliminary injunction is denied,\u201d Blake said in her order<\/a>. \u201cCounsel should confer and submit proposals for further proceedings in this case no later than 14 days after the deadline for submitting Optimal Decision bids. The United States of America will advise the court of any changes to the Optimal Decision bidding and award schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blake\u2019s full opinion was sealed as of Oct. 13, as were other documents associated with the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\t