DLH Holdings Corp. (DLHC) said Monday it locked up a new cybersecurity task order worth up to $19.1 million from the National Institutes of Health.

The contract backs the NIH Center for Information Technology, the group that keeps secure IT infrastructure running for the agency's research operations. That's the unglamorous plumbing behind a lot of science, and someone has to guard it.

A New Three-Year NIH Contract

This is new work for DLH, not a renewal. The task order runs through a base period plus multiple options, covering up to three years total.

DLH won't go it alone. The company will team with other technology service providers to deliver the contract, and it will handle risk management framework and cybersecurity operations support across the NIH enterprise.

Cybersecurity And Cloud Support

The scope is broad. DLH's work will include security assessments, vulnerability management, incident response and cloud security. It also covers security architecture, privacy, compliance, training and program management.

All of that helps NIH meet federal cybersecurity requirements. It also feeds into the agency's bigger pushes: zero-trust security, cloud modernization and automation. And yes, the contract will support NIH's responsible use of artificial intelligence, which is apparently a thing every federal agency now needs help with.

DLH Expands Its NIH Footprint

DLH President and CEO Kathryn JohnBull said the award expands the company's work with NIH as the agency strengthens cybersecurity resilience, reduces operational risks and works to maintain continuity.

JohnBull added that the contract supports DLH's strategy of expanding technology-driven solutions across its core markets.

The company provides digital, engineering, cybersecurity and scientific services to federal customers, with offerings spanning artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, cloud applications and telehealth systems.

Monday's news lands less than two weeks after another federal health IT win. On Sept. 16, DLH secured a follow-on task order worth up to $43.7 million from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Stack those two together and it's been a decent month for a company this size.

Speaking of size: DLH is a micro-cap, with a market capitalization of nearly $51 million at Friday's close.

DLHC Price Action

DLHC Price Action: DLH Holdings shares were down 1.13% at $3.51 at the time of publication on Monday, according to market data.