When you think of a cloud provider and integrator, chances are Lockheed Martin (LMT) isn't the first company that comes to mind. The global provider of security and aerospace products and solutions is one to keep in mind as a competitor in the federal government space, though; Lockheed just scored a cloud contract with the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) that could be valued at up to $1 billion.

Under the terms of the Foundation Cloud Hosting Services contract, as it has been named, Lockheed will transition DOI to the cloud "through efficient information technology (IT) service delivery solutions." The exact timeline for DOI to shift to the cloud is a little up in the air, but it's certainly going to be a long-term plan. After all, the contract comes with options to extend the contract through to 2023.

DOI's current IT systems consists of 400 data centers, rooms and closets that Lockheed will be responsible for moving to the cloud. The end goal? DOI hopes for increased efficiency, but it's also aiming to meet the rules laid out in the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative.

"Lockheed Martin offers an affordable, low-risk and user-friendly path to transition the Department of Interior from traditional to cloud-based IT," said Frank Armijo, vice president of Energy Solutions for the company's Information Systems & Global Solutions business, in a prepared statement. "We understand how to combine data center consolidation, cloud and other green IT practices to help our customers meet their mission needs and maximize the benefits of advanced technology."

Lockheed Martin is no stranger to delivery of IT services. The company has been a leader in providing IT services and solutions to the federal government for at least two decades. And now it seems to be transitioning heavily to the cloud, as well. It has received the highest level of Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) authorization so it can provide cloud solutions to local, state and federal government departments and agencies.

The company will deploy its Solutions as a Service (SolaS) platform in the DOI, but according to the announcement regarding the contract win, it will also leverage its industry partnerships, advanced technologies, domain and cyber security expertise and green IT practices in the delivery of the new DOI cloud model.