EDEN PRAIRIE, MN PRNewswire/ -- MTS Systems Corp. reported that it was notified by the U.S. Department of the Air Force that it has been suspended from U.S. federal government contracting and from directly or indirectly receiving the benefits of federal assistance programs. The suspension is temporary, pending any ensuing legal proceedings, and MTS has 30 calendar days to submit a response. MTS is cooperating fully and may continue to perform its existing government contracts. An extended suspension or debarment from contracting with the U.S. federal government could have a material adverse effect on MTS' business.
The suspension relates to MTS' failure, since 2008, to disclose in its online representations and certifications application that it had pled guilty to two misdemeanors in regard to making false statements related to export matters. As reported in the company's Form 10-Q, filed on February 3, 2011, in January 2011, the company was informed that the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota were investigating whether MTS had accurately certified to a certain Federal Acquisition Regulation since March 2008.
"This is an important matter that MTS takes very seriously," said Laura B. Hamilton, CEO and chair. "We are in full cooperation with the government and intend to expeditiously take appropriate action to address the agencies' concern and seek a prompt resolution."
About MTS
MTS Systems Corp. is a leading global supplier of test systems and industrial position sensors. The Company's testing hardware and software solutions help customers accelerate and improve their design, development, and manufacturing processes and are used for determining the mechanical behavior of materials, products, and structures. MTS' high-performance position sensors provide controls for a variety of industrial and vehicular applications. MTS had 1,948 employees and revenue of $374 million for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2010. Additional information on MTS can be found on the worldwide web at the company's Web site.