MyFox Houston

HOUSTON - The Houston area is slated to lose thousands of jobs but not if one group has anything to do with it. There's now a task force to help "Save Sealy Jobs."

You may have heard about BAE Systems in Sealy losing a billion dollar contract with the U.S. Army.

The task force is now doing everything possible to keep the company from closing it's doors. Even though BAE has already lost the contract, it may not be too late to get it back.

BAE in Sealy has built the U.S. Army's "Family of Medium Tactic Vehicle's" or FMTV's since 1992. BAE recently lost that contract to OshKosh a Wisconsin company with a lower bid.

More than 3,400 employees are in jeopardy of losing their jobs. The task force says another 6,400 people will indirectly be effected and also could lose their jobs.

"I've met with the army procurement officials, I've met with the secretary of the army. we sent a letter to Robert Gates right here asking him to reconsider this serious mistake," says U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) from the 10th district.

McCaul is one of many who have joined the fight to try to help BAE get the contract back.

"After 18 years, it's all i know" says Harold Reimbenstein. "This is what i know. This is what I love doing. I don't even want to think about looking for a job. I haven't filled out a resume in 18 years. I wouldn't even know where to begin."

Reimbenstein was one of the first employees hired back when BAE opened in Sealy. His daughter was just five years old when he got the job. She's now 23 years old and also works for the company.

"It's a huge heartbreak. You don't know what you're going to do. Everybody's scared for their futures" says Ashley Reimbenstein.

The company in Wisconsin who won the contract has never made this type of vehicle before.

"Oshkosh under bid the contract to buy the business and can not deliver on what they have promised," says Lance LaCour with the Katy Area Economic Development Council.

"The Army in their process, in our opinion, did not conduct an independent cost evaluation or any detailed evaluation to see if it can be done at that price," says Dennis Morris the President of BAE Systems.

The Government Accountability Office is now investigating. It is expected to make a decision on the contract by Dec. 15.

"It is my sincere hope that the brave men and women, the patriots who work at BAE will have an early Christmas gift when the Pentagon's decision is reversed, said McCaul at a rally to help win the contract back for BAE.