Birmingham-based BL Harbert International has been awarded its second Naval contract in as many years.

The U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command has awarded BL Harbert International the $18.4 million contract for the P-921 Unaccompanied Housing at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Africa.

In 2013, the contractor won a $150 million contract for the P-688 Forward Operating Base.

Some Birmingham banks are partnering with local tech companies and startups as they make upgrades to their technology.

Tech executives said in the Birmingham Business Journal's recent cover story that forging a stronger connection with the corporate community, especially the banking industry, is key to taking the Magic City's tech scene to the next step.

Chad Ballard, director of innovation and mobility for BBVA Compass, said BBVA Compass looks for opportunities to use local resources, and, in fact, currently works with a variety of Birmingham-based technology companies, among them Ovation Tek, ITAC Solutions and NWN, formerly Comframe. He said the bank is also starting to work closely with Innovation Depot to develop future opportunities with startups incubating in its system.