Athena GTX, a Des Moines-based manufacturer of compact vital signs monitoring equipment, was recently awarded a $7.5 million contract by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency to supply its equipment to the federal government.

The five-year contract represents the first large-scale production award to the medical device maker, which has previously received several research and development awards.

Athena President Mark Darrah said his company plans to hire 22 additional workers, at least half of whom will be production employees, to produce the devices. Athena, which currently employs 20 people, is negotiating with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for an economic development award to help fund a $1.1 million expansion of its operations, Darrah said.

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