ORONO (AP) – A $6.2 million research contract to develop and construct buildings and bridges with wood and synthetic composites could set the stage for future projects involving the University of Maine and the Army.

The contract was announced at the university’s Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center at a ceremony Friday attended by representatives of the university and the Army and members of Maine’s congressional delegation.

The two-year contract brings the university nearer its goal of becoming an Army Center of Excellence, a designation that would enable the campus to have a permanent place in the military budget and be called on regularly to perform other research and development projects.

Such a designation would mean millions dollars for research and more jobs.

“We would become like an Army lab,” said Habib Dagher, director of the composites center. The new program, he said, “opens the door to start working with the Army in a major way. It allows them to see what we can do.”

The new contract reflects the military’s need for prefabricated, lightweight, portable buildings and reinforced tents that would protect troops from rocket attacks and shrapnel and be easy to transport and put together.

The composites center will work with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Army Natick Soldier Center in Massachusetts to figure out how best to design and construct the composite buildings and bridges.

Dagher said that 30 to 35 people, including scientists, engineers, support staff and students, would be hired to work in the composites lab as a result of the new project.

Once field-testing of the new products is complete and the military gives its approval, the goal would be to issue procurement contracts on which Maine companies familiar with the materials would have the opportunity to bid.

The center is the only university-based research facility in the country where new products made of synthetic and natural fiber-based composites can be taken from initial concept to prototype design, production and testing under one roof.

In conjunction with the announcement Friday, the university dedicated newly expanded laboratory space that was financed with a $4.5 million voter-approved bond in 2004. Without the addition, it would have been difficult to take on the large military project, officials said.

The expansion “represents the state’s commitment to university research,” said university President Robert Kennedy. “Because of this, we could talk seriously with the Army about bringing research opportunities to Maine.”