SI International [SINT] yesterday posted lower net income despite higher sales as higher operating expenses outpaced the gain in sales.

Net income fell 13 percent to $5.2 million, 39 cents earnings per share (EPS), from $6 million (45 cents EPS), in line with analysts expectations. Sales increased 19 percent to $137.2 million from $115.6 million, with 7 percent of the growth organic.

Excluding the acquisition of LOGTEC last summer, growth was driven by the company’s federal civilian information technology contracts.

For 2007 net income fell to $19.3 million ($1.45 EPS) from $20.2 million ($1.56 EPS) while sales grew 11 percent to $510.8 million from $462 million.

In 2008 SI International expects sales to range between $575 million and $600 million with net income between $21.1 million and $22.2 million.