The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a major contract to Rensselaer-based Talbert Manufacturing Inc. The manufacturer will receive more than $360 million over the next five years for the production of semi-trailers for the U.S. Army. Talbert Manufacturing produces a variety of heavy capacity trailers and specialized transportation equipment, according to its website. The DOD says the contract specifically calls for Talbert to produce the M872A4 semi-trailers. Work on the semi-trailers is expected to be complete in January 2024. The U.S. Army Contracting Command in Michigan is the contracting activity.