The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate has selected Northeastern University’s Center for Awareness and Location of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT) to lead a renewed DHS Center of Excellence for Explosives Research. S&T will provide ALERT with a $2.5 million grant for the first of five years. Northeastern and its partners, which include the University of Rhode Island, are the incumbents as the Center of Excellence for Explosives Research.
The Defense Department’s Washington Headquarters Services has awarded a $3.2 million contract to Avanti Technologies to gather, organize and report in-depth knowledge of electronic warfare and cyber activities between elements of the U.S. military and Australia.
Customs and Border Protection has expanded eligibility for participation in its Global Entry trusted traveler program to citizens from South Korea, Germany, Qatar and Britain. Under the program, pre-approved low-risk business travelers from these countries can more quickly pass through Customs at 34 U.S. airports and 10 pre-clearance locations in Ireland and Canada, serving 98 percent of all incoming air travelers. “That is good news for the global economy as well as America’s competitiveness, as face-to-face meetings are the key to business success,” says Michael McCormick of the Global Business Travel Association.