Smiths Detection says the initial order value for its new contract for rail cargo inspection systems for Customs and Border Protection is for $13.5 million. Smiths Detection will provide its HCVT side view high-energy advanced X-Ray scanners for use at U.S. railway checkpoints at both the northern and southern borders. The HCVT can penetrate over 12-inches of steel and screens single or double-stacked containers at normal operating speeds. Leidos [LDOS] and OSI Systems [OSIS] also received rail inspection contracts from CBP under a potential $379 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity award. Each company is providing four systems initially.
The Department of Homeland Security
plans to award Hassett & Willis Associates, LLC a sole-source contract to provide to continue to provide bio-detection systems engineering and technical assistance. The expected period of performance is Sept. 18 to Dec. 1, 2020, with one three-month option period.
The DHS Science and Technology Directorate has awarded a $1 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research program contract to Colorado-based TDA Research to develop a power module that would service all of the current and emerging requirements of on-body devices for first responders. “Although commercial power packs are available, there are none that meet first responder needs including charging a radio,” says Sridhar Kowdley, an S&T program manager. “The on-body power modules being developed through this SBIR Phase II will support a number of use cases such as in wildland fire situations, where recharging devices may not be possible for an extended time or precludes the use of commercial batteries.”