The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate has awarded TRX Systems, Inc. and Epiq Solutions, Inc. a combined $1.6 million to continue development of user-friendly in-building coverage analysis systems (ICAS) for first responders. Illinois-based Epiq received $927,202 under the two-year Small Business Innovation Research phase two effort to develop a minimal size, weight and power ICAS solution that can aggregate, manage, and make data available to all stakeholders, providing first responders the tools needed in their communications during incidents. With its $750,000 phase two award, TRX will develop a new capability for simultaneous land mobile radio (LMR) and long-term evolution (LTE) coverage characterization that works with existing end user LMR and FirstNet LTE devices to enable data gathering. The company will also provide an interface with a 3D building model and signal map visualization.
Science Applications International Corp.
[SAIC] has appointed Allison Patrick has vice president of its Department of Homeland Security business, responsible for program execute and strategic direction and growth of the account. Patrick most recently was senior vice president of sales at Maximus and before that was managing director and strategic sales lead at Accenture’s Federal Services business, in charge of the Safety & Citizen Services portfolio that included projects for Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration. She succeeds Amy Rall, who is now CEO of Linkware Group, which is part of Pangiam.
Customs and Border Protection has deployed its Simplified Arrival facial biometric solution to Kansas City International Airport to enhance the international arrival process. With Simplified Arrival, CBP uses facial comparison technology to automate the manual document checks currently required for admission into the U.S. Travelers arriving at the airport on an international flight pause for a photo at the primary inspection point so that the agency can compare the live photo against a small gallery of images that the traveler has already provided the government such as passport or visa photo to confirm their identity. U.S. travelers may opt out of using the facial biometric in which case they must present a valid travel document for inspection by a CBP officer.