*DHS Science & Technology plans to award a contract to Syagen Technology to modify a mass spectrometer-based screening portal for explosives detection. The mass spectrometer is near production quality although there are several development efforts tat are still needed to meet government requirements. The development efforts include software modifications, an internal compressor solution and the optimization of nozzle jets. Last November DHS granted SAFETY Act designation for developmental test and evaluation of the company’s Guardian Explosives Trace Portal. “This is an important step along our path to acceptance as a certified device for use at U.S. airports,” says Jack Syage, president of Syagen.
*DHS S&T also plans to award a contract to Halcyon Products for 200 of the company’s Fire Ground Compasses to be used for testing with first responders. The compass has unique reference point technology that helps orient firefighters and prevents them from getting lost in dangerous environments. The compass has a bezel for orientation to true north, another bezel to show the relationship of the A, B, C and D sides of a building to north on the compass, and a third bezel to mark a key position such as a point of entry or command post.
*Customs and Border Protection has accepted delivery of CBP 110, its third Predator B Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) in its inventory, from General Atomics. All three UAS are assigned to CBP’s UAS Operations Center in Sierra Vista, Ariz. CBP 110 will operate on the southwest border until it is deployed to Grand Forks, N.D., for Northern Border operations this spring. CBP’s fourth Predator B, CBP 113, is slated for deliver early this year and will support border protection missions on the southwest border.