Smiths Detection Wins $33M in TSA EDS, ETD Contracts
Smiths Detection has received $32.9 million in two contracts from the Transportation Security Administration, including a $24.6 million competitive award for medium speed explosive detection systems (EDS). TSA made the awards on Sept. 25 but didn’t say what airports the systems will be used. The second award is for Explosive Trace Detectors (ETDs) and is for $8.3 million. The ETD award covers systems and related warranty and maintenance support services.
DHS Selects MetTel for Managed Security Services, Internet Access Provider
MetTel says it has been selected by the Department of Homeland Security for managed security services and as its primary internet access provider under the potential 10-year, $9 million DHS Internet Protocol Service-Primary Network EIS task order. The task order was awarded under the General Services Administration’s Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract. MetTel says that under the award, which is new for the company with DHS, it will provide mission essential functions to DHS and help safeguard the department’s internal networks and systems against security threats. “MetTel was the lowest cost to the government with a fully compliant technical proposal, which is especially important because the government has an ever-growing need to secure high performing communications technology at the best price,” says Robert Dapkiewicz, general manager and senior vice president of MetTel Federal. MetTel will provide Internet Protocol Service at multiple locations with bandwidth capacity of up to 10 gigabits per second, a managed security service solution, and access to the MetTel EIS Federal Portal delivering to DHS real-time visibility to the latest technology to monitor, access reporting and performance details on the Internet Protocol Service’s delivered via the company’s network.
ICE Awards Bode $5M for Rapid DNA Kits
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has awarded Bode Cellmark Forensics a potential $4.8 million contract to provide rapid DNA testing systems and kits to 11 locations along the southwest border to help determine whether claimed familial relationships by illegal immigrants are fraudulent or not. ICE previously awarded Bode a potential $17 million contract for the rapid DNA kits but withdrew the award following a protest by losing bidder ANDE Corp. The new award, which is for up to 18 months, will allow the agency to continue to purchase the kits to meet an urgent need while ICE investigates a potential privacy impact assessment violation in its ongoing effort to procure the kits under a longer-term contract. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the investigation. The award to Bode will ensure there is no break in the DNA services while the investigation continues and a competitive follow-on procurement can be conducted.
DHS Procurement Lab Acquires Microsoft Solution for Knowledge Management System
The Department of Homeland Security’s Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL) has a acquired a Microsoft [MSFT] solution to meet its needs for a Knowledge Management System that doubles as a workload management system and a data management system. DHS says the solution was acquired through existing department contracting vehicles. In April the PIL released a Request for Information for a Knowledge Management System to help its coaches consistently manage their workloads to make it easy to quickly find other PIL projects and documents while allowing for comprehensive data analysis and the ability to run visually engaging reports on that data. The RFI said that currently, PIL coaches track projects on an individual bases and that some documents collected by PIL teams for future reference are sometimes stored on a Sharepoint site if the coach remembers to upload them. DHS established the PIL to allow procurement teams across the department to test the use of Federal Acquisition Regulation flexibilities to award contracts in an effort to manage risk, shorten time to award, reduce barriers to competition, and provide better mission outcomes. Procurement teams that use the PIL are assigned a coach who serves as a resource and champion for the team.
Axon Nabs $13M CBP Contract for Agent Body Cameras
Customs and Border Protection has awarded Axon Enterprises Inc. a $13 million contract to provide body cameras for 13,000 Border Patrol agents. Axon will also provide a connection to a cloud-based digital evidence platform. CBP says “This Incident-Driven Video Recording System will enhance transparency and accountability with the public, while providing additional documentation during enforcement incidents.” Deployments of the cameras will begin next spring.
Qatar Awards OSI Systems $59M for Aviation Security Inspection Systems
OSI Systems [OSIS] says its Security segment has received a $59 million contract from the Qatar Company for Airports Operation and Management to provide explosive detections for automatically scanning checked bags for explosives and explosive trade detection systems. The company will provide its high-speed Rapiscan RTT 110 for checked baggage screening and Itemizer 4DX desktop trace detection system. Deliveries have begun, the company said. “We are honored to be selected by MATAR for the supply of hold baggage and trace detection systems as part of the process to upgrade its security screening facilities ahead of the planned FIFA World Cup in 2022, Deepak Chopra, OSI’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement.
DHS S&T Awards $1M to InferLink to Develop Cyber Security Information Sharing Tool
The Department of Homeland Security has awarded a two-year $1 million contract to InferLink to develop a collaborative peer-to-peer tool for sharing cyber security information and lessons learned. The Phase II award under the Small Business Innovation Research program follows a Phase I effort where California-based InferLink successfully demonstrated the feasibility of its Cybersecurity Peer-to-Peer Knowledge/Lessons Learned Tool. In the second phase, the company will further develop a secure community platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. “Cyber security professionals tend to be reluctant to share data because of the sensitive nature of the information,” Ann Cox, DHS S&T SBIR Topic Manager, said in a statement. “In the wrong hands, this information can be used for malicious purposes instead of mitigating risk. This tool will provide a platform for creating trusted groups of individuals who can freely share information in a secure environment. This means if one organization has a way to prevent or mitigate activities from malicious actors online, that information will be available to others and can be immediately implemented, instead of reinventing solutions, which will multiply the value of the scarce human resources available in cyber security.”
Smiths Detection Nabs Award to Install Checkpoint CT Systems at Two Italian Airports
Smiths Detection says it has received a contract to provide advanced screening systems for carry-on bags at two airports in Milan, Italy. Smiths will supply up to 28 HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX computed tomography (CT) scanners to upgrade the Malpensa and Linate Airports. The checkpoint CT systems allows travelers to leave their electronic devices and liquids in their bags. The award was made by SEA Group. The value of the contract wasn’t disclosed. Installations will begin in the third quarter of 2020 and be completed by the end of 2021.