TSA Awards Checkpoint CT Vendors Contracts for System Enhancements, Maintenance
The Transportation Security Administration has awarded contracts to the four vendors that have all supplied the agency with advanced checkpoint baggage scanners that have been used for the past several years to demonstrate and evaluate the technologies in some U.S. airports. The three-year contracts were awarded to Analogic, Integrated Defense & Security Solutions
, Leidos [LDOS] and Smiths Detection. The values of the contracts were redacted. Analogic and Smiths each have existing contracts with TSA to supply and deploy their respective checkpoint computed tomography (CT)-based systems that scan carry-on bags for potential threats at aviation security checkpoints in the U.S. Prior to these awards, TSA purchased and accepted donations from all four vendors to evaluate their CT systems to better understand their effectiveness and utility in actual checkpoints. The systems deployed for evaluations were designed to meet an earlier threat detection standard. The new contracts cover technical engineering services for further research, development, test and evaluation in six technical topic areas including advanced algorithm development for explosives and prohibited items, advancing material discrimination, common primary viewing station development and support, enhanced network capabilities, and engineering services for reduced footprint CT systems.
Japan Customs Acquires Cargo Inspection Systems from Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection says Japan Customs has ordered two high-energy 9 MeV, interlaced, dual view HCVS cargo inspection systems for scanning trucks and cargo containers for contraband and threats, adding to existing deployments at various ports across Japan and at international ports such as Belgium’s Port of Antwerp and Israel’s Haifa port. The new HCVS systems will be deployed to ports Jyonanjima and Mizushima. The scanning systems can discriminate between organic and inorganic materials, reducing the need for manual inspection.