Palantir Grabs $96 Million Renewal of DHS Security Investigations Contract
The Department of Homeland Security has awarded Palantir Technologies
[PLTR] a potential $95.9 million contract to continue providing support to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Investigative Case Management System (ICM). HSI, a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, investigates transnational crime and threats. The ICM system is used across HSI to manage all case work, including investigative activities and prosecutions. HIS combats human trafficking, disrupts and dismantles international gangs and drug trafficking organizations, protects intellectual property and disrupts international fraud, and has helped support sanctions against Russian oligarchs. Palantir has supported HSI since 2011.
DHS Awards Hacking Contracts to Three Firms
The Department of Homeland Security in late September awarded three companies a potential $43.2 million contract for vulnerability assessment services, selecting BugCrowd, SecureSoft Technologies and Synack. Under the Hack DHS: Crowdsourced Vulnerability Assessment Services program, the three companies’ vetted security researchers will look for cybersecurity gaps in the department’s networks and information systems. DHS in 2018 began a pilot program to examine a bug bounty program, which is modeled on one used by the Department of Defense. Last December, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas decided to make the Hack DHS program permanent. The contract has a one-year base period and four one-year options.
DHS Contracts with Smiths Detection to Characterize EDS Detection Performance
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate has awarded Smiths Detection a three-year research and development contract under the title, “Detection Standard 8.0 Characterization Study.” Smiths Detection will work to characterize the performance of existing, qualified, fielded explosive detection systems (EDS) to address emerging and critical threats identified in Transportation Security Administration Checked Baggage Detection Standard v8.0. The information will be used to determine trade space in setting the baseline Electronic Baggage Screening Program acquisition and systems engineering life-cycle management. The value of the award was redacted.
ORBCOMM Receives Government Contracts for AIS Services
ORBCOMM Inc. says it has received contracts from two U.S. government agencies to provide automatic identification system (AIS) services for ship tracking and other maritime navigational and safety efforts. One contract, a five-year award, was a competitive renewal of global AIS data services. The other contract, also competitive, is for AIS services for multiple other U.S. government users. ORBCOMM says its AIS data will continue to be used in a maritime domain awareness software platform that supports key Department of Defense and Homeland Security agencies, along with partner nations. The value of the awards was not disclosed.