General Dynamics [GD] earlier this month filed a protest in federal court over a potential five-year $250 million contract the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) awarded to Unisys Corp. [UIS] in November for a program that integrates the agency’s security equipment at U.S. airports.
GD first protested the award of the Domain Awareness Integrated Network (DOMAIN) on Dec. 22 with the Government Accountability Office but withdrew the protest on Jan. 9, the same day it filed a complaint with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. The complaint is sealed. The docket says a decision is due by March 12.
The DOMAIN program will replace the Security Technology Integrated Program, also called STIP, which GD is the incumbent for. TSA was using STIP to begin networking its 15,000 pieces of security equipment, such as X-ray systems that scan carry-on bags and Advanced Imaging Technology that scans people for potential threats at airport checkpoints, but disconnected the various systems in 2015 due to potential cyber security concerns.
TSA this year hopes to test a solution that will allow it to begin reconnecting its detection systems as part of DOMAIN.
Given the protest filed in court, TSA on Jan. 16 awarded a bridge contract to GD’s Mission Systems business to continue work on the STIP program while the complaint is adjudicated. The award amount is redacted in a Jan. 29 TSA notice in a government procurement website but says the agency intends to increase the estimated value of the current $33 million Blanket Purchase Agreement by $1 million and extends the period of performance to April 18.
TSA has issued a stop work order to Unisys while the claims court takes up the protest. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for Feb. 23.