*Boeing [BA] received a $2.8 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate under the SAFE Container (SAFECON) for research and development in support of the company’s Remote Vapor Inspection System (RVIS) for Maritime Containers. According to DHS, “Boeing claims that their RVIS will detect and identify the contents of maritime shipping containers by interrogating internal and/or emitted vapors.” Using a laser interrogation technique, RVIS determines the vapor’s spectral signature, which is then compared to a database of material vapor signatures to identify the container’s contents, DHS tells TR2. Dangerous contents would set of an alert to tag the container as suspicious and to identify the container’s likely contents for port security officials. The contract runs through April 2010, during which time Boeing is supposed to accomplish proof of concept testing in a lab and then build a system prototype and conduct field testing. SAFECON (BAA07-02A) is aimed at detecting and identifying dangerous cargo within a maritime shipping container. The contract is one of S&T’s Homeland Innovative Prototypical Solutions, which are moderate to high risk but offer potential high payoff.
*The Department of Homeland Security has awarded several small contracts under its Biometric Detector program initiated last spring to develop proof of concept detectors for laboratory test and demonstration (TR2, May 16, 2007). The awards include: Authenti-Corp., $534,791; General Electric [GE] Global Research, $468,047; and FLASHSCAN3D, LLC, 418,912. Calls to each of the companies seeking information about their detector concepts were not returned. Under the program DHS S&T is seeking the development of miniature, efficient, high-quality, contactless fingerprint collection devices, according to the solicitation announcement (BAA07-08).
*Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is recommending to the City of Atlanta that Verified Identity Pass’ Clear Registered Traveler (RT) receive the contract to open an RT lane at the airport. Verified Identity says it expects to work with airport officials to determine how and when the RT program will be launched.