The Transportation Security Administration has awarded a potential four-year contract to OSI Systems [OSIS] Rapiscan Systems segment to provide Itemiser 5X explosive trace detection (ETD) systems and related maintenance in support of Air Cargo Qualification testing focused on reliability, maintainability and availability of the system. The value of the contract was redacted. The test bed units also provide TSA the ability to assess new software and other emergent capabilities.
NEC Corporation of America
has named Dr. Kathleen Kiernan as president of NEC National Security Systems, succeeding Benji Hutchinson who departed during the summer to join Paravision. Kiernan has been interim president of NEC NSS for the past two months. Prior to joining NEC, Kiernan led her own consulting firm specializing in intelligence, law enforcement and national security, and prior to that spent 29 years in the federal government, including as assistant director for the Office of Strategic Intelligence, and Information for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Homeland Security Program has awarded two collaborative projects a combined $1.5 million to develop technologies in the areas of multimedia communications systems for first responders and a mid-air conflict management system for manned and unmanned aircraft. Sagetech Avionics, based in Washington, and Israel’s Ciconia will develop a collision avoidance system to allow first responders to operate aerial vehicles alongside manned aircraft. Florida-based CentralSquare Technologies and Israel’s Carbyne will develop a real-time multimedia emergency call communications system for public safety and first responders.
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate has awarded Karagozian & Case, Inc. nearly $1 million to develop an advanced software capability that allows security professionals to view their environment through a mobile device to identity and mitigate threats toward soft targets and crowded places. The two-year Phase II contract under the Small Business Innovation Research program is in support of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s efforts to address security and preparedness in venues such as stadiums, shopping places, schools and transportation systems.
Synthetik Applied Technologies has received a $999,406 two-year contract from the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate to continue research and development on the company’s DeepSpektra high-resolution hyperspectral and deep learning-based non-contact detection technology for targeted sampling for explosives and illegal drugs trace detection. The contract to the South Dakota-based company is for Phase II of the Small Business Innovation Research program. The DeepSpektra technology can quickly detect trace residues of drugs and explosives on carry-on luggage, laptops and other items.
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency has awarded Continuum Dynamics a $2.5 million contract to model the release of hazards from unmanned aerial vehicles.