*Union Pacific has agreed to a Mitigation Decision with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requiring the rail carrier to spend $50 million on supply chain security to enhance the Mexico and U.S. rail supply chain. The decision comes in the wake of significant penalties that have been assessed against the railroad due to the discovery of illegal controlled substances found on trains originating in Mexico and arriving at U.S.-Mexican border crossings. The decision also provides that CBP will mitigate penalties against Union Pacific of the railroad fulfills its obligations under the decision.
*Immigration and Customs Enforcement has awarded a potential $3.1 million contract to Competitive Innovations, LLC, to provide watch officer support for the Joint Intelligence Operations Center (JIOC) in Washington, D.C. The award has a base year and one one-year option. The JIOC synchronizes operations and intelligence capabilities, streamlines situational awareness, and facilitates rapid and responsible information sharing at all echelons, locations and classification levels in support of ICE and Department of Homeland Security missions. CI is a small HUBZone business.
*Customs and Border Protection has awarded two contracts totaling $3.8 million for thermal imaging equipment. Florida-based Source One Distributors, Inc., a veteran and minority-owned small business, received a $2.2 million award to supply hand-held long-range thermal imagers. Virginia-based Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc., received a $1.6 million award for thermal imager remote kits.