L-3, SAIC Nab TSA Awards for Reduced Size EDS
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded separate potential five-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts to L-3 Communications [LLL] and Science Applications International Corp. [SAI] to provide the agency with checked baggage explosive detection systems (EDS) that require less space to operate. L-3’s award is potentially worth $169.1 million over five years and represents the first contract for the company’s eXaminer SX Reduced Size EDS with the agency. Analogic [ALOG] is a key partner of L-3’s, providing the core of the EDS system. SAIC’s award is through its Reveal Imaging subsidiary and is potentially worth $110.2 million over the five years of the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. TSA says the units that will be purchased will operate in a standalone configuration. TSA has only purchased Reduced Size EDS from SAIC having deployed hundreds of the systems at airports nationwide. The reduced size systems are typically deployed to small and medium size airports that have lighter passenger volumes and therefore fewer checked baggage screening demands, but also less real estate for the larger EDS systems that can also screen more bags per hour. No task orders have been awarded under the new contracts. Morpho Detection, Inc. (MDI), which has also developed a Reduced Size EDS, the CTX 5800, is going through the certification process with TSA for its system. The company says the CTX 5800 recently completed operational testing. Once TSA qualifies the system, the CTX 5800 will be eligible for a contract award.
TSA Awards SITA Potential $48M for Automated Wait Time Technology
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded Switzerland-based SITA a potential $48.1 million contract for Automated Wait Time (AWT) technology that would be used to time how long a person stands in an airport checkpoint security line, thereby enabling the agency to better manage its staffing levels. TSA is initially purchasing a limited quantity of SITA’s AWT units for laboratory testing to confirm that they meet the agency’s standards and operational requirements. TSA currently captures passenger wait times manually, which is labor intensive and not comprehensive, and its procedures are not uniform. The agency hopes the technology will minimize human resource requirements and mitigate disruptions to checkpoint operations. TSA is defining wait time as the time it takes a passenger to reach the divest table from either the entrance of the checkpoint queue, or for some checkpoints in an overflow space outside of the checkpoint area.
MDI Gets $17M EDS Order from TSA; Agency Plans $13M ETD Service Award
Morpho Detection, Inc. (MDI) has received a $17 million contract from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for 15 CTX 9800 DSi and CTX 9400 DSi explosive detection systems (EDS) for checked baggage screening. The order was actually placed last fall and deliveries are nearly complete. Eleven CTX 9800s and 4 9400s are being delivered to John F. Kennedy, Philadelphia International, Birmingham (Ala.) and Tallahassee (Fla.) airports. Separately, TSA says it plans to increase by $13 million a ceiling contract it has with MDI for maintenance support for fielded Itemiser DX explosive trace detectors (ETDs). The pending contract is for a two-year extended warranty that will give the agency time to make a competitive purchase of Itemiser DX maintenance support. TSA estimates that extending the current warranty will save it $16 million over the next two years. MDI is part of the Safran Group.
SAIC Awarded $95M to Support DoD NBC Defense
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological (NBC) Defense Programs has awarded Science Applications International Corp. [SAI] a potential five-year, $95 million contract for professional, technical, analytical and executive-level administrative services in support of the office and other DoD components. The blanket purchase agreement has a one-year base period and four one-year options. Support services will include nuclear-related technical assessments, improvements and processes and productivity, and providing management and integration of programs and projects internal to or between federal agencies.
Implant Sciences Sells QS-H150 for Critical Infrastructure Protection in Africa
Implant Sciences [IMSC] says a major global oil corporation has purchased multiple units of its handheld Quantum Sniffer QS-H150 explosives trace detectors for securing the oil company’s facilities in Africa. Implant says the order demonstrates its growing presence in Africa.