At the tsa
Pilot
programs, screeners, etc.
The Transportation Security Administration has awarded a contract
to McLean, VA-based Unisys Corporation for pilot technologies designed
to strengthen access control at no fewer than 20 airports. Under
the 20-month contract for the Airport Access Control Pilot Program,
Unisys will serve as the systems integrator.
TSA will select airport and technologies for the program. Biometric
technologies, possibly including fingerprints, retinal scans, and
facial recognition, are expected to be part of the mix, according
to a TSA statement. Additionally, next-generation surveillance cameras
that could be used at access points for secure areas to guard against
piggybacking, where a second person slips in behind an approved
person.
- TSA continues recruitment of part-time federal security screeners at 107 airports; more than 650 have been hired since August.
- TSA awards a $4.8 million contract to Kroll Government Service to assist in providing Phase I background checks for TSA screeners and other employees.
- The TSA's Office of Security Technology purchases 43 of L-3 Communications Corporation's eXaminer 6000 Explosives Detection System machines (EDS). The L-3 Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity contract has a three-year ordering period for EDS machines, spare parts, and related engineering services. The task order for these 43 machines is valued at $37.84 million. Under contract, the EDS machines must be available for installation by December 31, 2003.
Gated Entry, 24/7
Jet Aviation
at TEB
Jet Aviation recently installed an automated security gate at its Teterboro
Airport facility. Located at the main entrance, the new gate will include
a permanent guardhouse, manned 24 hours, and two incoming lanes, one of
which will be used by customers and the other by employees.
EMS Updates
DFW enhances emergency system
Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport signs a $1.15 million contract
with Fremont, CA-based Tiburon Inc., a division of CompuDyne Corpora-tion,
to upgrade the emergency services software systems at the airport. The
purchase is part of DFW's continual upgrades, and in response to security
improvements since 9/11. The contract includes upgrades to the Computer
Aided Dispatch and Records Management Systems for police and fire/EMS
services, and includes integrated mapping and WebQuery.
DHs unveils 'US-Visit'
New Visa
processing program
The Department of Homeland Security unveils U.S. Visitor and Immi-grant
Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT), described as a "cornerstone
of the Department's goals to improve border management at our ports of
entry." It uses scanning equipment to collect biometric identifiers,
such as fingerprints (in an inkless process), along with a digital photograph
of the visitor, and is expected to be in place by year's end.
All data obtained from a visitor is securely stored as part of his/her
travel record and is made available only to authorized officials and select
law enforcement agencies.
At exit points, visitors check out at kiosks by scanning the visa or passport
and repeating the inkless fingerprinting process. The exit confirmation
is added to the visitor's travel records to demonstrate compliance. Land
border processing will be introduced in phases in 2005 and 2006.
The law requires that an automated entry/exit system be implemented at
air and seaports by December 31, 2003; the 50 most highly trafficked land
ports of entry by December 31, 2004; and all ports of entry by December
31, 2005. The program gets $380 million in FY03 and was appropriated $330
million for FY04.
