Unisys Answers Airport Security Criticism

A company criticized for poor performance on an airport security contract insisted Friday it have done its job and, contrary to government claims, had supplied "state-of-the-art" technology.

Responding to criticism from the Homeland Security Department's inspector general, Unisys Corp. said it met requirements for the $1 billion contract and "in some cases, exceeded them to earn a performance award."

The inspector general reported Thursday that airports didn't have equipment critical to security and communications because the Transportation Security Administration mismanaged the contract.

"The original funding is almost exhausted but many airports still do not have basic information technology and a telecommunications infrastructure," the report said.

Unisys said that it rolled out state-of-the-art technology, including servers, personal computers, network infrastructure, cell phones and wireless e-mail devices.

The company also said airport security officials rated its performance 7.3 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being "excellent."

But the inspector general noted that written comments by the security directors reflected frustration with the equipment they were provided. The inspector general recommended that the contract be re-bid.

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