SAIC wins $45 million task order to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection tactical communications modernization program

Posted by Courtney E. Howard

MCLEAN, Va., 3 Dec. 2010. Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) won a task order from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to modernize existing tactical communications systems used by law enforcement agents and officers protecting the Nation's borders. The task order has a 24-month base period of performance and a total value of $45 million. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C.; New Mexico; and Texas. The task order was awarded under the DHS EAGLE contract.

The goal of CBP's Tactical CommunicationsModernization Program is to upgrade Land Mobile Radio (LMR) communications capabilities for field personnel in 20 geographic focus areas across the United States. Effective LMR communications are vital to officer safety in the field when conducting border patrol, customs inspection, and air/marine operations. Under this task order, SAIC will provide services and equipment to CBP in support of the modernization project within the El Paso, Texas, focus area.

The modernization work will include encryption technology to help ensure secure communications, global positioning system (GPS) technology to track agent and officer location, and interoperable digital technology that will allow for greater coverage and user capacity. SAIC will also provide support in areas including engineering design and analysis; equipment configuration; systems installation, testing and evaluation; training; and field operations support services.

"We are honored to support the CBP mission by providing an integrated LMR communications system that will serve as a critical lifeline for the agents and officers protecting the U.S. border," says Doug Wagoner, SAIC senior vice president and business unit general manager.