Lockheed Among Finalists Bidding On Border Contract

By Griff WitteWashington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 31, 2006; Page D03

Some of the nation's largest defense contractors were among the firms yesterday that submitted bids on a multi-billion dollar Homeland Security Department contract designed to shore up the nation's porous borders and help curb illegal immigration.

The Secure Border Initiative, which has at its heart a six-year, $2 billion contract, is intended to give the United States a comprehensive solution to its persistent border problems. Homeland Security officials have said they are looking for a contractor that can bring together technology, Border Patrol staff members and barriers to keep illegal immigrants on the other side of the nearly 7,000 miles of U.S. land that borders Mexico and Canada.
A portable surveillance tower at San Luis, Ariz., overlooks the border with Mexico. The tower is part of the Homeland Security Department effort to help stop illegal immigration. (By Melina Mara -- The Washington Post)

While the government says it will leave the details to the contractor, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has mentioned a desire to see increased use of unmanned drones, better detection technology and expanded detention facilities, among other elements.

The competition for the job is down to teams organized by five companies -- Lockheed Martin Corp., Raytheon Co., Northrop Grumman Corp., Boeing Co. and Ericsson. Homeland Security officials are expected to pick a winner in the fall, following oral presentations from each of the competing firms.

Link Here

DEFENSE: Raytheon bids for border contract

Raytheon Co. is submitting a bid to be prime contractor for a border-protection program worth potentially more than $2 billion. Raytheon, a supplier of radar, missiles and other defense systems to the Pentagon, is hoping the contract for the Strategic Border Initiative program, known as SBInet, can propel the company into a leading role in the homeland security business. The Waltham, Mass., company will be drawing on technology it has already developed for military surveillance. "We've done a lot of security integration systems," said Raymond T. Wheeler, business development director for Raytheon's SBInet program, who noted that Raytheon has lined up partners such as IBM Corp. and BAE Systems for its bid.