New Hampshire paper “UnionLeader” reports that Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) subsidiary Kollsman Inc. is part of a consortium participating in a $2 billion US Department of Homeland Security tender to build a border security fence designed to reduce the influx of illegal immigrants. Boeing (NYSE:BA) is leading the consortium. The Secure Border Initiative (SBI) program, or SBInet, is a multiyear plan to secure the US borders with Canada and Mexico by integrating cameras and sensors with communications systems.
“UnionLeader” quotes Kollsman as saying that it and Elbit Systems have a solid track record in exactly the type of security system Homeland Security might want, and that Elbit Systems provided a border control and management system to the IDF Border Security Program known as the Long-Range Reconnaissance and Observation System (LORROS), which the company believes is the best in the world.
“Union Leader” quotes Elbit Systems VP government relations Donald Goff as saying, “Which country has the most secure border? It's Israel.” He added that Boeing selected Kollsman to be part of its team to provide detection and surveillance systems because of its proven record of work as a worldwide provider to commercial and military markets of advanced electro-optical and avionics systems.
“UnionLeader” says other members of the Boeing-led consortium include DRS Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, L-3 Government Services Inc., Perot Systems, and Unisys Global Public Sector.
Goff told “UnionLeader” that the contract would be for three years, with an option for three additional years and that the deadline to submit proposals for SBInet was May 30. He added that he expected the number of competitors to be cut to two by mid-September and the contract would be awarded before the end of September.
“UnionLeader” reports that, in addition to the Boeing consortium, Lockheed Martin Corp. Raytheon Co. (NYSE:RTN), Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC), and Ericsson Inc. (Nasdaq: ERICY; SAX: ERIC) are leading teams competing for the SBInet contract.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on August 21, 2006
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