Unitech lands TSA support contract

Unitech Inc. of Centreville, Va., has won a $16.1 million contract from the Transportation Security Administration to assist in the design, implementation and maintenance of the TSA technology infrastructure, as well as provide training solutions for the organization, the company announced May 14.

Unitech spokeswoman Erika Christ said the Rollout Support Services contract runs through the end of this year, and contains options that would extend it until 2007.

In February, under a very tight deadline, Unitech outfitted 429 interim federal security representatives with their initial IT work systems, and developed management training curriculum and interactive courseware for them. Since then, the company also has provided consultation to TSA on the technology infrastructure for the Baltimore/Washington International Airport, the airport being used as TSA's test site.

Under the terms of this new contract, Unitech will provide support to TSA in three areas:

* Systems definition and prototype development for the infrastructure at BWI, including both information technology assets and telecommunications systems;

* Rollout of the infrastructure developed from the BWI test site to 16 additional airports and TSA headquarters by November, including definition of applications requirements and providing applications support;

* Development, coordination and delivery of training solutions to TSA, such as scenario-based exercises and interactive multimedia instruction to enhance teamwork and interagency cooperation.

"Since TSA's first months of existence, Unitech has consistently provided us with valuable IT support," said Pat Schambach, associate under secretary for information and security technology at TSA. "This expanding partnership demonstrates how TSA can successfully collaborate with private industry in developing our organization and carrying out its mission."