Raytheon team signs into Secure Border registry

Raytheon Co. is teaming with IBM Corp., BAE Systems Inc. and Bechtel National Inc. to submit a proposal for Secure Border Initiative, the company announced in a filing with the Homeland Security Department.

Raytheon is among 56 large companies and 189 small companies that have registered online with the DHS, identifying themselves as vendors interested in SBInet, the integrated border-surveillance system contract.

The department's Customs & Border Patrol directorate has posted the registries on its Web site, along with frequent updates. The voluntary registration is to help the companies assemble teams to compete for the SBInet contract. A request for proposals is expected in April, and an award is expected in September.

Raytheon listed Don Gilbert, supply chain manager in St. Petersburg, Fla., as its point of contact.

Lockheed-Martin Corp. of Bethesda, Md., which had previously identified itself as a possible bidder for the prime contract, listed Jonathan Peppard as its point of contact. Peppard is deputy program manager of intelligence and electronics for Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, N.Y. In its online filing, Lockheed Martin said it is undecided on whether it will submit a proposal for SBInet.

Northrop-Grumman Corp., which also expressed interest in being the prime contractor, is not listed on the registry.

Earth Tech Inc. of Baltimore, part of a team composed of Tyco International, ADT Security Systems Inc. and several other companies, said it intends to submit a proposal for SBInet, but also indicated it is seeking to partner with a large integrator. Its point of contact is Marko Bourne, a former Federal Emergency Management Agency official who is Earth Tech's director of homeland security.