SBI Net bids move forward

Two of the nation's largest federal contractors?Lockheed Martin Corp. of Bethesda, Md., and Raytheon Co. of Waltham, Mass.?announced today that they have submitted separate proposals to build the Secure Border Initiative Network for the Homeland Security Department.

Several other large contractors, including Boeing Co., Ericsson Inc. and Northrop Grumman Corp., also are expected to have met the Tuesday deadline for bids on the project.

The anticipated $2 billion program, which will use technology to assist thousands of agents in controlling the U.S. northern and southern borders, is one of the centerpieces of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's Secure Border Initiative.

Proposals were due Tuesday, and an award is expected in September.

Lockheed officials said they are offering a systems engineering discipline and management approach. "Lockheed Martin and its teammates bring a wealth of experience deploying mission critical systems for our nation," Jay Dragone, vice president, homeland security programs, said in a news release. "Our SBInet solution will provide the [agency] with enhanced and streamlined capabilities to reduce the number of illegal border crossings into the United States."

The company's focus will be to increase the effectiveness of agents on the border and increase their safety, he said.

Raytheon is touting its experience from being the prime contractor for the System for Vigilance of the Amazon program, which is a surveillance system in Brazil covering more than 2 million square miles, as well as border protection efforts in the Ukraine and Middle East.

"The Raytheon team has the right combination of proven border security capability, demonstrated experience managing programs of similar complexity, and teammates that lead in their respective fields of expertise," Gene Blackwell, Raytheon vice president of Raytheon Rapid Initiatives Group, said in a news release.

Raytheon's team includes Apogen Technologies, Inc., McLean, Va.; BAE Systems, Inc., Rockville, Md.; Bechtel National Inc., Frederick, Md.; Deloitte Consulting LLP, New York; and IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y.

Previously, Northrop Grumman, based in Los Angeles, said its partners include systems integrators General Dynamics Corp., Falls Church, Va.; L-3 Communications Titan Group, San Diego; Anteon International Corp., Fairfax, Va.; SRA International Inc., Fairfax, Va.; and BearingPoint Inc., McLean, Va. Also on the team are architecture and engineering firms L. Robert Kimball & Associates of Ebensburg, Pa., and HNTB Corp. of Kansas City.

Lockheed has not announced its team partners.