Border-security contract award moves closer

The finalists to make a second attempt to build a virtual border fence may be named in the coming days, according to Defense News.

The Homeland Security Department released a request for proposals in April, and bids were due May 30. DHS’ Customs and Border Protection said that finalists would be announced in late August or early September.

This is the second attempt to build a virtual fence to spot illegal border crossings. The first attempt, with Boeing Co. as the prime contractor, was cancelled after $1 billion was spent to cover 53 miles of the Arizona border with Mexico.

Boeing is one of the bidders on this second attempt, along with Lockheed Martin Corp. and a team led by General Dynamics and EADS.