Northrop captures $95M DHS biometrics ID contract
By
Ross Wilkers
Northrop Grumman won a $95 million contract to develop the first two increments of a biometric identification system for Homeland Security.
Northrop Grumman has been confirmed as the winner of a three-and-a-half year, $95 million contract to develop the first two increments of a new biometric identification system for the Homeland Security Department.
DHS' future Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology system is intended as an upgrade over the current platform built in the 1990s for national security, law enforcement, immigration and intelligence functions.
Northrop will act as systems developer and integrator for the effort, the company said Tuesday.
First awarded in September, Leidos subsequently protested the HART contract in early October and the Government Accountability Office denied the protest on Jan. 18. GAO's decision is covered by a protective order and going through a redaction process before it is released to the public.
DHS uses the current Automated Biometric Identity System to store and process both biometric and limited biographical information for government agencies. Northrop will build the future HART system to use a combination of facial, fingerprint and iris information.
The agency has also made data sharing between agencies a key focus for the HART effort and security of personally identifiable information, according to Northrop.