SAIC Wins $15 Million Cargo Inspection Contract

Science Applications International Corp. of San Diego announced May 21 it was awarded a $15 million contract by the U.S. Customs Service for nine gamma ray-based railroad vehicle and cargo inspection systems, called VACIS. The contract includes site surveys and construction to install the systems.

Customs also purchased 16 truck-mounted, mobile VACIS units for $15.2 million in March. This new contract brings VACIS product sales to the Customs Service to more than $50 million since July 1999.

The VACIS technology aids in inspecting stationary, steel-walled tanker trucks for illegal drugs. Its success expanded its use to a wider range of vehicles and cargo containers.

With VACIS, operators can view the gamma ray images on a video monitor to identify false walls or other secret compartments used to hide drugs, explosives, weapons and stolen goods.

The Railroad VACIS is the only safe and noninvasive way to inspect loaded and moving railroad cars, according to SAIC. The Customs Service will operate the Railroad VACIS units at strategic rail border locations throughout the United States.