DHS seeks dispatch system for security guards

The Homeland Security Department unit that supervises 12,000 security guards at federal buildings is looking to create a comprehensive electronic dispatch system for the first time.

The Homeland Security Department unit that supervises 12,000 security guards at federal buildings is looking to create a comprehensive electronic dispatch system for the first time.

The Federal Protective Service, part of DHS' Immigration and Customs Enforcement division, has published a request for information seeking off-the-shelf IT systems that would dispatch its officers and maintain electronic records of their activities.

The federal protective service currently performs dispatch and incident management manually, according to the RFI.

The new automated system must be "comprehensive, convenient, secure and easily accessible" and will be used to dispatch personnel; manage, track and prioritize patrol activity for 12,000 officers in multiple time zones; provide real-time incident reporting; maintain case records; and interface with state and local government systems, the RFI said.

The solution must have geographic information systems software and include a comprehensive application customization, implementation, training, maintenance and support.