Lockheed Martin announced that it will lead an experienced team of companies bidding for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) US Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (VISIT) program.

The US VISIT program will develop and implement an automated system to track the entry, stay and exit of foreign nationals to the United States via land, sea or air. The system will use biometrical information to identify persons who may pose a threat, while ensuring the expeditious flow of people and goods.

"The government needs a trusted partner to deliver the US VISIT system quickly to protect our nation without impeding the movement of people and goods across our borders," said Don Antonucci, president, Lockheed Martin Transportation and Security Solutions. "With our track record of successfully deploying systems of national significance, the Lockheed Martin team can expeditiously implement the US VISIT system to help DHS protect our nation against terrorist attacks, while enhancing the free flow of people and commerce."

Lockheed Martin, with its extensive credentials in developing highly visible, nationally important programs for DHS, the Department of Defense (DoD) and other civil agencies, has provided products and systems to protect our nation for over 40 years. Its team, known as the Secure Border partnership, has comprehensive expertise in border and homeland security and in managing large-scale, mission critical system integration projects for the U.S. government. Joining the Lockheed Martin US VISIT team are industry leaders Booz Allen Hamilton, Harris Corporation, IBM, Management Systems Designers, SAIC, SI International and Unisys Corporation. Teammate capabilities include:

  * Booz Allen Hamilton, with its extensive domain experience in border
    crossing and security, will be responsible for capabilities in business
    reengineering processes, change management and modeling;

  * Harris Corporation, with its advanced communications solutions and
    systems integration experience relied on by the Federal Aviation
    Administration, DoD and other large federal agencies, will lead the
    team's communications efforts;

  * IBM, with its comprehensive expertise in customs and border protection
    operations from its work for Customs and Border Protection, will be a
    key provider of enterprise infrastructure development and web-based
    applications;

  * MSD, with its vast knowledge of relevant immigration, inspections and
    biometrics enforcement information systems, will assist in program
    development and implementation;

  * SAIC, with its credentials in enterprise architecture efforts for DHS
    and extensive domain credentials in border security, criminal justice,
    defense and intelligence agencies, will participate in security
    development, enterprise architecture, systems engineering and biometrics
    deployment;

  * SI International, with its State Department and Counselor Affairs
    expertise, will help develop operational concepts and provide systems
    engineering and systems development, assuring effective interfaces
    between systems in both the Department of State and DHS; and

  * Unisys, with its extensive experience developing positive identification
    systems and enterprise architectures for customers such as the
    Transportation Security Administration, will contribute its expertise in
    biometrics and systems engineering.

"We are pleased to partner with other industry leaders in border and homeland security that have continually proven their ability to design solutions that help protect our nation, while meeting demanding delivery schedules," said Antonucci. "Having worked together on nationally prominent programs, our team is ready to efficiently and effectively develop and implement a US VISIT system that satisfies our government's homeland security requirements."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

For additional information on Lockheed Martin Corporation visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin