CIBER, Inc. announced its Federal Solutions Division has been awarded the
Port Freeport, Texas, Waterside Perimeter Protection Project, valued at
$2.3 million. Port Freeport chose CIBER's Harbor Management and Security
(HMS) solution to fulfill its unique needs for a shared system for regional
port users. The system delivers both a port security,
port safety, Maritime
Domain Awareness (MDA) and a
port management system, all rolled into one
integrated solution.
The
Port Freeport contract is significant in part because the port is
adding large new liquid natural gas (LNG) facilities which will soon be in
operation. Dow Chemical, BASF and other petrochemical companies operate
facilities in the port, and they will benefit from the shared system CIBER
will implement.
Earlier this year, CIBER completed a similar integrated multi-mission
maritime system for the Port of Lake Charles, La., the largest LNG port in
the U.S. That system was the first of its kind that offered a shared,
multi- mission, integrated technological and business approach to
protecting a port region and providing a type of Maritime Domain Awareness
for a large region comprising hundreds of users across dozens of local,
state, federal and private organizations.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also implemented a
national maritime security project using CIBER's HMS system in the last
year.
"Port Freeport's goal with the new port security system is to provide
one integrated and shared regional system that capitalizes on our existing
technologies," said Port Freeport's Security Manager Rick Benavidez. "The
current video surveillance system and wireless network will be integrated
with CIBER's new technologies, such as intelligent radar; three modes of
secure command and control (C2) situational displays (for command centers, mobile patrol boats, and authorized web based external users), automatic identification system (AIS) base stations, patrol boat tracking,
interoperable communications, and web services to form one shared regional
common operating picture. All this, coupled with the many other data
management and data/sensor fusion, alert distribution, and post incident
replay and analysis features within our new HMS system from CIBER will be
shared across local, state, and federal agencies in the port region."
Benavidez added, "First responders, the port's public and private
facilities, pilots, and other approved entities can benefit from
information provided by the system, too. In the last two rounds of port
security grants, the Department of Homeland Security has focused on
Maritime Domain Awareness and waterside perimeter security. The HMS system
meets and exceeds the objective outlined by DHS."