TRW Selected to Perform Port Vulnerability Assessments

The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected TRW Inc. to assess the vulnerability of the nation's most critical commercial and military seaports, under a 5-year contract worth up to $31 million. "Securing our nation's ports and maritime transportation system is a vital component of our overarching transportation security mission," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta in announcing TRW's selection. "These assessments will improve our understanding of vulnerabilities in port infrastructure and systems and help reduce our susceptibility to hostile or criminal acts." Under contract to the Coast Guard, TRW will develop model port security guidelines, conduct assessments of at least 55 U.S. ports, and develop a port vulnerability self-assessment methodology to help local port stakeholders evaluate and improve security conditions. The Port Vulnerability Assessment program, a blanket purchase agreement, was awarded to Reston-based TRW Systems -- the TRW business that provides systems development and integration; systems engineering and analysis; and scientific, engineering, and technical services.

"This issue is a very high priority for the Bush Administration and for the Department of Transportation," said Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis, Associate Under Secretary of Transportation for Maritime and Land Security, Transportation Security Administration. "With more than 25,000 miles of navigable waterways and over 350 ports, the nation's maritime system presents one of our greatest security challenges." "Although strengthening the security of the nation's seaports is a difficult, demanding mission, TRW has a long legacy of helping the nation solve technologically challenging tasks. We will apply our extensive expertise in a number of areas -- including intelligence, surveillance, detection, command and control, law enforcement, infrastructure security and large data-based systems -- to help better secure the nation's vital and valuable maritime system," said Dr. Donald C. Winter, president and CEO of TRW Systems. "Model port attributes and Port Vulnerability Assessments are critical tools to ensure industry and government dollars are spent wisely to address risks in our ports," said Admiral James M. Loy, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. "These assessments, done in cooperation with port stakeholders, will improve port planning and harden our ports against terrorist attack." TRW is working with ANSER (Arlington, Va.), Hudson Marine Management Services (Camden, N.J.), UTD, Inc. (Manasass, Va.) and Gormly International (San Diego, Calif.) on the PVA program. In other public safety and security efforts, TRW Systems is helping the Jacksonville International Airport enhance security, communications, and command-and-control systems and meet new federal baggage-screening mandates. TRW also designed and built consolidated communications and dispatch centers, including for Chicago O'Hare International Airport and several major U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore and Los Angeles.