The Curious Case of Sean King and Homeland Security Contracts Part 2

From Guest Blogger JH

Read Part 1 First Here..

L-3 Communications Homeland Security Contracts
L-3 is Fourth Largest Recipient of Homeland Security Contracts, $5.42 Billion

According to Forbes.com, L-3 is the fourth largest recipient of Homeland Security contracts. L-3’s annual revenue is $9.44 billion and as of August 2006 had received $5.42 billion dollars worth of Homeland Security contracts.

“L-3 is a major supplier of airport bomb screening devices for the Transportation Security Administration. L-3 will also provide technical support for the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (VISIT) program, including biometric scanning stations to identity immigrants entering and leaving the U.S.” (Forbes.com, Big Time Security, August 3, 2006)

L-3 Communications is a New York based company. A company press release indicated that:
“L-3 Communications is a leading provider of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, secure communications systems, aircraft modernization, training and government services. The company is a leading merchant supplier of a broad array of high technology products, including guidance and navigation, sensors, scanners, fuzes, data links, propulsion systems, simulators, avionics, electro optics, satellite communications, electrical power equipment, encryption, signal intelligence, antennas and microwave components. L-3 also supports a variety of Homeland Security initiatives with products and services. Its customers include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, selected U.S. Government intelligence agencies and aerospace prime contractors.” (L-3 Press Release, August 9, 2006, http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-)

L-3 Communications Won $350M Homeland Security Contract, D’Amato Said He Was Pleased With Park Strategies Success

“Another new client is a division of Manhattan-based L-3 Communications. The company won a $350 million Homeland Security contract last month to run security exercises for the feds. D'Amato said in a statement through Siracuse that, "We are very happy with the progress that Park Strategies is making in our D.C. office, and we hope to continue to grow."” (The New York Post, D'AMATO RAKES IN SPOILS OF WAR BIZ, March 27, 2006)

General Atomics Homeland Security Contracts

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of General Atomics, which paid Park Strategies $120,000 in 2005 to represent their interests before Congress.

“The company [General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.] has made significant gains in two major market segments and has continued its operational and developmental successes in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and weapons delivery capabilities. “GA-ASI received two key contracts in 2005 that could significantly increase its footprint in the unmanned aerial systems market,” said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Kathy Ellwood….

The second award comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP). So far, one Predator B serves as a surveillance platform in support of the Border Patrol and another has been ordered; both will conduct missions along the southern border of the United States. This award is historically significant because it is the first procurement of a UAS from CBP in support of a homeland security mission. Predator B will provide additional surveillance in tracking illegal crossings, drug trafficking and potential terrorist activity. “These awards are similar in that successful operations in the next several years could develop into future contracts for both agencies,” noted Ellwood. “Operational successes in the Army and Department of Homeland Security could provide further momentum to enter additional markets such as maritime surveillance and additional commercial and international sales.””(General Atomics Press Release, April 27, 2006 http://www.ga.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1146168439&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&
Peter King Sponsored Legislation Supporting Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Other Military Technology To Secure US Border

H.R.6061
Title: To establish operational control over the international land and maritime borders of the United States.
Sponsor: Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] (introduced 9/13/2006) Cosponsors (42)
Related Bills: H.RES.1002
Latest Major Action: 9/29/2006 Cleared for White House.
SUMMARY AS OF:
9/29/2006--Passed Senate, without amendment. (There are 2 other summaries)

Secure Fence Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, within 18 months of enactment of this Act, to take appropriate actions to achieve operational control over U.S. international land and maritime borders, including: (1) systematic border surveillance through more effective use of personnel and technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, ground-based sensors, satellites, radar coverage, and cameras; and (2) physical infrastructure enhancements to prevent unlawful border entry and facilitate border access by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, such as additional checkpoints, all weather access roads, and vehicle barriers.
Peter King’s Quotes On Use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles To Protect Borders

“New House Homeland Security Chairman Peter King (R-N.Y.) believes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are “underutilized” by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and should play a larger role in border security operations. “I see a very, very real role for UAVs. We need to treat the border as a quasi-war […] King says UAVs should play “much, much more” of a role along borders, where they could track immigrants coming into the country as well as possible illicit activities, such as drug smuggling. “They are not at all being used to the extent that they should be,” he adds.” (Canadian Unmanned Vehicle Systems Community, New Homeland Security Chairman Sees Larger Role for UAVs in Border Security, October 20th, 2005, http://uvscanada.org/blog/?p=62)
King on Use of Military Technology

“Before we can address the overall immigration problem, we have to first show and convince the American people that we can control our borders. We're going to be for the first time using military technology on the borders. We are calling for construction or whatever is necessary along the southern border to close off the border, whether it's walls, fences, infrastructure, lasers, technology, border patrol.” (CNN, Lou Dobbs, December 15, 2005)

Lockheed Martin Homeland Security Contracts
Lockheed Martin Has a $20 Billion Contract To Upgrade Coast Guard Ships

Integrated Coast Guard Systems is a company formed by Lockheed Martin and Northup Grumman to manage a multi-year program to modernize and replace the Coast Guard's aging ships and aircraft, and improve command and control and logistics systems. The program is called the Deepwater project. It is the largest acquisition in the history of the Coast Guard. Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) was awarded the contract in June, 2002.

The Deepwater program is a 20- to 25-year, $19- to $24-billion acquisition program to replace or modernize 93 Coast Guard ships and 207 Coast Guard aircraft. The Coast Guard's FY2006 budget requests $966 million for the program. On March 25, 2005, the Coast Guard submitted to Congress a revised implementation plan for the program. Some Members of Congress have criticized the plan on several grounds. The House version of H.R. 2360, the FY2006 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, reduces the FY2006 Deepwater funding request to $500 million; the Senate version reduces it to $905.6 million. ((LMT), Raytheon (RTN), Boeing (BA), Northrop Grumman (NOC) and wireless-equipment provider Ericsson (ERIC).
Two years ago, another big corporation, Accenture, won potentially the largest contract in the Department of Homeland Security's short history.” (USA Today, Homeland security generates multibillion dollar business, 9/10/2006)
Lockheed Martin is #1 Defense Contractor

“According to the Arms Trade Resource Center, Lockheed Martin gets $105 from each U.S. taxpayer and $228 from each U.S. household. In 2002 the company was effectively taxed at 7.7% compared to an average tax rate for individuals of 21-33%.” (http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?list=type&type=9)
Homeland Security Consultant Said DHS Provided Inadequate Oversight Of Large Contractors

“Consultant Doug Laird, who worked for the U.S. Secret Service and was Northwest Airlines' security director, criticizes the Department of Homeland Security for awarding so many contracts to large corporations. In general, he says, the contractors oversell the security value of their goods and services. Further, he says, the government exercises inadequate oversight. "The DHS has pretty much given them an open check to supply products and services," he says.
Often, the large corporations "have no idea about" the work that needs to be done, Laird says. "In my opinion, it's a total rip-off."” (USA Today, Homeland security generates multibillion dollar business, 9/10/2006)