Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) in San Diego, CA received a $27 million firm-fixed price indefinite-delivery/ indefinite quantity contract for maintenance and technical services, spare parts and training manuals for the Mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection Systems (Mobile VACIS).
SAIC’s VACIS is a gamma ray based inspection system designed to non-intrusively inspect the contents of trucks, containers, and cargo for contraband. The gamma source offers greater reliability and a lower cost of ownership than X-rays because it uses a constant source and shutter system rather than a complicated, high-voltage electrical system to create the radiation. There are various types of VACIS systems; Mobile VACIS is mounted on a truck, per the accompanying illustration.
VACIS systems are used throughout the world – 30 units have been sold to Mexico, 15 to Canada, 10 to Central America, 10 to Europe, 14 to Asia, and 50 to the Middle East as of April 2005. There are over 160 VACIS systems in use in the U.S.
Work will be performed at SAIC’s facilities in San Diego, CA and in Southwest Asia with a completion date of Aug. 3, 2008. The U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Rock Island at Rock Island, IL issued the contract (W52H09-05-D-0282).