General Dynamics to support HSIN network

FALLS CHURCH, Va., June 11 (UPI) -- General Dynamics has been contracted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop an update for the Homeland Security Information Network.

Under the $18 million task order, General Dynamics will be responsible for designing an update for the next-generation HSIN national information sharing and collaboration platform. Officials say if all options are exercised, the contract would be worth $62 million over five years.

HSIN provides a secure platform for sensitive but unclassified data for the DHS along with domestic and international partners. General Dynamics will lead a team on the task order that includes technical solutions providers Adobe, EMC, Oracle, RSA and Sun Microsystems along with Ambit, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, ManTech and Sim-G Technologies.

"With growing and changing threats, hazards and incidents that our nation and citizens face every day, it is critical for DHS to continue to remain vigilant and look for ways to enhance its ability to share information and increase situational awareness," Lou Von Thaer, General Dynamics advanced information systems president, said in a statement.

"General Dynamics will help DHS expand its national information-sharing and collaboration environment, to ensure that data and analysis can be shared in a multi-directional, trusted and secure environment among DHS and its partners."