DHS contract for nuke scanners questioned

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's acquisition of nuclear scanning technology for cars and cargo is being questioned after more delays to deployment.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., called Tuesday for officials to re-negotiate their deal for the purchase of the new technology, known as advanced spectroscopic portal radiation monitors, or even find a new contractor for the $1.2 billion program.

The portals, which can scan vehicles and cargo containers for nuclear or radiological devices and materials and cost almost $400,000 each, were announced in July 2006 but will not be deployed for at least a year, Schumer said, calling the news "just the latest setback" for the program.

"Homeland Security officials awarded these contracts thinking the technology they were buying was close to being ready, but clearly that is not the case. The contracts for these machines need to be re-examined," added Schumer.

"These detectors are promising and absolutely critical," he continued, "but the administration's strategy for putting them into use has been a disaster. We need to usher in the next generation of screening equipment at our borders and ports, but DHS isn't getting the job done."

The portals can be used to screen cargo containers at U.S and foreign ports and are slated for deployment at heavily trafficked land border crossing points, too.

Schumer says the department's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office had assured officials that the technology worked, but independent audits by the Government Accountability Office have raised questions about the portals' performance and the government's testing procedures for them.