Raytheon expresses disappointment at UK e-Borders Decision
Raytheon says it is disappointed by the recent announcement by the UK Home Office to terminate its 750 million pound e-borders contract.
“We appreciate the Home Office is operating under significant budget constraints but a default notice is not an appropriate way to achieve the important objectives of this program,” a company statement said.
“We expect to review this matter with the Home Office at the earliest opportunity to address the path forward.”
Raytheon signed the contract as prime contractor in November 2007. The company headed a consortium which included partners Accenture, Detica and Serco, beating a BT team, whose partners included Lockheed Martin, LogicaCMG and HP.
The project was intended to develop an advanced border control and security program involving collection and analysis of passenger and crew data provided by air, sea and rail carriers for journeys to and from the UK in advance of the actual trip. At the time it was expected that the project would support an intelligence-led approach to operating border controls, helping to identify individuals in violation of UK immigration laws or those involved with organized crime or terrorism.
Since the contract was signed there has been a change at the helm of Raytheon’s Intelligence and Information Systems business with the retirement of 40-year industry veteran Mike Keebaugh and the appointment of Lynn Dugle to the top IIS job in January 2009.
No confidence
UK Immigration Minister Damian Green, in a written statement to Parliament, said that the Home Secretary “has no confidence in the prime supplier of the e-borders contract, Raytheon, which since July 2009 has been in breach of contract”.
“With critical parts of the programme already running at least 12 months late, we have taken the decision to terminate the e-borders contract with them.
“The government is determined to get value for money from its major contracts and requires the highest standard of performance from its suppliers. We will now be seeking alternative providers to continue to deliver this project as a matter of urgency.
“We have already committed to improve our existing border controls and bring a greater focus to organised crime by introducing a Border Police Force. This is on top of the fingerprinting of visa applicants and watch list checks at UK border controls.”
Raytheon, however, has countered that since it began working on the program, e-Borders has significantly improved UK border security from threats of terrorism, illegal immigration and serious crime.
“We have delivered a live operating capability that now screens more than 120 million passenger journeys per year, representing more than half of the traffic entering and leaving the country. The advanced screening processes we have introduced with our partners have enabled thousands of alerts and arrests since program inception.
“Raytheon has a long history of successfully delivering on thousands of programs for its global customers and is proud of its many achievements in support of e-Borders.”
Raytheon’s partner companies are also expected to be sacked from the project.