Accenture wins US-VISIT

Homeland Security Department officials awarded the prime integrator contract for the massive entry/exit system to Accenture, the Homeland Security Department confirmed today.

Accenture beat out Lockheed Martin Corp. and Computer Sciences Corp. for the long-awaited multibillion-dollar contract for the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program. Accenture will design, integrate and implement the processes, systems, training and management for the foreign-visitor tracking program.

A DHS statement indicated that the final decision was made May 28. Accenture officials could not be reached for comment prior to a press conference scheduled for this afternoon.

According to the request for proposals, the minimum value of the contract issued through task orders will be $10 million, and the maximum value through indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quality requirements will be $10 billion. It will be a five-year base contract with five one-year options.

DHS officials asked vendors to provide a solution based on operational needs and legislative mandates, but the contracting documents more specifically outlined the work:

Program and technical management of individual task orders.

Program integration of all activities related to US-VISIT.

Strategic planning and analysis to support the program office.

Process re-engineering and organizational change management.

Systems engineering and architecture for integration of multiple projects.

Design, development and implementation for each phase of the program.

Development of a training program.

Accenture's team includes: Dell Inc., Global Technology Management Inc., Raytheon Co., Sandler and Travis Trade Advisory Services Inc., Sprint, SRA International Inc. and Titan Corp.

A Lockheed spokeswoman confirmed that the company did not win the award.

"We are disappointed here at Lockheed Martin," spokeswoman Anna DiPaola said. "Despite the loss, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to serving the government and citizens by developing and implementing innovative solutions to defend and protect our nation."