Six win RFID reader deals

The Army awarded six blanket purchase agreements for RFID readers used throughout the military supply chain.

Army officials awarded six contracts for radio frequency identification (RFID) readers for use throughout the Defense Department and Coast Guard.

The readers, which use a short-range radio signal to read shipping information stored in passive tags affixed to pallets and cases, will be installed at DOD logistics facilities worldwide. The Pentagon has mandated that all its suppliers use RFID tags on all shipments by 2007.

Companies tapped by the Army to supply readers are ADT Security Services, Cheval Rouge, Intecs International, RSI ID Technologies, Sys-Tec and WFI Government Services.

The blanket purchase agreement contracts announced May 11 cover both fixed and portable readers and complement a March award for RFID tags. The Army did not provide a dollar value on the contracts, but individual orders cannot exceed $5 million in value.