DHS Releases RFP for Secure Border Initiative

Reports Bruce Schneier:

"The Department of Homeland Security has released a Request for Proposal -- that's the document asking industry if anyone can do what it wants -- for the Secure Border Initiative. Washington Technology has the story:

"The long-awaited request for proposals for Secure Border Initiative-Net was released today by the Homeland Security Department, which is calling the project the "most comprehensive effort in the nation's history" to gain control of the borders.

"The 144-page document outlines the purpose and scope of the border surveillance technology program, which supplements other efforts to control the border and enforce immigration laws."

Not everybody thinks spending $1.3 billion on new border security technology is a good idea. Congressman Harold Rogers (R-Ky), who chairs the US House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, told Washington Technology that "the government has spent millions on 'elaborate border technology that, eventually, has proven to be ineffective and wasteful,' such as the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System and America Shield Initiative. 'How is the SBI not just another three-letter acronym for failure?' he asked."