[FedCom] TSA to buy 20, 000 HT's for agents to "whisper" at each other

[ed]

Note that these are to be scrambled or encrypted radios, which can cost
thousands of dollars apiece.  This could cost as much as much as $100 Million. 
Note radio specs below.

-bernieS


http://www.gsnmagazine.com/cms/features/news-analysis/1515.html

TSA wants its personnel to 'whisper' at airport checkpoints to reduce stress

By Jacob Goodwin, Editor-in-Chief

Published February 11th, 2009

In an effort to reduce shouting between its security officers at airport
security checkpoints, and reduce overall stress levels for passengers, TSA is
planning to purchase as many as 20,000 land mobile radios that would enable its
personnel to whisper to each other.

“Wireless whisper will reduce noise levels that contribute to the current sense
of stress at checkpoints,” explained TSA in a solicitation for mobile radios
published Feb. 6. “These noise levels are elevated by the current mode of
communication which often consists of [Transportation Security Officers]
speaking or shouting to one another in the open, over other checkpoint noise.”

TSA’s Office of Operational Information Technology intends to procure at least
9,260 Very High Frequency land mobile radios, and, perhaps, as many as 20,000 of
the units, to enable officers to speak more quietly.

“A speaker microphone is intended to be worn on the uniform of the TSA employee
around the shoulder area while the radio is attached at the belt level,” says
the statement of work for the proposed three-year, fixed-price, indefinite
delivery / indefinite quantity contract. “The device shall allow for the
attachment of a receive-only earpiece that allows for discrete monitoring of audio.”

According to the statement of work, the radios will possess the following
capabilities:

• Weigh no more than 12 ounces, including the battery;

• Operate in the 162MHz through 174MHz VHF spectrum;

• Provide a vibrating alert on message reception;

• Prevent unauthorized eavesdropping on voice transmissions through voice
scrambling, encryption or other technologies.

The radios will be distributed to more than 160 TSA locations at airports and
other sites, over a four-month period.

The effort to “reduce ambient noise and facilitate more discrete communications
between TSOs” is one element of the Checkpoint Evolution Program initiated by
TSA in 2007.

Prospective radio vendors are expected to respond by Feb. 27. More information
is available from James Loba, a TSA contract specialist, at 571-227-1032.