Santa Monica's RAND Corp. Wins $500 Million Contract from Homeland Security

SANTA MONICA, CA -- The Santa Monica-based RAND Corp. was awarded a five-year contract worth nearly $500 million to conduct technical and operational research for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the nonprofit organization announced Tuesday.

Under the agreement, RAND will operate the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center, which will perform analytical work in hopes of bolstering DHS efforts to "prevent terrorism and enhance security, secure and manage U.S. borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard and secure cyberspace and strengthen national preparedness and resiliency."

"RAND is honored and excited to be selected by DHS to assist with its important work," RAND President Michael D. Rich said. "The new center provides another opportunity for RAND to serve the public and apply its expertise on issues such as terrorism, border security and other topics critical to protecting the U.S. homeland."

RAND officials said the contract could be worth as much as $494.7 million.

The center will be led by RAND senior researcher Terrence K. Kelly. The associate director will be Henry H. Willis, who has led RAND's homeland security research efforts.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of RAND Corp.