Lumen wins $137M network, security contract from U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has selected Lumen Technologies for a network services contract worth $137 million. The 11-year task order will have an initial one-year term with ten one-year options and was awarded to Lumen under the General Services Administration’s 15-year, $50 billion Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) program.
On a typical day in 2021, CBP processed:
- 159,598 incoming privately owned cars/trucks
- $7.6 billion of imported products
- 101,000 pieces of merchandise at land, air, and sea ports of entry
- $256 million in taxes, duties, and fees, including over $234 million in duties
- 491,688 pedestrians and passengers
- 89,458 rail, truck, and sea containers
In other words, CBP’s operations are extensive and its workers are geographically dispersed. Network services are critical to the agency’s operations.
Lumen will provide CBP with a wide range of resilient, secure communications services that allow the agency to complete its crucial role at U.S. ports of entry, borders, airports, and other sites around the world. Via Lumen’s edge computing platform, the firm is providing a safe and secure platform for CBP personnel stationed across the world to access modern network services.
Lumen Technologies will also help CBP with IT modernization efforts by working with the agency to adopt a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) solution. “Customs and Border Protection’s 24/7 mission to protect the American people, safeguard borders and enhance the nation’s economic prosperity means they need a proven network provider that can deliver fast, secure and steadfast connectivity,” said Zain Ahmed, senior vice president, Lumen public sector.
According to Lumen, the company is “honored to support government agencies with innovative adaptive networking, edge cloud, connected security and collaboration services using the company’s platform for advanced application delivery solutions.”
In addition to its work with CBP, Lumen Technologies has also been awarded a $1.2 billion contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a $1.6 billion contract with the U.S. Department of the Interior for similar network services.
Analysis
Lumen Technologies has been entrusted with helping the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency to modernize its network infrastructure and adopt a more secure and resilient communications platform. Network security has become a critical issue at the federal government as foreign adversaries have ramped up attacks in the wake of economic disputes and war, including Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Deals with this level of federal agency helps the firm to further establish itself as a leading provider of network services in the government contracting space and acts as good marketing when pitching to enterprise customers.
Comments