L-1 wins $8.3 million U.S. Army contract for HIIDE 4.0 biometric device

Stamford, Connecticut-based L-1 Identity Solutions (NYSE: ID) received an $8.3 million order for HIIDE 4.0 (Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment) biometric enrollment and recognition devices. This order is part of an existing requirements contract with the U.S. Army’s Space Program Office (ASPO) and was first announced by L-1 in April 2007. Delivery will begin in the first quarter of 2009 and is expected to be completed in Q2 2009.

“Our HIIDE devices are pervasive in areas of conflict around the world and are in high demand by the warfighter and peacekeeper alike,” said Robert V. LaPenta, chairman, president, and CEO of L-1 Identity Solutions. “The performance of the HIIDE in the field has made it an indispensable tool for preventing our enemies from hiding behind false identities, a disguise that enables them to move easily across borders in order to perpetuate terrorism and crime.”

HIIDE is a rugged hand-held biometric enrollment and recognition device providing real-time identification using iris, finger, and face biometrics. More than 7,500 devices are currently fielded into areas of conflict around the world. The device uses the highly accurate Daugman algorithm* for biometric matching.

In October L-1 won a contract potentially worth $250 million from the State of New York for more than 75 facilities for fingerprinting, background checks, and other data required for applications to certain jobs and state licenses. Also that month, L-1 landed $20 million from an unnamed customer in the Middle East to provide more than 1,000 HIIDE devices along with other L-1 hardware, software, services and a three-year maintenance and support program.

L-1 reported a 2008 net income of $12.3 million on revenue of $562.9 million.

* For more on Daugman algorithm, see  Dr. Mohamed A. Hebaishy, “Optimized Daugman’s Algorithm for Iris Localization”