Replies to post #2990 on PositiveID Corporation (fka PSID)

[FIERCE]

This is what the Government website says. It sounds nothing like what you posted. You may have added your own inference.

The revised strategy would consist of a two step procurement using a competitive down selection technique between steps. Step 1 would be for Performance Testing of candidate systems and may result in the award of multiple contracts depending on the technical merits of proposals submitted and the availability of funding. Step 2 would be a separate competition and result in the award of a single contract for LRIP, OT&E, Full Rate Production, Deployment, Sustainment and Disposal. To be considered for the Step 2 award, an offeror would need to demonstrate a design maturity and data set equivalent to that of Step 1 contractors. Additional information regarding the two step procurement will be made available in a draft solicitation scheduled for posting in the first quarter of FY2013

[Robsct]

In a report by the Government Accounting Office (GAO) they recommended an additional testing phase and delayed deployment of the BioWatch system by DHS. The GAO also states that DHS has said they are not going to do this additional testing or delay the deployment of BioWatch. This was just a recommendation and not a law. Obama himself I believe has said publicly he is anxious to deploy BioWatch quickly. I include a link to info that squashes any unfounded rumors about this new testing phase being real. In the last paragraph the GAO says what the DHS response to their recommendation was!

" DHS concurred with the recommendations, but not the implementation timeline. DHS plans to proceed with the acquisition while implementing them to avoid further delays."

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-810