TSA awards explosives contract to American Homeland Security Consulting

American Homeland Security Consulting has been awarded a contract by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to supply RDX and ammonium nitrate explosives.

Under the $57,000 contract, the consulting group will deliver about 1,400lb of RDX and ammonium nitrate explosives that will be used by TSA in training programmes for explosive-sniffing dogs.

The agency had originally intended to purchase 700lb of A-5 Flake RDX explosives and 700lb of high density ammonium nitrate explosives, as reported by Government Security News.

The explosives are being procured by TSA to provide the participants "with a more realistic training aid and complement the current aids provided."

"TSA’s National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program prepares dogs and handlers to serve on the front lines of America’s War on Terror," the agency said.

"These very effective, mobile teams can quickly locate and identify dangerous materials that may present a threat to transportation systems. Just as important, they can quickly rule out the presence of dangerous materials in unattended packages, structures or vehicles, allowing the free and efficient flow of commerce."

According to TSA, the explosives will be delivered to the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, US, within the next 15 days.