‘ASTORS’ Award Winner Evolv Wins U.S. Air Force Award Contract

Evolv Technology is the world’s leading provider of AI touchless security screening systems to enhance safety without sacrificing the visitor, student and employee experience.
Evolv Technology is a world leading provider of AI touchless security screening systems to enhance safety without sacrificing the visitor, student and employee experience.

Evolv Technology, the 2020 Platinum ‘ASTORS’ Award Winner for Best Weapons Detection Solution, has been awarded a contract with the U. S. Air Force to identify opportunities to strengthen national safety interests through the deployment of Evolv’s advanced security screening systems.

Evolv Technology will apply its leadership in using AI, machine learning, advanced sensors, on-demand analytics and related digital technologies for next-generation touchless weapons screening and threat detection, under this new contract.

Working with program sponsors, Evolv will conduct feasibility studies on how the military and other federal government organizations can improve physical security while optimizing operations and reducing costs at military bases, air terminals, air shows, special events and other locations.

Evolv Technology earned the award as part of the company’s participation in the highly competitive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which are designed to encourage domestic businesses with 500 or fewer employees to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) which has the potential to develop into products for military or commercial sectors.

With the Department of Defense (DoD) active in both programs, 11 federal agencies are engaged in the SBIR initiative, while five participate in the STTR program. Successful completion of the process entitles companies to sole source contracts, a key benefit to the companies and federal government alike.

AFWERX , a U.S. Air Force program which fosters a culture of innovation within the service, facilitates the awarding process. Encompassing multiple programs, including the Air Force commercial investment group, AFVentures, the initiative is intended to circumvent bureaucracy and engage entrepreneurs in Air Force programs.

Peter George, Chief Executive Officer at Evolv Technology
Peter George, Chief Executive Officer at Evolv Technology

“We’re honored to be collaborating with the U.S. Air Force in its mission to protect our nation,” explains Evolv CEO Peter George.

“The public sector is a substantial and expanding market, one that’s pursuing the most advanced human security solutions available.”

“By combining our team’s expertise in risk mitigation with innovative threat detection and weapons screening technologies, Evolv’s systems far exceed what’s possible from analog technologies and legacy approaches.”

“We look forward to bringing these benefits to even more federal government customers.”

(See how your organization can spot weapons while ignoring harmless personal items as visitors walk right through at a natural pace while carrying their phones, bags and other personal items. Evolv Express™ touchless security screening solution is up to 10X faster and far more accurate than metal detectors because it uses new sensor technology and artificial intelligence. Courtesy of Evolv Technology and YouTube.)

Evolv is transforming the physical security industry, with the industry’s only AI-enabled touchless screening system in the market.

Built on the Evolv Cortex AI software platform, Evolv Express®, which took top honors in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, delivers up to a 70% reduction in cost and is ten times faster than traditional metal detectors.

The Evolv Express® system allows people to pass through screening at the pace of life, without breaking stride, which vastly improves security at the speed, scale and flexibility required in today’s post-pandemic world.

Evolv Express
Evolv Express™, powered by the Evolv Cortex AI Software Platform, delivers the frictionless high-speed smart firearm and bomb detection system that screens over 3600 people per hour (60 people per minute) and gets smarter over time.

To date, Evolv’s advanced security systems have been used to screen more than 50 million people, which is second only to the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration in screening people in the U.S.

Some of the world’s most iconic companies and venues place their trust in Evolv to protect their employees and visitors, including Uber, Lincoln Center, L.L. Bean, Six Flags, and hundreds of others.

Built on top of its Evolv Cortex AI software platform, the company provides an array of AI touchless screening technologies for weapons detection, identity verification, and health-related threats.

Led by a team of security industry leaders with a track record for delivering first-to-market products, Evolv’s investors include Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s firm, Finback Investment Partners, DCVC, General Catalyst Partners, Lux Capital, SineWave Ventures, Motorola Solutions, and STANLEY Ventures.

Evolv Technology’s partners include Motorola Solutions, STANLEY Security, and Johnson Controls.

To Learn More about Evolv, please visit https://evolvtechnology.com.

2019 'ASTORS' Awards Program Banquet Luncheon
2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program Banquet Luncheon

American Security Today’s ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards program is now in its Sixth Year and continues to recognize the Outstanding Innovations of top firms and agencies in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields.

2020 was a very challenging year for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the much heralded AST ‘ASTORS’ Awards Winners Presentations and exclusive Luncheon at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC had to be canceled and rescheduled for 2021 due to the virus.

Mike Madsen, Publisher, American Security Today
Mike Madsen, Publisher, American Security Today

However, the 2020 ‘ASTORS’  Homeland Security Awards Program was again a huge success and many new categories were added including a section for COVID-19 Detection and Innovation.

2020 ‘ASTORS’ Excellence in Homeland Security and Government Award Recipients Include

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Excellence in Homeland Security

  • The Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign, designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases.

  • Blue Campaign works closely with DHS Components to create general awareness training and materials for law enforcement and others to increase detection of human trafficking, and to identify victims.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate

Excellence in Homeland Security

  • The COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat with life and death consequences, the enormity of which many of us have never seen before.

  • It is also a scientific challenge in need of innovative solutions and S&T is using every tool at its disposal to join the fight; including harnessing the knowledge of it’s experts on technology deployments, international collaboration, scientific breakthroughs, and support for America’s frontline workers.

  • S&T has focused its efforts on laboratory research and providing valuable resources to inform the broader response community and help keep front line responders safe.

DHS S&T Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC)

Excellence in Homeland Security

CARD is a centralized location of chemical information for threat materials that can be used simultaneously from multiple locations, as a tool for assisting federal law enforcement with interdiction, prosecution, and reduction of drug proliferation.
CARD is a centralized location of chemical information for threat materials that can be used simultaneously from multiple locations, as a tool for assisting federal law enforcement with interdiction, prosecution, and reduction of drug proliferation.
  • CARD, a chemical synthesis and chemical informatics centric data system (e.g. boiling point, melting point, toxicity, or spectroscopic information) containing both unclassified and classified data, is accessible from a classified website maintained on a server hosted by the Department of Defense.

    There is a detailed description of how each chemical is prepared to include information relevant to each step, the reagents and reactants that are needed and the conditions necessary for the reactions to take place, such as time, temperature, mixing—like a recipe.

DHS S&T National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL)

Excellence in Public Safety

    • Hoist Rescue Gloves for Aerial Rescue

  • Rescue helicopter hoist operators need gloves to protect the hand that guides the hoist cable during rescue descents and ascents, using a significant amount of force to mitigate the cable swinging for situations from hurricane evacuations and dive rescues to rescuing stranded hikers on a mountain side, missions vary and no two are ever alike.

  • A partnership between S&T and Higher Dimension Materials, Inc. (HDM) resulted in an enhanced rescue hoist glove with increased flexibility, durability, and dexterity.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate

Excellence in Homeland Security

  • The Slash CameraPole is a self-triggering platform with wireless data retrieval to detect and give warning of suspicious activities at the U.S.-Canada border, specifically a cleared stretch of land at the border that is approximately 20-feet wide, 1,349 miles long, and is referred to as the “Slash.”

  • This man-made, treeless zone is mandated by the International Boundary Commission and presents a formidable surveillance challenge, against such threats as illegal crossings, drug and illegal contraband smuggling and human trafficking.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Excellence in Homeland Security

  • The CDC has provided Law enforcement and EMS who must make contact with individuals confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 with guidance to help safeguard their health while performing their duties.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Excellence in Homeland Security

ICE ERO ops target public safety threats, like convicted criminal aliens & gang members, as well as people who've otherwise violated immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the US after being removed & immigration fugitives ordered removed by fed immigration judges. When law enforcement agencies fail to honor immigration detainers and release serious criminal offenders onto the streets, it undermines ICE’s ability to protect public safety and carry out its mission. (Courtesy of ICE)
ICE ERO operations target public safety threats, like convicted criminal aliens & gang members, as well as people who’ve otherwise violated immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the US after being removed & immigration fugitives ordered removed by fed immigration judges.
  • ERO identifies and apprehends removable aliens, detains these individuals when necessary and removes illegal aliens from the United States.

  • ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of aliens who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our immigration laws.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Best Federal Government Security Program

    • Federal Risk Management Process Training Program

  • The Federal Risk Management Process Training Program (FedRMPTP), Newly available Online – is Interagency Security Committee certified for Facility Security Officials, Federal Security Supervisors and those involved with Federal facility acquisition, construction, and renovation projects.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Excellence in Homeland Security

  • The IC3 serves as the FBI’s central hub to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding occurrences of Internet crime

  • IC3 provides the public with a reliable and convenient reporting mechanism to submit reports of suspected Internet-facilitated criminal activity and to develop alliances with law enforcement and industry partners.

(Actress Kirsten Vangsness, who plays tech-savvy FBI analyst Penelope Garcia on the show Criminal Minds, is promoteing the awareness of Internet crimes and scams and encourages the public to report suspected criminal cyber activity to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Courtesy of the FBI and YouTube.)

  • Since 2000, the IC3 has received complaints crossing the spectrum of cyber crime matters, to include online fraud in its many forms including intellectual property rights (IPR) matters, computer intrusions (hacking), economic espionage (theft of trade secrets), online extortion, international money laundering, identity theft, and a growing list of Internet facilitated crimes.

Federal Protective Service in Collaboration with the Argonne National Laboratory

Best Risk, Crisis Management Solution

    • Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST) – COVID-19 Telematics Capabilities

  • DHS’s FPS provides integrated security and law enforcement services to over 9,500 federal facilities, and leverages the Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST), a joint solution developed in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory.

As the police force of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service (FPS) is responsible for protecting Federal Facilities, their occupants, and visitors, ensuring a safe environment in which federal agencies can conduct their business. FPS does this by investigating threats posed against over 9,000 federal facilities nationwide.
As the police force of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service (FPS) is responsible for protecting Federal Facilities, their occupants, and visitors, ensuring a safe environment in which federal agencies can conduct their business. FPS does this by investigating threats posed against over 9,000 federal facilities nationwide.
  • Argonne and FPS have continuously sought ways to improve the tool’s ability to assess, detect, and mitigating threats, and this year, no threat was more pervasive in this country than COVID-19.

  • To confront the threat that COVID-19 posed to the FPS workforce, MIST was enhanced to allow FPS Headquarters and FPS Management to track and display each federal building affected by COVID-19, and to analyze local hospitals and EMS facilities in relation to federal buildings and office locations.

  • The Federal Protective Service and Argonne National Laboratory have also been recognized in the 2019, and 20188 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Programs respectively.

John Verrico

Excellence in Homeland Security

    • Chief of Media and Community Relations, DHS Science & Technology Directorate

  • John Verrico, who is also the former President of the National Association of Government Communicators, has nearly 40 years of experience as a public affairs professional in federal and state government agencies, working extensively in media, community and employee relations, with significant emphasis in science, engineering and the security fields.

John Verrico
John Verrico, DHS Chief of Media and Community Relations
  • A retired Navy Master Chief Journalist, John’s career has been focused on helping government agencies tell their stories and share important news with the public. He takes special care to ensure government information is accessible and that complex issues are easily understood.

Kathleen Kiernan, Ed. D

Excellence in Homeland Security

    • Kiernan Group Holdings CEO

  • Dr. Kathleen Kiernan is the Founder and CEO of national security, education, risk management and compliance firm Kiernan Group Holdings, Chair Emeritus of InfraGard National Members Alliance, and adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and Naval Post Graduate School.

Dr. Kathleen Kiernan is a 29-year veteran of Federal Law Enforcement, previously serving as the Assistant Director for the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
  • GOT Preparedness® (Got Online Training), was built specifically for dispersed and remote workforces and we have trained thousands of individuals domestically and internationally. 

  • She has delivered operational and educational capabilities across the globe and developed a methodological based approach to the resiliency cycle at an individual and organizational level.

Joseph Pangaro

Excellence in Public Safety

    • CEO at True Security Design

  • As the owner and CEO of Pangaro Training and Management, Joseph Pangaro, concentrates on providing the best and most up to date training programs for the Law Enforcement, School and Business communities.

New Jersey City University

Excellence in Public Safety

  • NJCU is one of the few programs nationally in higher education designated an Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) per the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and a Cyber Defense CAE per the National Security Agency.

The Professional Security Studies Department is nationally recognized in National, Cyber, and Corporate Security Education and certified by the National Security Agency undergraduate and graduate Cyber Defense.

New York City Emergency Management

Excellence in Homeland Security

    • New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), is under the guidance of Commissioner Deanne Criswell, a former FEMA official and head of OEM for the city of Aurora, CO, who is responsible for oversight and development of the city’s emergency management plans.

Deanne Criswell, the Commissioner of the New York City Emergency Management Department
Deanne Criswell, the Commissioner of the New York City Emergency Management Department
    • NYCEM regularly tests plans by conducting drills and exercises, and responds to emergencies to ensure that other agencies not only follow these plans, but to foster communication amongst the responding agencies.

      NYCEM also operates the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) where city, state and federal agencies join representatives from the private and nonprofit sectors to coordinate complex responses to emergencies and disasters.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Excellence in Public Safety

The 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was sponsored by ATI SystemsAttivo NetworksAutomatic Systems, X.Labs and Reed Exhibitionsevery one a returning Sponsor from 2020, 2019 and More.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification Personal/Protective Equipment Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System Interagency Interdiction Operation Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition Body Worn Video Product Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS Mobile Technology Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics Disaster Preparedness ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera Mass Notification System Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection Rescue Operations Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition Detection Products And Many Others!
COVID Innovations And Many Others!

 

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020 and a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Local transmission of the disease has occurred across all fifty states in the America.

With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.

As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.
AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.

The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

American Security Today

These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

To learn more about the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Check Out the New 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2020 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.

It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2020 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

  • For a complete list of 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, click here.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, and the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

  • Provides named sources
  • Reported by more than one notable outlet
  • Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

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