Quote:
/6/2004 7:56:32 AM ET News Release Index
Vanguard Wins $2.5M Contract with U.S. Marine Corps
Company's decontamination application technology to be adapted for new "Mobility Denial System"
STONEY CREEK, ON, May 6 /CNW/ - Vanguard Response Systems Inc. (TSX: VRS)announced today that it has been awarded a $2.5 million competitive bid contract (all amounts in Canadian dollars) from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems
Command (MARCORSYSCOM) to develop equipment that will spray a specialized anti-traction gel from MARCORSYSCOM. The new spray system will be adapted from Vanguard's foam application technologies.
"This is an excellent opportunity for Vanguard to extend its technology to new applications and products in the response and readiness market," said Vanguard President and CEO David Luxton. "In awarding this contract The U.S.Marines have clearly recognized Vanguard's expertise in mission-critical spray systems, such as our foaming technologies for blast-suppression and decontamination."
The new system, called the Mobility Denial System (MDS) will be used to make roads and surfaces so slippery that it will be impossible for mobs and rioters in a confrontation to stand or walk, or drive a vehicle. This would deny access to certain areas or provide a buffer zone between opposing groups.
The MDS will use MARCORSYSCOM's Anti-Traction Material (ATM), a specialized gel that coats any horizontal or vertical surface, including asphalt,
concrete, wood, tile, and finely cut grass, making it extremely slick and impossible on which to stand or move.
Under the terms of the contract, Vanguard will develop two new spray systems for the MDS, one in backpack or "man-portable" form and another to be mounted on the U.S. military's High-Mobility, Multi-purpose, Wheeled Vehicle
("Hum-Vee" or "Hummer").
The one-year contract calls for Vanguard to deliver six backpack and five truck mounted systems for evaluation by the Marines. Following a successful evaluation, the U.S. Army and Marines are considering purchasing at least
100 vehicle mounted and 700 backpack systems, with a potential for additional purchases by civilian law enforcement agencies. Vanguard expects to have an opportunity to bid on these follow-on requirements. Work on the contract is to
start immediately, with deliveries to be made in the first and second quarters of Vanguard's 2005 fiscal year which commences October 1st, 2004
