2010 American Security Challenge Now Taking Submissions For Estimated $25M In Awards

PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Security Initiative is pleased to announce the 2010 American Security Challenge is now accepting submissions from Challengers. After generating over $10M last year in teaming, sub-contract and investor term sheets, the 2010 Challenge is targeting greater than $25M for Challenger applicants with cybersecurity, C4ISR, physical security and energy applications.

As the largest competition and matchmaking opportunity in the nation, the American Security Challenge is the center of gravity for the critical stakeholders in the security technology market. This year over 40 Pilot Awards have been added dramatically increasing Challenger contracting conditions. Federal and private sector customers provide the resources to "Pilot" or "test-drive" vendor solutions in a small controlled environment that mirrors the full-scale scenario.

These Pilots provide Challengers the opportunity to have their technologies test driven, not by tire-kickers, but by qualified potential customers who have ready contract vehicles and funding for technologies passing the pilots. These customers may include but are not limited to various groups within the Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Raytheon, ArcSight, Intuit, members of the Intelligence Community and others (additional customers pending). By quickly identifying solutions to mission critical and highly visible issues, the American Security Challenge public/private partnerships are working to secure our nation's citizens, our assets and our economy.

"Our objective is not to award some demo or lab tests to just to benchmark a vendor's performance," says ASC Chairman Roger London, "rather, we want the pilot to be the beginning of a long and substantive contractual relationship between the vendor and the customer. We believe the Challenge is a way to shorten the sales cycle, and connect a buyer and a seller who might not otherwise connect. This platform enables us to accelerate the adoption of critical innovation that protects our economy, our assets, soldiers and citizens domestically and around the world."

CALL TO ACTION -- We are seeking innovative COTS technology solutions to address cybersecurity, C4ISR, physical security and energy issues. Companies with suitable technology in these areas should apply by May 28, 2010. Judging and due diligence will occur June through August and higher scoring companies notified by September 1, 2010. Interested innovators and sponsors are encouraged to visit www.AmericanSecurityChallenge.com for full information on eligibility, submission deadlines, prizes and other information.

ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY INITIATIVE (NSI)

The National Security Initiative is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting America's long-term national security interests by uniting the power of the market to the power of American ingenuity. The principle channel is the American Security Challenge, an annual technology contest that brings innovators and investors from around the country together to collaborate and support the best security technology devoted to our country's long-term national security. Learn more about NSI at www.NationalSecurityInitiative.com and about ASC at www.AmericanSecurityChallenge.com.

Contact: Roger London, (410) 340-5335 [email protected]