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« Go back to Press ReleasesKnight Security Systems Awarded $12+ Million Video Surveillance Contract With Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Thursday 21 January 2010
State’s Largest Security Project Will Install and Network 3,200 Video Cameras Across 12 Campuses for DADS
Austin, Texas – January 19, 2010 – Knight Security Systems, a leading security systems integrator, announced today that the company was awarded the largest single security contract in the state of Texas for 2009 by Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to ensure the security and safety of residents and staff at 12 state-supported living centers located across the state. The contract, valued at more than $12 million, was designed specifically for the department and will install a network of more than 3,000 high-definition video cameras in 335 buildings across the state.
The project is to be completed by August 2011, as required by the DADS contract, but Knight Security Systems believes it could finish 6 months ahead of schedule. The installation, which includes nearly 35 miles of fiber cabling within the video surveillance network, will be installed and completed in three phases, requiring an average of four to five months for each phase of four campuses in Abilene, Austin, Brenham, Denton, El Paso, Lubbock, Lufkin, Mexia, Richmond, Harlingen (Rio Grande campus), San Angelo and San Antonio.
“Key to securing this contract with DADS was our aggressive scheduling, the elegance of our system design and the people we put behind it,” said Knight Security Systems President Phil Lake. “Our entire team is extremely pleased to have been selected for this important and worthy mission, and we understand and appreciate the trust DADS has placed in us to complete it in an efficient and effective manner.”
“Our standardized and modular design method simplifies the system deployment while providing a very scalable solution to support the long term needs of DADS,” said Christopher Hugman, P.E., Knight Security Systems Vice President and Executive Project Manager for the project. “We stated in our proposal that the Knight team was ready to deploy, and within 30 days of the contract we are already at work on multiple sites.”
The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) was created to administer long-term services and supports for people who are aging and who have cognitive and physical disabilities. DADS also licenses and regulates providers of these services, and administers the state’s guardianship program. DADS began formal operations on Sept. 1, 2004.
By standardizing each component of the system—video cameras, network switches, power backups, management systems, etc.—Knight Security Systems is able to pre-engineer each system by building and campus, providing cost and time savings while deploying a more robust and reliable system configuration. In addition installation and onsite maintenance are less intrusive, and safety and security are enhanced via centralized monitoring and control.
The Texas DADS project was implemented through the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) purchasing process, and Knight Security Systems has procured more than 50 percent HUB participation among its subcontractors. Knight is a licensed DIR vendor and is also licensed by the Texas DPS Private Security Bureau.
As the lead contractor on the project, Knight Security Systems has enlisted installation and infrastructure hardware and software partners well established on security and infrastructure projects with the State of Texas.
KST Electric, Ltd., a full-service electrical, data and communication contracting company based in Manor, Texas, is a major partner on the project and will manage the installation of the nearly 35 miles of fiber optic cable and all interior network cabling for the system infrastructure. Voted the best women-owned business in 2008, HUB-certified KST has 600 employees and has executed multiple projects with the State of Texas.
Austin-based Applied Network Security will help with camera installation, system programming and network head-end configuration. Applied Network Security is also HUB-certified and has worked with Knight on numerous other installations.
Knight Security Systems is responsible for general project management and administration; video system design, engineering and assignments; overall project acceptance and training; and ongoing service-level agreement and technical support.
“With thousands of customers, from small businesses to large government campus environments, Knight Security Systems, KST Electric and Applied Network Security are familiar with the nuances and challenges that can arise with a project of this nature,” said Hugman. “The design of the DADS video surveillance system reflects this crucial experience and knowledge.”
About Knight Security
Knight Security Systems, a leading security systems integrator, designs, installs and services advanced security solutions for access control, video surveillance, intrusion, encrypted wireless networks, fire and life safety systems for commercial and public sector clients. Knight operates full service locations in Austin, Dallas and Houston. Since 1983, Knight Security Systems has worked with more than 3,000 Texas customers, supplying them with state-of-the art security solutions designed to specific needs. For more information, visit www.knightsecurity.com.