7 to 10 Billion

An article from MSNBC discusses the US-VISIT program, and the massive IT contract that it holds for some makers of biometric technology (and associated systems). Quoting:

The U.S.-Visit program is expected to cost between $7-$10 billion though 2014, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

“Up to now, most of what the Homeland Security has done has involved getting airports up and running with their baggage screening, but now we’re at the point where we are seeing serious money come into this industry,” added Andreassen.

The International Biometric Group, an industry consulting and research firm, predicts that industry revenues from biometrics technologies will grow from $600 million last year to more than $4 billion by 2007, the biggest chunk — about 75 percent — of the demand coming from government-related investments.

U.S.-VISIT is one of the government's most expensive technology contracts, and it is likely to be the first of many.