A US manufacturer of security and inspection systems, which it provides to US border checkpoints and Israeli military checkpoints in the occupied Palestinian territory.
OSI Systems, Inc. is a technology company headquartered in Hawthorne, California that designs, manufactures, and sells custom-made electronic systems for the military, security, and healthcare industries. In 2020, the company generated $1.16 billion in revenue, 64% of which was from its Security Division. This division makes body and vehicle scanners for airports, border crossings, and similar facilities through two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Rapiscan Systems and American Science & Engineering (AS&E).
OSI System's main clients are in the United States, which accounted for 50% of the company's 2020 revenue. From 2004 to July 2021, the company was awarded thousands of contracts with the U.S. federal government worth a total of $1.9 billion, 80% of which were from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Defense (DoD). The company also has major clients in the U.K., which accounted for 23% of its 2020 revenue, and it also sells equipment to Mexico's army.
US-Mexico Border
From 2004 to July 2021, OSI Systems and its subsidiaries, especially Rapiscan and American Science and Engineering (AS&E), were awarded 152 contracts worth $630 million by DHS agencies Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). AS&E provides CBP with vehicle and cargo scanners, maintenance, and support and has received a total of $297.8 million in contracts.
In 2021, CBP awarded OSI subsidiary Rapiscan, as well as Leidos and Smiths Group, contracts to provide the agency with "Multi-Energy Portal" (MEP) X-ray systems to inspect vehicles at the U.S.-Mexico border. The contract also includes equipment maintenance for 10 years and is worth a potential $480 million. CBP planned to purchase 17 MEPs between 2016 and 2020 as part of its "Large Scale Non-Intrusive Inspection" program. Rapiscan has been providing CBP with Large Scale Non-Intrusive Inspection equipment since 2005, including drive-through portals and rail inspections.
Also in 2021, CBP awarded OSI subsidiary AS&E with two contracts to provide scanners and Z-Portal training (part of a larger contract), worth a potential $4.8 million and $66.2 million, respectively. Z-Portals are capable of scanning people's bodies even while remaining inside their vehicles.
CBP's Non-Intrusive Inspection program includes scanning anything at the U.S. borders and ports of entry, including people, vehicles, luggage, and packages to detect contraband and "inadmissible persons." A 2021 federal law requires DHS to scan every truck, vehicle, and freight train that crosses the border with X-rays and similar technology.
Since 2004, Rapiscan has provided CBP with mobile baggage scanners, X-ray inspection systems, and maintenance services, and has received a total of $178.2 million in CBP and ICE contracts. In 2016, AS&E was awarded a $64 million contract to provide vehicle and cargo inspection software to CBP, and in 2015, Rapiscan was awarded a five-year contract to provide cargo and vehicle inspection software to CBP. The award's potential value was $293 million.
Military Checkpoints in Palestine
Israel has installed OSI Systems scanners in several of its illegal military checkpoints in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. According to WhoProfits, as of 2020, Republican scanning machines and fully body scanners are installed at three military checkpoints in the West Bank, as well as at the entrance to the Western Wall area in occupied East Jerusalem. This equipment is provided through OSI's exclusive representative in Israel, G1 Secure Solutions (formerly G4S Israel).
In addition, since 2016, Rapiscan metal detectors have been installed at 10 offices of the District Coordination and Liaison Offices (DCO), a unit of the Israeli Ministry of Defense that administers the civilian aspects of the military occupation of the West Bank, such as issuing travel permits to Palestinians.
Also since 2016, AS&E cargo inspection systems have been installed at five commercial checkpoints in the occupied West Bank and at two border crossings between Israel and the blockaded Gaza Strip.
OSI Systems scanners have also been installed in Israel prisons, airports, courthouses, and other government facilities.