Proposal for Innovative Next Generation Cargo Seal

Cargo containers are an attractive target for criminals and other enemies of the state. Yet the most widely adopted method of securing cargo containers--the bolt seal--provides at best limited protection from tampering and illicit entry. Such seals can be defeated quickly and the evidence hidden easily, in a variety of ways. These seals also rely on slow visual inspection to confirm their presence, costing the U.S. valuable man-hours and slowing the flow of commerce while creating opportunities for human error and corruption. Sealock Security Systems, Inc. is prepared to develop an improved sealing device (the "NextGen Seal"), a low-cost, disposable, tamper-proof seal incorporating both sealing and locking functions with wireless communication equipment. The NextGen Seal would also feature the use of cutting-edge non-duplicable materials to reduce opportunities for tampering. Additionally, a revolutionary new locking mechanism would be designed to further limit tampering opportunities. The NextGen Seal as conceived presents significant improvements over the common bolt seal currently in widespread use. It also presents a leap ahead of the state-of-the-art technologies available on the market today. The overwhelming majority of containers continue to use only a simple bolt seal to secure their contents. If the NextGen Seal can be developed at an affordable price point, the additional security features it should offer would present a compelling value proposition for importers and exporters. Market share would be captured from the traditional bolt seal if importers and exporters choose to upgrade to the NextGen Seal.