Parsons to Acquire Xator, Adding State Department to Client Roster and Bolstering Biometrics Portfolio

“…Xator offers a number of Critical Infrastructure Protection Solutions (CIPS), including counter-unmanned aircraft systems support and biometric solutions.”

Parsons, a Virginia-based federal contractor, has acquired Xator Corp. in a transaction valued at $400 million. The acquisition is expected to significantly extend Parsons’ reach in the defense sector.

Founded in 2005, Xator offers a number of Critical Infrastructure Protection Solutions (CIPS), including counter-unmanned aircraft systems support and biometric solutions. The latter include facial recognition technology for access control and intrusion detection, and a number of biometric enrolment devices for use in the field.

The Xator Javelin, for example, is a dual finger plain and roll livescan device, while the Javelin+ adds an iris scanning camera for single-eye capture, and the Javelin XL support four-finger livescans and a dual eye iris scanner. The Ares Mobile Biometric Collection Kit, meanwhile, takes a briefcase-like form factor and support four-finger and dual iris scanning as well as face capture.

All of the devices feature biometric technology from Integrated Biometrics. The Javelin and Javelin+ incorporate the Integrated Biometrics Sherlock sensor, while the Javelin XL and Ares kit include IB’s FIVE-0 livescan solution.

Xator had expanded its biometric solutions portfolio with its acquisition of InCadence Strategic Solutions Corp. in 2020. Now, its expanded portfolio is going to be used to enhance that of Parsons, which already offers a wide range of solutions catered toward defense, intelligence, and infrastructure, with examples including a spectral imaging system, a positioning system for situation in which GPS is unavailable, and ‘Zeus’, which Parsons describes as the first ground-based Directed Energy Weapon.

“The addition of Xator is a natural extension of our growth strategy, adding important solutions and technologies that advance global security and protect critical infrastructure during a time of increasing and evolving threats,” explained Parsons CEO Carey Smith in a statement announcing the acquisition.

In addition to bringing Xator’s biometric solutions into Parsons’ portfolio, the acquisition will also significantly extend Parsons’ reach in the government sector, bringing in the US Department of State as an important new client.

Parsons is a Fortune 1000 company with a workforce of 16,000, and which saw revenues of $3.6 billion last year. Xator, meanwhile, has about 900 employees and is expected to generate about $300 million in revenue in 2023.

The acquisition is expected to close next month.

Sources: Washington Technology, Virginia Business

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May 24, 2022 – by Alex Perala