Naval Base Point Loma recently implemented the RAPIDGate Program to increase security and streamline base access for outside contractors.
“It’s going to be a more efficient way to control access and also have the vendors come and go without extending traffic too far onto Rosecrans [Street],” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Timm, a physical security spokesman for the base.
EID Passport, a company that specializes in secure vendor access management, offers the program. RAPIDGate streamlines employee and vendor information by integrating registration, identity, authentication, background screening, badging and the management of access.
The program provides vendors, suppliers, service providers and contractors that serve a base more efficient access to it. Naval Base Point Loma has already established the program, implementing it Feb. 12.
Naval Base Point Loma is the first naval base in the San Diego metro region to implement RAPIDGate. Capt. Mark D. Patton, commanding officer at Naval Base Point Loma, said Naval Base San Diego and Naval Base Coronado will adopt the program by summer.
“What RAPIDGate does,” said Patton, “is allow our contractors and our vendors to join the same security program that allows current government service civilians and military personnel open access to the base.”
Having outside vendors enroll in the program means less wait time at the gates. The wait time under the old system posed problems for both the base and the vendors, according to Patton.
“It’s inefficient for them and it’s inefficient for us,” Patton said. “It takes more people for us to do the inspections and it delays them on getting access.”
The RAPIDGate program will also increase security at the base by screening vendors’ backgrounds for past offenses such as warrants.
“This process is emphasizing who’s making deliveries to the base, not just what’s in the truck,” Patton said.
Timm agreed that the program will bolster base security.
“There’s a thorough background check on all the vendors that enroll in this program,” Timm said. “Right now there’s no background check on our part.”
The program is, however, in early stages of implementation. Timm said only one or two members per day currently use the program and that enrollment is currently voluntary.
“It’s been pretty seamless so far but we haven’t had too many vendors enroll,” Timm said. “The word is just now getting out.”
Timm estimates that as more vendors join the program, access to the base will be smoother and more efficient.
Patton agreed, praising the program and its future installation at the other San Diego metro-area bases.
“That really will be the turning point for this system because now a vendor, through enrolling once, can use it for all three bases,” Patton said.
Local residents will benefit from progressively less traffic around the base, said Patton.
“It’ll reduce congestion at our entry points and should reduce traffic,” Patton said.