GSA seeks bidders to help build new ‘Beast’ for the president

The next president will ride around Washington in an updated model of the secure presidential limousine, according to a contract posted by the General Services Administration.

The new limo will replace the model of “The Beast” first unveiled during President Obama’s inauguration, and is slated to debut during the 2017 swearing-in.

{mosads}The GSA contract, which seeks bidders to integrate a new, classified armor that has been under development since last year, was first reported by Time magazine. 

The current limousine is a Cadillac vehicle equipped with 8-inch-thick doors made of titanium, ceramic, steel and aluminum, according to Fox News. The vehicle is thought to have its own oxygen supply, tear gas cannons, run-flat tires and a supply of the president’s blood type in case of emergency. 

Because the vehicle is so secure, microphones are put on the outside of the vehicle to pipe in outside noise. The vehicle also includes sophisticated communication equipment.

Exact security specifications and designs are kept classified due to national security, and contractors working on the new vehicle will need to be cleared to review the design.