CBP Plans Commercial Solicitation for Non-Terrestrial Border Security Technologies
Customs and Border Protection has issued a pre-solicitation notice using authority provided under the fiscal year 2017 defense authorization act to carry out a Commercial Solutions Opening Pilot Program (CSOP) to address situational awareness capability gaps to its current terrestrial surveillance capabilities by seeking out non-terrestrial technologies. The CSOP allows CBP to acquire innovative commercial items using a general solicitation and the peer review of proposals. The agency is seeking border surveillance capabilities in areas such as commercially available data systems, space-based capabilities such as synthetic aperture radar and high-resolution imagery, computer vision and similar algorithms that enable autonomous detection, small unmanned aircraft systems as service, and maritime unmanned systems. In addition to border security missions, CBP is interested in commercial solutions that provide relevant data to enhance search and rescue and or medical response for individuals at risk in border areas. The agency isn’t interested in capabilities that would confirm the identities of individuals. The CSCOP is expected to be issued before the end of 2019 with awards expected in the second quarter of the federal fiscal year 2020. Sol. No. CSOP-BP-GS-000003. Contact: Joshua Bedregal, contract specialist, [email protected]
, 202-325-4109.
Army Surveys Market for Oman Border Security Program
The U.S. Army has issued a Sources Sought notice to identify potential sources having an interest and industry technologies available to support a Foreign Military Sale in support of Oman’s border security program (MBSS Phase II). In the first phase, the Army’s Communications-Electronics Command Security Assistance Management Directorate provided three Mobile Border Surveillance Systems to the Royal Army of Oman. The MBSS must detect, track and identify border incursions. The concept of operations includes the MBSS deployed at the tactical edge supported by regional operations command and control centers to coordinate operations. The MBSS provides near real-time intrusion alert and tracking data and consists of a 23-meter telescopic mast, a rugged trailer, electro-optic/infrared multi-sensor including pant and tilt unit, infrared camera, visible light camera, eye safe laser rangefinder and video tracker, ground surveillance radar, point to point microwave communication links, power generator, and command and control situational awareness software application with supporting processing, display, networking and storage hardware. In phase two, the program will provide one additional MBSS and increase the capability of both the phase one and phase two systems by providing six CBRNE defense systems for high-yield explosive and narcotics detection. Phase II will also include 43 voice and data network radios, a fully integrated C2 center, three mobile remote communications towers, a portable training kit, and maintenance and spares. Sol. No. W91CRB-19-R-MBSSII. Respond by Oct. 9. Contact: Salma Khiaredin, contract specialist, [email protected], 410-278-5424.
DHS Seeks Info on Personal Radiation Detectors
The Department of Homeland Security Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office has issued a Request for Information about the capability and availability of commercial off-the-shelf personal radiation detectors (PRDs) in support of state, local, tribal and territorial agencies. The CWMD Office has a potential requirement for up to 140,000 of the pager-size PRDs over 10 years. The PRDs are worn by users for radiological and nuclear detection capability and for personal protection. The devices automatically monitor the environment and alert the user when radiation levels above the natural background are detected. The PRDs also help the user localize the source of detected radiation. Sol. No. 70RWMD19I00000001. Contact: Annemarie Spence, contracting officer, [email protected], 202-447-0626.
FBI, NIST Set to Begin Iris Recognition Evaluation
The FBI issued a Request for Information to help identify potential sources who plan to participate in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Iris Exchange X (IREX X) evaluation that began on Sept. 30. The evaluation of iris recognition algorithms is aimed at revealing the best iris recognition algorithms on the market today and the results can be used by law enforcement agencies and the private sector for iris recognition benchmarking and planning purposes. The FBI is currently conducting market research on automated iris recognition technology, specifically as it pertains to large-scale automated biometric identification systems, called ABIS. Contact: Todd Pratt, contract specialist, [email protected], 304-625-5545.
IARPA Issues RFI for Biometric Recognition and Identification at Altitude and Range
The Intelligence and Advanced Research Projects Agency (IARPA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) related to challenges of in face detection, verification and identification using cameras at high pitch angles and at long ranges. The agency says that imagery captured at long-range or altitude may also require that additional biometric signatures be fused with face recognition to provide the necessary accuracy or confidence to be usable for person identification. Examples include whole-body identification, gait recognition, and or anthropomorphic classification such as height and gender. The fusion of multiple biometric signatures to address these limitations remains underserved by the research community, IARPA says. Further research in the area of biometric recognition and identification at altitude and range may support protection of critical infrastructure and transportation facilities, military force protection, and border security. Sol. No. IARPA-RFI-19-10. Respond by Oct. 21. Contact: Dr. Lars Ericson, program manager, [email protected].
DHS Seeks Feedback on Cybersecurity Workforce Compensation Program
The Department of Homeland Security Chief Human Capital Officer has issued a Request for Information seeking solutions for a new cybersecurity workforce strategic compensation program. DHS is currently trying to modernize the civil service for cybersecurity work and is pursuing new methods for describing work, considering time/professional experience, evaluating applicants and employees, and managing career and salary progression. Therefore, the department is exploring a market-sensitive, agile, strategic compensation program. Sol. No. 70RDAD19RFI000004. Respond by Oct. 11. Contact: Bridget Boyle, contract specialist, [email protected], 202-447-5074.
CBP Issues RFI for Command and Control Center for Sensor Towers
Customs and Border Protection has issued a Request for Information for the command and control center for its next acquisition of border security sensor towers. The C2CENT will include operator workstations and common operating picture software necessary to take the video and data signals from the surveillance towers to present them to the operators. The C2CENT equipment and COP software may be acquired through another government provider, and existing government-wide acquisition contract, or through an open market solicitation posted on www.fbo.gov. Sol. No. 70B03C18R00000004. Contact: Kimberly Cooper, contracting officer, [email protected].
TSA Plans RFP For Security Equipment Deployment Services in December
The Transportation Security Administration plans to release the Request for Proposal for the Transportation Security Equipment Deployment Services (TEDS) in December 2019. The agency expects to make an award for TEDS in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020. Sol. No. TSA25-04-03361. Contact: Lindsay Alexander, contracting officer, [email protected].
FEMA Issues RFI for National Public Warning System
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on available vendors to provide the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Program Office with sustainment, maintenance, technical support and training for the National Public Warning System (NPWS), which includes system components at various FEMA facilities. The NPWS is comprised of multiple FEMA operations centers, 77 Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations, and communications networks between the operations centers and PEP stations. FEMA enters into corporate agreements with commercial radio stations to participate in the PEP program to receive and transmit urgent presidential messages. Sol. No. FEMA-RFI-92019. Respond by Oct. 21. Contact: Cielo Ibarra, contracting officer, [email protected].