RFI - Tethered Drone Systems

Update: See RFI Q&A posted.

Description: The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), as part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is conducting market research on the current availability and technological capabilities of vendors to provide fleet management systems to enhance USBP’s Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) program. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS MARKET RESEARCH OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR INFORMATION RECEIVED.

This research is issued solely for information, planning purposes, and market research only; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP. This market research does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. CBP is not seeking proposals at this time. CBP will not pay for any costs associated with responding to this market research. Not responding to this market research does not preclude participation in any future RFP.

If a solicitation is released, it will be posted to the System for Award Management website (http://www.sam.gov). All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned. The information obtained from industry’s responses to this notice may be used in the development of an acquisition strategy and future RFP.

Introduction: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) / U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Program Management Office (SUAS PMO) is conducting market research on Tethered Drone Systems. CBP is potentially interested in inviting vendors to participate in a no-cost field demonstration of their systems in Q2 of FY25.

Background: USBP is a sub-component of CBP whose mission requires the capability to conduct surveillance into the land and maritime domain where threats originate, enter, and/or transit into the United States illegally between ports of entry. Moreover, USBP requires flexible and scalable surveillance (detection and identification) capabilities that enable the deployment of surveillance assets/systems as dictated by risk.

There are current gaps in the surveillance capability and capacity of detection and identification that drive a need to provide an increased level of situational awareness of Items of Interest (IoI) illegally entering the United States. SUAS PMO intends to identify maturing technologies that can enhance USBP operational capabilities leading to increased situational awareness and execution of the Mission Essential Tasks (METs).

Current Status: Tethered drone technology continues to advance and potentially fill short comings in various operational areas across the CBP operational domain expanding friendly force situational awareness and safety. SUAS PMO is interested in exploring tethered solutions that can adapt to employment modality (deployment from vehicles/vessels not just stationary), host multi sensor integration and/or communications, demonstrate extended periods aloft, and provide persistent recording of video and still imagery. Use cases include but are not limited to:

Vessel born ISR operations along river edge, surveillance tower augmentation, check point operations, permitter security, and avenue of approach deterrence.