1.4.1-JA for SPOT-AV.pdf

OFFICE OF ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT

ICE Acquisition Manual 3006.301-90

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

41 USC 3304 (A): USE OF NONCOMPETITIVE PROCEDURES

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(e) Type of funding: Operations and Support Funds

(f) Year of funding: Fiscal Year 2026

(g) Solicitation Number: 70CMSW26R00000020

(h) Background information about the requirement:

ICE law enforcement officers conduct enforcement operations, custodial transportation of detainees, and respond to civil disturbances around detention facilities. Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicles are used primarily to keep human personnel out of harm's way, gather real-time intelligence, and perform semi-autonomous patrols. Procuring the Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle and accessories will provide DHS with a remotely operated robotic capability that improves personnel safety, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness during public safety, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, detention, and investigative missions. The robots can be used to assess hazardous, confined, unstable, or difficult-to-access environments before personnel can enter, helping reduce exposure to physical danger while supporting informed decision-making.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

This requirement supports the Subterranean Border Defense Act, aimed at strengthening and the Executive Order 14159 titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” The objective of the Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) is to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations throughout the United States, dismantle cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks, end the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking, with a particular focus on such offenses involving children, and ensure the use of all available law enforcement tools to faithfully execute the immigration laws of the United Stated. The goal of this customized CERBERUS SPOT AV is to detect radiation, toxic gas leaks, and explosive threats in urban environments or disaster zones, and also to enable remote observation, inspection, documentation, and hazard assessment. Without this item, Base Period

6 mo. SPOT-CAM $49,250.00 4 $197,000.00

Base Period

6 mo. SPOT-RADIO+GXP $44,812.00 4 $179,248.00

Base Period

6 mo. SPOT-RADIO+ $42,312.00 4 $169,248.00

Base Period

6 mo. SPOT+LEO-TRN $12,000.00 1 $12,000.00

Base Period

6 mo. Shipping $6,000.00 1 $6,000.00

Total $1,304,296.00

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

41 USC 3304 (A): USE OF NONCOMPETITIVE PROCEDURES

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DHS will have fewer tools to safely evaluate high-risk environments, which could increase risk to personnel, delay response activities, and reduce mission effectiveness during time-sensitive or dangerous operations. The CERBERUS SPOT AV will be outfitted with an onboard O2 sensor to ensure the air quality is breathable when personnel are placed in confined spaces such as tunnels.

The SPOT robot will be configured with dual output light sources so it can operate in all lighting conditions as well as supporting Special Response Teams (SRT) in low/no light environments where Night Optical Devices (NODs) are being employed. The SPOT’s audio intake can hear motion interior, and the operator can alert the team to the presence of a subject. SPOT can also extend its arm (full extension height is 5 ½ feet) to see on top of closets, bunk beds, and some crawl spaces.

4. Identification of statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. §3304 as implemented by:

RFO 6.103-1: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

RFO 6.103-2: Unusual and compelling urgency.

RFO 6.103-3: Industrial mobilization; engineering, development, or research capability; or expert services.

RFO 6.103-4: International agreement.

RFO 6.103-5: Authorized or required by statute.

RFO 6.103-6: National security.

RFO 6.103-7: Public interest.

5. Identification of Exception to the Buy American Statute

N/A

6. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

(a) Rationale for using the authority cited in section 4 of the J&A.

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

41 USC 3304 (A): USE OF NONCOMPETITIVE PROCEDURES

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The requirement is to procure RADeCO CERBERUS SPOT AV robotic systems and associated accessories to support Department of Homeland Security law enforcement and public safety operations. SPOT is a remotely operated, quadruped robotic platform that can assist personnel with remote inspection, situational awareness, and hazard assessment in environments that may be unsafe, confined, unstable, or difficult to access.

The requirement includes the following items:

4ea - SPOT AV Package, SPOT-AV: A SPOT robotic platform package configured to support remote observation and operational use.

4ea - Front Mounted Manipulation Arm, SPOT-ARM: A robotic arm mounted to the front of the SPOT platform to enable remote manipulation of objects, doors, handles, or other items as permitted by policy and mission requirements.

4ea - 30 Times Zoom, Pan-Tilt-Zoom Inspection Camera with Thermal Capability, SPOT-CAM+IR: A camera payload that provides enhanced visual inspection capability, including 30 times zoom, pan-tilt-zoom functionality, and infrared thermal imaging.

4ea - Extended MPU5 Radio Kit with GXP, SPOT-RADIO-3+GXP: A communications package consisting of three radios per robot to support command, control, and data transmission for the SPOT platform. “MPU5” and “GXP” are vendor or product-specific terms.

8ea - Spare MPU5 Radio, S-Band for Repeater Nodes or Observation Use, with Cables, Spot-Radio-Repeater: A spare radio and cable package intended to support communications relay, observation, or backup communications functions.

1ea - Training for Law Enforcement Officers, SPOT-LEO-TRN: Vendor-provided training for law enforcement officers on the safe, effective, and policy-compliant operation of the SPOT robotic system and accessories.

In accordance with RFO 6.103-1, the agency’s minimum needs can only be satisfied from one source, RADeCO SPOT robotic systems. It features an advanced perception stack using five stereo cameras to map environments, self-navigate complex industrial sites, and execute repeatable autonomous missions with minimal human intervention. The platform includes Scout software for remote operation, and Orbit for fleet management, allowing enterprises to easily schedule patrols, read analog gauges and integrate data directly into asset management systems. Users can add specialized plug and play payloads, including thermal cameras, acoustic imaging, and a dexterous robotic arm for opening doors and manipulating objects. RADeCO is the sole developer and manufacturer of the CERBERUS package robot including all the accessories customized for tunnel/subterranean operations & discovery missions. RADeCO has significant past performance working with law enforcement (and military) tactical teams with the exact configuration being requested. Additionally, RADeCO provides on-site training with their trained Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to enhance the users’ performance and optimization of the configured sensors, communication capabilities, and continued updating of software packages to improve functionality.

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

41 USC 3304 (A): USE OF NONCOMPETITIVE PROCEDURES

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(b) Details covering what events lead to the situation requiring use of other than full and open competition procedures including whether any portion of the work can be segregated to allow for competition.

Market research efforts led to the conclusion that one specific CERBERUS SPOT-AV model will meet ICE’s requirements. This product is only available from one vendor, RADeCO which has proprietary ownership of the CERBERUS package, which is very different than the off the shelf Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle sold commercially. The package includes the robot, controls, extended communications package, 30x Zoom camera, 360-degree cameras, two-way de-escalation comms, lighting, manipulation arm and optional Blackstone CBRNE software for plug and play integration of the handheld meters. No portion of this requirement can be segregated because no other vendor offers a comparable, production-ready Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle capable of accessing hazardous, confined, and unstable environments required to support the ICE mission.

(c) Summarize alternatives considered and why they will not work;

A comprehensive market research effort was conducted, including a formal Sources Sought Notice (SSN) posted on SAM.gov from August 28, 2026, to September 4, 2026.

Two vendors responded to the notice. Each response was rigorously evaluated against the Description of Specifications. The findings established that only RADeCO demonstrated the ability to meet all the specifications. The CERBERUS kit utilizes proprietary mounts, Marston plates, bot locks, quick release locks for the desired payloads. The specialized mounts give the operator a better operating range of the robot. The mounts attach the radios to the back of the robot giving it further range than regulars models. This mounting system does not give off any radio frequency interference to the robot. The CERBERUS public safety kit gives the operating distance of 1,500 Kilometers of range beyond line of sight. GovTRobotics submitted the Boston Dynamic commercial off the shelf base version for consideration but is not an authorized reseller of the product. Moreover, the base version of the product does not meet the required specifications listed in the Description of Specifications.

(d) Impact to the mission that would result if the J&A is not approved and, consequently, the product or service is not provided.

There would be a detrimental impact to the OFTP mission if the J&A was not approved as law enforcement agents in the field would not have a viable tool to enter certain environments where direct human entry creates unnecessary risk, such as damaged structures, confined spaces, hazardous areas, or locations requiring remote inspection.

RADeCO’ customized solution of the CERBERUS package is essential to the success of the agency’s operations in dismantling cross-border human smuggling, trafficking networks, and ending the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking. The SPOT robots and accessories help fill that capability gap by enabling remote observation, inspection, documentation, and hazard assessment. Without this purchase, DHS would have fewer

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

41 USC 3304 (A): USE OF NONCOMPETITIVE PROCEDURES

Page - 6 - of 7 tools to safely evaluate high-risk environments such as in the detection of radiation, toxic gas leaks, and explosive threats, which could increase risk to personnel, delay response activities, and reduce mission effectiveness during time-sensitive or dangerous operations.

7. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

A Sources Sought Notice was published on Sam.gov on 28 August 2026 with NAICS code 333998 - All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing.

Within 14 days following IDIQ award, DHS intends to post the approved/signed justification on www.SAM.gov, pursuant to RFO 6.301 on www.SAM.gov.

8. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The contracting officer determines that the anticipated price of the supplies will be fair and reasonable based on comparison of the proposed prices to historical prices paid, whether by the Government or other than the Government, for the same or similar items;

Comparison with competitively published price lists, published market prices of commodities, similar indexes, and discount or rebate arrangements;

9. Description of Market Research.

Market research was conducted to identify contractors capable of providing a custom Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle able to fulfil the tactical needs of the agency. The research included internet searches and a review of available vendor information, pricing data, and quotes. The market research SSN identified one vendor (RADeCO) capable of providing the customized CERBERUS SPOT-AV. GovTRobotics submission of the Boston Dynamics Spot Enterprise with Spot Arm was evaluated against the required Description of Specifications for the Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle and deemed not technically acceptable. Furthermore, GovTRobotics is not an authorized reseller of Boston Dynamics supplies.

Following a thorough review, it was determined that only RADeCO customized CERBERUS SPOT-AV solution could meet all the essential requirements outlined in the SSN.

10. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

N/A

11. A listing of the sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

No other sources have expressed interest in writing for this requirement.

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

41 USC 3304 (A): USE OF NONCOMPETITIVE PROCEDURES

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12. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for supplies or services required.

ICE/OFTP will continue to assess the marketplace for opportunities to promote competition when procuring Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicles in the future.

13. Contracting Officer’s Certification.

I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

14. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification.

I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

15. Approval.