RFI_Alternative Gate Arm Solutions_20261028.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border

Protection Large-Scale (LS) Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Program

TITLE: Alternative Gate Arm Solutions used at Border Crossings

ISSUANCE DATE: November 3, 2026

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) nor a promise to issue an RFP or other solicitation. Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback about its submission, other than acknowledgment of receipt. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is not currently seeking proposals. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the expense of the respondent. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.

1.0 Background

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses automated gate arm systems at border crossings to support traffic control, lane operations, and access management.

CBP officers and agents, in the course of their work, experience various issues with automated gate arms, including damage from vehicle impacts and other operational or mechanical failures. When a gate arm system is unavailable, a processing lane may be restricted or closed, which can adversely affect traffic flow and operational efficiency.

CBP is conducting market research to identify commercially available automated gate arm system solutions that may improve system reliability, maintainability, and operational availability. These solutions will need to be able to integrate with various existing traffic management systems currently in use.

2.0 Purpose

One of the primary goals of operating an efficient border crossing is to maximize the number of traffic lanes available for use, consistent with the number of CBP personnel assigned to staff those lanes. Operational issues with a gate arm at a processing booth can:

• Increase the time required to inspect and process vehicles;

• Create inefficiencies when CBP personnel are available but sufficient operational booths or lanes are not available; and

• Result in repair costs and lost operational time while gate arms are repaired or replaced.

The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information from industry regarding available automated gate arm systems and related support services that may be appropriate for CBP border-crossing environments. Information received may assist CBP in developing or refining future requirements, acquisition strategies, and planning documents.

3.0 Scope

To establish and manage controlled border crossings, CBP relies on reliable gate arm systems to regulate traffic flow, enhance the safety of restricted areas, and help minimize unauthorized access. CBP has identified a need to improve the reliability and maintainability of certain existing automated gate arm systems due to gate arm damage and equipment malfunctions.

Efficient processing of traffic through border crossings is important from both operational and cost perspectives. Repeated gate arm failures or malfunctions can affect lane availability and hinder this objective.

The scope of this RFI encompasses both the replacement of legacy gate arms and support for future Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) deployments.

Potential solutions may include, as applicable:

• Gate arm equipment and associated control systems;

• Solutions designed to mitigate or simplify recovery from vehicle impacts;

• Equipment with improved reliability, maintainability, and durability;

• Installation, replacement, repair, maintenance, warranty, and technical-support services;

• System interfaces and infrastructure requirements; and

• Solutions that can be coordinated with future NII deployments and related site work.

CBP is particularly interested in solutions that can be deployed in active border-crossing environments and integrated with current traffic management systems (see images in Appendix A for examples), while minimizing disruption to lane operations.

4.0 Requested Information

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking feedback from industry on available automated gate arm system options. The Government seeks sufficiently detailed information to evaluate the capabilities, limitations, lifecycle considerations, and potential integration requirements of available solutions. Responses should include the following information:

4.1 Company Information

• Company name

• Address

• Point of contact with phone number and e-mail

• Business size

• DUNS number

• A brief description of the company’s capabilities relevant to this RFI.

4.2 Capability Information

• A description of the gate arm functionality and capabilities of the proposed solution or solutions;

• A description of any features intended to reduce damage resulting from vehicle impacts or to enable rapid restoration of operations following an impact;

• Primary operational, mechanical, or technical issues that may occur with each proposed solution, including estimated repair or restoration timeframes and associated costs;

• Expected useful life of the system and recommended preventive-maintenance requirements;

• Availability of replacement parts, technical support, and field-service support;

• Estimated installation, site-preparation, integration and commissioning requirements;

• Information regarding integration and compatibility with current and future NII deployments, including the systems, infrastructure, and technical information CBP would need to provide for industry to assess compatibility;

• Identification of any proprietary components, licensing requirements, or third-party dependencies;

• Warranty information, including the warranty period, coverage, exclusions, and available extended-warranty options;

• Estimated lifecycle costs associated with each proposed solution, including assumptions used to develop the estimate;

• If available, familiarity with existing NII systems used to inspect vehicles at border crossings; and

• Product literature, technical specifications, and examples of similar deployments, if available.

Your insights and information are important in helping CBP determine whether a future solicitation for automated gate arm solutions would accurately reflect current technological capabilities and industry best practices.

Please note that this is a request for information and not a solicitation for proposals. The Government will not provide individual responses to information, questions, or comments submitted in response to this RFI. However, submissions may be considered in the development or refinement of future CBP requirements documents. The Government may, at its discretion, issue clarifications or respond to questions in a manner it determines appropriate.

5.0 Submission Instructions

Responses are due no later than December 3, 2026 at 12:00PM EST. Respondents are encouraged to provide concise, clearly organized information that addresses the requested topics and should keep submissions to 10 pages or less. Responses must be submitted via email in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format to the Contracting Officer:

Aga Frys Email: aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov and

Kaitlin Merli Email: kaitlin.h.merli@associates.cbp.dhs.gov

6.0 Questions

While the government will not be providing direct responses to individual questions, they may be submitted in writing via e-mail to the Contracting Officer, aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov.

Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Any questions submitted will be carefully considered and may be utilized to clarify and refine the final RFP documents.

7.0 Summary

THIS IS ONLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely to obtain information regarding potential automated gate arm solutions. Any information or specifications included in this RFI are subject to change and are not binding on the Government. CBP has made no commitment to procure any items or services discussed in this RFI. The release of this RFI shall not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur costs for which reimbursement would be required or sought.

mailto:aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov mailto:kaitlin.h.merli@associates.cbp.dhs.gov mailto:nathan.p.briggs@cbp.dhs.gov

Appendix A Existing Traffic Management/Gate Arm Examples