C-UAS Industry Day Slides Final_11.10.25.pdf

Empower • Collaborate • Innovate • Procure

Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Program Industry Day

November 6, 2025

OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS

Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate &

Office of Procurement Operations

Agenda

• Welcome

• DHS-wide C-UAS Contract Overview

• DHS-wide C-UAS Program Overview

• Component Overviews

• Overview of Track 1– Hardware/Software and Ancillary Services

• Overview of Track 2– Comprehensive Services

• Notional Evaluation Factors

• Highlighted Proposal Instructions

• Responses to Vendor Draft RFP Questions (Panel Discussion)

• Break

• Vendor Questions & Answers (Panel Discussion)

• Upcoming Events

• Closing Remarks/Conclusion

DHS-wide C-UAS Contract Overview

• Will Be a Department-wide Contract

• DHS Components/Offices will have direct ordering authority

• Contract awardees will be eligible to compete for future orders

• Designated as a “Mandatory-for-Use” contract within DHS

DHS-wide C-UAS Program Overview

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to address the growing threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The program ensures DHS Components have access to advanced, tested, and operationally proven C-UAS technologies to safeguard critical infrastructure, high-priority assets, and public safety.

Component Overview - Customs and Border Protection Presenter: Matthew Schumacher

• Threat to CBP Operations: Drones are actively used to monitor CBP facilities and personnel, aiding in the smuggling of contraband into the United States and compromising operational security.

• Risk to Law Enforcement and Events: Improper use of drones poses significant dangers to special events and manned aircraft involved in law enforcement operations across the nation, creating safety and security challenges.

• Narcotics Smuggling Tactics: Drones are a known method for smuggling narcotics, highlighting the need for robust Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) to address this evolving threat.

Component Overview – Coast Guard Presenter: Anthony Antognolli

• Protection of USCG Assets: The U.S. Coast Guard requires C-UAS capabilities to safeguard service-level assets, including sector facilities, ports, cutters, boats, and fixed and rotary-winged aircraft, ensuring operational security and readiness.

• Support for Special Events: C-UAS systems are critical for protecting National Security Special Events (NSSEs) and other DHS-supported events, such as the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and Sail 250, where security demands are heightened.

• Comprehensive Mitigation Needs: USCG seeks both mobile and fixed C-UAS capabilities to detect, identify, track, and mitigate threats posed by Groups 1-4 drones, with interest in leveraging a full range of mitigation options to address evolving challenges.

Component Overview – Federal Protective Service Presenter: Jarred Pennington

• Mandate for Federal Property Protection: Under its delegated authority (6 USC § 124n) and native authorities (40 USC § 1315), FPS is responsible for safeguarding federal property, including protection against credible UAS threats.

• Operational Research and Deployment: FPS oversees the research, testing, and deployment of detection, tracking, and mitigation technologies tailored to the unique operational environments of federal facilities and events.

• Expanding C-UAS Capabilities: FPS provides persistent UAS protection at high-security federal properties and deployable protection for high-threat court trials, mass gatherings, law enforcement operations, interagency support, and SEAR-rated events. To address the growing demand and increasing UAS threats, FPS requires a suite of technologies and support services to expand its C-UAS capabilities across all U.S. states and territories.

Component Overview – United States Secret Service Presenter: Rosanna Donaghey

Mission Needs Include:

Expansion and acceleration of kinetic mitigation options against threat UAS for USSS protective mission. USSS would seek to select equipment with minimal collateral damage and/or secondary effects

Contractor Services: “CUAS as a Service” and “Network Integration” support to combine best available technologies

Comprehensive mobile systems, portable RADAR solutions, advanced technologies with GNSS spoofing and Cyber takeover

Component Overview – Federal Emergency Management Agency Presenter: William Dunlap

• Critical Operational Needs: FEMA requires fixed and mobile Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems

(C-UAS) to operate effectively in austere environments where resilience and mitigation accuracy are essential for 24/7/365 operations.

• Protection of Remote Sites: C-UAS capabilities are vital for safeguarding people, property, facilities, and critical infrastructure at remote locations, ensuring comprehensive security coverage in challenging conditions.

• Defense-in-Depth Capabilities: FEMA relies on C-UAS systems to deliver layered protection through the ability to detect, identify, track, and mitigate threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems.

Component Overview – Science and Technology Presenter: Steve Willoughby

• Supporting DHS Mission Objectives: DHS S&T plays a critical role in testing, evaluating, demonstrating, and piloting C-UAS systems, advising DHS Headquarters and Components on state-of-the-art technologies for operational use. This ensures all C-UAS equipment is rigorously assessed for safety, security, technical performance, operational effectiveness, and cybersecurity before deployment.

• Operational Impact: S&T transitions advanced C-UAS technologies to DHS Components to protect high-priority facilities and assets, while identifying, researching, and developing emerging technologies to address future threats. Efforts focus on enhancing Detect, Track, Identify, and Mitigate (DTI-M) capabilities, such as multi-modal detection, low-collateral kinetic mitigation, and optimizing system performance in mission-specific environments.

• Strengthening Procurement and Response Capabilities: S&T provides comprehensive program artifacts, including market research, test results, operational assessments, and draft requirements, to support DHS Components in C-UAS procurement and acquisition. These efforts enhance DHS Components and SLTT partners' ability to respond to urgent operational needs, such as National Special Security Events (NSSEs), Special Event Assessment Ratings (SEARs), and national security incidents.

Overview of Track 1: Hardware/Software and Ancillary Services The Contractor shall provide material C-UAS solutions for end users to test, evaluate, or operate. These solutions shall include up to all physical components, associated or standalone software that meet the defined requirements and capabilities. Standalone software shall be able to be integrated into existing C-UAS hardware. This category includes all related ancillary services such as training, maintenance, installation, planning, customer support, and customization for the selected use case, enabling end users to sustain and operate their C-UAS solutions effectively.

Overview of Track 2: Comprehensive Services

• The Contractor shall provide services that meet defined requirements and capabilities to support vendor-operated turnkey solutions, system integration, research and development (R&D), and test and evaluation (T&E) support, to ensure effective and sustained operation of C-UAS systems.

• The Contractor shall provide, as applicable, the following services:

• C-UAS as a Service: Vendor-operated turnkey solutions, where contractors provide any of the system types

(Detection, Tracking, and Identification (DTI) Systems; Mitigation Systems; and Integrated Systems) as a fully managed service.

• System Integration: Provide technical expertise and tools to integrate C-UAS solutions with existing systems, platforms, and emerging technologies. Ensure DHS-wide interoperability through standardized data formats, APIs, secure communication protocols, and compatibility testing.

• Research and Development (R&D) and Test and Evaluation (T&E) Support: Provide equipment, tools, data, and expertise to facilitate R&D and T&E activities for C-UAS solutions. This includes C-UAS equipment, simulation tools, data collection and analysis tools, system reports, and lifecycle and upgradability assessments.

Notional Evaluation Factors

• Basis of Award: Highest Technically Rated Offerors with a Fair and Reasonable

Price

• Track 1: Hardware/Software and Ancillary Services Factor I: Business Approach Factor II: Technical Experience Factor III: Price

• Track 2: Comprehensive Services Factor I: Staffing Plan Factor II: Technical Experience Factor III: Price

Highlighted Proposal Instructions

• Offerors may propose for either Track 1, Track 2, or both Tracks.

• Offerors shall submit only one proposal as the prime contractor, which may be used if proposing for both Tracks.

• Offerors are prohibited from submitting a proposal as a prime and partnering with another offeror in a contractor team arrangement under a Track.

• Organized in three (3) separate volumes:

Volume I: Corporate Qualifications and Responsibility Volume II: Capabilities (submit applicable section(s) based on proposed track) Volume III: Price Proposal

Responses to Vendor Draft RFP Questions

1. How will Task/Delivery Orders be issued? Will each DHS Component issue its own Orders under the

IDIQ? Will individual Components include Component-specific requirements?

DHS Components will solicit and award their orders and include component-specific requirements as applicable.

2. Does the Government require a minimum number of teaming agreements/letters of commitment for a vendor to achieve a “High Confidence” rating?

DHS does not have a minimum amount of teaming partners or letters of commitment and Offerors will be evaluated on their abilities to provide a comprehensive solution, whether or not comes from in-house capabilities, teaming arrangements, or a combination. **Post Event Clarification** DHS’s approach is more on teaming arrangements to provide a broad range of solutions and capabilities. A solution relying only on in house capabilities is not likely to be competitive for this acquisition.

3. Use cases are mentioned multiple time, will DHS provide specifics of these as part of the DRFP process?

One or more use cases will be provided with the final solicitation that will be used for the pricing.

4. The tentative milestones from RFP release to contract award propose challenges for industry partners to provide the requisite information prescribed in Section L. Will DHS consider updating Section L to ensure maximum flexibility for offerors to propose a comprehensive solution?

DHS will consider further streamlining of the proposal instructions/requirements prior to issuing the final solicitation.

Responses to Vendor Draft RFP Questions (cont.)

5. Will DHS allow tiered pricing for software based on feature sets (e.g., basic detection vs. advanced predictive analytics)? Will DHS permit subscription-based pricing for software solutions rather than fixed unit pricing.

Considering the current pace of technology evolution, will the government allow annual pricing refreshes during the IDIQ period?

A price catalogue for Track 1 will not be established at the IDIQ level which will provide offerors the flexibility to propose the pricing and solution that best meets the requirements. Details will be described at that task order level.

6. Please confirm whether vendors can add specialized labor categories with corresponding rates beyond those listed.

The Contractor may propose specialized professional services labor categories when proposing ancillary support or Task Order Unique Labor Categories if determined appropriate by the Ordering Contracting Officer (OCO).

7. The Government states that no classified security measures or facility security clearances are required for this contract. However, in the "Questions for Industry" Document which was released with the DRAFT question 4 states:

Do you have a Top Secret or Secret Facility Clearance (FCL)? Can the Government please confirm what level of FCL is required?

The question was asked for market research purposes as there may be some orders that require a Top Secret or Secret FCL. However, for this solicitation a Top Secret or Secret FCL will not be required.

8. Does the government anticipate companies in both tracks will compete for the same task orders?

No, orders will be solicited to a single track based on the scope of the requirements.

Break

VENDOR QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

(PANEL DISCUSSION)

Responses to Live Vendor Questions

1. Will you be offering contracts to companies that offer a subset of the kill chain functions, for example defeats, or are are you looking only for teams that offer a full kill change solution?

We will be looking for both. There is no intent to preclude anybody who could offer a single bespoke capability that meets our needs in some form or fashion, as well as those providers that can offer a suite of integrated tools that would include multiple systems integrated into one platform. We will be considering all capabilities, either standalone or integrated, as long as they meet all portions of the requirements that we need. **Post Event Clarification** DHS seeks to procure a broad range of solutions and capabilities. A proposal offering a full range solution is more likely to be competitive for this acquisition as DHS seeks the flexibility to obtain multiple solutions.

2. Does DHS have published requirements documents for C-UAS kill chain? Is DHS looking for full SOS implementations or SC services for open architectural requirements? Does DHS have architectural views for various cosmic scenarios? And is DHS interested in modeling and simulation protect development.

Overall, each of the components is going to be reviewing your submissions if they need to leverage this IDIQ. The IDIQ SOW, as written, has overarching requirements that meet all the component requirements. As far as each individual component architecture and what they're looking to solve, that will be up to each of those components going forward once you reach out to them.

3. You mentioned that a prime can submit but then not be a partner with another business on a second submittal. Can you clarify as many solutions required integrated layered capabilities from various partners. There is a potential for overlap from submittals.

Further clarification will be provided in the final RFP and we’ll make any necessary changes as needed.

Upcoming Key Events

KEY MILESTONES TENTATIVE COMPLETION DATE

Release of Final RFP November 12, 2025 Submission of Vendor Questions November 14, 2025 Government Response to Vendor Questions November 17, 2025 Proposal Submission Date November 21, 2025 Award Date December 15, 2025

Closing Remarks

OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS