Aerostat275K_RFI_082026.pdf

Sources Sought Notice

Notice Type: Sources Sought/ Request for Information

Synopsis:

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT(SS)/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY. This is an SS/RFI released pursuant to FAR 15.201(e). This RFI is 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 RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Custom and Border Protection (CBP) will not pay any cost associated with responding to this RFI. All costs will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP. If a solicitation is released, it will be posted in the Federal Business Opportunities (http://www.fbo.gov).

Interested parties are advised to monitor this website for any information that may pertain to this RFI. 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.

Purpose:

This RFI seeks to obtain information and comments from industry that will provide CBP with insight into market conditions, availability of qualified sources and price information that will aid in the development of an acquisition strategy for the purchase of the 275K aerostat (see attached item description) for the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS).

Background:

CBP is one of the major components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charged with protecting America's borders from terrorism, human and drug smuggling, illegal migration, and agricultural pests while simultaneously facilitating the flow of legitimate travel and trade. As the nation's single, unified border agency, CBP represents the first line of defense of America's borders. One of CBP's strategic objectives is to establish and maintain effective control of air, land, and maritime borders with the appropriate mix of infrastructure, technology, and personnel. These activities are organized into mission sets, one of which is Securing America’s Border. A subset of this mission is Long Range Persistent Surveillance and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I).

Program Summary:

The Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) is an aerostat-borne surveillance system that provides wide area persistent long-range radar detection and monitoring (radar and electro-optical/infrared surveillance) for interdiction of low-flying aircraft and maritime/ground traffic in support of the CBP strategic objective. TARS balloons are http://www.fbo.gov/ tethered to ground stations while flying with sensor payloads, at approximately 10,000 feet. There is one TARS site at Cudjoe Key, Forida that operates with a 275K aerostat. The Government acquired the 275K aerostat from the original equipment manufacturer. The Government does not own the design, drawings or data rights to the 275K aerostat.

The CBP/AMO is seeking to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications from industry, to include both small and large businesses, on the production of 275K or similar (form, fit and function) aerostats. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice/Market Research Questionnaire will assist CBP/AMO in planning its acquisition strategy for potential future acquisition of one or more 275K Aerostat(s).

Instructions For Completing Response

1. All responses must be received no later than 28 AUGUST 2026, 1:00 PM EST.

2. All completed submissions shall be sent via e-mail to:

Leslie L. Lozano Contract Specialist, E-mail: LESLIE.LOZANO@cbp.dhs.gov Subject Line: Sources Sought, 275K Aerostat

3. Relevant sales media and product manuals may be included as attachments with your submission. Please clearly mark all proprietary information. The front page of your response package should state "PROPIETARY INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN" (all caps), if applicable. Also, please provide a release statement indicating that the proprietary information may be distributed to CBP personnel and support contractors involved with this action.

mailto:LESLIE.LOZANO@cbp.dhs.gov

SUBMISSION QUESTIONAIRE

A) Vendor Profile. Please complete the blue highlighted fields below:

1.

COMPANY NAME:

MAILING

ADDRESS:

CAGE CODE:

POC NAME /

TITLE:

PHONE NUMBER:

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

WEBSITE:

2. Business type for : (Please check all that apply.)

8(a) Small Disadvantaged HUBZone Women-owned Large Business

None of the Above. Please

Explain:

Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business

*If claiming small business status, the information must be verifiable in SAM.gov

3. Nonmanufacturer Rule. To qualify as a small business concern for set-aside or sole source supply contracts, a small business must meet at least one of the qualifications listed below. Please indicate which qualification, if any, applies to your firm:

Manufacture the product itself; or Supply a product manufactured by another small business if it is a nonmanufacturer; or Supply the product of any sized manufacturer if the Small Business

Administration has granted a waiver to the nonmanufacturer rule.

B) Vendor Qualification Information. Please respond to all questions below. Insert

“N/A” to questions where the respondent has no relevant information to submit.

1. Has your firm manufactured a 275K aerostat in the past? If so, please list the contract number(s) and agency(s).

2. Is your firm currently capable of manufacturing a 275K aerostat? Statements of your firm’s capabilities should include reference to relevant contracts performed (including a description of the product, quantity manufactured and point of contact with phone number).

3. Has your firm manufactured an aerostat “similar” in size to the 275K aerostat in the past? If so, please list the contract number(s) and agency(s). Provide the estimated lead-time and costs to redesign the “similar” aerostat to be a “form, fit and function” equivalent of the 275K aerostat.

4. If your firm was awarded a contract for a 275K or equivalent aerostat, where would production take place?

5. What is your firm’s production lead time a 275K or equivalent aerostat after receipt of award? (Please respond in number of calendar days.)

6. What is your firm’s current price per unit for a 275K or equivalent aerostat?

7. Is there any other pertinent information that your firm would like to disclose? If so, please list below and/or include as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) attachment with your submission. The total submission should not exceed 5 pages.

Attachment 1 - ITEM DESCRIPTION - 275K Aerostat