PWAAS_RFI_Final.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Systems and Technologies to Support Persistent Wide-Area Air Surveillance

Synopsis THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information, planning purposes, and market research; 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. U.S. Customs 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 as contract opportunity notice available at the SAM.gov website. Interested parties are advised to monitor this website for any information that may pertain to this RFI. The information provided within 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. Any requests for a solicitation package will be disregarded.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) relies on a network of sensors along the borders of our nation to maintain safety and security. This network is part of a larger Domain Awareness architecture that utilizes various technologies and hundreds of agents and workers to properly identify and respond to threats approaching our nation.

This RFI seeks to obtain information regarding well-developed, readily deployable technologies to provide AMO with the capability of a ground-based, persistent air surveillance system to maintain Air Domain Awareness (ADA) in fulfillment of their mission to secure the nation’s borders. An ideal solution would allow a high probability of detection of many sized aerial objects throughout a wide area of coverage, while maintaining a constant state of surveillance to allow AMO agents proper time to access and respond to the situation.

1. Background The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employs over 1,800 federal agents utilizing aircraft, marine vessels, and an advanced domain awareness network to fulfill their mission of maintaining the safety and security of the nation at and beyond the border. ADA is defined as “the ability to continuously detect, monitor, and track all potential airborne threats operating within or approaching U.S borders in diverse environments varying in weather, terrain, and lighting conditions.” To accomplish this, AMO utilizes a wide range of sensors and other detection technologies to provide agents with the most accurate, up-to-date information to make well-informed decisions regarding potential airborne threats. These current systems, while still providing reasonable detection capabilities, need to be updated or replaced to keep up with emerging threats, especially non-emitting, non-cooperative, small radar-cross section aircraft (small, dark targets).

1.1 Purpose

To accomplish this objective, Persistent Wide-Area Air Surveillance (PWAAS) requires a solution that employs surveillance systems and technologies that continuously surveil established areas of responsibilities (AORs) and detects all airborne objects within them, in all weather conditions across all environments. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit information that will provide AMO with insight into market conditions, availability of technology and innovative business approaches that will aid in the development of an acquisition strategy for acquisition of ground-based aerial detection solution(s) to become part of the ADA architecture.

1.2 Current Environment

AMO executes the Unified Mission Task (UMT) continuum, beginning with the ability to predict (as part of the CBP Intelligence Cycle), surveil, detect, identify, classify, track, and respond to airborne objects operating within or approaching sovereign U.S. airspace that could be potential threats.

To accomplish ADA, AMO utilizes a network of sensor systems, including Long Range Radar (LRR) and Short-Range Radar (SRR) systems owned, operated, and maintained with partner agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense (DoD), and the AMO’s Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS). The data generated from all these systems is provided to Detection Enforcement Officers (DEOs) based in operations centers across the country, such as the Air and Marine Operations Center (AMOC) in Riverside, CA. All data is processed through the Air and Marine Operations Surveillance System (AMOSS), providing DEOs with a Common Operating Picture (COP) with which they can view tracks of all detected aircraft in real time. With this information, DEOs identify and classify objects and coordinate responses as needed.

The existing radar systems operate with detection ranges of up to 250 nautical miles and 100,000 feet. These are for large, commercial aircraft that also possibly broadcast cooperative frequencies. But in addition to these larger, more established systems, CBP contracts with many companies for the use of smaller, alternative detection systems for use in specialized roles. These can include tower-based sensors in remote areas, quick-response systems that can respond to special events, frequency detectors to identify and track Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) control systems, or passive sensors that utilize third-part illuminators to extend their detection ranges. Regardless of the system, each plays a particular role in establishing awareness in a variety of situations.

2. Focus Areas

2.1 Mission Planning

The above system of systems that make up the current architecture has had acceptable performance in maintaining security in and around the nation’s airspace. However, there has been a shift in mission needs that has made it imperative that CBP have the ability to detect small, dark targets. Aircraft such as ultralights or UAVs have a radar cross-section that is too small to be detected by the LRR or SRR systems. Additionally, the TARS system utilizing a top-down radar mounted in an aerostat is effective but is heavily dependent on weather conditions to be flown and cannot be considered a persistent service. The other AMO systems within the network also possess gaps in coverage, whether due to differing environments, terrain, airborne clutter, or many other factors that leave areas uncovered and unsecured. The current systems, although able to perform mission needs to some degree, are reaching obsolescence and must be updated to meet the changing demands of the ADA mission.

The overall objective for PWAAS is to provide constant ADA in all AMO AORs, in all weather conditions and across any environment. This vast, all-encompassing requirement cannot be accomplished solely through the integration of new technology. There will also need to be a restructuring of how to accomplish mission goals, to incorporate new capabilities to allow them to perform to their maximum effectiveness to support the surveil and detect portions of the UMT continuum and provide information quickly and efficiently to operators, who will ultimately make the final decision regarding the next sequence of the continuum, to identify and classify items detected.

Given the immense scope of our mission needs, there will likely be a need for technologies from a variety of sources to accomplish different aspects of the mission. This poses another challenge in developing the most effective way to utilize diverse solutions while easing the burden on the operator having to maintain attention on each of these systems. While our existing architecture allows for a Common Operating Picture (COP), new technology shall not only provide more data for DEOs to consider but must incorporate tools to decrease the operator burden. The government will consider alternative approaches in structuring the architecture and managing a larger system of systems efficiently and effectively.

HAMILTON, EARL K (CTR)

Don't know if security guidelines have been published for this program yet, but I would recommend limiting the amount of information provided on how we currently do business and what our shortcomings are. The companies we're interested are well aware of the technological challenges that must be addressed. The bad guys will certainly get their hands on this RFI and will exploit any weaknesses we reveal ...

The government is considering technologies and systems that address shortcomings in the current AMO architecture, such as:

- Detections of smaller, uncooperative aircraft at lower altitudes

- Adding to existing technologies as older systems are phased out

- Tracking of aircraft from their entry point to final destination

- Consistent detections in areas of diverse weather and terrain

Additionally, considerations regarding the estimated size, altitude, and range of airborne objects are outlined in the table below.

Group Gross Takeoff Weight (lbs)

Altitudes Range

1 0-20 100 ft AGL – 10,000 ft AGL 5 nm 2 21-55 500 ft AGL – 18,000 ft MSL 25 nm 3 < 1350 1,000 ft AGL – 18,000 ft MSL 50 nm 4 > 1350 1,000 ft AGL – 18,000 ft MSL 100 nm

The probability of detection (PD) of objects within the listed groupings must be between 80% and 100%.

Given the immense scope of our mission needs, there will likely not be a system that can meet all the parameters outline here. While the ideal solution would operate with the highest performance (100% detection out to maximum range, etc.), realistically, new systems and technologies may have drawbacks in some aspects while exceeding in others. The Government seeks to understand the company’s solution and how it addresses the various parameters in the mission needs. The Government will consider industry’s view on the various performance tradeoffs for the proposed solution along with the capability of the proposed solution to perform cooperatively with the current systems and other potential new solutions that will optimize operations and performance for the overall PWAAS architecture.

2.2 System and Technology Solutions

Through this RFI, the government is seeking solutions that may include systems and/or technology products to meet the CPB/OAM mission needs. The proposed solution may vary depending on how the respondent prioritizes the agency’s mission needs and supports its methods. The Government’s focus is on solutions that can be readily adapted and rapidly deployed to critical areas along the border. The proposed solution should be a mature, well-developed product, with proven use in real-life situations or extensive test environments and a means of production and deployment method in place.

The system should provide DEOs and other users in support of the PWAAS mission continuous surveillance and detection of all airborne objects in a given AOR with varying Radar Cross Sections (RCS) and should include both cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft.

Regarding automation such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), the amount of involvement of these technologies can vary by solution. The ideal system would work with minimal interaction from human operators. The surveillance solution should not require human oversight. System detections should alert a system operator as soon as possible, to give the maximum amount of time to determine the intentions of the object and facilitate a response, if needed. The amount of human interaction necessary for the system to function in its surveillance and detection capabilities should be at a minimum to allow operators and DEOs to focus on the identification and classification of any items of interest.

If the system meets the mission requirements set forth by respective respondents, all types of sensors (long/short range, active/passive, etc.) and platforms (fixed/mobile, ground/elevated, etc.) may be considered acceptable, with a priority on technology that employs multi-mission detection capabilities in a single unit (e.g. digital, software-defined radar). Additionally, there is no set frequency the solution must operate on, allowing the consideration of diversity on the electromagnetic spectrum. Data processing may be done on the unit or transferred to a database, and data can be given as raw information or available through user interfaces. All technology and its associated hardware and software will be considered, so long as it meets mission needs.

2.3 Business Strategies

This RFI will be soliciting industry information on technology that can be used in surveillance and detection of airborne objects. The information gathered will inform the acquisition strategy for the procurement of the Persistent Wide-Area Air Surveillance (PWAAS) solution to include hardware/software with any associated system operations and maintenance. The solution may be a single system that meets all mission needs or multiple systems that each contribute to overall coverage.

It is anticipated that the initial award will be for a limited deployment of the solution (no more than five systems) to selected sites along the southwest border in FY26 with options for deployment to additional sites in the outyears based on proven performance and future budget availability. The program’s expectation is the proposed solution will include a sensor/radar that costs less than $5M each.

As stated in the above section, AMO seeks proven technology with a high Technology Readiness level (TRL) of level 8-9, from a reliable source. Prior sales and contract value, as well as past performances will be considered in validating performance and proving a system’s technical readiness and maturity. The proposed solution is expected to be readily adapted to allow rapid deployment and integrate with AMO architecture.

This RFI seeks to engage industry in exploring innovative business strategies and innovative procurement techniques to maximize competition to achieve the mission objectives through acquisition of high-performance system(s) at fair and reasonable prices. To fulfill the mission needs, it is imperative that the respondents provide timely feedback so relevant information may be considered in the development of the optimal acquisition strategies.

Specifically, Government is considering the feasibility of the following:

• “Fee for Service” model – Contracts/Agreements to acquire data/performance outcome of the system (e.g. price per unit of quality data to the AMOC) rather than procurement of the systems (e.g. contract for purchase of hardware, software and O&M services).

• Fusion Procurements – Issuing one solicitation that may result in separate individual contracts for hardware, software and/or operations and maintenance.

• Existing Strategic Program Vehicles – Streamlined contracts designed to reduce procurement administrative costs and create time and resource efficiencies that are currently available for CBP/OAM to acquire products, systems, or services.

3. RFI Response and Requirements Submissions in response to this RFI must be viewable in Microsoft Word 2013 or Acrobat Reader 10.0. All submissions (email including attachments) must be less than 50MB. Oversized submissions may be sent by multiple emails. Oversize emails will not be delivered by the CBP e-mail system.

ALL Final Responses to this RFI are due NLT August 11 by 5 PM.

Companies may submit questions regarding this RFI to the Government NLT July 28 by 5 PM (ET). Responses to and/or questions regarding this RFI should be submitted by e-mail to:

OAMTASPMO@cbp.dhs.gov. The Government may respond to questions and responses time permitting and will be published via https://ww.SAM.gov.

The Government will review all RFI responses and capability submissions upon receipt and may seek further clarification from respondents if necessary. Based on review of the response, the Government may arrange for “one-on-one” meeting with respondents and/or request technical demonstrations to understand the capabilities of the proposed solution.

The Government will not publicly disclose vendor proprietary information obtained during this effort. To the fullest extent, consistent with the Government’s legal obligations, information identified by a respondent as “Proprietary” will be kept as such. Any information that is submitted by interested parties in response to this RFI will be shared by the Government with current and future support contractors hired to assist the Government -- including information marked as limited rights data, as restricted computer software, as being subject to limited rights, mailto:OAMTARSPMO@cbp.dhs.gov https://ww.sam.gov/ and/or as being subject to restricted rights. The Government’s support contractors that have been, or that will be hired, are required to sign nondisclosure agreements restricting them from unauthorized use and disclosure of information that may be proprietary to third party companies.

By submitting information in response to this RFI, vendors agree to allow the Government to share the information they submit with the Government’s support contractors who are, or will be, covered by a nondisclosure agreement.

Interested parties are requested to respond to the RFI and address specified information requested in the following format.

3.1 Mission Planning (max. 10 pages)

For the mission planning aspect, responses may take the form of a whitepaper with discussion and recommendations for the following questions:

A. What are the respondents’ views on how to approach PWAAS? What aspects are prioritized and why?

B. What type of command-and-control system would be considered the most effective way for information to flow from system to operator?

C. In what way would this architecture organize systems of varying types, locations, target sets, etc.?

D. Are there any specific sensor types this architecture would incorporate and why?

E. How would the mitigation of false detections or clutter be handled?

F. How does this new approach to PWAAS meet the needs of AMO?

G. Does this approach include improvements being made to the existing technology currently utilized in AMO?

H. Describe how your approach specifically meets the portions of the UMT relevant to

PWAAS

a. Surveil – How is persistent surveillance accomplished in this approach?

b. Detect – What is the most effective way to alert to a detection?

c. Describe what happens after the system alerts an operator, what actions need to be taken to continue the UMT?

I. Would any form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) be considered to decrease the need for operators-in-the-loop or support operations?

J. How are new and emerging threats in the future considered in this approach?

K. While the goal is operations with the highest performance (100% detection out to maximum range, etc.), realistically, new systems will have some drawbacks in other aspects while exceeding in others.

Discuss the following the tradeoffs to performance parameters/attributes outlined below. Which are prioritized and why, and how the mission will be accomplished despite these shortcomings.

Parameters/Attributes Tradeoffs and Factors for Consideration

Detection Size

Max Detection Range

Detection Altitude

Probability of Detection

Response Timeline

3.2 Technology Solution (no page limit)

For the technology solution, respondents may send in a fact sheet, brochure, or any material outlining the specifications of the system that is being submitted for consideration. Partial solutions are acceptable if the technology is mature and able to be deployed within 6 months of award. Any paired, partnered, or system of system solutions are acceptable.

The response must at the minimum must address the following parameters:

3.2.1 Hardware

Provide the following:

• Charts, graphs or models showing detection ranges for small RCS targets

• Charts, graphs or models of Azimuth and Elevation coverage

• Solutions for eliminating ground clutter in a look-down posture

• Mitigation techniques for false detections (clutter, wind movement, etc.)

Type of Sensor - TRL / Number of systems available / fielded

Max Detection Range, Minimum Detectable Cross Section

Frequency, bandwidth, PRFs, and pulse widths to be used

System size, weight and prime power

Average transmit power

Antenna dimensions

Power Aperture

Antenna type, gain, AZ and EL beamwidths and sidelobe levels

AZ and EL angular coverage and time required to surveil 360°

Target revisit rate(s)

Target altitudes that can be observed as a function of range

Output data format

Data distribution rate by milliseconds

Type of tracker used

Maximum number of simultaneous tracks

False track rate

Track update rate

Track accuracy

System Availability - (Proposed solution to insert and define parameter used, such as Mean Time Between System Aborts / Mean Time Between Failure Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), Mean Down Time)

Earliest date a test event can be supported

Existing frequency authorization information (DD1494 & J/F-12), if available

Service Life Estimate – Warranty Terms

3.2.2. Software

Solution system software – description and key features

AI/ML capabilities

Software for AMOSS integration

Network connections/data distribution configuration

3.2.3. Platform

Type of platform - aerostat, tower or other elevated solutions

Size, weight, power, site location requirements

Estimated cost and timeline for construction/set up

3.2.4. System Operation and Maintenance

• Estimated sustainment costs per system

• Estimated unit costs for 5 and 20 complete systems and timeline to deliver and operational deployment

• Personnel for Program Management, Site Operations and Maintenance

• System facility (new construction and/or modification of existing sites)

• Logistics Approach, (support services, spares and warehouse, etc) – Estimated cost and timeline for implementation

• Program/system performance metrics

3.3 Business Strategies (max. 10 pages)

For the business strategies response, the Government is interested in potential program strategies for rapid implementation for the proposed solutions along with implementation of innovative approaches that may reduce financial and technical risks or streamline the typical procurement process. A whitepaper may be submitted detailing the respondents’ responses and recommendations.

Additionally, the respondent is encouraged to answer the following questions:

• What are your views on the feasibility on using “Fee for Service” model and/or Fusion Procurements procedures for the acquisition of the proposed solution? What are the advantages and disadvantages, risk and reward tradeoffs, that the Government should consider?

• Do you see any risks, impediments or constraints to rapid deployment of the proposed solution and what are your recommended mitigation measures?

• Are there any factors that may encourage or discourage you from participating in this acquisition?

• What are the constraints (if any) to deploy the proposed solution as rapidly as possible and for it perform at its best?

3.4 Corporate Information (No page limit)

Each respondent must provide the following corporate information

A. Corporate Profile - including point-of-contact, CCR#, DUNN#, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)#, business size status and socio-economic status such as: Competitive 8(a), HUBZone, Emerging Small Business, Partial Small Business, Total Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.

Identify the company's management system certifications, such as Capability Maturity Model (Integration) (CMMI) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Identify whether the company qualifies as a “Nontraditional Government Contractor” which is an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least one-year any contract or subcontract for the Government that is subject to full coverage under the Cost Accounting Standards as stated at 41 USC, Sec 1502.

B. Submit evidence of relevant experience and ability to provide a ground-based, persistent, wide-area air surveillance system. All past performance information should identify the customer, contact number, total dollar value, type of contract and Government POC, if applicable. Identify whether the company participated as the prime contractor or a subcontractor.

C. Describe any streamlined contracting vehicles that CBP/OAM may use to acquire products, systems, or services from your company. These vehicles include but are not limited to GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts, Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), DHS Strategic Sourcing Contracts, consortia or stand-alone Other Transaction Agreements (OTA).

D. Please include brief information on your company’s managerial, technical and financial resources to be able to meet the PWAAS program requirements.

E. Describe your company’s ability to source and manage a wide variety of skill sets (e.g.

flight operations, machinery mechanics, electronics technicians, logistics, transportation, engineering, administrative), and your ability to perform the technically complex tasks required for PWAAS.

F. Submit evidence that your company has the requisite accounting, purchasing, property, insurance, and funds management capabilities to support this effort. Please include an explanation of your ability to provide sound management and physical security of Government assets. Also include a discussion of the methods your company utilizes to ensure fiscal control, your inventory tracking procedures, and the existence in your company of purchasing capability necessary to ensure continuous supply and equipment support of the PWAAS program.

G. Discuss your firm’s ability to provide and maintain a Quality Control Program that includes the provision and maintenance of an inspection system that meets the Government’s inspection and quality requirements.

H. Discuss your firm’s system engineering capabilities to plan and implement modifications and technical upgrades to address emergent PWAAS mission needs.

I. Submit evidence that your company has the ability to perform a range of security functions (i.e. personnel, physical, IT and Cyber security) to comply with DHS requirements.