2026-11-06 Request for Information - DFR sUAS Dock System and Services.docx

SUAS DFR Dock Systems and Services RFI/Sources Sought

SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (SUAS)

DRONE AS A FIRST RESPONDER (DFR)

SUAS DOCK SYSTEMS AND SERVICES

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT

DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), as part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is conducting market research through a request for information (RFI)/Sources Sought on the current availability and technological capabilities of Drone as a First Responder (DFR) Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) dock systems and services.

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR INFORMATION RECEIVED. This RFI is issued 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 research does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. CBP is not seeking proposals at this time. CBP will not pay any costs associated with responding to this research. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP. If a solicitation is released, it will be posted to SAM.gov (http://www.SAM.gov). All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned. The information obtained from industries responses to this RFI may be used in the development of an acquisition strategy and future RFP.

INTRODUCTION: USBP is a sub-component of CBP whose mission is to prevent the illegal flow of people and contraband into the United States via air, land, and sea. USBP’s primary mission is to conduct law enforcement activities along U.S. borders and between the official ports of entry. As the Nation’s single, unified border agency, USBP’s mission is vitally important for the protection of the American people and the national economy; USBP represents the first line of defense of America’s borders. One of USBP’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. USBP is interested in learning about the availability of DFR SUAS dock systems and services, a prepositioned integrated unmanned aircraft capability designed to autonomously or remotely deploy drones in response to security threats or operational requirements. The DFR system would be able to provide information on the location and movement of potential items of interest as they are traversing the international border between the designated ports of entry.

PURPOSE: This RFI seeks to obtain information from industry about the availability of DFR SUAS dock systems (consisting of paired SUAS and dock systems) and services. Respondents are requested to answer the questions in Attachment B: DFR Technical Information Request C: SUAS Dock Systems and Services Summary Response Form. Vendors who respond to this market research are also requested to provide the information sought in Attachment A: Vendor Company Data.

PRODUCT DEMONSTRATION: As a part of this RFI, the Government intends to review RFI responses and may identify vendors with existing systems to participate in a product demonstration of their system, in order to provide the Government with an opportunity to gain additional information about the capabilities of available relevant products as demonstrated in an operational environment.

Vendor demonstrations of products or services shall be rendered at no cost to the Government, and the vendor shall waive any claims against the Government for compensation for this demonstration. For any SUAS dock systems and services vendor product demonstration, the vendor shall plan to provide all necessary equipment for the product demonstration.

The Government is not bound or obligated in any way to any special consideration to the vendor on future contracts as a result of participation in a demonstration. The vendor shall not refer to the demonstration as implying government acceptance or approval for advertising purposes. The vendor also acknowledges that the Government makes no commitment to buy the products or services involved, or to give the vendor special consideration in any future acquisition in which the vendor may submit a proposal.

Not all vendors that respond to this RFI may be extended an opportunity to participate in a product demonstration. A government request to participate in a product demonstration will be based on the Government’s need for additional information regarding a vendor’s system in an operational environment, and the availability of government resources. Participation in the product demonstration, however, will have no bearing on a vendor’s ability to respond to any future RFP.

If identified to participate in a product demonstration, CBP will coordinate the demonstration event, including a vendor demonstration agreement, via separate correspondence following review of the RFI responses. If a product demonstration is conducted, the demonstration may assess, but would not be limited to, the following:

1. rapid setup and launch;

2. daytime operational video quality;

3. night or low-light performance;

4. autonomous capability;

5. ease of use;

6. range and endurance;

7. lost-link and return-to-home behavior;

8. rural scenarios;

9. operator training burden;

10. cybersecurity and supply chain documentation;

11. production scalability; and

12. sustainment approach.

QUESTIONS: Your firm is requested to submit questions, if any, electronically no later than November 13, 2026 to DockSystemsRFI@cbp.dhs.gov. Questions should be prepared using Microsoft Office Word, Times New Roman font, 12 point font size. The Government will post a response to the questions to SAM.gov (http://www.SAM.gov) on or about November 20, 2026.

RESPONSE: Your firm is requested to submit its response electronically no later than December 18, 2026 to DockSystemsRFI@cbp.dhs.gov. Responses should be prepared using Microsoft Office Word, Times New Roman font, 12 point font size; Excel or Power Point. Responses submitted after December 18, 2026 may not be evaluated.

Attachment A: SUAS Dock System and Services Vendor Company Data Attachment B: DFR Technical Information Request Attachment C: SUAS Dock System and Services Summary Response Form