SOO - I - Rapid Physical Barriers - 06022021.pdf

Rapidly Deployed Physical Barriers for Area Denial

June 2021 Science and Technology Directorate Department of Homeland Security

DISTRIBUTION NOTICE: Further dissemination only as directed by DHS Office of Policy DESTRUCTION NOTICE: Destroy by any method that will prevent disclosure of contents or reconstruction of the document.

Rapidly Deployed Physical Barriers

1.0 Problem Statement

First responders require barriers that can be rapidly deployed and are able to safely contain or channel protesters or rioters without being easily destroyed.

2.0 Purpose and Scope

First responders responsible for public safety and crowd control deal with large, frequently mobile, and sometimes violent crowds that often gather without prior notice. During the widespread civil unrest that occurred throughout 2020, first responders commonly found they lacked the barriers necessary to safely protect the public, themselves, and surrounding infrastructure.

The FRRG requires a solution for channeling the movement of crowds that:

1) Is rapidly deployable by first responders

2) Is safe for crowd members and first responders

3) Helps to protect infrastructure, including critical infrastructure

4) Is tamper resistant and not easily defeated

5) Has the ability to provide scalable options, such as a gate or turnstile

3.0 Background Environment

Large demonstrations, protests, and riots took place across the United States throughout the Spring and Summer of 2020. During these events, first responders found the traditional barriers and fencing used for crowd control to be inadequate to address the evolving nature of the events that, at times, became violent. While existing barriers may work well with cooperative groups of persons, in the case of large or uncooperative crowds, barriers and fencing is often ineffective and can become weapons used against law enforcement officers and responders. This SOO is intended to address the need for new and enhanced physical barriers that will enable first responders to perform their required crowd control missions without sacrificing their safety or the safety of the public.

3.1 Mission Scenarios

Civil unrest was widespread throughout 2020, requiring first responders in small towns and big cities across the United States to manage large crowds at protests and demonstrations. During these events, many first responders found the traditional barriers and fencing used for crowd control to be inadequate to address evolving situations. At times the crowds became violent and, in some cases, barriers and fencing were used as weapons against law enforcement officers and responders.

While riots and unrest were at the forefront when identifying the need for a new solution for crowd control barriers, there are numerous other first responder missions that could also benefit. For example:

• To help channel persons during a mass decontamination scenario

• To prevent looting following natural disasters

• To prevent water from getting into an area during a flooding situation

• To direct persons in the wake of a large scale disaster or attack

• For use during special events, sporting events, or other activities that draw large crowds.

Regardless of the crowd control scenario, first responders require a solution for managing crowds of pedestrians that can stop forward movement, channel or direct movement, and provide access denial.

3.2 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

First responders do not currently have crowd control barriers that can control, contain, and channel pedestrians and are:

1) Rapidly deployable

2) Safe for both crowds and first responders

3) Are able to protect infrastructure by denying access

Current crowd control solutions tend to be better suited for crowds that are stationary and compliant, as well as for planned events. Because events often occur without notice or are mobile in nature (for example, crowds moving from one location to another), first responders need physical barriers they can rapidly deploy in the field as the situation requires. The existing barriers that are easy to set up also tend to be easy to defeat; this shortfall needs to be addressed with a resilient solution that is not easy to tamper with or defeat.

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

First responders require a solution that can address the full spectrum of crowd control scenarios they are responsible for managing. The solution must be able to manage crowds of pedestrians by helping to stop forward movement, channel or direct movement, and provide access denial.

4.1 Concept of Operations (ConOps)

The solution will provide first responders with crowd control barriers that:

• Can be rapidly deployed by responders in the field

• Are safe

• Deny access to infrastructure

• Are tamper resistant

• Are not easily defeated

• Are compatible with adding scalable options or features

4.2 Additional Capabilities

Successful development of this requirement will enable first responders to be better prepared and protected to help safeguard their communities. Having the appropriate crowd control solutions available will help responders to contain and control the movement of law abiding persons so they are better equipped to deal with and focus on any issues or instigators. That is, having adequate equipment enables first responders to appropriately and proportionately deal with criminal violence that may occur during civil unrest, while allowing those not engaged in criminal activity to safely continue to practice their first amendment rights.

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

The FRRG members identified must have requirements for the deployment and design of the solution, as well as desirable capabilities or characteristics, which are outlined in the sections below.

5.1 Must Have Requirements

In order to be responsive to evolving situations or threats, the crowd control solution must be able to be deployed rapidly, ideally in less than 30 minutes, by responders in the field. Deployment cannot require extensive personnel to set up, no more than five to six persons total. The solution must be “frustration free” and intuitive to deploy. Specialized training should not be a necessity for responders to learn how to deploy the solution. However, a specialized tool can be required for solution deployment if it results in keeping others from being able to dismantle the solution.

The must have characteristics of the solution the FRRG identified include:

• Not easily moved once it is deployed, “link and hold” or semi permanent

• Stops forward movement of large groups of pedestrians

• Channels or directs the movement of pedestrians

• Capable of providing a turnstile or one way gate to allow for control of persons in or out

• Provides access denial to infrastructure

• Not easily defeated

• Discourages contact and climbing

Minimum elevation of six feet Potential to be extendable Incorporates something that keeps persons from getting injured if they try to scale it

• Requires less monitoring by first responders

• See-through or does not impact responder’s view of the crowd, especially given the height

• Easily stored, to include racking capability

• Able to be transported easily

• Can be lifted by 2-3 responders

• Includes gate(s) that are lockable; enable responders/pedestrians to pass through as needed, but doesn’t require constant monitoring

• Weather-resistant and can withstand the elements, to include being able to be stored outside

• Allows signage to be added

• Fire resistant

• Resistant to being cut or damaged

5.2 Desirable Capabilities or Characteristics

In addition to the must have requirements reported in subsection 5.1, the FRRG identified performance and/or system standards that exceed the proposed solution requirements. These include:

• Provides the ability to add in concealment panels that provide one way see through screening. For example, something that would allow responders to see out but that wouldn’t let others see in.

• Provides a tactical advantage on one side of the barrier (for responders) versus the other side (for the crowd), including the ability to climb, see through, and pass through barrier.

• Can prevent thrown projectiles from reaching responder personnel, to include providing some form of top cover

• Alerts to breaches of the solution, providing intrusion detection or RFID tags (especially for more permanent crowd control installations)

• Offers the potential to “tag” persons who touch it, such as including a sticky or slippery substance on the crowd facing side of the solution that would mark persons as having touched it

• Is aesthetically pleasing, the look of the solution shouldn’t cause political opposition

• Incorporates a graffiti resistant coating

• Is equipped to offer customizable mounting systems, such as:

Flood Lights Cameras Loudspeakers or other communication devices Signage Irritant spray/skunk water dispersal

• Is equipped to be able to provide decontamination corridors

• Provides some level of vehicle denial

6.0 System Support

6.1 Contractual Requirements

6.1.1 Period and Place of Performance

The length of time of the contract shall be between 12-18 months and shall not exceed the latter. All developmental activities will be performed at the contractor designated site(s). DHS may require the contractor to perform critical design reviews and/or product presentations at DHS specified locations.

6.1.2 System Affordability

First responders’ budgets are limited and should be taken into consideration when developing and determining a price per unit cost model.

6.1.3 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

The proposed solution must meet all applicable regulatory or legal requirements and standards, to include:

• Fire safety code, cannot impact ability to move fire apparatus in/out

• Egress

6.1.4 Contract Deliverables

The project performer will be required to provide several prototypes by the end of the period of performance for post-contract testing and evaluation. The number of prototypes will vary, depending on the cost and complexity, however the FRRG expects the need for two to five.

6.2 Solution Support

6.2.1 Support Concept

6.2.2 Training

Training information as required shall be provided on any specialized equipment, and shall include how to properly store, clean, deploy, and maintain the basic ensemble/unit. Any specialty requirements of personnel conducting maintenance, storage, extraction, or delivery will be identified including certification requirements. Training material shall be available initially in hard copy, and subsequently in soft copy format.

6.2.3 Other Considerations

Human Interface Requirements: The target users for the proposed solution includes first responders responsible for a variety of missions and working in a range of environments. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Law enforcement officers responding to riots

• HAZMAT personnel responding to HAZMAT events

• Responders at disaster scenes or natural hazard events (e.g., flooding situations)

• Public works personnel

• National Park Police and the National Park Service

• Law enforcement and security personnel conducting crowd control at major events, to include marathons, sporting events, or parades

Logistics and Readiness: The solution developed under this award is envisioned as either a new piece of equipment or an improved version of current offerings. It should also be cost effective so that emergency responders from a wide variety of jurisdictions will be able to afford it.

6.2.4 Storage and Maintenance

The contractor shall identify all necessary storage and maintenance requirements for the proposed solution including: the required maintenance schedule, identification of the specific components of the ensemble that requires the maintenance, the type of maintenance required, and whether the maintenance can be performed in the field by operational personnel or if it will be required to be returned to the manufacturer for the required maintenance.

Physical solutions including PPE, shall include all special laundering instructions, including recommendations for frequency of laundering, should also be provided if required. Laundering recommendations should be viable and cost effective for First Responders and First Responder agencies and should ideally be able to be performed “in house.”

The FRRG members identified some requirements pertaining to storage and maintenance of the solution. Specifically, they indicated the solution should be made from rugged materials and joints and be able to be:

Stored easily, to include racking capability Kept outside under various weather conditions

• Cleaned or decontaminated quickly

• Repaired rapidly