Cellular Over the Horizon Enforcement Network (COTHEN) Support Services

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is soliciting proposals for Cellular Over the Horizon Enforcement Network (COTHEN) Support Services through a hybrid Firm Fixed-Price and Time and Materials contract. The procurement seeks comprehensive support for a high-frequency radio communications network that provides secure communications infrastructure for law enforcement and government agencies, covering the United States, Central and South America, and surrounding maritime areas. The contract includes program management, integrated software services, primary operations center support, fixed antenna site services, subscriber equipment services, security services, and transition services for the existing network infrastructure. Evaluation will be conducted through a best-value trade-off analysis focusing on four factors: Technical Approach and Quality Assurance, Staffing and Key Personnel, Past Experience, and Pricing, with non-price factors being significantly more important than price. The solicitation was originally posted on August 19, 2025, with the proposal submission deadline extended through Amendment A002 to September 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET. Questions were due by August 26, 2025, and the government has issued clarifying responses and amendments throughout the solicitation period.

The solicitation is set aside 100% for small businesses under NAICS code 515111 (Radio Networks). The contract structure includes a 12-month base period from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2026, with three 12-month option periods extending through September 29, 2029, following the removal of the fourth option period in Amendment A002. The pricing template indicates total estimated labor hours of 38,400 across multiple labor categories including Program Manager IV, IT Systems Engineer IV, Logistics Analyst III, and three Technician II positions. The contract includes not-to-exceed provisions for travel starting at $100,000 in the base year and on-demand equipment repairs beginning at $309,850.80. Performance will occur across multiple locations including a primary operations center in Orlando, Florida, 22 fixed antenna sites with 31 transmitter stations, and 113 distributed Remote Communications Console locations throughout the network coverage area. The contract also includes software licensing requirements for high-frequency cellular servers, audio phone patch software, and remote control console software.