Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Satellite Air Time

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a component of the Department of Homeland Security, has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for satellite air time services. The agency plans to award a firm fixed price contract to NAL Research in Manassas, Virginia for a base year period from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The contract will provide uninterrupted internet connection services that enable GPS satellite tracking device information to be transmitted to and displayed at CBP's Air and Marine Operations Center. The procurement falls under the Satellite Telecommunications NAICS category and involves radio and television communication equipment for airborne operations. This is structured as a sole source award, meaning CBP intends to contract directly with NAL Research without competitive bidding.

The primary purpose of this contract is to maintain continuous GPS tracking capabilities for CBP's operational requirements, as the existing iridium GPS satellite tracking devices are dependent upon NAL Research's specific infrastructure. Contractors who believe they can meet the requirements must respond by September 12, 2025, by emailing the contracting officer at Michael.A.Hall@cbp.dhs.gov. Any interested contractors must submit a capabilities statement demonstrating their ability to fulfill the contract requirements. The sole source justification stems from the fact that existing tracking devices only function with the current vendor's system, and switching providers would require extensive modifications including new aircraft engineering analysis, FAA certifications, network infrastructure updates, and device replacements. CBP has determined that changing vendors could potentially interrupt critical operations and adversely impact national security, making the sole source approach necessary to ensure operational continuity.