CBP AMO Broadband WiFI Internet for Marine Vessels

CBP Mission Support Broadband Wi-Fi Internet

Request for Information (RFI)

1. PURPOSE

This is not a solicitation announcement. This is a Request for Information (RFI) released pursuant to FAR 15.201(e). 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 RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is not currently seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. Any responses received will be used by the Government solely for the purpose of making appropriate acquisition decisions. There shall be no basis for claims against the Government as a result of information submitted in response to the RFI. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this announcement or otherwise pay for any information submitted by respondents to this request. This notice is for market research purposes only and is not indicative of a full requirement.

CBP, Air and Marine Operations (AMO), National Security Missions are interdiction, investigation, domain awareness, contingency operations, and national taskings. In support of these core competencies, CBP utilizes 41-foot Secure Around Flotation Equipped (SAFE) boats in coastal waters to combat maritime smuggling and defend the waterways along our nation's borders from terrorism. With its advanced hull design, safety equipment and electronics, this vessel provides agents with the protection, mobility, and reliability to intercept and apprehend maritime smugglers. The SAFE boat 3-person (minimum) crew works together with AMO's aviation assets and other federal, state, and local law enforcement entities to accomplish the homeland security mission.

2. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

AMO is conducting market research on the availability of providing Broadband Wi-Fi Internet access on Marine Vessels. There is no existing system so this will be a new service. Broadband Wi-Fi Internet on Marine Vessels would be a major contributor to overall performance of the AMO's statutory and strategic missions with specific contributions to Maritime Safety, Maritime Security, and Maritime Stewardship across a vast area of responsibility (AOR). Reliable and robust connectivity are strategically important capabilities that enable DHS agents to protect the Homeland from a wide array of threats.

3. REQUIREMENTS

In your response, please provide information on the performance information requested in the performance section below. Feel free to add additional information about services and capabilities your solution can provide:

3.1 Performance

1. System Block Diagram: Provide a block diagram of all system components including capabilities/limitations, cables, and power requirements. Please include what components are vendor and customer supplied.
2. Service Coverage: Please provide detailed information on US and/or international area coverage. A map of coverage area (including offshore limitations) is required.
3. UP/Down Service Data Speeds: Provide details of data speeds available. If speeds are based on hardware configurations, please outline what configurations provide what speeds. If unlimited data plans are not available, please provide information on costs/options when exceeding plan limits.
4. Environmental Specifications: Provide the specifications the equipment has been tested or is certified for.
5. Cost of Service: Detail the current costs of service. If different plans are available based on data usage, outline available plans and current costs.
6. Current US Government Usage: If currently providing service to a US Government or military agency, please provide name and contact information.
7. Service Capability: Please provide information on you provide customer/technical service.
8. Methods of Purchase: Provide information on how to purchase your product. Do you sell directly to the government or do you use dealers etc.
9. Potential Future Upgrades and System Improvements; Please include plans such as a Product Road Map to improve coverage/data rates/Equipment, and estimated time frame for these to become available.

The following information is provided to help potential solution providers understand the usage conditions and environmental concerns of this application.

1. Broadband Wi-Fi Internet service must be maintained with maximum sustained speeds of 60 Knots.
2. Wi-Fi equipment must be compatible and cannot interfere with current electronic & collision avoidance systems (ex. Radar) on the vessel.
3. The Wi-Fi equipment will be subject to intense vibration and repeated shock due to high-speed marine operating in rough sea conditions.
4. Wi-Fi equipment will be subject to the Marine (salt and fresh water) environment from the Great Lakes to the US Virgin Islands.
5. Solutions not specifically designed for marine environments may be able to be hardened to meet application requirements.
6. Vessel antenna space is very limited.

3.2 Coordination and Technical Liaison

The Vendor shall provide facilities, along with technical and administrative support, for hosting and conducting on-site reviews and special studies related to accomplishment of this task.

In identifying qualified vendors, AMO is open to responses that include innovative solutions to meet the requirements.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit capability statements addressing how their organization may be able to meet this requirement. CBP also welcomes industry feedback in offering suggested processes in executing such procurements.

The page limitation for responses to this notice is 14 pages of text and unlimited pages of diagrams, illustrations and charts, to include corporate capacity, understanding of the requirement, and technical/management approach.

4.0 Written Deliverables

Document shall be delivered as a PDF file. All pages shall be appropriately numbered and identified by the complete company name, date, and referenced RFI number listed in the header and page numbers in the footer (e.g. 6 of 6). Page size shall be no greater than 8 1/2" x 11." The top, bottom, left and right margins shall be a minimum of one inch each. Font size shall be no smaller than 12-point. Arial or Times New Roman fonts are required. Characters shall be set at no less than normal spacing and 100% scale. Tables and illustrations may use a reduced font size not less than 8-point and may be landscape. Line spacing shall be set at no less than single space. Each paragraph shall be separated by at least one blank line. Page numbers, company logos, and headers and footers may be within the page margins ONLY and are not bound by the 12-point font requirement.

Questions related to this RFI are due by close of business (COB) Monday, August 7, 2023 (EST) and should be forwarded via email to brenda.mealer@cbp.dhs.gov . Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Final responses to this notice shall be emailed to brenda.mealer@cbp.dhs.gov and received no later than COB, Friday, August 18, 2023 (EST).