General Dynamics [GD] has completed the initial field deployment and test of the Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS) upgrade for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a key milestone in the two-year old program.
With the initial deployment and testing in support of routine operations, the RVSS system has achieved initial operating capability in Nogales, Ariz., the first area of responsibility (AOR). GD has also begun deployments in the Naco and Douglas, Ariz., AORs.
The RVSS upgrade program entails the installation of new wide-area electro-optical and infrared multi-sensor camera systems on new and legacy fixed towers and building structures, providing Border Patrol agents with persistent ground surveillance and real-time video analytics to detect, track, identify, classify and respond to activity along United States borders.
In addition to providing camera suites on five new towers and 12 legacy tower sites supporting the Nogales Border Patrol Station, GD a has also deployed a new command-and-control system.
The RVSS upgrade is part of CBP’s multi-layered approach to technology solutions to enhance border security. The agency recently achieved significant milestones for conditional acceptance with another key border security program in Nogales, the Integrated Fixed Tower (IFT) system being supplied and integrated by Elbit Systems [ESLT].
The IFT systems, which will be deployed in certain areas of the U.S. border with Mexico, include EO/IR systems and ground surveillance radar to help the Border Patrol gain increasing situational awareness by detecting, identifying and interdicting suspected illegal activity.
“The Remote Video Surveillance System is a critical element of our overall plan to secure the border, increase our mission effectiveness and protect our agents,” says Mark Borkowski, assistant commissioner of CBP’s Office of Technology Innovation and Acquisition. “The General Dynamics team has done a great job honoring its commitments and we are excited to have achieved an initial operating capability in our first area of responsibility. We look forward to continuing this strong relationship, and to completing the rest of our Arizona deployments over the next year.”
In addition to portions of Arizona, GD’s contract includes options for additional RVSS deployments elsewhere, particularly the Rio Grande Valley area in South Texas. Borkowski told reporters in late August that the Border Patrol prefers camera-type systems in this area due to the heavy foliage.
In 2013 CBP awarded General Dynamics One Source a potential 10-year, $103 million contract for the RVSS upgrade, including maintenance and support activities. GD One Source is comprised of GD Information Technology and GD Mission Systems and PureTech Systems.
PureTech provides its PureActiv software suite for full motion video, target detection, sensor control and the geospatial user interface.
In addition to its border security work for the Department of Homeland Security through the RVSS upgrade program, GD has also deployed an extensive maritime safety capability for the Coast Guard through the Rescue 21 communications towers deployed along the nation’s coastlines and inland waterways to enhance responses to mariner distress calls and provide communications capabilities.
MVSS Close to Award
After withdrawing a $50 million award to Mistral, Inc. a year ago for the Mobile Video Surveillance System (MVSS) due to protest activity and a re-do of the competition, CBP expects to shortly again announce a winner.
The agency says it has already made a source-selection but that decision has been protested to the Small Business Administration (SBA) claiming that the winner isn’t a small business.
“We have made a contract award decision and provided a pre-award notice to the bidders,” a CBP spokesperson tells HSR via an email response to question. “One of the unsuccessful bidders has filed a size protest with the Small Business Administration. We currently anticipate we will make a formal contract award by the end of this month.”
A size protest refers to an allegation that the winner was not a small business by government standards. When Mistral won a year ago, two of the losing bidders protested that the company wasn’t a small business. Although the SBA concluded that Mistral was a small business, the MVSS award was then protested to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) alleging errors in the source selection process.
Instead of waiting for the GAO to finish its adjudication, CBP took its own corrective actions and allow the bidders to update their proposals. With the updates completed, CBP has selected a winner. Even with the latest size protest to the SBA, CBP still expects an official MVSS award shortly.
The MVSS system will consist of short and medium-range day and night camera systems on telescopic poles integrated on Border Patrol 4 x 4 vehicles. The systems will be used primarily for night time operations and will be deployed in certain urban, rural and remote areas that are difficult to access and monitor with other systems. The MVSS will provide surveillance when intelligence indicates that times of interest are in or approaching an area.